+ Meditation and cranio sacral therapy. – October 05
Hi John
You might not remember me. I did the first
level of the cranio training with you back in
1999. I was wondering if you could help me out.
I belong to a cranio study group down here in
melbourne and we were discussing ways of
centering yourself before a session.
I told them about this amazing meditation
technique that you took us through before we
started every morning. I was wondering if you
could run me through it again so I can share it
with them. It involved putting everything in a
bag.
Cheers V.S. Melbourne.
>>>MY COMMENTS:
Putting everything in the bag is a great
exercise for becoming aware of your presence.
It works best if you use it sparingly otherwise
it looses its impact. So, yeah, I’m very happy
to run through it again for you.
It goes like this.
Have the group sit comfortably with their
eyes closed. Someone will need to lead the
group through the exercise.
They say the following, pausing after each
instruction.
Take a few deep breaths.
Let any mental images you have fade away.
Let any internal dialogues or monitoring
that is going on, fade away.
Now, bring to mind a strong bag.
One with a draw-string.
This is no ordinary bag.
You can fit anything into it.
Now bring to mind your favourite spot in
your home.
Look around at the objects that make up
this spot.
Now, one by one, taking the smallest
objects first, put them in the bag.
If there are any other objects or pieces
of furniture in this area of your home,
put them in the bag too.
Now, bring to mind the room adjacent to
the area you just cleared. Put all the
objects from this room in the bag too.
Bring to mind all the clothing you own.
Put them in the bag.
Bring to mind all the furniture in the
rest of your home. Put it in the bag.
Bring to mind your car. Put it in the
bag.
Bring to mind any other large items you
own like boats or motor bikes etc. Put
them in the bag.
Bring to mind any pets you own. Put them
in the bag.
Bring to mind your extended family,
aunts, uncles, cousins etc. Put them in
the bag.
Bring to mind all your immediate family,
your brothers and sisters, if you have
any. Put them in the bag.
Bring your parents to mind. Put them in
the bag.
Bring to mind your children, if you have
any. Put them in the bag.
Bring to mind your partner. Put them in
the bag.
Bring to mind your home. Put it in the
bag.
Bring to mind the street you live on.
Put it in the bag.
Bring to mind the district you live in.
Put it in the bag.
Bring to mind the city you live in.
Put it in the bag.
Bring to mind the country you live in.
Put it in the bag.
Bring to mind the continent you live on.
Put it in the bag.
Now bring to mind the world. Put it in
the bag.
Bring to mind the solar system.
Put it in the bag.
Bring to mind the galaxy. Put it in the
bag.
Bring to mind the universe. Put it in
the bag.
Now, bring to mind your body and put it
in the bag.
Bring to mind your past. Put it in the
bag.
Bring all your feelings to mind and put
them in the bag.
Bring to mind your personality. Put it
in the bag.
Now.
Tie the string up on the bag, good and
tight. As you look at it, the bag starts
to move away from you, getting smaller as
it does so. Slowly at first but then
quicker as it gets further away.
Eventually it gets so small, it
disappears.
Now, take a moment to reflect.
You have put everything in that bag,
everything you own and love. The universe
you live in. Your body, your feelings and
your most treasured possession, your
personality.
It has all faded away and disappeared.
Gone.
Yet, something remains.
You.
This is your presence.
Take some time luxuriating in the
freedom and simplicity of your presence.
In a moment I am going to ask you to
open your eyes. When you open them stay
in this state.
Don’t start to move around or stretch.
Just include your sense of sight in what
you are registering with your presence.
So, when you are ready, gently open your
eyes.
Allow yourself to stare blankly out into
the world.
Be as simply present as you can.
When you are ready, make eye contact
with the others in the group.
And that’s about it.
Right about now people are usually smiling
at each other.
It’s important NOT to make a definite
transition from, ‘Now I am Meditating.’ to ‘Now
I am not Meditating.’ It’s not a good message
to put in your mind.
Meditation has many effects, one of which is
increased awareness.
Without that definite, meditation ON/OFF
switch, you will find that you become more
aware – generally. It sort of overflows from
your meditation times into your whole life.