Category Archives: Self Emptying

Meditation Skills to Ease Insomnia

People come to meditation for many reasons. Some people meditate to grow closer to their Higher Power, some to overcome personal obstacles, and some people meditate to improve their relationships with others.

While meditation can be useful for all of these purposes, the individual skills learned in meditation can have specific practical applications as well. One specific practical application where meditation skills can be useful is in dealing with insomnia.

Here is an example of how skills learned in the Christian Tantric Meditation book and classes can help with insomnia. The specific skills illustrated here include mind stabilization, taught in the first introductory classes, and self emptying, taught in the second set of classes:

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sheep-738678_640Tossing and turning. Racing mind. Michelle was having another sleepless night.

In the morning, all the responsibilities would still be there. Kids, husband, and her own job. Sure, the kids and the husband could take care of themselves, and they often did, but after sleepless nights she missed having the time to be with them in the mornings. She also didn’t enjoy rushing to get herself ready for work, or the dragging fatigue that lasted all day.

She thought about the meditation discipline she had started several weeks ago. She had been practicing at least twice a week, mostly in the evenings. Overall, the practice had been helpful. She found she was getting better at dealing with day to day stress and occasional anxiety, and she was enjoying her life, her family, and work relationships more. When she thought about it, she realized that her sleepless nights were less frequent, but not gone altogether. And not tonight.

Having never tried her meditation techniques for sleeping, but having nothing to lose, she thought she would give them a try.

Laying comfortably on her side, she began attending to her breathing. She noticed how her breath felt entering her nose, how it cooled her throat, how it felt expanding her lungs. She noticed how she relaxed when she exhaled, letting the air out.

Continuing to practice breath centered mind stabilization, she found she was able to relax, but as soon as she relaxed enough to let go, a random thought brought her back, preventing her from falling asleep.

She thought about her latest random thought. Something that was overdue at work. “Ah”, she thought, “this thought represents a burden in my life, I know what to do with this.”

She allowed her consciousness to occupy her core space, and allowed herself to let go of her burden. With every breath, she allowed the burden to drift away. She then returned her attention to her breathing.

Almost asleep now, another thought brought her back from the brink of sleep. An old argument with her mother. An incident from her childhood that had been a point of contention for decades. Smiling, she recognized this thought as a lingering resentment.

With every breath, she allowed her consciousness to occupy her heart space, and she still-life-861822_640consciously let go of her resentment. With every breath, she allowed the resentment to drift away.

Now more relaxed, her attention returned to her breathing, and she drifted off to sleep.

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If you are interested in learning more about mind stabilization, self emptying, and other skills that are included in Christian Tantric Meditation, consider attending a Workshop.

Our next workshops introduce mindfulness, mind stabilization, and open consciousness practices.  Please visit http://sunrisemeditation.org/workshops/ or call 678-358-8775 for more information.

There are only a few days left to register for our Christian Tantric Meditation Workshops
on Saturday October 17th in Sautee Georgia near Helen Georgia.  It looks like we’re going to have a beautiful autumn weekend in the North Georgia Mountains. This would be an ideal time to visit, take a meditation class, hike to the top of Brasstown Bald, or enjoy Octoberfest in Helen.

 

Self Emptying: Experiencing Freedom

Last week we had our first “phase 2” classes, exploring the “self emptying” aspects of Christian Tantric Meditation. Prior to this, we’ve provided several classes that introduce centering breathing, open view, and open consciousness practices. These exercises all are foundational to the more focused practices that follow.

The question is often asked, what is self emptying, and why is it important?

Self emptying is a way to let go of the desires, resentments, and fears that hold us back in life. Once those burdens are surrendered, we may find a sense of freedom that we have not experienced for a long time in our lives. Freedom to experience life, love, and healing. Freedom to experience success, creativity, and peace. Freedom to be the hopeful, joyful, loving people that we were created to be.

To practice self emptying, it really is important to be familiar with the introductory practices. Like developing “muscle memory” of basic postures and moves when learning dance, marshal arts, or yoga, meditation requires knowledge and regular exercise of core disciplines.

We are offering another set of introductory classes this Saturday September 28th . Many people come for the morning class and save the afternoon class for a later date. Whether interested in a single class or both morning and afternoon classes, this is an opportunity to get away and experience not only meditation, but the beautiful North Georgia Mountains.

Enjoy horseback riding, hike or swim at Unicoi State part, visit beautiful Anna Ruby Falls, visit the Sautee Cultural museum, or tube down the clean mountan headwaters of the Chattahoochee river in Helen Georgia as part of your experience.

Visit our website to register for classes today. Our rates are 25.00 for a single class or 20.00 each for two classes or with a friend. We’re looking forward to hearing from you soon.

 

 

Joy and Suffering: Let Go or Take Control?

youth-570881_1280History bears witness to the value that chaos, in the form of diversity, can have. Happy accidents advance the sciences, diverse opinions and viewpoints enhance creativity, and biological diversity builds stronger ecosystems and living creatures.  On the other hand, having some level of control, in the form of maintaining a healthy attitude, diet, and exercise, and managing both physical and emotional challenges, can increase our enjoyment of life and the joy of others in relationship with us.

History also bears witness to chaos in the form of war and natural disasters as significant sources of suffering and death.  And history bears witness to how the quest for control and order can produce suffering and death. Oppression, enslavement, and death have been repeatedly imposed upon those who are considered different, outside the cultural norms of the “in group”.

In the beginning of Jewish Scripture, we are told that two entities existed – dark formless chaotic city-440126_1280“earth”, and God. And God brought forth order from the chaos, in the form of light and darkness, heavens and earth, water, living creatures, and humans beings. From this beginning, the idea emerged that control and order were good and resulted in enjoyment of life, and that chaos was evil and resulted in suffering and death.

Perhaps ironically, Buddhist thought later emerged taking a somewhat opposite view of the causes of suffering and death.   The Buddhist “Four Noble Truths” identify the desire for control as a source of suffering.

While their initial approaches to the problem of good and evil were different, Jewish and Buddhist views of good and evil were fairly consistent – good being supportive of joyful life, and evil being the source of suffering and death.

good-v-s-evil-1560338Contained within both approaches to the problem of good and evil were also the seeds for the opposite approaches. Within the Judeo Christian culture, surrendering control to a benevolent “Higher Power” is viewed as a valuable approach to addressing suffering, and the Eightfold Path of the Buddhist culture describes the self control required to “live a good and compassionate life”.

What can we do to increase our enjoyment of life, and increase the well being of others? Which approach should we take? Should we exercise control in the hope that others will recognize the value of control and learn from us? Or should we let go of all control and just let life happen, smelling the roses along the way and helping others when we get can?

This is one of those “false dichotomy” questions that can cause a lot of conflict and anxiety,within individuals and within communities and between neighbors. Different 20150219_065337approaches to the problem of good and evil result in a great deal of chaos, conflict, and death. How ironic is it that by trying to exert control on ourselves and others, we can end up causing suffering for ourselves and others?

The nondual answer worth exploring to any “either or” question is “yes.” Look at the merits of both approaches. A balance of “letting go” and “self control” can indeed bring peace and joy to our lives and the lives of our loved ones, our neighbors, and even our enemies.

We tend to be programmed from an early age as to what the “right reaction” to suffering should be. Whether taking control or surrendering (fight or flight), we tend to react to extreme situations with extreme thoughts and behaviors. And whatever our natural reaction is, most of us can think of occasions where extreme reactions have produced even more suffering for ourselves and others.

floating-bonsaiThe ability to react, to live, and to have relationships that are healthy and balanced, allowing for a reasonable amount of control and chaos, can require some training and practice. Meditation can be a very helpful in this regard. It is perhaps ironic that for some people “letting go” of a desire for control can be achieved through a controlled meditation practice. It is perhaps equally ironic that for others, practicing “letting go” of fears can help a person to cope better and have more self control.

With this in mind, we are happy to announce the opening phase 2 Christian Tantric Meditation classes covering “Self Emptying” practices on Saturday September 12th.  The morning session will cover “Freeing the mind and heart of harmful desires and resentments”, and the afternoon session will cover “Freeing the Core of Fears and Opening Self to Bliss”. Please visit http://sunrisemeditation.org/workshops/ or call 678-358-8775 for more information.

Phase 1 Christian Tantric Meditation classes are also being opened on Saturday, September 26th. These classes introduce core concepts and exercises that are used throughout all four phases of the practice.   These workshops introduce mindfulness, mind stabilization, and open consciousness practices.  We also introduce practices that can reduce physical and emotional pain and enhance compassion for others in our phase 1 classes. Again, please visit http://sunrisemeditation.org/workshops/ or call 678-358-8775 for more information.

If you are interested in learning more about Christian Tantric Meditation, Atlanta area classes are being offered in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. Registration is open now, visit our website for more information and to register on line.  The book Christian Tantric Meditation Guide is also available through Amazon.com and local bookstores.

Letting Go of Anxieties with Meditation

It was a day like any other day, dreary and oppressive with cold rain, and yet pregnant with possibility. Gary had been practicing Christian Tantric Meditation fairly regularly for almost a year, so he was well versed in the process, but lately he had been practicing less and less frequently.

cropped-20141025_163721_1.jpgHe knew the benefits, and he felt the consequences of not practicing creeping back into his life. Work was crazy, his wife and kids demanding, and he was drinking more than usual, which only meant 1 or 2 extra drinks on the weekend, but still, he could feel it. He was slipping away again, losing himself to the cares and demands of the world. He was also letting his temper go a little too far lately, feeling sorry for himself and blaming others for his growing sense of loneliness and lack of control.

“Lack of control” he thought to himself, smiling grimly. He remembered. He remembered the freedom and joy he felt when he truly surrendered his desires and attachments. Pushing himself, he remembered the love he felt when he surrendered his resentments and invited Christ into his heart. He remembered the feeling of hope and strength he felt when he surrendered his burdens and fears.

Motivated now, he placed his phone in “airplane mode” and retrieved the neglected cushions from closet. He had practiced in a chair for several months, but eventually purchased a meditation cushion set.  He sat on the cushions cross legged at first, noting his sense of imbalance with his knees in the air. Carefully, he folded his left foot against his right thigh, and then pulled his right heel into his right thigh. Once his right knee was somewhat locked in place, he shifted his right leg downward while lifting his right foot and resting it against his left calf.

His knees were now naturally extended to the floor, creating a satisfying 3 point weight distribution with his seat elevated on the cushions. He noted that his right foot was not crossing his left at the ankle, as that would result in a numb foot within five minutes.

He closed his eyes and briefly and noted the thoughts running through his head, the things he needed to be doing, the demands of life, and he turned his attention to his breathing. He recognized the feeling of cool air entering his nostrils, his mouth, and into his lungs. He recognized the feeling of his chest rising and falling. He consciously began breathing with his belly, allowing it to expand and relax naturally as he inhaled and exhaled.

His racing thoughts began to diminish quickly, as his breathing deepened. He consciously straightened his back, and adjusted himself a little to increase his sense of balance. Because of his experience in the practice, his mind and body automatically responded to his breathing.

He imagined the space that his mind occupied, and consciously let go of his desires. His outward desires appeared first in his mind, desires for control. With every breath they drifted away. Then his deeper desires appeared, his desires for success and happiness. He let them go as well, leaving in their place a clear blue sky in his mind.

His attention turned to his heart. He imagined his breath entering his body, and sweeping through his heart. He imagined letting go of his resentments, directed towards people he encountered recently, and long term resentments he held against family members. As an angry grandfather figure came into his mind, he resisted the temptation to work on this issue. He had practiced letting go of this image many times before, and he would have more opportunities later. Somehow he knew he needed to dwell elsewhere this time. Breathing, he allowed the image to drift away.

His attention moved to his core. There. He felt it. A persistent knot. A low ache that just sat there, haunting him day and night. He had felt it before, but never really recognized it. Until now.

Curious, he decided to imagine the space that the ache occupied. He imagined its shape, its position. It was definitely located in his stomach area, on the left side of his body. He breathed slowly and deeply, imagining every breath soothing and healing the inflamed aching area that his consciousness  occupied.

Because of his training, his mind drifted to his fears. Definitely present, but vague. Nothing specific to let go of. Still, he breathed, and imagined his generalized fear dissipating with every breath.

He also thought of his many burdens. Again, nothing specific, no one huge concern. Just a large volume of little issues. Insurance, bills, children’s schooling, etc etc. Breathing, he let them go, little by little with every breath.

He felt better, but he noted that the ache was still present.

His curiosity aroused even further, he decided to let go of his training, and forget even the recognition of fears and burdens within his core. He let it all go, all structure, all training, all thoughts, all feelings. He breathed deeply and allowed himself to just dwell there, in his core area of consciousness.

Eventually, a new sense began to grow within him, replacing the dull ache and general anxiety. He began to feel hopeful. He began to recognize the opportunities in his life, and the strengths that he had built over time, his experience and accomplishments.

He allowed his consciousness to open up and occupy his entire body. The resentment towards the demands placed upon him were replaced by feelings of love in his heart. His wife, his children. His dog. The rain, the firm earth, green lawns and flowers. God. Love. All there in his heart.

The desires to control all of those demanding voices and images in his mind were replaced by a clear blue sky. He recognized that it wasn’t in his power to make others happy. They need to find happiness on their own. He could be present, he could love, he could support, but he couldn’t bring happiness. He recognized that his attempts to bring happiness to others actually did more harm than good, as they turned to him rather than to their own resources, their own faith, their own in-dwelling sense of God.

Dwelling in the space his entire body occupied, he imagined every breath filling him completely, cleansing and healing. He rested there. He allowed his awareness to expand to include the room, the house, the yard, the neighborhood, and all the living creatures that were a part of his surroundings.

Feeling relieved, he recognized that the knot in his stomach had dissipated. He returned his attention back to his breathing, and he slowly emerged. He opened his eyes and smiled.

🙂