When I think about meditation Alan Watts words come to mind.  “If you want to outwit the devil, it is extremely important that you don’t give him advanced notice. Even if you only announce to yourself your intentions, the devil will know, because who do you think the devil is? You”

Just like when you try to be spontaneous you can’t be spontaneous, when you try to meditate you can’t. Here the words of Yoda ring out. “Their is no try on do“.  In Zen you have Wu wei  which means – non-doing or ‘doing nothing’.  Easier said then done, the ‘saying‘ being part of the problem as ones inner narrator loves to play the devil and fill ones thoughts with words of judgment and measure.

That said the inner narrator is also a pretty good observer and when focused on the breath this observer might notice the breathing is both voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary as one can choose to take a deep breath, or hold ones breath….Involuntary in the sense that breathing is a happening – a kind Wu Wei. One does not have to understand breathing to breath one does not have to be continually, consciously manipulate the mussels and nervous system to breathe.  The observer might sit mesmerized as breathing as a happening while the narrator  might become anxious and start judging, measuring.

In art and sport the artist and athlete take lessons, learn the rules, train, practice… but when they create and play the master artist and elite athlete does not think they do. If you have ever taken dance lessons over a period of time you will eventually hear the teacher say you need to learn the rules before you can break them. What they mean is that when you get to the point when you trust what you have learned is in your body. That your ears hear the rhythm without you having to listen, ears hear and the body responds… then your truly dancing.

Wu Wei. – We work for that which no work is required. We train, we learn then we trust and trusting that we ‘know’ let go of what we learned and do. One sites in Meditation and notices the breath, practicing different kinds of breathing and eventually trust that we ‘know’ without needing to be the knower, breathing a happening, the inner narrator quiets and dances.

Meditation is a simple and effective way to reduce stress, improve focus and concentration, and cultivate a sense of inner peace and well-being. Here are some basic steps to help you get started with meditation:

1. Find a quiet and comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed. You can sit on a chair or cushion, or even lie down if that’s more comfortable for you.
2. Set a timer for the length of time you want to meditate (start with just a few minutes if you’re new to meditation).
3. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Allow yourself to relax and let go of any tension or stress.
4. Focus your attention on your breath. Notice the sensation of the air moving in and out of your body. You can also count your breaths, silently saying “one” on the inhale and “two” on the exhale.
5. Whenever your mind wanders (and it will!), gently bring your attention back to your breath. Don’t judge or criticize yourself for getting distracted – this is a natural part of the meditation process.
6. Continue to focus on your breath until the timer goes off. When you’re finished, take a moment to notice how you feel. You may feel calmer, more relaxed, and more centered.

Remember that meditation is a skill that takes practice. Don’t get discouraged if you find it difficult at first – just keep trying! With regular practice, you’ll begin to experience the many benefits of meditation.

The first time I heard the notion of centering prayer it was in connection to the notion of contemplation leaving me to wonder what the difference was between Meditation, Contemplation, Prayer – Centering prayer.

I haven’t found clear answers however my thoughts are that the general difference between meditation and contemplation is that meditation is a emptying (decent) that can creates space for the state of contemplation which isn’t so much as about thinking and words but a non-dual listening – Which is similar to a state centering prayer leads to which is a prayer that we don’t make happen, No intention other then having eyes to see and ears to hear, no ego or beseeching...)  but a happening resting in and arising from stillness/silence.

My experience has been that centering prayer often transitioned to contemplation which transitioned to meditation then back to contemplation and centering.  The Common thread being a emptying and ungrounding which paradoxically lead to experience of being centered.

A Zen master might say nothing was attained. Not that the experience was not experienced only that the experience was is  always present… for those with eyes to see and ears to hear…  put another way we return home to see it for the first time, and that we work for that which no work is required,  nothing is attained because each of us have always had and are it.

But another way, Einstein noted that the same level of consciousness that notices a problem won’t be the same level of consciousness that solves it. The tenancy is to try to ascend our way out of the problem by thinking our way into a new level of consciousness, to use the mind to grasp the mind, the eye to see the eye. However new levels of consciousness can not arise from ascending but only from first descending of which meditation, contemplation and centering prayer are aids.

In the end language is problematic. I appreciate the space to wonder. 🙂

Thanks Brandy that was nicely put.