Student and Therapist Newsletter Archive
   - Meditation

+ Meditation and cranio sacral therapy. - October 05

***QUESTION***
Hi John
You might not remember me. I did the first level of the cranio training with you back in 1999. I was wondering if you could help me out.
I belong to a cranio study group down here in melbourne and we were discussing ways of centering yourself before a session.

I told them about this amazing meditation technique that you took us through before we started every morning. I was wondering if you could run me through it again so I can share it with them. It involved putting everything in a bag.

Cheers V.S. Melbourne.

>>>MY COMMENTS:

Putting everything in the bag is a great exercise for becoming aware of your presence. It works best if you use it sparingly otherwise it looses its impact. So, yeah, I'm very happy to run through it again for you.

It goes like this.

Have the group sit comfortably with their eyes closed. Someone will need to lead the group through the exercise.

They say the following, pausing after each instruction.

Take a few deep breaths.
Let any mental images you have fade away.
Let any internal dialogues or monitoring that is going on, fade away.

Now, bring to mind a strong bag.
One with a draw-string.
This is no ordinary bag.
You can fit anything into it.

Now bring to mind your favourite spot in your home.

Look around at the objects that make up this spot.

Now, one by one, taking the smallest objects first, put them in the bag.

If there are any other objects or pieces of furniture in this area of your home, put them in the bag too.

Now, bring to mind the room adjacent to the area you just cleared. Put all the objects from this room in the bag too.

Bring to mind all the clothing you own. Put them in the bag.

Bring to mind all the furniture in the rest of your home. Put it in the bag.

Bring to mind your car. Put it in the bag.

Bring to mind any other large items you own like boats or motor bikes etc. Put them in the bag.

Bring to mind any pets you own. Put them in the bag.

Bring to mind your extended family, aunts, uncles, cousins etc. Put them in the bag.

Bring to mind all your immediate family, your brothers and sisters, if you have any. Put them in the bag.

Bring your parents to mind. Put them in the bag.

Bring to mind your children, if you have any. Put them in the bag.

Bring to mind your partner. Put them in the bag.

Bring to mind your home. Put it in the bag.

Bring to mind the street you live on. Put it in the bag.

Bring to mind the district you live in. Put it in the bag.

Bring to mind the city you live in. Put it in the bag.

Bring to mind the country you live in. Put it in the bag.

Bring to mind the continent you live on. Put it in the bag.

Now bring to mind the world. Put it in the bag.

Bring to mind the solar system. Put it in the bag.

Bring to mind the galaxy. Put it in the bag.

Bring to mind the universe. Put it in the bag.

Now, bring to mind your body and put it in the bag.

Bring to mind your past. Put it in the bag.

Bring all your feelings to mind and put them in the bag.

Bring to mind your personality. Put it in the bag.

Now.

Tie the string up on the bag, good and tight. As you look at it, the bag starts to move away from you, getting smaller as it does so. Slowly at first but then quicker as it gets further away. Eventually it gets so small, it disappears.

Now, take a moment to reflect.

You have put everything in that bag, everything you own and love. The universe you live in. Your body, your feelings and your most treasured possession, your personality.

It has all faded away and disappeared.

Gone.

Yet, something remains.

You.

This is your presence.

Take some time luxuriating in the freedom and simplicity of your presence.

In a moment I am going to ask you to open your eyes. When you open them stay in this state.
Don't start to move around or stretch.
Just include your sense of sight in what you are registering with your presence.
So, when you are ready, gently open your eyes.

Allow yourself to stare blankly out into the world.

Be as simply present as you can.

When you are ready, make eye contact with the others in the group.

And that's about it.
Right about now people are usually smiling at each other.

It's important NOT to make a definite transition from, 'Now I am Meditating.' to 'Now I am not Meditating.' It's not a good message to put in your mind.

Meditation has many effects, one of which is increased awareness.

Without that definite, meditation ON/OFF switch, you will find that you become more aware - generally. It sort of overflows from your meditation times into your whole life.

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