Recollecting Deities – to increase the sense of Blessings

​Dear fellow practitioners – Greetings

Well…. I have to admit that my latest Guided Meditation, the one that I am sharing with you now, is without a doubt the most creative and colourful one that I have shared to date! Some people would even say that my 'Recollecting Deities' practice is a little 'avante garde' – especially coming from a Bhikkhu in very conservative tradition! Perhaps I am becoming more bold in my middle age? 

But this boldness is not unprecedented… I had wondered in the past when I composed and recorded both "The Charnal Ground Meditation"… and "Visualisation of a Lotus Metta Meditation" many years ago… if I would be criticised or misunderstood? As it turns out… those two meditations can actually both be found listed at present on the 'Insight Timer Meditation App' - 'Top 5' of their 'Highest Rated By Users' page, with many thousands of plays per item. Whoever would have thought? (I certainly didn't) But it serves to illustrate the fact that it is good to be bold at times… if you have a good reason.

Lord Buddha clearly understood of course that there are many different temperaments and 'character types' among human beings… and so he actually recommended many different types of meditations. Some of which are rarely mentioned these days.

The internet has changed many things. There is a much larger audience for material related to meditation instruction now. People from literally all over the globe, from many different cultures are looking for ways to cultivate and experience more Peace. Different methods work for different people. I am willing to be a little brave and creative and to risk a little criticism, because I have a personal commitment to trying to share many different meditation methods and practices with as many people as possible… understanding that some people 'out there' will surely benefit. 

So what is this meditation all about?

This rich and lengthy guided meditation and visualisation is actually many different things. It is a teaching and contemplation about Buddhist cosmology… A meditation upon the beautiful qualities of virtuous Deities. (in Pali – Devanusati) As well as a way to set up a powerful 'resonance' in the heart, to expand one's capacity to generate more Loving-Kindness and Compassion. And of course if meditating in this manner turns out to actually be brightening and uplifting for the mind… then it also becomes something of a Blessing or an Empowerment. These are indeed very rich and wonderful practices.

Whenever one does something a little unusual or 'out of the box' however… one can usually be sure of two things… that some people will really like it… and that others really won't! 

You can always try it out and see… and if it works for you, Great!  And if doesn't, then never mind.

I sincerely hope that some people find this meditation useful.

(As it took me years to figure out how to present it - and many hours to script, record and edit!)

With much Loving-Kindness,

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Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu

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Listen to the Meditation