Gazing Meditation

After all, the true seeing is within. – George Eliot

Open the mind to greater possibilities. There are a myriad of methods for increasing an individual’s connection to the wider universe. Truthfully, any individual can find a path towards transcendence. Many people feel the need for steps, procedures, and courses – trusting authorities to lay out the path to follow. But, also, the ubiquitous universal spiritual-magnetism can entice and guide the seeker onto the right path like a unique soul compass. Insight grows from experiences and learning from the journey. Building a reservoir of knowledge enhances readiness to receive. To find the path, one should experience many things, such as: observe wordlessly, expand self-awareness, and activate the third eye.

It is difficult to put into words feelings or experiences that are wordless. Imagine watching a bird, without thinking of any word, such as seagull, bird, wing … no words – just observing the scene wordlessly. By not labeling or categorizing things, time dissolves. The individual gloriously watches – wordlessly adrift in the timeless Now. Trying to mentally describe the moment, while in the moment, closes the open circuit to the divine Universe. In that way, summoning the words into the conscious mind restarts the passage of time. Just experience the Joy.

Before writing, I sometimes have to research various topics in order to describe my experience. I watch videos from great teachers, such as Krishnamurti, Alan Watts and others. Their words open my eyes to deeper levels of understanding. We are fortunate to have an amazing world of knowledge at our fingertips. But too many people fall down the rabbit holes of social media, news/advertising and wile away time perhaps better spent on self-awareness. Maybe there is little motivation, or the journey seems daunting. As Confucius once said, The journey of ten thousand miles begins with the first step. Take time today and watch an inspirational video, browse spiritual topics and follow your curiosity through the various links. You might be surprised where you end up. Learning is essential to personal growth. Expand your horizons.

The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me; my eye and God’s eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing, one love. – Meister Eckhart

As you fill your mind with deeper knowledge, and press ahead with spiritual exploration, your mind begins to “see” with more clarity. I hope to illustrate with these photos of dual views, how to chance upon fascinating moments as I wander. Portions of a scene will attract attention and reveal finer details of the Real. Do not set out with a pre-planned path. Let the path unfold. Be in the moment. The wonders will find you as you wander. Everything has beauty, but many refuse to see it. Glance into the world just as though time were gone: and everything crooked will become straight to you. – Friedrich Nietzsche

It is said that the progenitor of Zen Buddhism, legendary monk Bodhidharma (Daruma in Japan), gazed at a cave wall for years in order to become enlightened. He stared so intently and for so long his shadow was burned into the cave wall outside the Shaolin Temple. Above is a photo of the statue of Bodhidharma at the Shaolin Temple (famous for its Kungfu). Having spent some time there, and in the Mt. Song (sacred Taoist mountain) area around there, I can say there is some very potent cosmic energy. I even caught a glimpse of a Taoist immortal, but that is another story.

To Do Gazing Meditation while Wandering: As you walk through nature, (or any place where you feel safe and can avoid distractions), let thoughts drift away. Slow your pace – you are not in a hurry. Focus for a moment on the tension at the base of your skull. Slowly relax those muscles; allow the jaw to drop; feel the stress melting. Remember those “Magic Eye” puzzles where you have to stare through the image in order to “see” the hidden image? Just like seeing those puzzling images, you need to focus your eyes into the distance as if you were staring through a puzzle just beyond the end of your nose. Now that your eyes are not tracking anything in particular, take a series of three to five meditative breaths (slowly through the nose and out through the mouth, feeling the tension, stress and anxiety flow away with your exhalations). Continue to release the stress on your facial muscles, your neck and shoulders. Stop and gaze into the distance, without focus, without stress, without cares and worries.

Feel that slight pressure between the eyebrows? Do colors and light feel more vibrant? That is your activated third eye. The same basic steps can be done while sitting as well. Do not worry if this feeling fades rather quickly. Practice. Remember how you felt. It will return. This gazing meditation can be practiced wherever you feel safe, whenever you want. You will receive a boost in intuition and spiritual energy. You will find paths open to you that you never could have imagined before. Peace and Love.