Wednesday, August 18, 2010

"I am not..." meditation

Here's a beginning meditation exercise that I've found useful. I don't know where I heard it, but I'm pretty sure I didn't make it up. It vaguely resembles Genpo Roshi's Big Mind (vaguely).

I begin sitting and start to think of all the roles I play on a daily basis: father, son, brother, husband, teacher, writer, meditator, etc. Each of these roles has a unique taste and texture to them--who I am as a father isn't the same me as when I'm in the classroom teaching. Often I'll feel a tension associated with a certain role. My chest may tighten, or I'll experience a light burning sensation above my heart. It's important to experience the feeling associated with each role as deeply as possible.

Now I shift directions and go through each one of these roles and say to myself, "I am not a [insert role]." Sit with that until the attendant feeling begins to dissolve; then move on to the next role. On and on until you've exhausted all of the social roles you play. It's a way of stripping the mind bare of all the responsibilities and social functions it habitually grasps onto to create its sense of identity.

This is a good way to begin a long meditation; I find it really calms the body and mind by clearing away the mental debris. Once it's done, you can begin whatever kind of meditation you normally practice--following the breath, koan study, mantra, etc.

Give it a try and tell me what you think.



Image borrowed with permission from flickr user Kat.B. Photography

1 comment:

  1. The only thing I can think of that might explain his presence on Tricycle is the possibility of exposure to the non-Buddhist world. Or, another way of putting it is extra advertising to the non-Buddhist world. I'm with you that he shouldn't be there. Just a possible answer is all. :)

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