1. RELAXATION:
Relaxation
helps to release tension from the body so the mind can focus.
a. Body position:
spine straight, arms and hands relaxed (elbows off arms of chairs),
comfortable, but attentive.
a. The mind controls
the body. Use it to direct the relaxation process. Talk to the body
with the mind.
2. MEDITATION:
Meditation is the process of narrowing the focus of the mind through
continuous and contemplative thought. The mind has a natural propensity
for motion. To will the mind to be still only compounds the problem.
The mind will begin to settle in stillness ' however, if given something
to focus on. This helps draw the conscious mind inward. This is the
stage where affirmations and denials centered around divine ideas become
powerful tools for transformation and function to deepen the meditative
state. There are three major ways of engaging this process:
a. Use a mantra,
sacred word, or statement of truth as the focus of awareness. This functions
like an anchor on a ship which is trying to remain still on a stormy
sea. If the mind drifts in waves of thinking, bring awareness back to
the anchor, the mantra. Focus on a single word or statement of truth
will often result in revelation, or it may take you to a deeper level
of silence.
b. Watch thoughts
without attachment. Become the observer or the witness. If a person
is stared at for an extended period of time, he or she will look away.
Thoughts respond very much in the same way. If we stare at them without
attachment, they will soon turn away and drift into the ocean of consciousness.
c. Observe the observer. Become the witness of the witness. The one
you are looking for is the one who is looking.
Any of these three methods of meditation will eventually move one beyond
trivial thinking and monkey-mind chatter. At first, however, the reverse
happens. It is much like opening a can of soda. Meditation releases
unconscious memories in the soul which have been suppressed or depressed.
These memories become bubbles of explosive energy when consciousness
turns in upon itself. Meditation serves as a penetrating force that
brings these memories to the surface for conscious observation. Prayer
always works as a catalyst for this explosion.
As soon as we become
aware that we have gotten absorbed in the bubbles, we bring our awareness
back to focus. In this way the bubbles will pass from our system very
much in the same way that bubbles dissipate into thin air the longer
a can remains open. As they dissipate, a peaceful state or vacuum of
rest remains in their wake. At this point, Spirit then draws us into
a deep state of concentration and beyond to the Silence.
3. CONCENTRATION:
Concentration is total immersion in singleness of mind or one pointed
vision. Scripture refers to it as the "single eye." It is
experienced as stilled awareness for a prolonged period of time. This
is not something we do; it is something that happens as the result of
relaxation, meditation, surrender and the drawing of Divine will. Our
part is to keep establishing ourselves in the correct inner and outer
posture. When we do this the natural functioning of the three phases
of mind begins to take place, and we find ourselves in a state of deep
concentration.
We reach a point
of such concentrated intensity that another change takes place and we
are drawn into another state of awareness. It is as though a trap door
opens and we are irresistibly pulled rapidly inward by an unseen force.
The distance from the concentrative state and that of the silence is
not known, nor can it be measured or monitored. It is believed to take
place at the point of mystical union or impingement of the subconscious
phase of mind upon the Superconscious. Again, entering the silence is
not the result of any conscious effort on our part other than preparation.
The door to the silence opens from within, and is completely under the
direction of the Christ.
4. REALIZATION
IN THE SILENCE:
The silence is "a state of consciousness entered into for the
purpose of putting man in touch with Divine Mind so that the I AM may
listen to the 'still small voice' (I Kings 19:12)" (R, 179).
There is no time
or space in the silence... only consciousness, beingness, the experience
of God. That experience may be that of "the still small voice,"
inner knowing, revelation, pure peace,, oneness, cosmic consciousness,
visions, light, music, fragrances, etc. It is also experienced as "the
void." There are many levels of the silence. "In my Father's
house are many rooms... 11 (John 14:2).
RESULTS OF THE SILENCE
EXPERIENCE
a. Transformation
of consciousness.
b. Healing of soul memory
c. Karmic erasure
d. Diminishing of self
e. True guidance
f. True forgiveness
g. Self realization
h. Revelation of truth
Knowing God!
5. THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving, at this point in the prayer process, is both a state of
consciousness as well as an activity of consciousness. It is the result
of "knowing" that emerges from the prayer process. It enfolds
the mind/heart energies' of unshakable faith and trust. Its center is
peace; its circumference is joy... its effect God made manifest.
