Day 1 - Video 1

After you watch the video, answer the questions below it.

Read this before the first video

While the meditation technique hasn't changed since I filmed these videos, some of the examples I use to explain it have.  I plan to reshoot those videos when my friend Robbie isn't so busy, which may take a while.   In the meantime, I'm adding some explanation of these changes.  If text is above the video, read it before you watch the video, if it's below the video, read it after.  Here is some additional info for before the first video.

Instructions: Read each question (in red.)  Choose your answer to the question (possible answers are below the question.)  If there is writing in italics next to your answer, read the italics, which is my response to your answer.  When you finish the responses for a question, go to the next question in red.  Sometimes, instead of italics next to an answer, there will be another question.  Read the answers below that question and choose the correct answer, then read the italics next to that answer.

Was it easy or hard to sit there for 3 minutes without doing anything?

• • Easy: Skip to next question

  • Hard: Which statement is more accurate

    • It was hard because it was uncomfortable or felt like a long time or my thoughts were unpleasant.  Good Answer.  You did it right: There was no goal to get to a relaxed state of mind

    • It was hard for me to get to a relaxed state of mind.  There was no goal to get to any state of mind.  This is a counterintuitive concept for people who have done other types of meditation, so it may take a little while to get it.  Your only goal was to sit there.  If you had been uncomfortable for 3 minutes but didn’t try to do anything to get more comfortable, you would have done it correctly.

You obviously were in control of deciding whether to do this or not, but given that you decided to do it, did you feel like you were controlling what your mind did, or did it just do what it did?

• • It did what it did.  Good job

  • I was controlling it

    • Were you trying to control it or did you feel like you couldn’t help exerting control?

      • I was trying.  No need to try to control it.  Just let it do what it does.  The key is not to try to do anything.  Trying is removed in this meditation.  And there is no goal to get to any state of mind.

      • I couldn’t help it.  In that case, you weren’t trying anything.  This is unintentional control, so don’t worry about it.  You’re doing fine.

      • It felt like some of each.  As long as you weren’t completely and obviously trying, you’re doing fine. 

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