Palace of the Crescent Bear
The Mentor Speaks:
“Now visualise this pure, beautiful, crystal palace right in front of you. And then visualise that this crystal palace is dissolving into your body. Then your body becomes pure, radiant and free of any sicknesses, suffering and unhappiness, but filled with bliss and joy and happiness. Visualise this time and again as you wish.”
The Wisdom Keeper speaks
“Bringing home the world.
“To say that you are a creator, the ego will always remain attached to your personality. And certainly your personality doesn’t create everything around you. Creation doesn’t happen on that level. Let’s see, then, if we can get closer to the real creator inside you. We’ll do this by meditating on a rose.
“Get a beautiful red rose and hold it in front of you. Inhale the fragrance and say to yourself, ‘Without me, this flower would have no fragrance’. Take in the glowing, crimson colour and say to yourself, ‘Without me, this flower would have no colour’. Stroke the velvety petals and say to yourself, ‘Without me, this flower would have no texture’.
“Realise if you subtract yourself from any sensation or sound or sight, touch, taste or smell, the rose would be nothing but atoms vibrating in a void.
“Now consider the DNA that is inside each cell of the rose. Visualise the billions of atoms strung along a double helix and say to yourself, ‘My DNA is looking at the DNA in this flower’. The experience is not an observer looking at an object. DNA in one form is looking at DNA in another form.
“Now see the DNA begin to shimmer and turn into invisible vibrations of energy. Say to yourself, ‘The rose has vanished into its primal energy. *I* have vanished into my primal energy’. Now only one energy field is looking at another energy field.
“Finally, see the boundary between your energy and the rose’s energy fade as one set of waves merges into another, like ocean waves rising and falling on the vast surface of an endless sea. Say to yourself, ‘All energy comes from one source and returns to it. When I look at a rose, a tiny flicker of infinity is rising from the Source to experience itself’.
“Having followed this drill, you have arrived at what is truly real: an infinite, silent energy field, flickered for an instant, experiencing an object -- a rose -- and the subject--you the observer--without going anywhere. Awareness simply took a look at one aspect of its eternal beauty. Its only motive was to create a moment of joy. You and the rose stood at opposite poles of that moment, yet there was no separation. A single creative stroke took place, fusing you both.
“Natural beauty.
Close your eyes and take a few slow, deep breaths. With each inflow and outflow of your breath, allow yourself to become more relaxed, more comfortable, more peaceful.
“As you drift into a deep state of relaxation, imagine that you are transported to a beautiful, serene, natural environment. The air is warm and fragrant with the aroma of sweet tropical flowers. The sky is deep blue, with only a rare, billowy cloud lazily floating by. The sun bathes you in its comforting warm light. The sounds of exotic birdsongs and the whisper of a soft breeze through the trees offer a soothing auditory background.
“In this beautiful place, imagine yourself lying on a blanket on a soft, grassy mound. Feel the sense of comfort and connection as you allow the nurturing sounds, sensations, sights and smells to comfort you.
“Enjoy this experience of being embraced by Mother Nature. When you’re ready, slowly orient yourself back to this place and time. And carry your feelings of comfort and relaxation wherever you go.
“Vibrating light.
“Take a deep breath and hold it for a moment. As you exhale, make a very soft humming sound audible only to you. Hmmmmmm. Feel the vibration in your throat and chest and allow it to centre you. Repeat this a few more times, creating a soft, soothing vibration. Hmmmmmm.
“Now this time as you exhale, imagine you are generating a warm, golden light in the same spot as the vibration you are making. With each outflow of your breath, this warm, calming light becomes brighter. it expands into your chest and neck, carrying its soothing influence into your body and mind.
This calming light encompasses your belly, your arms, your legs, your entire body. It infuses every tissue and every cell in your body, with warm, peaceful, comfortable energy. It makes you feel completely safe and secure. Any tension you may be holding melts in the lens of this gentle light. Enjoy the sensation of total comfort.
“Now slowly bring the light back into your chest, as you again focus your attention on the soft vibration that you generate with each outflow of your breath. Continue like this for several more breaths. When you are ready, open your eyes slowly.
“Connecting to the Universe.
“Sit comfortably with your eyes closed. Gently and slowly inhale through your nose, imagining as you do that you are drawing in the air from a point far away in front of you.
“With each breath, imagine the point from which you are drawing in your breath extends farther and farther away from you until you see the air entering your body gently coming to you from the outer edge of the Universe.
“Feel it cooling and soothing your entire body. Now with each outflow of your breath, slowly and easily exhale, sending every atom of air back to its source, infinitely far away. Envision a subtle thread extending from you to the farthest reaches of the cosmos.
“It may help you to visualise a distant star that is sending you light from across the Universe. With every breath inhale the thread of light and allow it to fill your being. Then exhale the light, allowing it to return to its distant source.
“Enjoy the sense of deep relaxation and renewal that comes from awakening the memory of your connection with the cosmos. Whenever you’re ready, orient yourself back to your locale, bringing awareness of your expanded self with you, wherever you go.
“Heart Meditation.
“Close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath. Slowly exhale, releasing any tension you may be holding in your body. Now bring your attention into the area of your heart. For a few moments simply be with the sensations you’re carrying in your heart.
“Now consider all the things for which you are grateful. Acknowledge everything in your life for which you feel gratitude. Now take a few moments to relinquish any grievances, regrets or hostility you may be holding. Simply have the intention to release all feelings that are not nourishing your heart.
“With your attention in your chest, see if you can perceive the throbbing of your heartbeat, either as a sensation or a subtle vibration. Now have the intention for your heartbeat to slow down.
“Slow down.
“Slow down.
“Now shift your attention into your hands and become aware of your heartbeat in your hands. Have the intention to increase the blood flow and warmth to your hands.
“Now direct your attention to any part of your body that you believe needs healing and feel your hear throbbing in that area. If there is no place in your body that needs attention, simply be aware of your heart throbbing in your chest.
“Enjoy this deep state of relaxation in body and mind. Whenever you’re ready, bring your attention back to this time and place while you continue to feel very comfortable and fully relaxed.
“Breath awareness meditation.
“Close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath. Now exhale completely, releasing all the tension from your body. With each outflow of your breath, allow your muscles to relax.
“Bring your attention into your neck and shoulders and relax them with your next exhalation. Feel the tension flowing out of your upper arms, forearms, wrists and fingers. Release the tightness from your hips, thighs, calves.
“Now soften the muscles of your upper and lower back. Enjoy this state of deep relaxation and comfort. Now simply become aware of your breathing. Observe the inflow and outflow of your breath, without trying to change it in any way.
“With no effort on your part, you may notice that your breathing changes. It may become deeper, or more shallow. It may change in its rate or rhythm. It may even seem to pause for a time. Allow any changes your notice to occur without any resistance. Simply observe your breath with an attitude of acceptance and innocence.
“You may notice that at times your attention drifts away to a thought in your mind, a sensation in your body, or a sound in the environment. It’s fine. Whenever you notice your attention has drifted away from your breathing, very gently bring it back to your breath in a very effortless manner. Continue like this for the next five minutes.
