Metta meditation leading into investigation of the body as elements in empty space # 2

(Breath – Metta - Hair-Teeth-Backbone, Blood - SPACE)

Dear fellow practitioners – introducing a very special and interesting Guided Meditation.

With this particular guided meditation I have attempted to illustrate an important and beautiful process, wherein we can incline the mind to peace and well-being with wholesome 'calming' practices (breath and metta meditation)… and then deepen the clarity and peace in the mind further with focused wise contemplation. So our breath and metta meditation moves into a sincere investigation of certain parts of the body (Hair, Teeth, Bones, Blood) We then also contemplate these separate parts as the elements that they are primarily comprised of (bones = earth / blood = water) If we can stay with these focused contemplations with true sincerity and interest, meditators often find that in seeing the parts of the body separately, and then in seeing them as the fundamental elements that they are made up of, the habitual 'sense of self' or 'sense of identification' that often pervades the mind, is able to simply 'fall away.' When this occurs there is often a truly wonderful sense of space and clarity and ease in the mind. The meditation ends with inclining the mind of the meditator to truly notice that vast 'sense of space' that is always there, but often not noticed. When we can see our bodies, thoughts and emotions as arising and ceasing in empty space, we are able to take all of these things much less personally, which is always a relief! The resulting increase in clarity and wisdom however actually helps us to make better choices in our lives and to love with more joy and ease.

These are sophisticated and powerful practices and I feel truly honoured to share them here. Some of the themes may be new to some meditators, so please do try the meditation a few times before you decide whether it works or not. There are many ways to contemplate the body as parts and these parts as elements, and these 'Contemplative Meditations' are truly powerful tools to learn how to utilise in the process of weakening and uprooting delusion – and subsequently purifying the mind. The purified mind experiences unceasing bliss!... so it is certainly a good thing to commit to this process with sincerity and interest.

May you derive truly excellent results from your sincere investigations!

May we all experience the bliss of the purified mind!

With Loving-Kindness,

---

Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu

---

Listen