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TO SEE CLEAR
OFTEN A CHANGE IN DIRECTION IS ENOUGH
"The whole point of meditation is not to follow the path laid down by thought to what it considers to be truth, enlightenment or reality. There is no path to truth. The following of any path leads to what thought has already formulated and, however pleasant or satisfying, it is not truth. It is a fallacy to think that a system in daily life for a few given moments, or the repetition of it during the day, will bring about clarity or understanding."
( - Krishnamurti)
Many people imagine that meditation means sitting in a crossed-legged position and listening to your breath, or follow some silly instruction and repeat some Osho mantra a thousand times a day. Ooops that would be ultra stupid - and counterproductive - to say the least.
Such practices or methods are not meditation. They serve to encourage sleepiness. Meditation is not a method or exercise; rather, it is the condition of presence. It is important not to mistake the menu for the food. Or the sea chart for the speed boat.
Immediacy
Tai chi encourages meditation because the exercise involves total immersion in what is happening. This means no dreaming of the future or worrying about the past. No conscious thought at all. We do not chant or count or use any real method to accomplish a state of meditation; being body-centred in enough. The difficulty involved with learning tai chi should be sufficient to keep your mind where it needs to be. You must be completely present.
Zen Super Mind
Tao & Zen are concerned with attaining a state of inner stillness and harmony with all things. To accomplish this, your sense of self must fade. You must be so immersed in what you are doing that self-consciousness vanishes.
Even 'mundane' tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning clothes or flying a space craft require enough physical and mental involvement that you can relax into an undivided state of mind.
We only live in the immediate moment and this is where our mind must be. In self defence, this state of mind is absolutely critical if you hope to survive a hostile situation. Ask Bruce Lee who applied Krishnamurti.
What is S t i l l n e s s ?
Stillness is the sense of inner calm that helps you to relax and just be. Rather than rush around, you feel alert yet rested. In order to become still, you learn how to slow down and eventually how to stop.
Expansive
Your gaze will soften and become expansive when you find quiet inside. Rather than be troubled by everyday matters, you will feel at one with everything around you. Things won't seem so bad. All your worries will fade gradually and you will feel centred and under control. You will not have any compulsion to be active and busy.
Slow down
Tai chi is an antidote to stressful living.
When you take things a little slower, you begin to notice the world.
Then you stand a slight chance to be a seer...
The above is taken from my own "ZenZone"
See: THE MODERN TAO -
http://stclairzone.ning.com/forum/to...7024:Topic:122
This is the advice and preparation that is of use in the times ahead.