How to Meditate
Tao of Meditation
While it appears to be motionless，underlying the tranquility of meditation is hustle and bustle of activities.
From the perspective of Tao, in order to stay healthy -- both physically and mentally -- it is of vital importance that we regulate the chi energy in our body, which is the source of vitality.
Unfortunately, the chi energy is laden, and can only be most effectively managed through the working of our sub-conscious mind. The problem is really how to get our sub-conscious mind to work for us.
In order to get the sub-conscious mind to work, our conscious mind has to give way, so that the sub-conscious mind can take control. The only way that we can do this is to let go, and this is exactly what meditation is helping use to achieve!
How to Meditate
A Daily Meditation Approach
The session takes about 20 minutes. Extend it if you prefer. You may want to take it as a way to experience how to meditate.
Wear something comfortable. If you wear glasses, take them off.
1. Sit on a stool with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Rest your palms lightly on the thighs, just above your knees.
2. Sit upright, with spine erect. Breathe naturally.
3. Stay calm. Close your eyes; or leave them mildly open.
4. Loosen up your whole body. Beginning from the tip of your head, then your eyes, ears, cheeks, shoulder, chest, adornment and the lower parts of your body. There is no rigid order for doing this. It is more important to relax than following any specific sequence.
5. Sit still, as if you are a tree.
6. If you your mind keeps wandering away. Do not worry! This is very normal. Do not resist any thought. Acknowledge the thought, but don't cling to it. Look at it as if you are a passive bystander.
7. You may count your breathing to help you stay focused. Breathe only very slowly. Let the air goes right to your abdomen, rather than your lungs, when breathing in. Your abdomen inflates when you inhale, and contracts when you exhale. This is described as abdomen breathing.
8. It is important to understand that the act of counting your breathing is meant to help you focus, not inhaling the chi energy. The chi energy in your body is already in you for you to tap. The chi energy from the environment, on the other hand, would flow into your body from any part of your body, not confining to your nose.
9. Having repeated the exercise for some time, you may come to a stage when your body produces heat from within. This shows that the chi energy in you is working. You may also feel the chi energy moving around the body, resulting in your body making some uncontrolled movements. Stay calm, do not be bothered.
10. In the process, you may experience spontaneous insights and inspirations. Do not get excited. Stay calm.
11. When you feel that you’d like to stop, bring your mind back. Slowly open your eyes, and calmly return to your normal self. Rest the two palms horizontally before you chest, with the palms up. Turn the palms down, press the air of chi downward with the palms in horizontal position, bringing them from the chest level to the level of abdomen, as if storing the chi energy to your stomach. Repeat the movements three times. Rub your palms to activate the chi in your palm, and massage your face with the chi energy.
12. End the session.
If you'd need a more comprehensive instruction on the meditation practice centers on the management of chi energy, I find this an excellent resource: Ancient Chi Meditation with Soon Teo,
Yin Yang of Meditation
Meditation is a reflection of yin and yang.
Yang is working underneath Yin, and in your body, activities from regulation of chi energy and metabolism to attainment of higher level of self awareness is taking place, despite the calmness of your physical posture.
It is a very unique form of exercise -- that takes place in your body's internal system.
Read more about meditation
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