“If you do not fast from the world, you will not find the Kingdom.”
---Jesus,
saying 27, The Gospel According To Thomas
“On the day when you were one, you
became two. But when you have become two, what will you do?”
---Jesus,
saying 11, The Gospel According To Thomas
Overview:
In this multi-series of essays, I will focus on one activation or element in
which one might find eternal life. In this first essay, I recommend seekers
activate the still point as the first requirement.
1. The still point or hara is located about 1.25 inches below the navel or belly button. This is the single point which will disconnect one’s awareness from the brain when one’s consciousness is located in the body. The paradox: one will use the mind in order to turn the mind’s consciousness off. In this essay, I will referred to this point as the “still point” while in Zen it is called the “hara.” Readers are invited to look at the text, Three Pillars of Zen and read the introduction by Yasutani-Roshi to gain insight into the importance of activating the hara in Zen and its relationship to Enlightenment. Please see pages 67-69 or look up the term “hara” in the index. The edition I am using was published in 1967 by Beacon Press with a copyright in Japan. To download a copy of this text: [PDF]
2.
Activating the still point is a one-step process to pre-Enlightenment. This
immediately shifts one’s awareness from the mind to the body. As the name
implies, when activated there is silence as the internal dialogues of the mind
with its incessant chattering is eliminated. Note that some seekers might
benefit from mindfulness training before activating the still point. While
mindfulness has creates a sort of dual consciousness in which one part of the
brain creates thoughts and another part is aware of the thoughts, when the
still point is activated there are no thoughts created in the first place. This
is the first step to Enlightenment.
3.
When one starts to become Enlightened, he will return to what he was in the
beginning: One. Normally, about 3 years of age, one’s center will shift from
the belly region to the brain. This is where the ego, superego, and the
controller of the brain exists; they all represent darkness. Thus, to answer
Jesus’ question in saying 11 cited at the beginning of this essay: When you
have become two, you become one again by activating the still
point.
4.
How to activate the still point? I use the following process:
b. Imagine a circle surrounding your body about two feet above the
body. Make a connection between the field of awareness of the navel.
c. Next image a second circle surrounding your body, this time
about 3.5 feet above the body.
d. Shift your awareness back to the navel and move your attention
to about 1.25 inches below the navel. This is where the still point exists.
5. The seeker will know when he has activated the still point as
there is no longer any connection with the mind and there is silence. In my
view: It is not possible to become an Immortal unless and until one
shifts his consciousness from the brain to the still point. It
may be that some seekers who have meditated for 20 years or so have a quiet
brain and thus this claim might not apply to them. If the still point is
activated, then in a few minutes one can be said to be in a pre-Enlightened
state. Readers might also see: Finding the Still Point .
6. If the seeker is attempting to activate the still point, then I
would strongly encourage him to fast from the world as Jesus commands in saying
27 cited at the beginning of this essay. By fasting I would mean to get rid of
any connection to the Internet, television sets, Apple Phones, and other forms
of mass media. I read the print media 2-3 times a week and use the library’s
computers on Tuesdays in order to publish these essays; I do not own a
computer. I will make the claim: It is not possible to become an Immortal
if one spends most of his waking time connected to these devices. Again,
there might be someone who proves the exception to the rule, but it is
difficult for me to see how they can do it as being an Immortal is a
moment-by-moment affair and the Internet is controlled by darkness.
7. It is a near-metaphysical law that for every point is connected a second point which acts as a sort of counterpoint. In our case, as one activates the still point, a transpersonal point about 3.5 feet above the head will also be activated. Activating the transpersonal point will be discussed in a subsequent essay. Please see Lee Bladon's diagram # 1 at : PDF] The True-Self, the False-Self and the Ego - Esoteric Science .
8. In various Chinese system the still point is called the lower Dantians ; also, it is called the Tan Tien as Robert Peng calls it in his Master Key in Qigong. See:
The Three Dantians - Tai Chi Basics
9. During one’s daily meditation practice, the seeker will want to be centered in the still point. It may take you a few minutes to achieve this pre-Enlightened stage or it may take you 20 years or more. Please note that when I interact with the world I am often try to stay connected to the Holy Spirit of Truth, which is connected to my will in the solar plexus. Usually, a natural transition to a transpersonal point will take place.
Summary:
Disconnecting
from the brain’s incessant need to talk to itself can be achieved by activated
the still point. The still point is located about 1.25 inches below the navel
and is called the hara in Zen while in Chinese systems it is called the Tan Tien. Once the
still point is activated, then a connection to the transpersonal point, about
3.5 feet above the head can be made. Note that during waking time I am usually
centered in my core which is connected to my will which is located just below
the rib cage; this is often called the solar plexus or 4th chakra in
the 7-chakra system. The reason I stay centered in my core is to allow the Holy
Spirit of Truth to guide my life and thus is connected to the will. The
activation of the still point is usually made in connection to activating a
transpersonal point. However, I would recommend someone just beginning his
journey into being a Physical Immortal to spend his meditation time centered in
the still point. Fasting from the world by eliminating computers, the Internet,
watching television, or using Apple Phones is also recommended.
Next essay: Shifting from the death
instinct to eternal life.
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