How to do Meditation?
Morning is an ideal time to meditate, yet any convenient regular time will do. Meditation should be practiced daily, in a place that is completely private, free from undue noise, and free from interruptions of any kind. It should be practiced for a set number of minutes each day, as follows:
First month of practice: 18 minutes per daily session
Thereafter: 24 minutes per daily session
Sit upright, with your spine relatively straight—on a bed, on the floor, on a cushion, or in a chair, whichever is most comfortable to you. If crossing your legs result in discomfort or stoppage of energy flow in the legs, try uncrossing and extending them, or otherwise altering your position.
After becoming comfortable, close the eyes and relax, for a brief moment, seeking to calm your body and mind. Now allow the symbol of the Round Orange-Red Ball to come into your awareness. Do not try to re-create the Orange-Red Ball as if it were in front of you or near your forehead—do not "pretend to see" the Round Orange-Red Ball. Visualization is not the same as pretending to see. FEEL that you are the symbol. Do not "think about" the Round Orange-Red Ball. Visualization is not the same as thinking. Sense and become the Round Orange-Red Ball with your entire awareness.
To begin to get a sense of the symbol, ask yourself: How does it feel to be that shape—to be the round surface of a ball? How does that color feel— how does it feel to be the color of orange-red? Sense the color and shape together. Become, with your consciousness, just this object. Be the Ball—visualize it with your entire being. If you sense and become in this way, you will begin to achieve a perfect completeness with the Round Orange-Red Ball. It will be as if it were there with you and in you, whole.
Do not force it, simply allow yourself to become aware of it, and seek to effortlessly maintain your awareness upon the Round Orange-Red Ball. Thoughts of other things will probably arise in your mind, and when you become aware that your awareness has perhaps strayed to some mundane matter, instead of remaining on the Round Orange-Red Ball, simply notice that a thought or emotion has appeared, without placing any bias or judgment upon it. Do not pay any further attention to the thought or emotion, just allow it to drop away, and allow your sense of the Round Orange-Red Ball to re-emerge. It is important that you do not struggle to keep the mind on the Round Orange-Red Ball, but simply notice when a stray thought has appeared, drop the thought, and then allow your mind to come back gently and effortlessly to the Round Orange-Red Ball. Let the memorable feeling of peace and deep knowing that you will begin to acquire from maintaining your awareness upon the Round Orange-Red Ball inspire you to allow it to re-emerge effortlessly in your mind.
Always remember that the Round Orange-Red Ball is YOU—it is not something "out there." Have the entire sense of the Round Orange-Red Ball within your being. Be the Round Orange-Red Ball, and your practice will be perfect and effortless. Do not struggle in any way. You should feel tranquil and comfortable while meditating.
Continue to meditate for the allotted time. You may slightly open your eyes to periodically check a clock or watch, to gauge the time while learning. After you have meditated for the allotted time, stop the practice and rest, lying down or sitting, for 3 or 4 minutes before opening the eyes and rising into activity. It is important to have this transition time, and not "shock" the awareness by returning to daily activity suddenly, after meditating.
As you begin your practice of daily meditation, you should know that it is normal to have a period of days or weeks in which you will "get comfortable" with the practice, and perfect the technique of this method. At first, it is possible that this form of meditation will be unfamiliar to you, and you may also have a little difficulty in practicing it correctly. You will notice, however, that with a little practice it becomes easier and easier. After just a few weeks or a month, you will find it becoming "second nature" to you, and that you will naturally sink into a deep meditative state shortly after beginning your daily practice. Should you have any questions, or wish to be certain that you are practicing the Chios Meditation method correctly, be sure to seek support through this website.
It is possible that disturbances may occur as you learn. Bodily sensations, particularly distracting or even disconcerting thoughts or emotions, leaving the body, visions of spirits, or similar experiences may manifest. While to be expected occasionally, these do not matter and are not to be desired nor undesired. The ultimate goal of the meditation is to go beyond the surface disturbances. Merely "let them go," and continue the practice without concern—just let whatever thoughts, emotions or experiences "come up" exist without either attempting to repress them or attach the awareness to them. Maintain your focus upon an effortless visualization of the Round Orange-Red Ball.
It is not uncommon, for example, for recurrent thoughts or emotions to "come up" which bear relation to the inner issues of the meditator. If the meditator remains in the expanded spiritual awareness proper visualization practice upon this symbol will provide, these other thoughts and emotions which arise need not be identified with nor repressed, but simply noticed as the awareness is encouraged to effortlessly return to the Round Orange-Red Ball. The awareness will therefore not become "wrapped up" and identified in these thoughts, emotions and issues, and these distractions will eventually lose their influence upon the awareness. This is instrumental not merely for correct practice of the meditation but also to allow the meditation to properly contribute to the meditator's healing and personal growth process. Leaving the body is also a common side-effect when meditation is begun, yet is similarly not to be encouraged nor given any concern. The meditator simply notices this has happened and then allows a grounded, in-the-body experience of the meditation to re-emerge. Whenever any such experiences arise, it is desirable to return to a grounded and in-the-body state. This form of meditation is intended to be a grounded practice. As you become more familiar with meditation, you will naturally remain in the body, and it is desirable to do so.
As you advance in your practice and acquire the ability to quiet the mind and sink to deeper levels of awareness, your awareness of the symbol during meditation will become more subtle. There is not an overpowering awareness of, for example, the shape or color of the symbol. There is simply the very gentle, subtle awareness of the symbol, in its wholeness, from the finest level of awareness. As you work towards this finer level of meditation practice, you should just barely be able to tell that you are meditating on this particular symbol. As you practice, and begin to experience this finer awareness, you are penetrating nearer and nearer to the state of pure consciousness, and are progressing successfully towards the point where the highest benefits will accrue from your practice.
Suggestions For Successful Practice:
To reap the full benefits of Chios Meditation, the following are highly recommended:
- Make it a habit, a daily practice that you follow regularly. For anyone wishing to enjoy maximal benefits from the practice of meditation—and for the healer, especially—regular daily practice of meditation is very important. A regular time and place are helpful for many. Approach it fresh each time, however. Make it a part of your routine, yet do not practice it routinely.
- Be careful to learn, and continue in, correct practice. Improper practice of meditation will not provide the benefits that might otherwise accrue, and may actually work against you.
- Have faith that you will experience the benefits. Expect positive results. Do not let doubt prevent you from the benefits and personal growth that the practice of meditation can provide.
