PRAXIS
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A Step-by-Step Introduction to Meditation.
 

Step 1 - Set a Time
 

• Decide on a specific time each day for your meditation practice. The beginning and end of your day are best. It is recommended that you set a positive tone for the day and end it with peace.

 

• However, any time of the day or night is the right time. You almost can’t stop and meditate too much, especially when starting out.

Step 2 - Choose a Suitable Space
 

• Select a peaceful place where you won't be disturbed. After you master this, any space, peaceful or not, will not matter. In fact, a master can use the sensations of chaos around them as part of the technique (see later). This could be a dedicated meditation corner in your home, the top of a hill, a peaceful garden spot, or a tranquil area in a nearby park. Any place that will give you space, privacy and safety. Sometimes, the perfect spot is one you would never consider at first, like a prosaic location like a bus stop or a stall in a clean bathroom.

 

• Ensure the space is clean and clutter-free to create a calm environment.

 

• If weather permits, sitting outside under the sky or deliberately exposing yourself to the elements can augment your meditation.

 

• When you get better at it, over time, you will be able to meditate even while being active, like when walking or hiking.

Step 3 - Get into a Comfortable Position
 

• Use a meditation cushion or chair to support a comfortable posture. On the ground is ideal but not crucial.

 

• Sit comfortably with your back straight but relaxed. If you sit in a chair (many prefer that for comfort), have your bare feet flat on the ground (if feasible)

 

• Rest your hands by your side, on your knees, or in your lap.

Step 4 - Focus on Physical Sensations
 

• Close your eyes to minimise distractions, and take a few initial deep breaths to settle your body into your physical space, making any adjustments to ensure comfort. Relax your body, part by part, and gently shake and wiggle off any tension with your hands and fingers, neck and shoulders, torso and butt, feet and toes.

 

• Begin by focusing on your natural breath. Notice the sensation of the air entering and leaving your nostrils, mouth and lungs. For those who have trouble using their imaginations due to mental illness or other mental uniqueness, don’t be put off. It’s not about imagining your breath but physically feeling it enter and leave your body.

 

• ​The use of our breath in this exercise is the most common. Still, if your breath doesn’t suit your situation, It is all about sensation. You can use other alternatives like the wind from the weather or a fan, the warmth of the sun or heat lamp, rain or bathroom shower on your skin, the sounds of nature (bird sounds, movement of the leaves in the trees, the rumble of thunder), the urban hum from a city or road nearby, or even the absoluteness of pure silence, a sensation in itself.

 

• If your mind starts to wander or intrusive thoughts distract you, gently and patiently bring your focus back to your chosen point of attention. These intrusive thoughts will pass if you allow them to. When you first start out, this is a hurdle that takes practice to learn composure to overcome this issue. Your emotional reaction to these thoughts slows down how quickly they pass, so if you can, sensate out those feelings. Acknowledge them, let your sensations move them on, wash, breathe or blow them away. Some days, especially when starting out, this must be done often. Quite often, in fact. That’s natural and ok. Even masters cannot always entirely dispel these intrusions, but we can drown them in our chosen sensations of breath, rain, wind, warmth or sound. You must be patient with yourself.

 

• You WILL get better. Consistency is key. Learning it is addictive and life-changing. Even a few minutes each day can lead to significant benefits over time.

Step 5 - Augment the Principles of Mystrikism
 

• Once you enter the groove, it’s like being in love; you will know. Give yourself time, whatever time you have available, to enjoy this mental space. Once the time feels right to you, it’s time to make particular use of it.

 

• Open your eyes and gaze at the sky with its macro-expanse of clouds, stars, or the clear blue yonder. If you are indoors, turn your attention to the micro-texture and colour of something tiny nearby. These techniques will help you recognise and remind you how you are both an intrinsic and interconnected part of the universe while simultaneously representing an infinitesimal and insignificant cog in the vast cosmic machine. Recognising your place in the scheme of things will put all your worries, pride and desires into humble perspective.

 

• Close your eyes again, recentre using your sensations as before. This time, consider the acts of kindness you could potentially perform during the day ahead. Contemplate how best to enact the principles of Mystrikism, kindness, humility, rationality and wonder. How can I be kinder to myself and others? Is there someone in my life that needs help? Who might really need a kind word, deserved or not? How can I savour those special moments that come around unexpectedly? How can I pause and give myself time to think and act critically, not reactively? How can I avoid automatic thinking and animal kneejerk responses?

Step 6 - Gradually Return to the Present
 

• As the meditation comes to an end, gradually bring your awareness back to the present moment.

 

• Take a few deep breaths and slowly open your eyes again.

 

• Spend a few moments reflecting on how you feel. Notice any changes in your mood or mindset.

Meditation is a fundamental and essential practice in Mystrikism, serving as a rational alternative to prayer. While prayer was humanity's earliest effort to soothe our animal nature and express humility, meditation achieves these goals without relying on superstition. By incorporating meditation into your daily routine, you can experience a calming effect that extends throughout your day and into your sleep, even from your initial, perhaps awkward, attempts. This practice also sets a mindful tone for the day, like a composing ripple in a pond, encouraging actions that align with the principles of the Union.​