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Meditation Practice

For the first degree there are two advisements on developing ofa meditation routine. The first is the conscious reduction that serves asthe use of breath as a means to still mind into a level of controlled

focus. This is a technique found often and most commonly referencedas yogic breath control or Pranayama. The second technique is that ofthe void state, which is a particular point of mind concentration thatutilizes the symbolism of our order and a means of invocation toreach stillness.

For the first technique one should seat themselves in anappropriate posture of asana, which is a body position of control thatcan also be linked to the pain matrix. (Further information concerningvaried postures of asana will not be expounded upon, relegating thatinstead to the personal study and selection of the initiate. It will only

be suggested to make a permanent selection for practice.)

Once you have reached a centered state and assumed the asanaposture fully, begin to count during inhalation for a count of four. Atthe number four, cease inhalation and maintain the breath within thebody for another count of four. At the number four exhale for four,pause without breath for four, repeat. It will become a redundantsystem of breathing and mental centering as the active mind strives tomaintain control of the physical process of breathing and the mindsees only numbers.

Breath counting is the base line of the practice of Pranayamaand there is no limit to further complexity beyond this example. It issuggested that initiates study the practice further once they havegrown accustomed to it. When reference is made to controlled focusthough, this is the practice and process being addressed. Regardless ofyour level of attainment in further exploration of breath control inmeditation, it is the reduced state of the four count breathing modelthat is being suggested as use for basis of furthered work.

The second technique of the void state is more a ritualizedpathworking into the mind of the initiate. An elongated statement ofintent is utilized to allow the mind to focus on itself as a differentmodality of conscious allowing for the reduction of focus on thepractical level also. The image of the technique, revolving around theblack sphere, is the key symbol of our order. With such being the caseit is advised that each initiate should become proficient in the practiceallowing some variance in linguistics etc. in order for it to becomemore of a personal address. Once one has used the model for an

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elongated period of time it should become a second naturereacquisition of the state for meditative practice. For daily practice itshould be used with exclusion outside of other tasking and thought ofas the base when other practical work is not demanding of yourmeditation time.

Invocation of the void:

I look inside myself and see a darknessAt the root of my being is a hallowInside the hallow there is no formNothing rests and all is transitoryI can expand the darkness and make it growUntil it envelopes my mindAll constructs become fleetingNothing is true

I am within the voidWithin it all is possibleVisualization component:

Within your mind see a small pearl of darkness and raise it intoyour main line of focus. Expand it until it encompasses the whole ofyour mind. When it reaches the entirety look then within the sphereand see your mind encased within the black globe. Thoughts runningbetween sections cease to move, objects lodged and inhibiting youdrift aimlessly. Everything that is attached is set adrift in a small chaos

constrained within the void and contained by your focus. You controlthe void.