(Please click on the picture to enlarge)
Instructing the gatekeeper: At the beginning of each stage (see the above picture) you tell the gatekeeper something like "Now is the time to be aware of the present moment (in stage 1)" and other appropriate commands for the respective stages. Tell the gatekeeper this, only three times. Trust the gate keeper to know the job after that. Do not repeat the command too many times for it not to become an internal chatter in the mind.
Here is a copy of a PDF file sent by one of our members Windsor Viney for the group
Instructing the Gatekeeper
Say to yourself three times at the start of your meditation:
at stage one
I will be aware of the present moment, and I will not go of into the past or the future.
at stage two
I will be silently aware in the present moment, and will discard all inner speech.
at stage three
I will be aware of the breath in the present moment, and discard all other perceptions
and thoughts.
at stage four
I will be aware of the whole breath continually, and disregard anything other than the breath.
In the Chapter six we discussed three other different methods to freshen up the meditation.
1. Loving-Kindness meditation
2. Letting be
3. Walking meditation
Most of the discussion was centered around the loving-kindness meditation. Here Ajahn Brahm uses a slightly different method (Please read pages 65-72) from what we have all been accustomed to over the years. We all decided to give this a try during our practice at home. We hope to discus the results of this method during the next sitting which is scheduled for the 17th of February in Mississauga. The date, time and place for this will be sent to all the members by an email.
Related posts (with sutta) showing mindfulness as a gate keeper:
