How is the meditation practiced

 

In the previous part we have provided a direct introduction and tried to correct some misconceptions. Now that we have discovered and realized the true nature of Dzogchen, which is the natural state, how should we practice it? If we are beginners, when we try to do long sessions of practice in the beginning, we become restless at first and develop other problems, such as headaches, pain in the eyes, and so on. We get tired and screw up the meditation.

 

Therefore, instead of trying to start long sessions, we should practice in many short sessions with breaks in between. This will keep us in good shape and so we will become familiar with the practice. Later, as we become more familiar with her, we can gradually expand the sessions. In this way, the meditation becomes more of a habit. But we have to judge it by our feelings for ourselves because every practitioner is different.

 

What is the time to practice? It's best to start in the morning. It's also best to stop around lunchtime otherwise we will get tired. Then it will be very difficult to make progresses in the meditation. Noon and midnight are not good for practice. If we remain in meditation at these times, sleepiness will tend to overcome us. It's also not a good time after drinking wine or after hard physical labor, for the same reason. If we try to meditate at those times, our feelings will be like a fever.

 

Before meditating, we should not eat too much, too riche or too heavy foods, especially onions and garlic, they make us too warm and heavy. Early morning, afternoon and evening are the best times to practice because our clarity is at its peak at these times.

 

So, in these times, we stick to practicing the contemplation. We should make and keep a strict schedule to make it to a habit. But sometimes we can change the time because if we remain too rigid it will create problems and we will not want meditate.

 

What do we do during the sessions? Our normal position is to sit cross-legged, with our two hands in the gesture of balance, our neck arched and our gaze, not too open and not too closed, directed down towards the nasal plane. Sometimes we should move or shake our body.

 

If we sit for too long without moving, we will feel very uncomfortable. Our eyes stare into emptiness. But when practicing the contemplation in the natural state, it's also possible for us to practice in other positions such as lying down or sometimes standing and moving slowly or even walking. One who is truly competent in contemplation can also be in the natural state while eating or speaking with others.

 

But the point is always that you don't get distracted. One who is competent can even walk into a crowd and still practice. Such a person can practice while in the four activities of sitting, standing, lying down and eating, and this will not disturb the natural state. This is a sign that our meditation has become stable.

 

What is a suitable place for the practice? The best is a lonely place that is pleasant and very quiet. A mountain shouldn't be too high and a valley shouldn't be too narrow. The water should be clean, and it will be good if a lot of flowers bloom nearby and a lot of herbs grow. It's a place with few distractions; no people, no tourists, no robbers, no television, no cars and no planes.

 

Here we settle into a comfortable seat in the shade and with all the necessary protection. The food we eat is nutritious and light, not too heavy. We can practice at any time in our hermitage, tent or cave. Once we are comfortable with the meditation we can change the area; we can go higher in the mountains or in the rocks, to the lake or to a place where water flows.

 

Basically, we choose pleasant places that do not bother us. But sometimes we can use a difficult and uncomfortable place. Wherever we meditate, we should look for the signs that show we are comfortable with the practice.