Reset yourself throughout the day to remembering that you are more than your thoughts. You are more than the person you see in the mirror. You are more than the voice that speaks from your mouth. Reset your spirit self, acknowledging this eternal self who accompanies you throughout life, always has and always will. Anchor more frequently in memories of this spirit self who knows and loves you deeply, who wishes only for you to be fulfilled. Accept that this is your true self and you will be more than well on your way to fulfillment.
Buddha sending out the right vibration… – Photo by Chuck Ketchel
At first glance, the title, Extraverted Meditation, would appear to be a contradiction in terms. Typically, extraversion is understood as an individual’s dominant orientation to focus on the outside world, particularly as pertains to relationships and the opinions of others. In contrast, meditation is generally viewed as an introverted practice that deeply withdraws from the sensations and influences of the outer world.
In Jung’s time, when East truly began to meet West, particularly as regards spiritual practice, he warned that the extraverted orientation of the Western psyche was ill-suited for rapid wholesale adoption of Eastern meditation practices. Nonetheless, as he himself encountered the depths of the collective unconscious, in the visions and active imagination he documents in The Red Book, he practiced yogic asanas to ground his ego.
In fact, despite the almost total focus on the brain of modern Western psychological research, the bottomline focus and interventions prescribed by most Western therapists come straight out of Tibetan mindfulness and Yogic meditation practices.
These are the assignments given to ego to still the central nervous system into a state of calm. Nonetheless, the reigning mantra and New Year’s resolution from most people is, “I have to get back to my meditation.”
The power of outer world events, particularly in the time we are in, is impossible and perhaps inadvisable to fully screen from one’s attention. This, coupled with the dominant extraverted orientation of Western civilization, undermines the coveted but under-practiced aspiration to meditate. How can the Western psyche, perhaps even the world psyche, adapt the powerfully beneficial practice of meditation in the flux of such an unsettled outer world?
The key, as in all meditation, is to begin with focus on the body. If the goal of meditation is detachment from the ill effects of outer world sensory impressions upon the sanctity of the self, the body can be seen as the central registry of all sensory inputs.
All of our senses receive input through the physical body. Our thoughts, with their associated emotions, register in the body as well. Thus, active inner attention to the body in outer activity and interaction is a valid playing field for meditation.
Place the index finger of one hand upon the wrist of the other hand. Keep awareness upon the index finger experiencing the sensations within itself as it meets the solid boundary of the wrist. Notice the vibration of touch.
Shift awareness exclusively to the wrist. Notice its sensations of being touched. Feel the vibration of being touched. Alternate awareness slowly from toucher to touched. Now, allow these two distinct perspectives of touch to merge into a single vibratory union of touch, union of self.
Carry awareness of body into the world. Open to an image in the media. Notice its vibration; study its energy. Shift awareness to the body. Notice its impact upon the heart, upon the muscles, upon the breath. With awareness, restore the body’s organs to calm. Release all clenching; intend deep peace. Embrace the integrity of self in calm vibration.
Return gaze to the outer image, notice its vibration, its intent. Return awareness to the body. Notice any impact of image upon inner vibration. Restore the integrity of calm vibration. Repeat dual attention until outer image is completely neutralized, your inner vibration a steady flame.
Interact with the world. Notice the impact on the body in encounter with other. Use awareness to calm the heart, unclench the muscles, and silence the mind. The mind is silenced with awareness focused on body sensation, intended to calm.
Notice the words, the emotional intensity, the intent of the other. See the vibration of the other’s motive. Notice the inner impact of that vibration upon one’s body. Choose to maintain one’s inner vibration of calm. Use the breath to steady the body. Use intent to maintain inner calm, with attention given to where the body feels impacted. Dissolve into love of the oneness of everything.
These are some suggestions for extraverted meditation. Allow every moment, whether innerly or outerly focused, to become a meditative opportunity. Gradually expand the oneness of self with the oneness of everything. “Got to keep those vibrations, vibrations a happening to me…”
Good good good, good vibrations!
Chuck
Check out Brian Wilson’s live enhanced Good Vibrations from his album Smile. Notice the South African insert.
Buddha is a mirror… reflecting the calmness we also have within! – Photo by Jan Ketchel
Here is a calming message from Jan and Jeanne to begin the week.
Lots of crackling wood stove sounds in the background of the recording. You may even hear the winds howling as it is very rainy and windy this morning in Red Hook, reflecting our times of energetic change! As Jeanne suggests: Stay grounded!
Continue the process of inner work, recapitulating the deepest aspects of self, utilizing patience as a means of slowing down the energies of turmoil and rigidity that seek to dominate.
Anchoring in patience
It is time to fully accept all aspects of self as valid and necessary, to allow the inner process to become the means for outer change. Seek not change outerly, for such change will have no lasting effect. Only inner change will have potential. However, use the outer world to gain stability and anchoring.
Be responsible for the self in all aspects of life, as it must be lived according to where you are in your life. Accept that certain needs must be met, certain requirements upheld, and that many issues will need attention. Such is the case with the outer world, but do not let the outer world overwhelm you. It is merely a tool to inner growth and evolutionary advancement.
In addition, your inner world must be handled in similar fashion as the outer world, for you are equally responsible for and must meet the needs of what comes from within the self as well. Balance but also deep awareness of both of these worlds as necessary must be accepted.
Consideration of the self as a journeyer on a deeply challenging and truly evolutionary journey must become acceptable but also the intent of every human being upon that planet. There is no time to waste in blame, regret, or victimization. In a sense you are all victims of the world you live in, of the life you lead, and of the decisions made by others, but that is only so that you may seek a deeper meaning for life, self, and world.
It is not a time to wallow in self-pity, even as you accept the truths I speak of. It is a time of accessing the deeper knowing and purpose of life in general and your own life specifically. Although it may not be clear where you are heading with the work you do in resolving the issues of the self, it is perfectly clear that it is the right road to take. For in your release of self to take the journey of change, you have, each one of you, experienced the glory of changing moments. You know the feel of shift in your bodies, your minds, your psyches, and your spirits. Each one of you, no matter how sad and dire your circumstances, no matter how deeply engrossing your process, have experienced something new.
Patience must anchor you now. The world around you asks for it. Steady pacing, tending to all the details of life, and attention to the truths that arise, calling for the self to accept them, means that progress will be made.
Anchor in patience. Pull up this anchor of patience repeatedly as you keep moving, but resettle in its stillness as you feel your way through everything that arises to challenge you over the next few days. Nothing is too much to handle when you sit in anchoring patience. Everything will become clearer and you will know what is right.
Let actions come from the rightness of knowing that is achieved in patient anchoring. This is the next step. You already know it. Now is the time to work it. It’s right and it takes so little to enact. In patience comes clarity.
