| To truly attain stillness is not an easy task but | | | | sees such images, do not think that one has |
| however, if one were to attain the stage of self | | | | achieved Heavenly stage for this could merely be |
| realization, one must be a master of stillness. | | | | a test set by one's own self. Meditation is not to |
| Stillness attained by meditation is the most | | | | see Heavenly Beings nor is it a practice for |
| common way. What is then stillness and what is | | | | spiritual power. The so-called power is not the |
| meditation? What is the link between these two? | | | | ultimate aim of meditation. |
| When a person meditates, he tries to achieve | | | | Many people see meditation as an art of practising |
| tranquility and when it is achieved, the mind will be | | | | power, power of healing and power to control. If |
| at peace. Being peaceful to the surrounding, | | | | "Power" is sighted at all, then he may land himself |
| nothing can disturb him and therefore, calmness is | | | | in trouble that he does not know. For when one is |
| being practised. Calmness is slightly different from | | | | crazy for power and fame, the heart that should |
| total stillness because a mind may be calm but | | | | be pure could be easily misled. One must |
| total stillness is not observed. In practising | | | | understand that goodness comes from the heart |
| meditation, calmness may be the first stage but | | | | and so does evil thought. Be pure and aim only |
| the ultimate aim of meditation is to reach the | | | | for the right thing. When one can reach a stage |
| stage of total stillness. One may see much | | | | of no-self, and yet one's true self controls, then |
| realization when one reaches the stage of stillness. | | | | one may realize things as the Sages do. |
| The realization of Truth will bring out the true self | | | | To observe the rules of meditation, one must |
| that is well-hidden within the physical body. | | | | learn the illusion of the mind, for this illusion of |
| There are many ways of meditation. The most | | | | mind may bring one's downfall. Do not allow the |
| common way is mainly sit cross-legged and try to | | | | surrounding environment to be one's fear. The |
| meditate by concentrating on one object. It is | | | | noisiest place may prove to be the best practising |
| better if one can attain a stage of objectless | | | | ground. If one practises in a secluded place, one is |
| awareness. When one can attain the stage of | | | | not actually practising. Being in a peaceful |
| total stillness, then this same stillness can be | | | | surrounding, no noise would be there to disturb |
| observed while sitting, standing, walking or merely | | | | him and therefore, it is easier to attain calmness. |
| lying down. For when stillness is attained, serene | | | | But, if one is in a busy and noisy place, one's mind |
| will be the mind. Thus, at all times his thinking and | | | | may not be calm at all. |
| pureness of mind are always in the stillness form. | | | | Many people search in the wrong manner. They |
| Stillness does not mean that there is no action. | | | | travel thousands of mile to search for a master |
| Though inactive in its tranquil state but it is in this | | | | who can reveal the Truth and they would search |
| state that everything can be realized. | | | | and search for a few lines of utterances that |
| Some people think that meditation is merely | | | | may help them. One may travel millions of mile, |
| sitting down trying to keep minds clear and blank. | | | | get thousands of utterances from masters and |
| This is not true because it is one way to realize | | | | even if the right points are pointed out, he will still |
| the Truth and find their true-selves. Understand | | | | not attain unless he realize the Truth and follow |
| that real is unreal, and unreal yet real. Emptiness is | | | | up by his virtuous action and speech. |
| not truly empty in its way. Though not empty, | | | | The Truth is within and near to you a Heavenly |
| emptiness must be observed in certain way. | | | | Being is already there. All spiritual places are alike. |
| When talking about emptiness, it is very difficult | | | | The only difference is the attitude of the people |
| to understand. | | | | who are in charge of the place and whether is |
| All things, whether good or evil, begin from the | | | | that place able to transmit the Truth? The Truth |
| heart. Everything is the creation of one's own | | | | is wordless and cannot be explained. Truth, though |
| mind. When a person is sitting down, trying to | | | | alike, is accepted differently by man. Meditation |
| erase all problems and to attain the stage of | | | | and stillness is one way to allow us to prepare |
| calmness, the mind will be the first thing that he | | | | ourselves to realize the Truth. The ultimate Truth |
| must learn to control. In meditation, colors are | | | | can be realized suddenly just like when a bell is hit |
| often sighted, but do not think too much about | | | | and the sound heard. In Tao it is called the |
| them. When the color stage has passed, some | | | | realization and opening of the right portal or divine |
| may think that they see Heavenly Beings or | | | | eye. |
| images of such. It may be real, yet unreal. If one | | | | Author: T. |