The foundation of Meditation - a
pure body Part II
In my previous article about the foundation of meditation –
the purification of the body, I had given some tips to dissolve
the old blockages. In this article I will tell you how to
prevent new blockages from arising.
Taking the old example suppose the boss has said something
to you at work and you are feeling angry. Energy is released
through your anger but since you cannot shout back at your boss
it does not find an outlet. This energy – left unchecked – will
go and reside in the body and will cause blockages. To prevent
that from arising – when you are feeling angry – tense your
muscles where you will not be observed. If you are sitting at a
desk then your legs will be hidden from others. Tense the
muscles of your legs as much as possible and hold the tension.
Then suddenly – relax the tension completely. This will create
an outlet for the energy, which has been generated, to be
released.
Similarly when you are feeling disturbed you can tense the
muscles of your arms and your stomach – as need be wherever
there is a blockage. This will result in the release of energy
and your muscles will be toned up in the bargain.
We are all blessed with an abundance of energy but
unfortunately we do not know how to use it creatively. Since
this energy cannot find release it gets channeled into
destructive avenues. Then the energy we have turns into a
curse. The solution lies in directing your energies into some
creative outlet – through some hobbies, which will give you
pleasure.
The story is told of Angulimala – a famous dacoit who had
killed 999 people. Yet a single meeting with the Buddha was
enough to transform him and he became a monk. In Tibetan
folklore we are told about Milarepa who was another famous
sorcerer who had killed many people He too became a sage by the
practice of meditation. When the Buddha was asked how he had
transformed such an evil man into a saint he said that it was
not a question of good or bad. It was only a question of
transformation of energy.
In the modern age we do not find creative expressions in our
work. In the days before the Industrial revolution artisan and
craftsmen existed who took great pride in their work. A cobbler
would fell happy and proud that he had created a beautiful pair
of shoes. So also a tailor. But in these days such creative
professions are not open to all.
The answer lies in taking up some creative hobby. Sing a
song, write a song, play a musical instrument, learn some
martial art. Take up some hobby, which will satisfy your
creative impulse. Do this hobby for the sheer joy of the
activity – and not because you have to or are expecting to get
something from it. This will give the energy in your body a
creative outlet and you will not have blockages in your
body.
You can also take up a good form of exercise – yoga is very
good for this purpose. But this is a topic for another
article.
Please look for part III of this series also available on
this website.
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