02 Dec 5: The Six Principles Of Meditation
Centuries ago, there lived a great Buddhist meditator named Tilopa. He was an Indian scholar and a Buddhist monk. He created six principles of meditation.
If you get a handle on these six principles, there is nothing else that you need to know about meditation:.
The first principle: No recollection
When you sit down to meditate, you will definitely be hit by thoughts and memories of the past. Do not pursue them. There should be no recollection. Simply and gently shift your attention away from past memories.
The second principle: No calculation
Sometimes, we are neither pursuing a thought nor thinking of the past, but we are calculating. It could be something as simple as “Will I ever get to that particular stage of meditation, if I meditate for an hour a day?” Or “How long will it take me to get to that stage?” The mind is always calculating. So remember, no calculation, no recollection.
The third principle: No imagination
When you are meditating, simply be in the present moment. If you are listening to your breath, then simply listen to your breathing. If you are meditating on sound, listen to or simply recall the mantra. If you are meditating on a particular form, then visualize the form. If you are meditating on the formless, then simply sit thoughtless. Do not imagine what may happen in the future. Imagination is what happens when we create a scenario in our head about the future and keep thinking about it.
The fourth principle: No examination
Do not analyze your thoughts. Examination happens when a thought of the past comes to you, and you start thinking; “Why did this happen to me? What did this person really mean when s/he said that to me or did that to me?” Or, you may start examining from where this thought is coming, where it is going, or where it is ending? Do not do any of that.
The fifth principle: No construction
Do not try to create an experience. It is one of the greatest mistakes a lot of meditators make. When you meditate, sometimes you are going to experience a lot of beautiful things. They could be other streams of consciousness, some fragrance, or feelings. A lot of meditators aim for the same experience again and again. That is a grave mistake. Do not construct. Just be a witness to any experience you may gain at that point of time.
The sixth principle: No digression
Do not wander. Simply stay in the present moment. When your mind goes in one direction, bring it back. When it goes in another direction, bring it back again. Never get angry with your own mind. Simply be at peace.
Simply being present in the present moment is really what meditation is all about.
This article is part 5 of Learn to Meditate series, and is transcribed from the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuUwWlPrXRA
Read Part 4: How to Begin Meditation – Black Lotus Read Part 6: Elements of Good Posture in Meditation – Black Lotus
Sanjay Bose
Posted at 11:38h, 13 DecemberSix principle of meditation haa beautifully explained. It is explanation given by Trilopa whi was a buddhist monk. No recollection, no calculation, no imagination, no examination, no calculation and no digression. Explanation given by Guruji is very nice. It gives a realistic feeling of meditation to the beginner. Thank you.