Pythagorean Meditation
Know Thyself
Pythagorean Meditation is also known as Contemplation of the One. What is the
One? For the purpose of meditation it is best to look upon the One as pure
mental silence. The One is pure Unity and no discursive thought can participate
the One. Plotinus writes, "When therefore you seek to state or to conceive
Him, put all else aside; abstracting all, keep solely to Him; see that you add
nothing; be sure that there is not something which you have failed to abstract
from Him in your thoughts." If you can easily bring yourself to a state of
pure mental silence, stop reading this and go teach others how. If not, here are
some Pythagorean techniques which may be helpful.
1. Sit comfortably, with your back straight, in a sacred space. (I recommend
Lotus pose or Easy pose. If you don't know what that is, any book on Yoga will
show you.)
2. Pray. This is helpful in calming the mind.
3. Relax and breath from your abdomen. Imagine in your mind a triangular form
made up of ten points, e.g. one point at the apex, two points beneath that,
three points beneath that, and four points at the base. Count these points in
conjunction with your breath. Do this for three or nine rounds, depending on how
long it takes your mind and body to achieve a quiet relaxation.
4. When thoughts creep in, gently abstract them.
5. Meditate for at least 11 minutes.
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