(see also The Weatherwax Way)

Breath Meditation

(Eric Harrison's Teach Yourself to Meditate)

     On the surface this appears a simple technique.  You sit and count your breaths throughout the meditation.  If this is all you do, however, the practice can be quite shallow.  you may just be marking time.  It is much more important to actually feel your breathing.  Is your mind right there when the breath stops or starts?  Are you noticing the changing moment-to-moment details?  Can you feel the reverberation of the breath in different parts of your body - your belly, diaphragm, chest or nostrils?

      If you examine the breath with curiosity, your mind will be focused.  You may notice fine sensations within you that can be fascinating.  This meditation can eventually lead to an exploration of all the life-energies within us.

1. Choose a relatively quite place and give yourself 15 minutes to meditate.  Find a comfortable position that allows you to breathe easily.  For most people a straight-backed, padded chair is ideal.

2. Spend a minute or two slowly scanning your body inwardly to release subtle tensions.  Examine your eyes, mouth, shoulders, hands, belly.

3. Take a deep breath and sigh.  Let your belly loosen.  Give the breath room to move.  Explore the movement of the breath within you.  If there is a pause at the end of the out-breath, enjoy it.  Let the breathing be spontaneous.  Don't try to control it, or try to breathe correctly or make the breathing regular.

4. To stay on track, count the breaths up to 5 or 10, repeatedly. This helps to anchor the mind when you wander.  You can either count on each out-breath ("one...two...three..."), or double-count, on the in-breath and the out-breath ("one...and two....and three....").

5. When you lose the count or the breath, return to it without annoyance.  If you are equally distracted, examine each breath more intently.  If you feel sleepy, open your eyes a little or sharpen your posture.

6. Let your body fall asleep.  Don't be rigid.  Have a background awareness of the sensations of relaxation - heaviness/lightness, tingling, gentle breathing, and so on.

7. Emerge slowly from the meditation.  Sit quietly with your eyes open for a minute.  Notice if you feel different from when you started.

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~~o00o~~

Natural Object Meditation

(Eric Harrison's Teach Yourself to Meditate)

Use any natural object for this meditation - driftwood, a crystal, a flower, fruit, a stone ... anything, provided it is natural.

1. Put something that interests you on a table at a convenient distance in front of you - not too close or far away, not too high or low.  Close your eyes for two minutes and relax, using any technique.

2. Open your eyes.  Keep the muscles loose and soft.  The eyes may be almost out of focus.  Let your eyes settle on the object and explore it.

3. Name the object silently like a mantra each time you breathe out.  Without effort and without staring become familiar with it.  Notice its colour, shadow patterns, texture, and so on.

4. Using your imagination, if you wish.  Imagine touching or holding it, going inside it or becoming it, or allow associations to arise.

5. If you wish, close your eyes and explore the object in your imagination.  Continue saying the word to evoke the image.  The detail of it may change slightly.  If you lose the image completely, open your eyes again.

6. Occasionally scan through your body to make sure you are relaxing.  If you are tensing up, keep your eyes closed for a while.  If you become too dreamy, open your eyes.

7. Meditate on the object with your eyes open or closed as you wish.  At the end of the meditation, notice how your body feels.

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~~o00o~~

 Colour Healing 

(Anonymous)

Total healing requires restoring harmony to all of our bodies. This meditation is designed to cleanse and harmonize your various bodies with the healing energies of colour.

1.       Sit comfortably with your eyes closed.

2.       Visualize a large ball of radiant Golden light a few inches over your head. Visualize that ball of light slowly descending through your crown, filling your entire being with golden light.

3.       Imagine yourself absorbing that light as it nourishes, cleanses & heals your whole being - your Spirit and all of your bodies - dissolving all blocked and toxic energies.

4.       Repeat this exercise, visualizing a ball of Red light. Continue through the entire spectrum like this, visualizing a ball of Orange light; Yellow light; Green light; Blue light; Indigo light; and Violet light. Go through the spectrum at whatever pace feels appropriate.

5.       Take some time to visualize yourself in a state of perfect, radiant health.

Benefits of this meditation:

• Cleansing, balancing, & healing at all levels... Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, Vital, & Physical.
• Develops concentration & visualization abilities.

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~~o00o~~

Enlightenment Meditation

(Anonymous)

The following meditation is designed to simulate the experience of Ascension. It makes use of creative visualization and imagination.

1.       Sit comfortably, reasonably straight.

2.       Visualize your Higher Self as a human-sized form of brilliant white light just over your head.

3.       Imagine yourself slowly rising to merge with the Light of your Higher Self... your entire being transformed to brilliant white light.

4.       Visualize your surroundings becoming brighter and brighter, until there is nothing but a sea of golden-white light... an ocean of Spirit.

5.       Imagine your consciousness expanding, becoming one with this ocean of Cosmic Light. Remain immersed in the Ocean of Light until you come out of the meditation. 

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~~o00o~~

Inner Light Meditation

(Anonymous)

This is a meditation for connecting you with your Inner Spirit.... your essence or core Self. It uses the light that is already within you as an object of focus. It's a fairly simple meditation, but is quite powerful, and potentially very deep.

1.       Sit comfortably with your eyes closed.

2.       With your mind's eye, look at the inner screen that fills the space behind your brow.

3.       There will be particles, images, or patterns of light on this screen... gently focus your attention on the light.

4.       Don't try to create or interpret images. Don't attempt to focus clearly. Simply look at the light with relaxed attention.

5.       If you feel as though your consciousness is shifting, or you are slipping into a dreamlike state, allow it to happen. Whatever you experience is ok.

6.       If you find you have drifted off into your thoughts, simply bring your attention back to the light on your inner screen.

Benefits of this meditation:

• Direct experience of your calm, unbounded Inner Spirit.
• Connecting with your Inner Spirit taps a wellspring of spiritual energy. This energy nourishes & enhances all levels of life... physical, emotional, mental & spiritual.
• When connected with your Inner Spirit, life flows more effortlessly, & you begin to perceive the world as a more supportive, enjoyable place.
• Regular contact with your Inner Spirit catalyses a gradual shift to a higher level of consciousness... centred in the peace, joy, & freedom of your Spirit.
• Relaxation and stress reduction.
• Increased flow of fuel to the brain. 
• Gradual opening of the 6th chakra - the Inne Eye - giving clear insight & inner vision.

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Spirit Guide Meditation 

(Anonymous)

Allow yourself to be worthy of allowing the Spirit to flow through  you.(Put some new age music on and sit back and relax and remember to  breath.) Relax in a comfortable, quiet place where you not be disturbed. For the first few minutes concentrate on your breathing, using as a prayer or mantra the words opening as you inhale and  to spirit as you exhale. Very gently visualize a serene environment that you intuitively know is a place of sacred learning for you.

 Then confidently, without undue effort, invite a symbol of Spirit to join you. If you don't feel totally comfortable with the image that appears, it's  not the appropriate one. Have it vanish, and ask for the right symbol to emerge. When you are satisfied with your symbol, rest in its presence. Soak in its unconditional love. As you become more trusting of your spirit, present to it one of the more shadowy sides of yourself, a part that shames or irritates you. Allow Spirit to minister to the dark aspect, bathing it in the light of unconditional recognition. As much as you can, open up to seeing the good buried in this aspect of yourself and, thereby, facilitate its transformation. Then bid goodbye to your Spitit, knowing that She/He is always available to you.

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~~o00o~~

Tree Meditation

(Anonymous)  

Get comfortable, sit with your spine straight to allow the energies to flow properly. Also for this reason don't cross arms or legs. Close your eyes. Think of the moment that you first woke up this morning, and go through the day , event by event , letting it go , until you reach the here and now.

Now you are here, relax

Concentrate on your toes, all of your attention focused there. Imagine a beautiful warm golden summer ocean wave, wash over your toes ,staying for the count of three and then as it draws away again , it takes all the tension from your toes with it. Your attention is then transferred to your feet, again the wave laps at your feet for the count of three,  washing away the strain.  Your Focus is now on your calves and again up washes the delicious wave to rid you of the tension stored there  As it washes to your knees, it feels lovely against your skin  Thighs, all is relaxed.  Hips, all stress is washed away.  Belly, count to three, A feeling of peace.  Chest, loving energies wash over you   Shoulders and arms, and they totally relax.  Neck , the water massages the stress away.  Head , gently after the count of three it calmly washes all tension away , leaving you feeling clear and relaxed. 

I want you now to imagine before you a tree. It is exuding a calm and relaxed atmosphere and you feel very welcomed and relaxed. Go to your tree . Explore the leaves, what sort of tree is it?, are there leaves? what is the texture of the bark? what is the soil? Feel yourself being welcomed by the tree. Why not hug it in greeting? sit next to the tree, with your back leaned against it , and as you do you feel let in to the aura of this tree, and accepted at a innermost level.  You feel you are at one with the tree, and you realise that you have established an awareness that allows you to transcend into the essence of its being.

(Artist Tim Thompson)

Feel your roots deep in the ground, deep into Mother Earth. Seeking nutrients and water , discovering in the darkness an intimacy with the soil. Listen, you can hear the water flowing deep underground, feel the cool caressing touch of it.  Drink deep the water to quench this trees thirst.

Travel up now, to the trunk of the tree. Feel the potency, the power, feel the stability. Hidden within are secrets, secrets that will endure the life of the tree. Explore the life force here and gain strength from the knowledge found here.

Travel again now , further up the tree, to the swaying branches. Fresh air, scented deliciously with the scent of leaves. sunlight is shinning upon the leaves, giving power, giving energy, nurturing it. Feel the sun also nurturing you. Feel joy at the playful wind playing amongst the leaves and twigs .Feel joy at the beauty around you.

Slowly you travel back down the tree, to the point that you entered.
Feel the link between you and the tree slowly dissipate, slowly , lovingly, dissolve. Leaving a great scenes of camaraderie and mutual respect. Bow and thank the tree, in a means that seems suitable to you.

Slowly and in your own time, become aware of your self and your surroundings. Stretch. become aware of the other people here tonight. when your ready open your eyes.

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~~o00o~~

Triple Goddess Meditation

(Anonymous)

 This meditation will introduce you to the three aspect's of the Goddess. These are the Maiden, which corresponds to the new moon, the Mother, which corresponds to the full moon and the Crone, which is the waning moon. These aspects have been used for centuries by many different civilisations.

 Begin by doing some four , four breathing. Breathe in for the count of four, hold your breath for the count of four, exhale for four, hold for four.

Next go through a relaxation exercise, such as starting with your toes, concentrate on them for three seconds, then relax. Continue doing this up every individual part of your body, till you reach the top of your head.

Relax, and sit with your spine straight. Your eyes are closed and your breathing should be relaxed.

Imagine yourself in a Forest, surrounded by the beauty of nature , bird song and the fresh sweet air of dawn greets your senses. Before your feet lays a small meandering path, winding through the lovely trees. You set of along this path to seek for the Goddess.

Wandering along this path , you can hear the tinkerling of a small stream .Soon alongside  the morning shadowed path, runs a stream The ground is covered in ferns , uncurling to the warmth of the day. Mixed with the gentle gurgling of the stream you hear a song, it is the voice of a young girl. Looking up there is a girl of about the age of twelve. She is weaving a garland from the fern fronds, and absently minded singing a merry tune. She smiles and waves. With a half skip walk she comes forwards. and greets you .

She tells you she has been waiting for you. She takes your hand , and she leads you to the steam . Pointing her finger she motions you to look upon a family of fox cubs on the other side. Unaware of your presence they play in the sunshine. After a few moments, she leads you away again, smiles and hands you the garland she was weaving.

        " I am one face of the goddess, she says, I am youth. Through play I also learn, like the fox cubs . Never loose sight of me within you for I can be a great joy. There is a place in life for happiness"

She skips away, turning and waving.  Continue down the path.

The sun is hot now and directly overhead. As the path turns a corner , you see ahead of you a well. This might provide a cool refreshing drink.As you near the well you see a woman.She is tending some herbs growing near the well .She is heavily pregnant. She stands , smiles and greets you.She hands you a cup, in which is some freshly drawn water, it its cool and sweet.

        "I am motherhood , she says. I nurture and protect. I am the vital link of all thing, for I bring  forth new life .You can use my fertility to bring forth your ideals and plans to fruition. I am strong, yet loving. Beautiful, yet dangerous if threatened. I bless you , for you are part of me, as I am part of you."

She smiles, turns away to once again tend her herbs.  You bow to her then continue down the path, Refreshed .

The sun lowers in the sky, dusk is falling. Ahead you see the smoke from a camp fire. It is being tended by an ancient figure. As you come close you can see the form of an old woman. Her face is a myriad of wrinkles. She smiles an almost toothless grin at you , and you smile in return, she sits and beckons you beside her.

        "I am old age, although physically I can not assist you , I can teach you much. I am the embodiment of creative wisdom. These bones know the joy of youth and the agonies of childbirth. These eyes have seen a life time, and can share the knowledge of the mysteries, if you take the time to listen. I am an important part of the cycle. Although I am harsh , I will give peace to all in the end. Every day of your life, I grow in you, fear me not, rejoice in me, for it is I who will bring you enlightenment."

She stares deep into your eyes, and you see great wonders there, she then dismisses you with another toothless grin and returns to tending the fire. Bow to her then leave.

~~o00o~~

Past Lives

This meditation (by Alyse Morris) will allow you to take a journey through a trance to see your past lives. As with any deep trance that could possibly be very emotional- having a partner nearby is a good idea.

Lay down.  Make sure you either tape your experience and/or have your partner write down what you say.  (This can be said out loud by your partner or you can do this internally; but, if your partner is saying it out loud, you must visualize this scenario.)

Picture a huge library with beautiful architecture. (Let your imagination run wild!) There are 10 giant steps leading up to the front door. Very slowly climb up the stairs counting each one. Your partner may want to count you through this. This is the meditative steps to put you into the mental state to accept the information. When you get to the top of the stairs, imagine a huge door, with a giant knocker. Knock.

Someone will answer the door. This is your spirit guide. Tell him/her what it is you would like to see (as in a certain past life, or something in general). At this point you may or may not have a lengthy conversation with your guide, he/she might be concerned with how you are going to handle this information, etc.

Next, Ask your guide to lead you to where you can get this information. Picture another door behind the guide, and have the guide walk you through here. He/she will lead you into another room, and sit you down. At this point, whether you are audio, visual, written, or any combination, comes into play. You might take down a book, and start to read the story of a past life... look at pictures like a photo album... watch a movie... listen to someone narrate the story. Or, like I said, any combination.

When you are done, thank your guide. Your parting words and actions will be based on how comfortable you are with your guide at this point. Open the main door to go back down the stairs, and count your way back down. This will lead you back out of the trance.

Play back the tape, or read what your partner has written. You may or may not remember what it is you have just experienced and/or said out loud

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