Ways of perception Unit 2     

In the first unit you've learned how to reach a state of meditative peace, and how to feel light and to picture it mentally. Don't worry if it didn't work perfectly at once. I'm sure that you've already set something into motion or caused vibrations. You'll have complete command of these things when the right moment has come. Try not to lose your patience and don't put yourself under pressure, since this has nothing to do with hard work or performances you have to accomplish.

It is possible that you've felt or perceived something different from what I've described so far. Maybe you've felt so restless that you couldn't even keep your eyes shut. Perhaps you've tensed up or felt dizzy. All these reaction are quite usual and may show that your subconscious blocks at establishing this contact. Perhaps it tries to tell you that you should better leave these things alone. This is why you feel uncomfortable or uneasy. But you should only postpone your exercises if you really feel too unwell to continue. You obviously
have to consult your doctor if you are ill or are under medication for psychological or serious physical problems. However, there are no good reasons against these exercises as long as you use them for the purpose of relaxation.

Now, I invite you to sit down again and to breathe calmly in and out. Imagine all your worries leaving you when you exhale, thus making room for the light that spreads to your whole body. If you do well in this exercise you can get on to the next step. Imagine a place that belongs exclusively to you. It should be a place that gives you a sense of peace and beauty. If you'd like to, you can choose a place that you already know, maybe where you've spent your holidays, or you can opt for a place sprung from your imagination. It could be a peaceful place on a beach overlooking the water with dunes or rocks shielding you from behind. Or a clearing, a church or a temple, just any place you'd like to choose. You should take your time and create your place with loving care. This will be your point of departure for all your future meditations.
From now on, whenever you'll visualize this place, you'll feel a sensation of calm and peace even without meditation. This is due to the intimate link between your body and soul on the one hand and the positive feelings you've experienced during your exercises on the other hand. It's as if you hit a button producing this picture for your mental eye. The immediate sensation of relaxation can be very useful when you feel under pressure or when you are going to participate in an important meeting.
Once again, it's possible that something you didn't imagine consciously slips into your picture, such as a bird, an animal or a flower. Just allow it for the moment. Later on, we'll have a look at its possible signification. If it really disturbs you, try to ask it politely to go away. This certainly sounds odd to you, but we should handle all that happens on your mental level with great care. Exactly as we do with other people. Actually, one of the goals we'd like to achieve here is about being aware of who or what surrounds us. Showing great care with ourselves, the others and our surrounding may help you to see things and people with other eyes.
I hope that you will enjoy imagining your own place of meditation with all its pleasant details. When you are ready, you can draw or describe it. Maybe it makes you discover a detail you hadn't seen until then...
Just practise and once again, don't lose your patience. I'm sure that you'll achieve one goal very soon: you'll enjoy the idea of getting to your place, your shelter, even for a short moment, once or twice a day. It will do you a lot of good.