Not Me

Jesus said, "If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty."

DISCUSSION

Through regular silent meditation practice, the mind becomes quiescent.

In that quiesence, there is no thought, no world, no mind.

What or who is left?

With regular meditation practice it becomes clear that you are not your thoughts, your feelings, or even your body sensations.

These insights naturally lead to the question: "Who is meditating?"

INSTRUCTION

• Begin the session by sitting comfortably and taking a few deep breaths.
  
• Then, as thoughts, feeling, noises, and even body sensations arise, just notice them and then mentally say: "Not me, not mine".
  
  Then focus on the next breath cycle, both the inhale and exhale.
  Notice that the breathing happens without any involvement on your part.
  
• If some thought is persistant you might ask: "Who would I be without this thought?"
  
• You might, from time to time, investigate from where does the "I thought" arise.
  

FINAL THOUGHTS

Regular practice is imporant. Twenty minutes each morning and each evening is recommended.

The truth about yourself is obvious, but is hidden by mistakenly taking yourself by things that you are not. Empty yourself utterly and come home.

With practice you will realize that you need do nothing to get out of problems you never had in the first place.

May the Lord shower you with His mercy and bless your affairs with His guidance.