| Metaphysics, Meditation, and spiritual matters in | | | | experience as you go. This gives points of |
| general tend to be plagued by sloppy thinking. | | | | reference for the changes you have experienced. |
| While we do want to be open to new possibilities | | | | When looking through the eyes of the new you, it |
| (this is at the core of properly applied science), | | | | might not be easy to see how much different |
| we want to have a structured approach to our | | | | you are now from the way you used to be. |
| practice, whatever it may be. | | | | Step 5 allows us to put working principles in place |
| What follows is the modified scientific method for | | | | to help us continue with further experimentation. |
| the study of the self. | | | | Keep in mind, these are just working theories; |
| 1. Recognizing a Problem | | | | they are subject to change and improvement. |
| 2. Perform some research/Form a hypothesis | | | | To illustrate, allow me to share an example from |
| 3. Design exercises, or play with exercises you | | | | my own life. Several years back, when I was still |
| found | | | | in the Army, I started meditating every day |
| 4. Pay close attention to the subjective results | | | | before I went to work. As I continued practicing, |
| you get (use a journal) | | | | the meditations grew deeper, and it made the |
| 5. Form working conclusions and continue | | | | early part of the day more pleasant at work. I |
| experimentation | | | | noticed, however, that I wasn't really developing |
| Step 1 does not really require a problem, just | | | | the ability to deal with my day-to-day challenges |
| something you would like to change or improve. | | | | in a 'meditative' way (step 1). It was like a peak |
| Mindfulness is your best friend here. If you want | | | | experience that would wear off. I read through |
| to work on the self or explore the self, it helps to | | | | some of the meditation books I had at the time, |
| have an awareness of the components of self | | | | but did not find anything that really applied to |
| first. If you have never taken the time to pay | | | | what I was experiencing (step 2). I figured if I |
| close attention to your 5 primary senses or your | | | | could find a way to practice in the morning or |
| thinking senses of internal pictures or internal | | | | throughout the day, I could experience more |
| sounds, now is the time to start. | | | | freedom when challenges come up. So I started |
| Step 2 suggests that you research the area a bit | | | | playing with quick methods of meditating, and |
| before formulating your own hypothesis. You | | | | short meditative exercises (step 3). I wasn't very |
| don't have to make your hypothesis based on | | | | good at keeping a journal at the time, but I did |
| this research, but it helps to know what other | | | | measure my satisfaction with the day, as well as |
| people who have worked the field have come up | | | | individual experiences with and without applying |
| with thus far. | | | | the techniques (step 4). Based off this, I |
| Step 3 encourages us to really get to work. This | | | | continued to test and practice these methods to |
| is where we allot time for meditation or other | | | | this day. A vastly simplified version of my results |
| exercises and follow through. This is where we | | | | would be "When I'm in a good space, I get better |
| actually run the experiment, and the | | | | results. When I'm in a bad space, I get worse |
| experimentation never truly ends. It might change | | | | results." |
| direction, but it will continue. | | | | This is only one example, but you can apply this |
| Step 4 reminds us to track our results. Write | | | | method virtually anywhere in your life. When you |
| down detailed descriptions of your subjective | | | | do, you will get powerful, measurable results! |