My next meditation session was held in the park near my home. While it may not be as secluded as a forest preserve, there is still an abundance of life. I sat where I was surrounded by trees. Every once in a while I could see squirrels running across the grass or climbing up and down the trees. Just as intermittently a pigeon would land on the ground scrounging for food then take flight. I kept watch on one particular pigeon. I could see it survey the area both while flying or on the ground. I found myself wondering what it would be like to have the life of one of these animals. I gained a respect for their resourcefulness. With my first experience I found my thoughts expanding outwards, in this instance I found myself going deeper, into one particular being.

My third session, I meditated in another corner of the park, the playground. This area was buzzing with life as children went down slides, climbed monkey bars, or simply ran across the field. Mothers were talking to each other while keeping watch over their kids. As I sat on a park bench, I held a book open as though I were reading so that passer-bys would not disturb my meditation. I was able to listen in on part of the conversations. What took most of my attention, however, was hearing the laughter of kids …and sometimes the crying. Now I found my focus going through time, particularly into the future. I was thinking what these kids would be like as they grew older, how the world would be different. I also acknowledged my own feeling of longing wishing that one day I, too, would have kids.

Before I put on a blindfold I thought that my own memory of the rooms would prevent me from the full effect of this exercise. It would be good to note that I am very particular about my living environment. Everything is very neat and clean and has its place. (I am not quite obsessive-compulsive, but I do have those tendencies.) As soon as I put on a blindfold, all of my senses heightened. I noticed that I relied heavily on my hearing. I could tell the distance from my television or the aquarium by the humming and trickling they emitted.

When I started moving, I did so very cautiously. I went only a few inches at a time and kept my arms slightly ahead of me. As I approached larger pieces of furniture (like a bookcase or a sofa) I noticed I wanted to pull back. Moving even closer to them the hairs on my body stood on end. This feeling gave me an idea of how cats use their whiskers to help define the size of a space.  However, I had more difficulty with smaller pieces (like a coffeetable). I ended up bumping into them. It was then that I realized I kept my attention at everything that was level with my head or arms. I shifted my focus to my legs and started to feel the ground with my feet as well. I still moved slowly but I was more confident. It now felt like I was concentrating with my entire body.

As I meditated with the word “One” I found myself feeling very calm and centered.  I was able to stretch out with my feelings and feel very connected with my surroundings. At one point I was reminded of something I had learned in one of my college classes on the concept of “not two”. It was another way of thinking of “One” specifically realizing that there is no duality. Everything just is. With the continued meditation I started to blend with my surroundings. I could see how some people can loose themselves in these practices for it does feel good. Thankfully, this meditation is designed to bring you back into your focus. Eventually, all of my thoughts and feelings faded with “One” being the only thing remaining. I continued to sit with that word for a few more minutes. When I finished, I felt at peace and like I had gained some new wisdom. I was definitely in a much more contemplative mood.

With the word “Force” I felt increasingly energized afterwards. Different images I use for the Force came to mind. I pictured water, crystals, light. I even started to get a tingling sensation move through my body. Eventually that energy integrated itself into my body and I finished, feeling like I could do some energy work. I will have to remember this particular mantra meditation for my future work. “Jedi” found me thinking about my chapter, the Institute, and the larger community. I was getting some ideas for “next steps”. I had feelings of family and excitement. When the meditation finished I was hopeful for the growth of the Jedi movement.

In this exercise I sat on the front steps outside my house. Like many neighborhoods filled with busybodies, everyone is outside watching everyone and everything. At first I pretended like I had no head, letting my eyelids droop and paying attention with my other senses. I heard kids playing, cars zooming by, birds chirping. I felt the wind brush against my skin and the sun sending warmth down my body. I could smell the charcoal burning of a neighbor who was having a barbecue. However, it was only the beginning part of this exercise. To truly act as I had no head, I then closed my eyes.

At first it felt like I shut out the world. I realized that I was focusing on myself. I was afraid that others would see me and wonder what I was doing. Once I overcame that fear, I was able to continue with the exercise. Once again I heard, felt, and smelled everything as I previously did. However, when I cut out my sight completely, it was as if those sensations had enhanced. I could focus my attention on each thing. I was able to hear more of the conversation or feel exactly where the wind blew.

As I continued, though my eyes were closed I started seeing colors. Images were forming in my head. I thought perhaps it was just my memory of the area that was appearing. But as I heard cars go by, I would make out the color. I opened my eyes, and most of the time I had the color correct. While I may be a shade off, I was in the right color scheme. I shouldn’t have been too surprised since years prior I had practiced remote viewing. Apparently that skill was returning using this meditation. If I pushed further I likely could have seen myself through my neighbor’s eyes. I was being reminded that the world is more than what “I” see and feel. All of us make up this world. It proved to be a very humbling experience.

Very few thoughts came to my head while performing this technique. One that did was quite helpful in my meditation. I had remembered a bible quote from Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” I had used this passage in previous sessions. There was a twist to it, in that each successive time of focusing on the line, you would shorten it:

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am

Be still and know

Be still

Be

I found it perfect to use with this meditation.

What I enjoyed was how refreshing it was to NOT think. I am bombarded by tasks and obligations. A phone call here, a text or email there, a project to complete, errands to run, etc. I know that all of these demands weigh down on me. As a leader I do my best to keep my composure. It was nice for simply 10 minutes to put all of that aside. It was in those few breaths or time of meditation that gave me strength. In fact, I was more focused and able to handle a task with better control when I returned.

Not only focusing, but on “what” you focus has much significance. If one is always looking for something negative, you will find it. Waking up, you feel the cold around you, making you wish you didn’t have to get out of bed. Therefore you hunker down, fall back asleep, only to find you are now running late when you wake up again. Instead, when you feel that cold, you change your attitude and see it as invigorating. You are now fully awake, jump out of bed, and ready to conquer the world. We know this phenomenon as the “law of attraction.” However, this concept has been known for some time. Choosing your focus prepares you for any challenges related to it. The way to prime the mind is through the use of questions. Once again, my science background appears as that is the process of the scientific method. You raise a question, observe, experiment, and follow it to its completion. Through that focus you gain more information. You can always go back and do something differently. However, at least now you have a deeper understanding. Now my only question is: “On what do I focus?”

Exercise 2: Postcard

For this exercise, I decided to look at Vincent van Gogh’s painting “the Parsonage at Nuenen by Moonlight.”  As I was one who hardly took time “appreciating art”, I knew that this would be a challenge. At first I only noted that it was a building surrounded by trees. However, with time I kept noticing the smaller details. The trees had no leaves on them, which led me to think it was late fall or winter. I would later find that van Gogh had painted it in November – late fall. I also noticed how the moonlight seemed to envelop the building. Given the contrast of the light in this darkness, it made the parsonage feel alive.

While I could continue with my observations, I think my revelations are what are most important. With each instance of focusing on this painting, I kept finding something new. Some question was raised that urged me to find an answer. I also noticed that my moods would change. Some days I was tired and a little cranky while others I was energetic and happy. Nevertheless, focusing on the painting and raising questions made me curious and excited. After performing this exercise, I felt like I had a better understanding of what happens when one gazes on a work of art. That ability to truly focus opens you up to new experiences and new knowledge.

It was in later exercises, that I shifted my attention to my surroundings. I was able to hear the hum of technology (be it the fan of a computer, the stirring of the air conditioner, etc.) I noticed that I could hear several rooms away when I really focused. As I was starting to connect with my environment, I decided to try this technique outdoors. When I did so, I could hear the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, the movement of cars. I found it amazing how much we actually tune out in our everyday lives. I know that much of that selective hearing is out of necessity as we are simply bombarded with information. However, it was comforting to know that by shifting our focus, we can pick up that data once again.

As I practiced this technique in a sitting position, I found it somewhat difficult at first. I thought that perhaps it was because it compressed my abdomen. With further thought I realized that I was not sitting with a completely erect posture. As I stretched my upper body to its fullest extent, I found that I could again breathe in deeply. Now that I had corrected my breathing, I moved my focus to the sensation in my hands and feet. There was a slight tingling which then progressed to a feeling of warmth. In my experiences with energy work, these sensations typically indicate that I am ready to do healing and/or receive psychic/intuitive information. With repeated attempts, I found myself getting to this state faster. I imagine that I will reach a point where all I need to do is one breath and I am ready for extensive energy work.

I would like to start with the Unifying Force, as that is what I see as the “Source”. As the lecture stated, it is the container and physical laws. This concept is very similar to what I found in Hinduism with regard to “rta” (now more known as dharma and karma). What I truly liked was that it was called “unifying”. It speaks to the connection we have to everything. It is not simply to other humans, but to all things. As a shaman, there is no difference in my relationship to living beings and my relationship to the earth/universe. When I see that kinship, it encourages me to want to help. It does recognize our selfish nature in that when helping others, we help ourselves. However, it compels me to think larger than myself. Moreover, it is termed “unifying” as opposed to “uniform.” It honors those things that make us unique. We each have our own perspective of the world, a variety of experiences, and different purposes.

Moving to the Living Force, it is the “quickening” or what gives life. Referring back to Hinduism, it is akin to the concept of “Atman”. It is that uniqueness that creates this “person-shaped blob.” It is what allows me to have my own experience of the world that is different from your experience. I would expand on the concept of “life”. It is not simply just plants and animals but all things. Again, my shamanic background encourages me to respect life in all its forms. It is in this honoring of life where I appreciate the terminology of “vibrating energy”. All things vibrate; some to a greater/lesser degree than others. Therefore, all things are alive. Once we learn how to resonate with that vibration, it is then that we can communicate more effectively with that other “uniqueness.”

I typically find myself hesitant to use the term “energy” when referencing the Force. My background in physics sees energy as something specific (the ability to do work). While we can do a multiplicity of things with/because of the Force, it has a much deeper meaning. Unifying and Living Force only scratch the surface of our understanding. The fact that it speaks to the connectivity and the animating aspects of the Force indicates that is it more than energy. However, I recognize that I came to this understanding only after many years of study. Everyone has to start somewhere. Energy is as good a place to start. Eventually as Yoda wisely stated, “you must unlearn what you have learned.”

Even though Hinduism is primarily assumed to be a polytheistic religion, having many gods, there is in fact an underlying order or common ground. Each of the gods has to abide by a certain set of universal/spiritual rules, or rta. These rules would later be known to us as dharma (natural law) and karma (duty or action).  Therefore, the gods would have to carry out their obligations or suffer the consequences. It also meant that the gods had to have a larger view and take full responsibility of their actions.  One of my religious studies professors, Rajeshwari Pandharipande, explained that it was possibly for a god(dess) to become “dethroned” or lose their position. However, that meant that whoever took his/her place, would then take on the full responsibility of that position. (Lecture, 2000) Things would always want to seek order.

As Jedi, we too are like the Hindu gods. It is our access to the Force that gives us a certain wisdom as well as an obligation to do what is best.  We can affect change but we must be cautious of how that change takes place. Should we not be careful, than we cease to be Jedi and/or loose our connection to the Force.  Hopefully, we are mindful of our actions.

Delving further with that connection itself we find Braham to be an apt conception. Much like Yoda explained to Luke on Dagobah, that the energy of the Force “surrounds us and binds us”. It can be felt “between you and me and that tree and that rock.” (Star Wars: Episode V) It is everywhere. I find the descriptors of surrounding and binding to be an allusion to the earlier statement on rules. There is a certain limitation. Nevertheless, it penetrates the galaxy. As stated earlier, Braham is the origin, or source, of the universe. As such, everything has a piece of that divinity, which also means that everything is connected to each other by nature of its beginning. 20th century philosopher and Christian theologian, Paul Tillich, came to a similar conclusion. He would describe God as the “ground of being”. It is an absolute from which all things spring. As he would go on to speak of the “God above God” he would challenge a Christian’s typical image of an anthropomorphic God, or the personal god in the sky. Rather, there is a power which may contain a will. Nevertheless, in both the Hindu and Tillichian perspectives, this Absolute transcends the limitations of creation, though it can be found in it. Therefore, it is only in the created universe that one is held to physical laws.

The only way we can learn of its “will” or its “nature” is through our own experiences. Much like you can learn a little about the artist by the masterpiece created. However, it is greater than that. There is a sense of self-realization, Bhraman (the source) and Atman (the self) are one and the same. Many Christian mystics and Jesus would also state something similar when saying “I and God” are one. Thus, the Force flows through us because we are a part of it and it is a part of us. For that reason, we can never lose our “connection” to the Force. We may simply lose our ability to perceive or direct it. There is something comforting in knowing that I am part of something larger. It is a continual reminder that I am never alone. Perhaps that is the will of the Force – to share all things in common.