No-Thought Meditation is an age-old message to be found in ancient texts, some possibly more than 2000 years.

No-Thought Meditation is a very useful practice.

WHY?
To simplify, neutralize stress, come to terms with oneself, to find inner happiness, relax.

WHEN?
Soon! There are no hard and fast rules - But it is best that one is not too tired, has not just eaten a meal, not be in an induced state of consciousness (through drink or drugs).

HOW?
Find somewhere which is comfortable enough for you to sit, where you are unlikely to be interrupted for at least half an hour or for as long as you wish to meditate. If you choose to sit in the traditional crossed-legged pose, do sit with a thick cushion beneath the bottom, to prevent strain to the knees and spine.

Settle for a short while, then close the eyes.

No doubt thoughts will arise. Enjoy the thoughts.

Then place your attention on something other than thoughts. This can easily be achieved by placing one's attention on to airborne sounds or on to one's own breath. Else one can direct the attention to the sensation of light within, which at first might appear very faint but can become quite intense on occasion.

Gradually, gradually minimise and decrease mental activity (but do this reasonably gently).

Whilst you are sitting quietly witnessing the thoughts that come and go, the body may, from time to time, draw your attention. Both the mind and body are settling down.

Ask yourself what it would be like to sit without thoughts. Remind yourself that you are giving your mind permission to quieten and be without thoughts for a while. The mind might rebel against this idea. No problem, don't force the issue. But from time to time summon this idea again. At some time the mind will be curious enough to co-operate.

When the state of no-thought is arrived at, it is often accompanied by reduced breathing. A state of no-thought is a chance for the mind (and body) to relax for a while.

When you feel the wish to resume activity again, gently open the eyes and re-adjust to your surroundings before getting up.

Note - Don't be unduly frustrated if you do not readily sustain a state of no-thought. But do not be put off. Find time to sit again and again. Some might prefer to seek a qualified teacher of meditation and obtain a personally selected mantra to loosely focus on whilst minimising thought. Just remember to get around to letting go of it, as even a mantra is a thought!

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No-Thought Meditation can also be called Yog Meditation and can be practised by anyone regardless of his or her beliefs. No-thought Meditation is a gift to ourselves as no fee is payable for understanding or practising it and is completely natural.

It has been pointed out that this process of clearing the mind of thoughts is useful in preparing to go to sleep. It would be great if it were also adopted as a means of waking up!

It is not uncommon for practitioners of meditation to sit for two periods per day, once in the morning and once in the evening. If in doubt as to how long to sit for meditation, a widely used method is to sit for the length of time a stick of incense takes to burn down.

It is held that the experience of meditation is extremely beneficial, both physically and mentally. It is also taught that the repeated conscious experience of the state of no-thought (sometimes referred to as Pure Consciousness) eventually gives rise to a permanent state of higher awareness (also known as Cosmic Consciousness).

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