Meditation
Waking up in the morning is always different and sometimes, for some of us, it can be like being physically grabbed in the chest. The bottom falls out of the world and the pain of existence floods my heart. Whether we know it or not, I believe that we are all struggling with the fact of our own transience, the question of our own existence. The question is implicit in the knowledge of our own mortality.
Meditation creates space for our subconscious fear to show itself. It takes the bravery of a warrior to completely open up to ourselves and to face the shadow. This basic human courage goes to the root of the world's problems, as it starts at the only place where change is truly possible: ourselves. Formless meditation and silent walking are core practices of a centuries old Oriental wisdom, to a large extent forgotten in the West, certainly in community.
With the insights of modern science and self-enquiry, we can return to alignment with our inner being, melt away stress, and cleanse our eyes to look with clarity, even second sight. The individual training and discipline of warriorship is necessary to find the "energy beyond aggression", the energy beyond dualism. This the place where even the concept of dualism (self and other) does not pertain. The only way to experience that energy is to explore a gentleness and openness in ourselves. Otherwise it will not be possible to recognize the energy of non-aggression covering the world, and magical possibilities will be dispelled. True magic is the magic of reality as it is. Bravery is to meet the elements and become one with their dance. We can then attract the power and strength that is already there. In this way we can learn to influence our environment for the good.
Deity Yoga
Deity yoga is a key meditational practice associated with Tibetan Buddhism through which the practitioner uses the imagination to visualize a particular deity based on specific tantras or derivative sādhana texts. The visualized image of the deity can be treated as an object of worship (pūjā) or as a model for self-identification to actualize the corresponding enlightened attributes within oneself. It is usually practiced in combination with the recitation of a mantra. It is important to take the time to select the right deity with which to work. For this kind of mind training, it is possible to substitute the Tibetan deities with those of the Celtic or even Christian traditions.