- by Michael Turner
In the beginning was the Word,
And the Word was with God,
And the Word was God.
- The Bible, John 1:1
1. Begin by reading an inspirational passage that is special to you.
2. Find a position you can comfortably maintain for 1/2 hour. It is preferable to sit upright, in order to minimize the temptation to fall asleep.
3. Close your eyes. Gently gaze forward, with relaxed attention.
4. Take two or three slow, deep breaths to relax your body. Feel the tension melt away.
5. Repeat a name of God out loud five times. The name should be one that has a strong resonance for you. If you are comfortable with it, try using the word “HU”. HU is an ancient name for God with a very high vibration – higher than OM – and is wonderful for lifting your attention and spirit up and in. Sing this word in a long, drawn-out manner, using the entire breath for each round. Or, if you prefer, you may say a prayer with which you have a strong affinity, such as the Lord’s Prayer, the 23rd Psalm, Rosary, a short poem by Rumi, etc.
6. After the fifth time, cease the repeating the name or prayer out loud and begin doing so mentally, with the “tongue of thought”. This is what is known as “Simran”.
7. Continue this silent mental repetition for a few minutes; then gradually release it.
8. Sit quietly and pay attention to what occurs within. Initially, it is common to simply feel a relaxed expansiveness or wave of warm, glowing love. You may also see Inner Light and/or hear Inner Sound. This Inner Light and Sound Current you are experiencing is a river of pure, eternal love called “Shabda” or "Word" (aka “Holy Spirit”, “Sraosha”, “Nam”, “Logos”, “Ruach”, “Kalma”, “Kalam i ilahi” and “Ek”) in expression. With practice, your experience of Inner Light and Sound will increase. When this occurs, place your attention to the light and sound that comes from the middle or right side. When you become aware of this Inner Light and Sound, don’t get excited and chase after it (like a dog chasing a squirrel). Remain calm as you commune with Shabda, and simply take note of what is going on.
9. If your mind starts wandering, begin repeating the word or prayer you were using before – as you would use a leash to train a dog to sit and stay – until the distraction subsides. Then, once again, allow Simran to fall away and quietly pay attention to the Shabda as IT manifests within.
10. Do this for as long as you can. If you can only sit for five or ten minutes initially, that’s fine. But try to make it a goal to reach at least 1/2 hour. It is also very beneficial to practice this meditation every day at the same time. This helps to develop a pattern of consistency and success in your mediation, and adds a sense of rhythm to your life.
11. With practice, as you develop receptivity, Shabda will make ITSelf increasingly known, and begin to lift you up and in to the Spiritual Regions. This process is perfectly safe, and you will be protected at all times.
Yours in the LightSong of Eternal Love,
Michael Turner
SPIRITUAL FREEDOM SATSANG
Their toils shall end,
And their faces shall flame with glory.
Not only shall they have salvation,
O Nanak,
But many more shall find freedom with them."
- Guru Nanak, “Jap Ji”
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SPIRITUAL FREEDOM SATSANG
P.O. Box 1580
Sparks, NV 89432
http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org
MichaelTurner@spiritualfreedomsatsang.org
Facebook: Michael Turner-sfs
Twitter: @Michaelsfs