QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

This is a copy of questions and answers I undertook to become a meditation teacher.

TEST PAPER ONE

1. In your own words, what is meditation?

Meditation has two aspects:
1. Methods for being at peace.
2. Being at peace.
One is the path, and the other is the fruition. The path is uncovering the creations of a
confused I. The fruition is the absence of a confused I. Meditation is becoming familiar
with just being, which is pure, knowing, inner space. Meditation is being mindful of our
space invaders!
2. Provide a brief outline on the history of meditation.
The conventional idea of meditation probably originated 5000 years ago with the Vedantic
traditions in India, and has been taken up many other traditions since then. It is now well
established in the west. However, as meditation is naturally resting in pure being, it cannot
be said to have been created. We are naturally beings of pure awareness, and methods have
been developed to remove the obscurations that surround this pure awareness.
3. How do we become aware of our awareness?
This is a huge topic, and has to do with clarity. Through meditation, we are simply aware of
being aware. However, this is not the same as awareness of awareness. Being aware takes
place as appearances of words and images in the mind. We can easily be aware of these
thats simple. But this is still a duality me and the observation which is my awareness.
In pure meditation, there is only awarenesspure awareness. To become aware of
awareness, one simply becomes aware of that which is aware of this awareness. There is no
claiming of that awareness, as there is no time. When awareness is realised, it is found to be
empty. It is just being there.
4. How do we build concentration?
We build concentration through focusing, first on outer phenomena such as the breath, and
then on inner phenomena, such as the thoughts and emotions. Gradually, everything slows
down, and our awareness becomes more precise; we become aware of the gap between the
breath, thoughts and emotions. Perseverance and discipline are also essential tools.
5. What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is remembering to be presentnow. Once we are in the present, we can drop
mindfulness, and just be. If we hold onto mindfulness too tightly, we are trying too hard, and
that will create an conceptual obstacle. Just let be.

In time, all outer phenomena can help us be mindful as a symbolic teacher, reminding us that
everything is of an impermanent nature. We respect it but no longer react or cling to it and
this includes the emotions.
6. Why should we meditate?
Before we can meditate we need to understand and recognise the need for meditation,
otherwise we will not appreciate or value it. Meditation is a way to recognise our true natural
being. It could be said that once we recognise our pure awareness, meditation is merely the
continuity of that, which then reflects our conduct when mingling in the world.
The effect of this is that we will recognise our natural happiness, which has been there all the
time. With that confidence, we naturally love others, unconditionally.
7. What is impermanence?
It is the nature of all things in the universe. Everything is created by causes and conditions.
Everything has a beginning, a middle and an end, and so cannot be said to truly exist, as it is
not constant and everlasting. The same applies to thoughts and emotions in the mind. Outer
things and our self image only seem to be permanent and real: they are a relative/conventional
truth. If there is a relative reality (seeming to to real), then there is an ultimate reality. That is
what meditation is all about that which is constant is our pure being.
8. Briefly explain yoga.
Awareness of body and mind in stillness and in movement, allowing the subtle body, the
winds channels and energies to flow freely and be in their right place.

TEST PAPER TWO

1. Give a brief history of Buddhism.

On a conventional level, Buddhism started with the awakening of Siddhatha in India. The
word Buddha means Awake (Bud) and Pure (dha). Pure means that all karma is exhausted,
as all fixated imprints in the mind are gone.
The Buddha taught what is known as the three turnings of the wheel, or three levels of
teachings: Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Subsequently, the Mahamudra and Dzogchen
teaching were introduced later.
The Hinayana (now commonly known as Theravada) was established in Burma, Malaysia,
Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam regions. The Mahayana teaching spread to China and Japan.
The Vajrayana were established in India and Tibet.
In Tibet, there are four main schools of Buddhism: Gelupa, Sukya, Kagyu and Nyingma. All
school have a slight variation and emphasis. Mahamudra and Dzogchen teaching were

prevalent in Tibet and contain secret teachings (in the sense that non-practitioners would not
recognise the teachings as such they are self-secret). Zen has a similar feel to these two,
although it is a different tradition.
Within the Four school there are nine vehicle (levels). It is interesting that at each level, the
same words are used but the meaning changes.
There are various forms of meditation in Buddhism: pure meditation, devotional meditation,
compassion meditation and analytical meditation.
The main difference in the levels is perhaps their approach to the emotions. Simply, at one
level emotions are to be avoided. At another level antidotes are applied, and yet another that
the emotions are seen as wisdoms. Finally, the the emotions are seen as never existing in the
first place.
All schools are now well established in the west.
2. What is Zen?
What isnt Zen?!

Paradox is a part of Zen, and the teaching of Zen. A paradox nudges our mind into a
direction other than the routine, eg Zen is nothing and yet everything. What is the
sound of one hand clapping?
Zen is not dependent on the written word. The teaching of directly pointing to ones
nature,recognising it, and becoming Buddha is similar to Dzogchen, Mahamudra and
the Tao.
3. Give your reasons why you do or do not believe in the existence of God.
I neither believe or disbelieve in the existence of God. I believe in the very nature of
God.
The word and meaning of God may be seen from many aspects. We all are on a
journey, or rather climbing a mountain, and there are different methods of climbing.
When we reach the top it will be the same viewwe may just use different words to
describe it. That pure awareness = pure view = pure God.
The very nature of G o d is Compassion Knowing Emptiness/Purity. It is in all of us.
4. Is meditation the same as hypnosis or deep relaxation?
From what I gather from the CD supplied with our material, the deep relaxation of
awareness of the body on the disc seems similar, and is the basis for the stillness of
mind.
However, there is no trance-like state in meditation because we are fully aware of our
body and surroundings, and what is going on in the mind. Most importantly of all, we
are in control.
5. Give a brief outline of a guided relaxation process.
Become aware of the weight of the body sitting, on a chair or cushion. Feel the sense
of touch and the play of air on the skin. Allow all the sense to be wide open; hearing,
smell, taste, and the quality of light. This will bring you into the present moment
herenow. Notice the breathing, and how gentle it is inhalation, a slight pause,

exhalation, a slight pause. To be more precise, become aware of the air in the nostrils
and that the fact that one nostril could be more open than the other: there is a direct
connection between the breath and the mind.
The back should be straight and relaxed, not stiff; adjust it so it is comfortable
Become aware of any tensions in the facial muscles. Relax the tongue, allowing it to
just touch behind the upper teeth. Hands naturally resting on the thighs or lap.
When the body is straight, the breath is straight, and oxygen and energies will flow
easily. This will allow the mind to clear and the heart to open. Rest naturally. Eyes
slightly open, not focusing on anything in particular but merely having a wide
peripheral view. Close the eyes if you wish, but be aware of the tendency to fall
asleep. Adjust to suit.
Allow outside stimuli to come and gocome to pass. Thoughts will naturally arise;
acknowledge them as a door man at a hotel, but do not follow them in just say
Hello good bye. The point is not to stop or block thoughts, but to be aware of them.
It is interesting that we cannot think of two things at the same time, and so when a
thought arises that seems out of control, acknowledging it by saying in mind,
Thinking, thinking, thinking! In that very moment, as two thoughts cannot appear
in the same space at once, a gap is produced. We merely rest in that gap, that empty s
p a c e.
We are now free, no longer limited to chasing phantoms. We can do that later. If
thoughts seem to be getting worse, they are not: rather, you are just noticing more.
Even though we may recognise that the mind can be thought-free, there is still a
conceptualisation going on because there is remains a me being aware. We need to
go to the next stage of looking into that which is aware of the process.
6. What is the meaning of the breath?
While there is breath, there is life. However, one day, we will have to do without it!
The breath is used to deepen relaxation, as it slows down. There is also an inner
breath or wind, and when one is anxious, a tension occurs in the upper body. We feel
it in the head, throat, heart or gut. When we meet someone who bothers us, we can
feel the energy rise: we may feel restriction or tension in part of our body. We can get
a bit hot under the collar, and its quite a problem for modern humans, as we have
become speedy people. This the inner wind rising, and this exercise is perfect for
bringing down that energy.
We can use the physical breath to bring this subtle breath down to where it should be,
just below the navel. We do this by mentally scanning the body for the tension, and
with a gentle breath, take the awareness down to below the navel, where it should be
naturally. The tummy area will slightly fill out: hold it for a few seconds, and then
gently release, leaving a little breath down at the navel.
Do this for however long it takes to feel grounded. It really does work and is truly
relaxing. On meeting someone who causes you to experience anxiety (normally a
family member!), just observe the inner wind rising and try this exercise.
7. How do we position and prepare ourselves for a meditation session?
With enthusiasm! This is time for ourselves. Choose a quiet, clean place in which to
relax, to step out of normal busy routines. Loose clothing, a comfortable cushion or
chairand perhaps a nice blanket, just to stop draughts.

Have something inspiring at hand to read. Maybe an image that you like- a image of
Buddha/Christ anything that inspires. A symbol, a candle for light, a stone whatever
brings joy to the mind and one can focus on.
As stated before, sit comfortably on a chair or on a cushion on the floor. The back is held
straight but relaxed in order to allow the body to breath freely. Hands on the lap or thighs.
Eyes slightly open to be aware of nowness and to stop sleepiness (or the eyes can close if you
wish). The tongue is placed just behind the upper teeth, to relax the jaw. Senses wide open to
allow awareness to expand.
Be kind to yourself, and just allow what happens to happen. The mind will automatically
bring up images from the past, and just note and let them go. In that way no karma is
produced. Now you are ready!
If you choose a time to meditate, stick to it. It instills discipline, completes an activity and
avoids the temptation to give in to ones fancies. There is a commitment to a time to start and
finish: such a routine is beneficial because we are easily distracted. When you know its time
for a meditation session, your mind and body fall in to that pattern.
8. How do we deal with pain in a meditation session?
First of all, dont be too harsh on yourself. It takes time for the body to adjust to just sitting.
Normally, there is pain in the knees or back, but this will get better as we practice. No pain, no
gain! If its acute, just stretch relax and return. Sometimes a pain can occur because we feel
bored; in that case, we need a little discipline. Merely observe the pain, and let it be, so it does
not become a habit.
If it persists, take a short break. Its often good to break the meditation, as you might be
enjoying the practice too much! That would means we are clinging to the practice, and any
interruption might make us angry and would cause us mental pain. Everything can be part of
meditation.

TEST PAPER THREE

1. When is the best time to meditate?
Any time you wish! We cannot be dogmatic. However, if you are really keen, then just before
sunrise and sunset are best, as its quiet then. Twenty to forty minutes is fine, but if thats not
possible, ten to twenty minutes. It does take the system a little while to slow down before we
rush off again.
If you can find a few moment during the day, that really helps to maintain mindfulness. A
short one session before bed, as just falling quiet can help us to sleep better and rise fresher in
the morning. If you go to bed with things on your mind, or straight from the stimulation of
watching TV, your sleep pattern can be affected.
2. Briefly outline walking meditation.

Walking meditation is merely experiencing the precise (very precise) process of movement.
Merely being in the present moment of observing the muscles and bones at each stage, from
raising a foot to placing it on the ground. Its similar to Tai Chi but cheaper!
3. What food or drink should one avoid before meditating?
Alcohol is not useful, or eating a heavy meal. That is why early mornings are best, before
breakfast.
4. Briefly outline some factors that keep closing our hearts.
There are three factors: I want, I dont want and I dont care.
Basically, it is because of selfishness; we lack love at that moment. But we should avoid being
too harsh with ourselveswe all do this. We are sentient beings (having mind), and this
means that we have a strong sense of I. A self-cherishing identity of me first. We are
naturally pure spacious compassionate awareness. This is our true nature, but we have learnt
to fill this sacred divine precious space with ME in the centre of the picture.
Most conversation revolve around me; when people talk, often its all about me!
Compassion and love is all about benefitting others: Love thy neighbour more than thyself.
The main factor of a closed heart is me and my feelings.
5. What is a Koan?

Koans are statements or questions that resist being solved by rational thought.
Rather, they need to be experienced to create greater spiritual awareness. The famous
example is, What is the sound of one hand clapping, They are inaccessible to
rational understanding, yet may be accessible tointuition. Trying to solve a koan is
intended to exhaust the analytic intellect and lead the mind into a gap of awareness.
At first a blank awareness, then just awareness.
6. What is our soft spot?
Empathy! We all carry some sort of wound. We have all experienced suffering in the
past which, if triggered, brings up feelings about that occasion. Its our tender spot.
However, this very experience can allow us to empathise with anothers suffering,
with their tender spot. That empathy, or loving kindness, can meet anothers mind and
help in the process of healing thats love for you.
7. How do we face our demons?
First we have to recognise what these demons are. What is their nature? Because we
have a strong self identity our acquired mentally constructed image we have to
maintain it and defend it. That creates all our hopes and fears, and likes and dislikes
they are the demons! All we have to do is recognise that, and just let go. All our
thoughts and feeling are products from our past, and if we react to them, we merely
feed and strengthen our demons. If we just note them and dont react, they have no
power. It is that simple, but of course not that easy.

8. What is procrastination?
Ill put it off till later. We all get a bit lazy and prefer comfort, so much so that we
sleep perchance to dream. This is ego (ego is just consciousness clinging to ideas):
ego consciousness fixating on ideas about itself wants to maintain its habitual
concepts.
From a spiritual point of view, being busy can be considered laziness. We get so
involved in our busy interesting lives that we cannot be bothered to stop, and just be:
our business becomes an avoidance tactic. We may say to ourselves, Meditation is
so boring. Its important to realise that the world in which we are caught up, offers
endless entertainment.
Boringness is such a relief from all those distractions. Meditation helps us value what
is and what is not important. As nothing lasts for ever, its better to wake up now.
Find your meditation cushion, put your bum on it, and get out of the dream and be
free!
If we keep putting our spiritual journey off, we will be too old and tried to start!
FINAL TEST PAPER AND THESIS.
1. How do we deepen our awareness?
By merely looking into that awareness. Awareness is perception our basic
consciousness that is aware of things out there, or in the mind. This awareness can
name things, but it also has a claim to them: my awareness is not pure awareness.
In the absolute stillness of meditation, there is merely awareness, with no I present,
in the sense of I being ideas about ourselves and our awareness. This pure
awareness has a knowing quality: not in the sense that is knows something. There is
just a knowing quality.
When there is a knower and a thing known, that is duality. This and that.
In absolute meditation, there is merely knowing. To be more precise, this is barely
knowing.
By merely looking into awareness, we realise the awareness of awareness, which is
empty and untainted.
2. How is form emptiness and emptiness form?
Form is emptiness:
All phenomena (forms) are of an illusory nature, being impermanent. They are empty
of any true existence, and have only a seeming reality. Therefore, forms are empty.
Seeing these illusions is reality. Believing these illusions to be real is delusion.
Emptiness is form:
There are two ways to look at this. One is that emptiness allows all temporary forms
to arise and dissolve.
The other aspect is that, even though we say that emptiness is also form, emptiness is
not a thing. We look into emptiness and find emptiness thus the emptiness of
emptiness.
3. What is a meditation retreat?

It is a place with boundaries. Boundaries of body, speech and mind. Its a time for a
real break from routine life, to just be. It is a place to practise being aware of our
body, speech and mind. If we are doing this in a group, its normally timetabled, with
certain times to practise, listen to a teaching or experience guided meditation. Silent
retreats are a real break!
They are normally set in a quiet place, and are very restful periods in our life. The
only problem is coming homewe have to deal with the re-entry shock!
4. What are the various reasons people come to meditation?
There are two main reasons: one is to lead a better life, and the second is to realise the
nature of mind. These are not mutually exclusive, as one leads to the other. We are all
at various stages, inclinations and capacities, and we have to start from where we are.
Wanting a better life and realising the nature of mind are phrases that describe the
nature of the two truths relative and absolute and they work perfectly together.
There are also issues such as loneliness, doubt, health, fear, or just wanting to know
more, but these will come under the first heading.
5. How does meditation affect the body?
It certainly has an effect on the brain: there is much research being carried out in this
area. Meditation can be a major factor in relieving some mental health problems,
which can also have an effect on our immune systems.
The Dalai Lama granted permission for some monks, who are experienced
meditators, to have their brains studied at the University of Wisconsin. The leaders of
the study were amazed by what they found in the monks brain activity read-outs:
during meditation, electroencephalogram patterns increased and remained higher than
the initial baseline taken from a non-meditative state.
The body feels lighter and more supple, and tension is reducedgone! The activity
of sitting still becomes easier (and ones buttocks become firmer!)
6. Is meditation dangerous?
Yesto the ego! To the body and mind, not at all.
Meditative awareness is ones natural state, although as an instructor one has to be
aware that people can tend to take things too seriously and try too hard, which will
cause problems. Thats why humour is so important: meditation is no big deal, as its
just being ordinary. Meditation will throw light on our fixations about ourselves, but
is easily dealt with when we realise that its part of being sentient.
7. In meditation, how do we clear resentment?
Resentment is disliking something that has happened: it is a product of the past. The
past cannot be changed, but ones reaction to the past can be changed. Obviously, the
world is not perfect, and the person we think has wronged us was also subjected to
wrongs. Its called the vicious cycle of existence. Nobody intends to hurt another:
mostly, they just lack empathy.
Everyone wants to be happy, but their search for happiness creates suffering because
the happiness they seek relies on conditions. If we can understand this, we can
acknowledge anothers ignorance, and not exaggerate the situation. If we hold onto
the hurt, we are the ones who suffer, and so we create more karma.

Meditation is a matter of letting goof everything. Letting go of some emotions

takes a little time. At any moment our peace may be disturbed, and that is precisely
the moment to not re-act, but rather go with the flow, by dealing with the situation
and then return to peace. Whatever appears in the physical, or the mind, is a product
of the past. If we react, we deepen our karmic reactions, creating more karma. If we
pause, and refrain from reacting, no karma is created. Then we can respond in a more
balanced and creative way.
In real meditation there is no sense of my time.
8. What should we do if we get frightened during meditation?
There are many types of fear, and it will be different for each person. We all have
something we would rather not face, but that could control our lives, so we need to
take fear apart and face it.
Meditation will bring up all sorts of feelings fear, hope, doubt etc. Fear arises from
aversion to someone or something. Whilst meditating, that idea of fear does not
existunless a rather large snake actually has you by the throat at that very moment!
The fear only exists as an idea which we hold on to, and thus allow it a strangulation
hold on our lives.
The world is not a perfect place. We are constantly ambushed by our likes and
dislikes that control us. Meditation is seeing clearly what is real and what is not real,
although we still have to deal with the effects of our ideas. Gradually, we gain
confidence that there is no thing to fear. This is connected with opening the heart.
9. How would you introduce someone new to meditation?
Meditation is naturally being. Just being is our natural state. It is pure, cognisant and
loving, and there is no thing beyond this. Just like a new bornjust aware.
But we all learn to conform, to better ourselves, to protect ourselves, to others. We
create a nice fat ME! And it is this that gives rise to all our problems and suffering.
Meditation is taking the control back in our lives, and not living other peoples
dreams.
So meditation is to bring about a balance, and become more intelligent and wise. To
realise that we are pure, cognisant and lovingand it was there all the time. We just
forgot.
10.Can you describe nothingness?
No! Nothingness is nothing. Its the absence of any thing. Outer space is nothingness:
it is unlimited empty space. However, there is also inner space, which is empty. This
emptiness is pure and has a knowing quality and a unconditional loving quality. Once
these qualities are realised and all karma is exhausted, that would be enlightenment.
However, we are held together by our sticky limited karma that was created by causes
and effects, and to which we continue to cling. We fill up this pure empty space with
our thoughts and emotions: these are the space invaders!
11.What is your preferred method of meditation?
Dzogchen/Maha Ati/ Rigpa. If one has received the pointing out instruction, one has
received the view. This view is empty essence, cognisant nature and unconfined

compassionate energy the three kayas. Meditation is merely the continuity of the
view.
This bring us to conduct: how we mingle meditation with ordinary life. The three
kayas Dharmakaya (empty essence), Nirmanakaya (cognisant nature) and
Sambogakaya (unconfined compassion) are seen as the wisdoms, and the basis for the
three poisons of desire, aversion and ignorance, which arise from our neurotic selfidentity. It is the practice of the unity of the two truths. It is the practice of life being
the teacher, the symbolic teacher.
I am also a student of Vajrayana, having completed the preliminary ngondro
practices, and I engage in devotional deity practice.
12.What is a good amount of time to sit for?
If Im advising someone else, twenty minutes is fine at the beginning. Forty five
minutes would be excellent as it would allow time for the mind and body to settle
down. In actually, if we are being honest, there is probably only two minutes of
meditation in a twenty minute session! I meditate for a hour, plus forty five minutes
of deity and mantra practice.
13.Do we sit with our eyes closed or open?
This will depend on the student. Closing eyes is fine if one doesnt drift off. Slightly
open and down is preferable so the awareness is open, this also get us used to being
mindful and meditating in daily activity. Personally I have eyes open and looking
straight ahead, aware also of peripheral vision, this is Rigpa gaze.
14.When sitting what should we do when the mind wanders?
Review the importance of meditation, that meditation is the practice of waking up,
instead living in a thought dream world. One has to remember one is training the
mind so we need to focus very precisely. Perseverance and discipline always pays off.
Like a musician we need to practise.
Watching the breath is an excellent method. Try counting the out breaths from one to
ten, if we get taken off by thoughts, start at one again! But dont be too tough on
oneself.
Quite often one isnt grounded enough, so the mind wanders. One can change this by
bringing the breath down to below the navel as in the answer to question 6. test one.
We can use the physical breath, to bring this subtle breath down to where it should
be, just below the navel. We do this by mentally scanning the body for the tension,
and with a gentle breath take the awareness down to below the navel, this is where it
should be naturally. The tummy area will slightly fill out, hold it for a few seconds,
then gently release, leaving a little breath down at the navel. Do this for however long
it takes to feel grounded. It really does work and is truly relaxing.
15.Are all things in the universe separate?
All things in the universe are inter-connected. Every thing realises on causes and
conditions. From the big bang to our every day lives. In fact our present moment was
created by our past action, its one long karmic chain reaction! If we do not change
our present reaction our future will be the same as now, more or less. That is why we
go round in circles!

It begs the question are all beings connected? If there is unconditional love, which is
universal, then maybe we are all connected by love!
16.How would you guide a newcomer/beginner into the meditative state?
Everyone needs a little warm up before they start to meditate to know why they are
doing it and to value it. One would ask them what brought them to discover
meditation. We need to recognise why we see the need to change. In a relaxed
manner one would gentle explain the obstacles that obscure our well being.
Meditation is merely training the mind, cutting through those perceived obstacle
which never existed in the first place.
So we would go through the practice of body awareness to bring us into the present
moment, then to noticing all those circling thoughts and emotions that arise in the
mind.
The meditative state is the beginning of freedom from all those limiting concepts we
have been taught to value too much. With meditation comes a new you, and a vast
view!
17. Final Thesis.
Meditation is the first step to enlightenment. Enlightenment is recognising our
essence as emptiness (pure), our nature is knowingness and our capacity as
unconfined compassion. There is also the purification of karma, which is the
exhaustion of the mental storehouse of fixated defilements we cling to in the mind.
Through meditation, we develop the skills needed to deal with the thoughts and
emotions that obscure our view of our true essential nature. We learn how to love
ourselves and others, and understand the true nature of everything. Above all, we
come to know unconditional love.
Compassion is knowing emptiness. This compassionate emptiness has a knowing
quality. When we realise pure knowingness and emptiness, confidence arises, and this
gives rise to joy. This joy is compassion and love. However, this joy is accompanied
by sadness: the observation that sentient beings, who also have this same essential
nature, do not recognise it. This sadness is compassion, and empathy and love then
arise.
However, along our path there are a few obstacles. The main obstacle isyou and
me! These are relative terms for a mentally constructed I, a picture of ourselves.
This is a relative reality seemingly real reality. If there relative reality there must be
an ultimate reality: one is seemingly real, while the other is real.
Meditation is recognising both realities, through pure perception. It is vital to see how
they work together. We spend most of our time caught up in the seemingly real reality
of ideas; it takes a clear mind to see what is actually going on. Our very nature is
already empty and knowing, but we just do not notice it. We are sleeping Buddhas.
Here is what is happening now: FLOWER!?!?!MIND!?!?!-ESSENCE
This is how it is in actuality: FLOWERMINDESSENCE.
Our awareness has been caught up in our mind, and because of this we do not
notice pureawareness our essence where we actually are. We are only aware of
our thoughts and how we feel about them in relation to ourselves and the world
around us. Thus we create our world and our suffering, because these ideas have to be
maintained and defended.

Our greatest problems is our the emotions: fear, anger, pride, envy and ignorance,
which are create by our thoughts and clinging to fixated ideas. These take control of
the mind, and can affect our mental health, so we have to know how to deal with
them. This is where the practice of meditation comes in.
We have spend many years living with our emotions. They tend to make life seem
interesting, but there does come a time when we are fed up of being dragged up and
down by them. So what do we do to correct this?
First, we have to go back the creation of I. When did it start? If we believe in
reincarnation, then we have been hanging onto this I for a very long time.
Fortunately this creation is constant and so is happening at every moment so we can
see it going on now.
At every moment, our pure essence merely reflects like a mirror. It then gets excited
by what is perceived, and desire arises. We get distracted and this is the beginning
of ego-clinging. An I is created, and pure space becomes solid. When this happens,
judgement take place and dislike also occurs. This involvement with likes and
dislikes has been going on for a very long time, so from zero we not only have I
want! and I dont want!, we create a multitude of likes and dislikeswe created
our world we live in.
We created a relative truth from nothing, and in doing so, we forgot our absolute
truth. Meditation helps us uncover the truth.
There is a secondary problem the world in which we live. Our modern world is a
corporate world of speed, expectations and disappointments. The media,
entertainment, sport, films, politics, education, health information, advertising life
styles all help to keep our expectations of life at a high levelan unreasonably high
level.
Trying to keep up with all this is bound to make us a little depressed, to say the least.
We no longer live simple content lives: everything has become quite stressful and
exhausting. Meditation can bring about a balance.
So how do we do this? We find a teacher. Not just any teacher, but a teacher who can
help us find our own inner teacher intuition.
There are four types of teacher: the first type shows us the nature of our minds. The
second type is an instructor. Together these two reveal the third type of teacher, which
is our inner teacher our pure knowingness. This brings us to the fourth teacher
life, known as the symbolic teacher. This fourth teacher is the understanding of the
relationship between the two truths.
Through meditation, we finally see that life itself is meditation: being mindful and
aware. There are two truths life as it is, and our translation of life. Most of the time,
this translation of life is living someone elses dream or expectations, they being
caught in the very same trap! We learn that we have to better ourselves, when we are
alright as we are.
Of course we have to play our part in society, but we have to know when we actually
have enough, and be content with that. Not all of us need a fancy fast car, or a
showroom house, then spend our lives polishing it! All this merely creates even more
emotions pride and envy come to mind.
So how does meditation deal with emotions?
Well, we have to go back to the creation of relative truth from absolute truth. If we
live in a relative conventional world, when an emotion arise we have to use an

antidote. For anger we arouse compassion, simple. But the anger will comes back
again, and again. This anger arises because there is an I not liking what it sees, in
its self-constructed world.
This is where absolute reality comes in. When one has a glimpse of absolute reality,
that is pure empty essence, cognisant nature and unconditional compassion, and an
emotion arises, in that very first instant the mind brightens. Lets take anger.
Something is seen that does not seem right. In that very first instance our essence
works like a mirror, it just reflects. Now, because we have an inkling of essence that
anger reveal wisdommirror-like wisdom!
However if we do not know essence then that anger turns into aggression, and we are
lostagain! Its the same with all the negative emotions. In fact it can now be seen
that the negative emotion are actually wisdoms, and the emotions never existed in the
first place! It is just the feeling of I that distracts us from wisdom.
To conclude, for me meditation and spirituality is logical. This is why I follow the
Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Everything can be taken apart and
investigated to its simplest element, being a spiritual engineer, like Occums Razor.
There are many ways to map the mind this is but one. There are eight levels of
consciousness with the mind. Five are of the senses, the sixth is perception, seventh
judgement, and the eighth the storehouse of experience. Information comes via the
sense to perception. Almost unnoticed it goes straight to the eighth for reference, then
back to the seventh for judgement. This is why we go round in circles, we just re-act!
All this can be observed. Meditation helps us break out of this cycle of circling
existence. We meditation at the sixth level of consciousness- perception. When
perception is clear, we arrive a pure perception!
Information remains information unless it is practiced, only then does it become
knowledge. Once we gain knowledge, then wisdom can be realised. Philosophising
just stays as philosophising.
I have meditated for over forty year, and am not an expert on this subject. However
something has changed in perception, I call it blessings and one seems inspired.
Divine blessings, has to do with opening the heart and devotion. When there is pure
devotion no I is present, its the same with compassion. I really notice this whenI
turns the taps off!
There many forms of meditation: pure meditation, devotional meditation,
compassionate meditation and analytical meditation. Meditation may not change the
world, though that would be nice, but they will change our response to the world, and
thats a start!
There are two aspects to enlightenment: one is to know our true reality, and the other
is to purify karma. Karma is a word used to describe the fixated imprints in the mind
that we cling to. Karma create the filter we see everything.
Meditation, its nice to know.