Learning How to Meditate... All Over Again

Have you ever done something for years, thought you had it down but, then, found yourself floundering like a fish flopping around on the bank on the water’s edge?

Well, I am there when it comes to meditation. I still remember my first meditation workshop I went to in 1989. A man by the name of Harry Glover gave it. He was a member of the A.R.E., Association of Research and Enlightenment, Edgar Cayce’s organization. If you haven’t heard of Cayce you might find it a grand rabbit hole to dive into. He was one of the greatest mystics of our time, maybe ever. That, of course, depends upon your own opinion.

Anyway, there I was sitting among other curious souls in a hotel meeting room in Dallas, Texas. I was so excited since I’d only recently discovered this association was still going strong after years of life having taken me down another path. I felt I was finally back to what I had started in 1968 and had followed for a number of years back then. This time it was actually going to have a face in Harry to make it real.

Harry taught us via the Edgar Cayce method. We did the three breaths exercise. Three times we close the left nostril, breathe in through the right and breathe out through the mouth. Then we close the right nostril, breathe in through the left and breathe out through the right nostril 3 times. He even taught how to use the right hand to do this, using the ring finger to close the left nostril and the thumb to close the right. I felt accomplished.

He proceeded to the head and neck exercises which Cayce stated would get our body in a better balanced mode for meditation. For three times each, bend neck forward, bend neck backward, bend neck to the right and bend neck to the left. Next roll your head and neck around from the right to the left three times and then left to the right three times. I did it and was feeling in the mood. I was ready to go to heaven, right? After all this prep I should jump right there.

But no, now was the prayer of protection. I liked the sound of that. “As I open myself to the unseen forces that surround the throne of grace, mercy and light, I surround myself with the pure white light of protection that is found in the thought of the Christ.” I liked that and now I felt safe. No dark badies could come after me. 

This time I just waited, wondering what was next. It certainly seemed like a lot of prep for this thing called meditation. I have since come to learn there are so many ways to meditate but after all, I had paid for this class and by gosh, I was going to finish it. It was my first, of many to come, of Cayce based workshops and retreats I would attend, among others.

As I suspected there would be more and next came the Intention. Again three times. I’m not sure which one we used that day, they had a whole slew of them. The one I’m using at the present time is, “Mother, Father, Creator/God, let me, my mind, my body, my soul, be at one with thee, that I, through thy promises to Him, thy son, may know thee more and more.” (From A Search for God, Book II, Lesson VII, Destiny of the Soul.)

Yes, I know that’s a lot of work just to slide into meditation but, it was the way I was taught so it is the way I do it still. The good news is, NOW, we slid into meditation. That quiet time where we listen to hear Creator God. If only I could quiet my noisy mind long enough to hear. 

Yes, there is a routine for ending it also, simply sending the energy acquired during meditation back out to Creator and saying the 23rd Psalm. For years, that is what I did.

But in the last year and a half I have struggled. Sure I have my “get into meditation” routine but I now seem to be flummoxed as to what to do when I come to the quiet time. As I sit there all the various methods run through my head. 

1    Have a mantra to repeat.

2    Just follow your breath in an out.

3    Look up, eyes closed of course.

4    See your thought roll out on a conveyor belt to fall into a large metaphysical bag at the end of said conveyor belt to store away for another time, another day even.

There are so many options but now, mostly, when I reach that point I think, “What do I do now? How do I truly hear Creator? Will I hear a voice? Will it be a feeling?” 

All my classes I’ve taken in the last few years don’t touch on meditation except to say, “Do it. It helps.”

Recently I was in a zoom and we moved on to the topic of meditation and a few of the participants mentioned sitting there and looking for their next thought. One stated while they were looking they found no next thought came. Another said when they were watching for the thought and saw it, they said, “I see you!” The thought disappeared.

I tried that this morning. I am very visual, clairvoyant some would say. I saw myself sitting there with Yeshua on my right and Archangel Michael on my left looking out into the stars. I had, after all, been told many years ago to bring two beings into my meditations who were important to me. So we sat. The thoughts came as a meteor shower. I grabbed them and shoved them onto the conveyor belt and attempted to blank out my mind. It was a start.

I shall try that again as it does seem hopeful once I can get my chatterbox of a brain under control again. Yeah, really? I’m hoping I’ll finally find that quiet time to hear Creator’s words and know at last I’ve found my way.

It’s been a while since I reached this point of the blog and wasn’t sure how to finish it. I’ve tried various methods since but think I’ve finally settled upon one that works for me. In a meditation I was guided to see myself as this large sparkling energy ball, which is how we can be on the other side of the veil. At least, that’s how I see it. I’ll sit in the rounded chair and allow myself to “Just Be.”

As I sat there again this morning doing my best to Just Be, it came to me that everyone will interpret what meditation means to them. I can never have total silence because the ringing in my ears is a 24/7 constant. What works for me might not work for you. So I offer you the prep work should you wish a routine or simply a "go with the flow."

I do, however, heartily suggest surrounding yourself in protection as you are very vulnerable when opening yourself to the Light. Otherwise, oh wise and thoughtful readers, set a time and Find Your Own Way.

Roda

Still asking, still listening, still becoming