My good friend Martin recently told me of a new meditation for my “Ways to Alter Consciousness” blog. I tried it, and like it, so I will share it.
It is well-known that meditation is one of the most effective ways to alter consciousness. This particular meditation begins with walking near the water or in nature and feeling your oneness as you walk with a leaf, a pine cone, a bug, a rock, etc. etc. It is designed to enhance creativity by achieving a state of ‘universal oneness.’
If you come across a soda can or half eaten apple, just feel yourself at one with that. Avoid labels such as that’s good, that’s bad. That’s clean, that’s dirty. Just let those thoughts slip away and be at one with all of it.
Next you sit down by the water and practice mindfulness. Be entirely in the moment with every feeling, every sensation of your surroundings- the smell of the leaves, the feel of the grass, the breeze on your face. Just be totally aware and in the now. Do not wander off into thought about it all. Just be there, with all of your senses.
Then keeping this same feeling, walk back to a place where you can stare at the wall. It may be your room, the outside wall of your house, a building wall etc. At this point you should have your sketch pad, your recorder, or your notebook handy. Now keeping your newfound oneness, stare at the wall. Do no try to do it or be it, or figure it out. Be at one with the wall and allow yourself to be a channel for the universe.
Soon the universe will begin to work through you. Write, record, or sketch. Don’t let your brain take over. If you feel your oneness slipping away, go back to staring and being at one with the wall.
When I experimented with this meditation in my search for more ways to alter consciousness, I found a new depth to my work, and a peacefulness in doing it.
And this is always a good thing.