How to Experience Deeper Meditations
Read Patricia Summers Teaching, Jul 30, 2018.
The Intention and Determination Practice
Achieving a deeper state of stillness
Recently, I brought forward a practice I have been using in my daily studenthood, what I call The Intention and Determination Practice. In light of this practice, I see an opportunity to bring greater intention to our Stillness Practice as well.
Stillness is one of the Great Practices of the New Message. It is a deep state of experience that we strive to have while engaging in meditation practice once or twice a day. It is also a state we can engage in momentarily throughout the day, in our hourly practice, for example. It is a state we can come to almost anywhere and at any moment.
However, many of us may find ourselves in a scattered and preoccupied state when we sit down to do our formal stillness or Steps to Knowledge practice or when we just stop in the moment to become still. Often we may find ourselves swept away by the day, unaware for hours at a time, not able to bring stillness into the many situations and interactions that we find ourselves in day by day. This is why developing a practice to bring forward our intention and determination is so important.
Stillness is with us. Where are we?
Because our attention, both physically and mentally, has often been so fully engaged throughout the day, we almost need to “go retrieve our mind and body” and with determination and intention, bring them to practice stillness with us. It is not enough to just arrive at our hourly or meditation practices dutifully. We must gather to us our intention for stillness, find that intention and let that bring us into stillness itself.
Before Practice: Finding Your Greater Intention for Stillness
Once seated before meditation, take a moment to ask yourself: “Why am I doing this stillness practice?” There is probably a genuine need that would compel you to seek stillness. Take a moment and go find those reasons.
The reasons are usually immediate. Feel or listen for your responses. Something like the following may come up: “I know I need this rest.” “I need to make space for Knowledge.” “I just need to stop.“ It’s important for me to be still.“ I need to rest my mind.”
Take a moment to unite with your need for stillness. Feel this need. See this need.
Then begin Stillness Practice using whatever meditation approach you employ, for example, deep breathing, using a meaningless word or sound, or visualization. And then enter Stillness.
This simple process may help you locate and unite with your intention for practice and assist you in building the environment for stillness in your life.
Here you build greater determination and concentration around this very important aspect of your studenthood. And bringing this added intention may help you to get off the surface of your mind and finally reach this deep and refreshing state that is available to you always, wherever you go.
Knowledge is with you, completely, but it resides in a part of your mind to which you have not yet gained access…Knowledge is with you, but where are you? Today think about where you are. If you are not with Knowledge, where are you?… It is essential now at the beginning of your preparation to ask these questions very seriously.”
– Steps to Knowledge: Step 2 Knowledge is with me. Where am I?
From my Chao’s to beautiful Spiritual experiences One’s again, be still is really working for me,
Thanks for returning me to myself,
Love to you always
Love to all earth being always
Patricia I’m so truly grateful to you. I’m at the beginning journey of my studenthood much in my life, has changed instantly, like one switching on a light switch. Stillness has been with me for a very long time. It has been with me in times of great sorrow and joy, yet, I wasn’t able, to understand the importance, the necessity of needing to be within this state. To comprehend the value of such practice until, STK, GNR, AOH. I am blessed to hear, your words of wisdom, compassion and love. I am honoured to know you. NNC
The suggestions surrounding the “work pillar” in the continuation steps, about taking simple employment for provision, a job I can leave at the job when I go home, work that is quiet and easier going, less competition and ambitions, allows for contemplative thought on the job and a easier time paying attention to my paying attention. Lately I’ve been spending my days watering plants. It’s perfect for me right now.
“The Deep Evaluation” has been key for designing a lifestyle that is somewhat reclusive, less pulled in to the noise and personal dramas and is so less expensive than the busy life. I am so grateful and blessed to have this opportunity placed at my feet at this time of my life. I never would have found this life on my own.
It will be a new world if this trickles out. That ignites my fire and desire to share far and wide during some of that intentionally created empty time and allows for sitting still more often.
When I started with the school four years ago, I sensed that this stillness practice might be a challenge to implement in my life on a regular ongoing daily basis. That and creating the space within for Knowledge to emerge. Perhaps it only speaks of how far away I became from maintaining the balances. Thank you for the important rreminder.
Thank you for this Patricia! What a valuable teaching for us all.
Thank you Patricia for this teaching, so clear and helpful. How to “collect” oneself into a single pointed focus for stillness whenever it feels scattered and frail. The reasons may be many, but the preparation remains.
Thank you Patricia. “I need to rest of my mind.” It is my reason to meditate.
Thank you, Patricia!
Thanks, Patrica for your strength and perspicacity in reminding us of the importance of the inner daily practice of silence and stillness. When my sitting practice is focused and disciplined, my energy is always better throughout the day. It just feel like I’m happier with how I’m holding my mind; as though the reins have been gently turned over to Knowledge and proper hierarchy has been reestablished. I find you have a gift for guiding our formal practice. NNC
Thank you for this teaching, Patricia.
Wow, thank you Patricia. It made me realise that, there are certain things I do, but to actually vocalise it in a way that is understandable and meaningful to others is something I need to learn. Thank you for sharing this practice. The intention to be with Knowledge, taking the time and to bring ones intention to your practice, and to carry on this intention by doing ones practice. Adding to the list of intention is ‘they are there for me, I here for them’, ‘lets be together [with knowledge]’, ‘let’s reach each other’, ‘lets take time together’ , ‘lets be there for each other’.
Beautifully expressed!
Thank you Patricia.
Finding my Intention and Dtermination will be very helpful for me to advance.
When I practice to be in stillness I will remember this words. “I know I need this rest.” “I need to make space for Knowledge.” “I just need to stop.“ It’s important for me to be still.“ I need to rest my mind.”
Thank you for sharing this powerful practice, Patricia. This focused inquiry that you pose here “Why am I doing this stillness practice?” seems very potent and orienting for beginning one’s practice. There may be many reason we do this. And asking this question might reveal something important to us as well.
A statement I remember you bringing forth during an event a few (several?) years ago resurfaced as I read what you shared… “Spiritual practice… becomes now the central power building, the central focus of your activities.” It comes from the revelation “Being a Person of the New Message” https://www.newmessage.org/the-message/other-revelations/being-a-person-of-the-new-message
The phrase “central power building” really struck me then and holds meaning now as well. It is possibly one answer to the question “Why am I doing this stillness practice?” among many other answers given the day, the circumstances, the need.
Thank you.
A helpful reminder on how to bring myself more immediately present in my hourly practises. Thank you.
Thank you, Patricia, for this teaching.
“Knowledge is with me, where am I? “