Through all the various exercises that one goes through while doing the workbook, some of them gradually teach one how to meditate.
The last time I did the Course, in the 70's, nearing the end of the lessons I had difficulty remembering where to find the basic instructions to meditation.
The lesson I was on yesterday, lesson 44, has some instruction on how to meditate (though it is not using the actual word meditation) that I'd like to write here. So that I can find it later easily, and for anyone else who'd like this kind of pointer (reminder) who has done the Course already, or is past lesson 44.
We all could use reminders from time to time on how to meditate. And if you all have other excerpts from the Workbook, Text, or Teacher's Manual that teach us how to meditate A Course in Miracles style, let's add them to this thread.
Here are excerpts from lesson 44, "God is the Light in which I see", which brought me to a deep state of meditation:
"Begin the practice period by repeating today's idea with your eyes open, and close them slowly, repeating the idea several times more. Then try to sink into your mind, letting go every kind of interference and intrusion by quietly sinking past them. Your mind cannot be stopped in this unless you choose to stop it. It is merely taking its natural course. Try to observe your passing thoughts without involvement, and slip quietly by them.
"While no particular approach is advocated for this form of exercise, what is needful is a sense of the importance of what you are doing; its inestimable value to you, and an awareness that you are attempting something very holy. Salvation is your happiest accomplishment. It is also the only one that has any meaning, because it is the only one that has any real use to you at all.
"If resistance rises in any form, pause long enough to repeat today's idea, keeping your eyes closed unless you are aware of fear. In that case, you will probably find it more reassuring to open your eyes briefly. Try, however, to return to the exercises with eyes closed as soon as possible.
"If you are doing the exercises correctly, you should experience some sense of relaxation, and even a feeling that you are approaching, if not actually entering into light. Try to think of light, formless and without limit, as you pass by the thoughts of this world. And do not forget that they cannot hold you to the world unless you give them the power to do so."
my notes:
I found the "sink into your mind" and "sinking past" intrusive thoughts, to be a particularly helpful instruction. It is indeed a sort of sinking that brought me to an expansive state of awareness that is utterly different from one's usual state of perception. Sinking and expanding in true meditation.
The last time I did the Course, in the 70's, nearing the end of the lessons I had difficulty remembering where to find the basic instructions to meditation.
The lesson I was on yesterday, lesson 44, has some instruction on how to meditate (though it is not using the actual word meditation) that I'd like to write here. So that I can find it later easily, and for anyone else who'd like this kind of pointer (reminder) who has done the Course already, or is past lesson 44.
We all could use reminders from time to time on how to meditate. And if you all have other excerpts from the Workbook, Text, or Teacher's Manual that teach us how to meditate A Course in Miracles style, let's add them to this thread.
Here are excerpts from lesson 44, "God is the Light in which I see", which brought me to a deep state of meditation:
"Begin the practice period by repeating today's idea with your eyes open, and close them slowly, repeating the idea several times more. Then try to sink into your mind, letting go every kind of interference and intrusion by quietly sinking past them. Your mind cannot be stopped in this unless you choose to stop it. It is merely taking its natural course. Try to observe your passing thoughts without involvement, and slip quietly by them.
"While no particular approach is advocated for this form of exercise, what is needful is a sense of the importance of what you are doing; its inestimable value to you, and an awareness that you are attempting something very holy. Salvation is your happiest accomplishment. It is also the only one that has any meaning, because it is the only one that has any real use to you at all.
"If resistance rises in any form, pause long enough to repeat today's idea, keeping your eyes closed unless you are aware of fear. In that case, you will probably find it more reassuring to open your eyes briefly. Try, however, to return to the exercises with eyes closed as soon as possible.
"If you are doing the exercises correctly, you should experience some sense of relaxation, and even a feeling that you are approaching, if not actually entering into light. Try to think of light, formless and without limit, as you pass by the thoughts of this world. And do not forget that they cannot hold you to the world unless you give them the power to do so."
my notes:
I found the "sink into your mind" and "sinking past" intrusive thoughts, to be a particularly helpful instruction. It is indeed a sort of sinking that brought me to an expansive state of awareness that is utterly different from one's usual state of perception. Sinking and expanding in true meditation.
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SF Bay Area
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Re: meditation, A Course In Miracles style
Sat, September 29, 2007 - 11:11 AMThankYou, Christie ;)* UR posting was perfect for me today!
FEELING a tad out of wack! Reading ur posting helped me to find "my center" again!
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Re: meditation, A Course In Miracles style
Mon, June 2, 2008 - 11:55 AMAs you'll be able to see if you compare the date of my first post about meditation while on lesson 44 with today's date, in which I'm on lesson 131, I am not doing a lesson every day. I am taking a more relaxed approach in doing the course this time, I'm usually taking 2 or 3 days for each lesson.
In lesson 131, "No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth.", we are given another valuable instruction on how to meditate. Since I started this thread with the intention of collecting instructions from the course on how to meditate, I am sharing this one here. I again reached a deep, light filled state of meditation while following these instructions. It may work best for those who have previously done the course, or have progressed at least as far as lesson 130.
From lesson 131:
...As we start upon our practice periods. Begin with this:
"I ask to see a different world, and think
A different kind of thought from those I made.
The world I seek I did not make alone,
The thoughts I want to think are not my own."
For several minutes watch your mind and see, although your eyes are closed, the senseless world you think is real. Review the thoughts as well which are compatible with such a world, and which you think are true. Then let them go, and sink below them to the holy place where they can enter not. There is a door beneath them in your mind, which you could not completely lock to hide what lies beyond.
Seek for that door and find it. But before you try to open it, remind yourself no one can fail who seeks to reach the truth. And it is this request you make today. Nothing but this has any meaning now; no other goal is valued now nor sought, nothing before this door you really want, and only what lies past it do you seek.
Put out your hand, and see how easily the door swings open with your one intent to go beyond it. Angels light the way, so that all darkness vanishes, and you are standing in a light so bright and clear that you can understand all things you see. A tiny moment of surprise, perhaps, will make you pause before you realize the world you see before you in the light reflects the truth you knew, and did not quite forget in wandering away in dreams.
