The
powerful, yet safe, introductory meditation technique which follows
has been taught to literally thousands of people over more than
30 years, including health practitioners at the University of
California, San Diego Health Sciences Department. Many have found
it to be calming and centering for themselves and for those they
treat and counsel. Scientific studies have found meditation in
general to have health benefits such as reducing stress and lowering
blood pressure. Beyond those physical benefits, if practiced often,
meditation can lead to an overall increased clarity of mind, emotional
well-being, and sensory delight in life-in essence, more of the
joy of living
The
STAR PATH is a step-by-step process of enhancing and accelerating
spiritual growth and enlightenment. Using ancient techniques in
a modern formulation, the STAR PATH works with inner "light-fire"
energy tools and techniques to bring about the releasing of one's
potential for healing self and others, for creative inspiration
and expression, and for problem-solving in many areas of life.
HISTORY
Founded
in the early 1960's by Dr. Russell Paul Schofield, Actualism-
known as "Agni Yoga" or "union by fire"- now taught at centers
in New York and California (including Costa Mesa, Escondido, Los
Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco). I am endeavoring to introduce
this teaching to a worldwide audience by means of the Internet.
To teach meditation by correspondence, in a book, or long distance
over computer networks, is a formidable task, but the results
since the first of these articles was posted to "alt.meditation"
on the Internet in September 1993 have shown that it is possible.
At least the introductory techniques can be practiced, and even
mastered, from reading and then sitting down and working with
them. With a teacher present in person, it is much easier to learn
because not only is the teacher available to answer questions,
but the energy and awareness of the teacher amplify the experience
of the student.
BASIC
LAWS
Actualism
teaches the following basic laws of energy, which express profoundly
powerful inner truths:
1.
Awareness directs thought, and thought directs energy.
2.
Life-energy follows thought.
3.
Where there is pain, from mild discomfort to acute distress, the
flow of life-energy is obstructed.
4. Where thought is focused, the power of life-energy is concentrated.
We
can sum up these four laws in four simple words for practical
application: THINK, LET, OBSERVE, and EXPERIENCE. So when you
are working with inner life energy tools, think of the energy
once, then let it flow, observe it moving about, and with your
awareness let yourself enter into the experience. As you become
skilled at this directed "letting" you move into what we call
"effortless effort". How difficult is it to think a thought? Yet
that is all it takes to begin tapping into your inner- light-fire
energy. The key is knowing where to direct your awareness, and
how to bring the energy from within out. The "how" is easy, once
you stop trying to make it difficult.
PREPARATION
Especially
when you start out working with life-energies, it is best to be
in a situation where you will not be interrupted. If possible,
find a quiet, comfortable place to sit. Let someone else or your
phone answering machine answer the phone. Sit in a comfortable
chair, with your feet flat on the floor, your legs and arms uncrossed.
(This can also be done lying down, but you might fall asleep).
Rest your hands on your upper legs, with your palms down. Close
your eyes, so your mind won't be distracted by what is going on
around you.
MEDITATION
TECHNIQUE
1.
Direct your focus of awareness to a place six inches (about 15cm)
directly above the center of the top of your head. This is the
location of a place in consciousness called "The Upper Room".
It is always calm and radiant, no matter what is going on elsewhere
in your mind or body, or around you. Think of a point of pure,
crystal-white light here. Don't "try" to visualize it. If you
see it, fine, but if you don't, it doesn't matter. As you think
of the point of white light, it grows brighter, expanding into
a little star, three inches (about 7.5cm) in diameter.
2.
Think and let the star burn away the veils that have kept it hidden
all these years. Direct the star to open, releasing a downpour
of cleansing and purifying life energy. This energy is crystal
clear, like fresh spring water.
3.
Let the energy flow through your hair, scalp, into the bones of
your head and face, into your brain, eyes, ears, nose, mouth,
down the neck, through your shoulders, arms, and hands. Experience
it flowing through your chest and back, abdomen, hips, pelvic
area, upper legs, knees, lower legs, ankles and feet. Think and
let the soles of your feet open, releasing the energy into the
earth beneath your feet. Now it is flowing through your whole
body.
4.
Think of the soles of your feet closing, so the energy begins
to backfill up through the areas you have cleared out. Experience
it in your legs, hips, torso, shoulders, arms, hands, neck, and
head. Let it overflow out the top of your head, surrounding your
body with an aura of crystal clear white light.
5.
Bring your hands together, almost but not quite touching, palms
facing each other out in front of your body. Experience the energy
flowing through your hands. You could use this energy to heal
others, by laying your lighted hands on the person's head, heart,
or wherever they have discomfort. Whatever you touch with your
hands lighted this way will be filled with inner light-fire-energy.
6.
If you experience discomfort anywhere in your body as you are
working with the inner light, think of the "consuming fire" aspect
of the energy. Hold the focus of it in the area of discomfort
to burn through the obstructions to the flow of your pure life
energy. Afterwards, take a few minutes to assimilate the radiant
essence of the light into any area that you have cleared out with
the consuming fire aspect.
WHEN
TO USE THIS TECHNIQUE
In addition to your focused practice of the energy in a meditation
as described above, you can work with the downpour anytime and
anywhere, day or night, with your eyes open or closed, as appropriate
to the situation. You can use it as an inner shower while you
take your outer shower in the morning. Every time you think of
the star and the white light downpouring, it continues for about
30 minutes. So you can literally fill your day with inner light.
It's also a great way to go to sleep at night. For stress-reduction
it is best to practice the technique for at least a few minutes
every day.
