What is Meditation?

What is meditation? It's like "coming home." Meditation is a strenuous and rocky path. It demands the utmost discipline and moves us forward on our chosen path.

There is no easy or even royal path among all the different meditation methods. Each one requires only work, hard work. There is no end to the path and the search, no state in which we can say, "Now I've reached my goal." (And enlightenment only lasts about 14 days.)

A good meditation program is similar to a physical exercise program. Both require hard work, concentration, and discipline. And an essential component of any type of meditation is doing one thing at a time.

PS: I wrote this text in the spring of 1997, and it hasn't lost its relevance.

Photo: Master Horst Lindenau meditating in a Japanese Zen garden in SW England.

Meditation for beginners

Last night during yoga class, the question arose as to whether there are specific, practical, basic rules for meditation. I think so, and they are essential.

1. Beginners should never use burning candles. The risk of the fire getting out of control is simply too great. I personally experienced this 15 years ago when a good friend of mine caught fire in Berlin.

2. Why not sit on an ordinary kitchen chair to meditate? Quite simply, there's always the danger of falling asleep, and then it would be fatal to fall off the chair.

3. Why not meditate lying down? For a similar reason to number 2, except that it would only be in a deep sleep in this case. And as we all know, sleeping is not meditation.

4. American meditation books say you should turn off the television before the session begins. Well, I don't want to go that far. That's common sense. But the phone and cell phone should already be turned off. It would be a shame to be interrupted by a sales call during the most beautiful meditation.

Have fun in the next session!

Combination of Yoga and martial arts for anti ageing

 

The influence of the moon

The influence of the moon on people can be seen and felt most clearly when there is a full moon. In terms of strength, the same influences apply at the time of the new moon, but the big difference lies in the lunar disk, which is so clearly visible when the sky is clear.

 

Tonight there is a full moon over Dorset again and that can mean that the tides are a little more extreme, some are unable to sleep, more births, but also more violence, plants are now particularly sensitive to changes, increased sex drive, drug and alcohol consumption is increasing, and the like much more.  

 

We recommend the book “The Influence of the Moon on Men”, by Horst Lindenau, 2001.
 

Photo: Full moon Dorset, 2020

Longer life through more time

"I have all the time in the world." Horst D. Lindenau, founder of the international Terrestrial Life Management (TerLiMa), can say that about himself.

TerLiMa News asks.

TerLiMa News: What does time mean to you?

Horst D. Lindenau: Time is God. That's the only one that exists. Without time, nothing is imaginable for us. Time comes first in everything. And that's precisely why I'm surprised that so little is being done in the world for sensible time management. Is there a renowned chair dedicated solely to time? Today, it's always about being fast and faster. All areas of life are infected by this madness. People want to be fast, but punctuality, time resources, and slowing down remain foreign concepts.

I remember returning from a six-week tour of Spain 35 years ago. Nobody here wanted to believe me that the trains there were absolutely unpunctual. And these days, it's happened here too.

When I hear that idiotic phrase "academic quarter." That's the biggest nonsense. Why can't academics be punctual? Just visit India. The trains run on time there.

TerLiMa News: Why is it essential to organise your time?

Horst D. Lindenau: We live in an era where we can definitely speak of time abundance. No rational person could rightfully say, "I don't have time." It's simply a question of self-organisation, of one's own time management. That means discovering time-wasters and banishing them. I'm thinking primarily of the unfortunately widespread consumption of television. In practice, that's probably the number one time-waster.

TerLiMa News: Time abundance? What does that mean?

Horst D. Lindenau: Some people take the easy way out and believe the saying, "If you have enough money, you don't have time, or, in other words, if you have a lot of time, you don't have any money." That's sheer nonsense. Time and money are unrelated. Money is only a temporary phenomenon in societies; time is always there and will continue to be so in the future.

"Time affluence" means, "I simply have free time at my disposal today thanks to modern life, which didn't exist 100 years ago." People work less and don't have to worry about procuring food as much as they did in the past. Unfortunately, most of our contemporaries allow this affluence to be taken away directly by television.

But there are even more time-killers. The computer is poised to compete with television, offering shallow content, games, and the like. Another time-killer comes from the general acceleration of life. Everything must happen immediately. Patience is uncool and already difficult for many to bear. Just-in-time is the motto. I want it and I like it now. Of course, you must let go of that if you want to manage your time. Slowing down is appropriate here.

TerLiMa-News: How can someone start with themselves?

Slowing down occurs, for example, during a leisurely breakfast, ideally with friends or family; it can also be effective at work. Or reading the newspaper in peace and quiet, taking the day in stride and planning. Of course, those who get up late and then have to rush to work don't come up with such ideas. Slowing down also occurs when I meet people, not particularly on my schedule, as VIP contacts, but simply to communicate, exchange ideas, and meet real people. Not just online or passively watching like soap operas on TV.

TerLiMa-News: You once said that one should count one's days, not the years one lives. Why?

Horst D. Lindenau: The average life expectancy in Europe in 2000 was 63 years, for men and women combined. That's a damn short life if I live by current standards. Here, simply converting years to days creates a visual gain in time. 63 years is about 22,000 days. And then I really have to live them purposefully, consciously, and well-organised. That's pure time gain through a different perspective on essentially identical periods. Because 24 hours are still 24 hours. Even if I compare hours to apples. Nature shows us how. Time is directly tied to activity and inactivity. There's nothing in between. A tree will never waste its time. The tree has a mission and must be fulfilled within the available time.

TerLiMa-News: Back to my question: What can individuals do most effectively for themselves to gain time?

Horst D. Lindenau: Nobody needs to gain time. It's there, after all. And the same for everyone. It's necessary to create a time hygiene.

 A good tip would be to write down how a typical week goes for you. This way, you can quickly see the time-wasters and then specifically eliminate them. What doesn't exist is a time policy; everyone can implement that for themselves. Put everything you have to do to the test. Is that really necessary? Then you'll also experience joy in life and freedom from stress.

Let's be honest: If you stay in bed until 10:00 in the morning and then watch five hours of television in the evening, time has already flown by. I've had some good experiences contemplating time through meditation. Through meditation, it is possible to experience time in a differentiated way. But here, too, an hour has 60 minutes.

Meditation-bench for DIY

This little bench is very useful for your meditation. With a little effort it can be done by yourself. Model OL for you from Club 115.

"I use this gem myself and wouldn't want to be without anymore", Master Horst D. Lindenau chief coach at Ichinen Bridport martial arts school / UK and managing director of Club 115 Ltd.

What is meditation? Like coming home

Symondsbury Zen garden / UK built by Master Horst D. Lindenau 1994

Meditation is a rocky and difficult trail. Meditation requires great discipline and brings us forward on the chosen path.

There is no easy or even royal way among all the various methods of meditation. Each way only requires hard work.

And there is no end of the path and search, no state in which we can say: now I'm at the end.
A good meditation program is similar to a physical exercise program. Both require hard work.

An important part of any kind of meditation is to do one thing at the time.

Time to go out in the garden

That's how it looks a the moment. This year it is quite dry and different from last year, when it was too wet. But these changes are not unusual for the gardener. Tomatoes, beans, pots, herbs and flowers will grow soon. Look forward to it! Gardening is one of the best methods to stay active. The whole body and the mind too is involved. Fresh air, nature, and even socialising with your garden neighbours makes it all a great thing to do.

Meditation sharpens attention and concentration in old age

Scientists from Harvard, Yale, and Massachusetts Universities have demonstrated for the first time that meditation can change the physical structure of our brains. In their study, the researchers show an increase in the density of parts of the meditators' brains responsible for attention and sensory processing.

Verse 18

Who is equal to stay with friend and foe,

indifferent to fame as shame,

Frost, heat, failure, success,

not adhered to the things slip ...

From Bhagavad-gita 1940 Tree Publishing, 13. vocals, page 112, verse 18

Ice cream at the open fire

At this time of the year in the northern hemisphere it is ever so nice to sit in front of the open fire. Maybe with an ice cream or even a lovely glass of red. The warmth of the fire will trigger similar emotions than a meditation.

Help yourself – no one else will help you.

 *Don't get arrogant.

*Only work with purpose and focus.

*Discipline, keep the targets!

*"In a hurry" – nothing works.

*Don't try two different things at the same time. Something will go wrong.

*Expert knowledge. And apply it.

*Of course, don't be a "drug addict." Alcohol, drugs, etc.

*Luck is also part of it, of course. But what is luck?

*Don't create time pressure.

*Always be active. Don't waste time (life).

*Always keep the "boat" seaworthy.

*Independence. Insight. Courage. Wisdom. Purification.

Photo: Stone of Courage.  Zen Garden / built by master Horst D. Lindenau / Symondbury / UK

Master Horst D. Lindenau talks about meditation

What is meditation?
"Just like coming home."

Which kind is good for me? Suits me best?
"A good meditation program is similar to a physical exercise program. Both require hard work on yourself." Choose wisely.

What is important to consider?

"An important part of any type of meditation is doing one thing at a time. Few people have got the talent and ability of multi tasking."

Master Horst D. Lindenau meditation. Zen garden / UK

Stone of recognition

The stone of knowledge rests in itself. It does not speak to you, nor does it show any clues that could lead to any knowledge.

Knowledge comes out of yourself. It only comes as a result of your own action. It is an addition of your own experience, your own insights into the things of your own world. Only this knowledge, if you accept it and recognise indicates knowledge to you.

Photo: Stone of recognition, Master Horst D. Lindenau Zen Garden, Symondsbury, Dorset, UK, 1994

Stone of discipline

When Zen Master Mark Horemans dedicated and opened the Symondsbury Zen Garden on May 28, 1994, I, as the garden's creator, strictly adhered to the traditional guidelines. This meant placing five stones in the garden.

The Stone of Courage, the Stone of Insight, the Stone of Independence, the Stone of Purification, and the Stone of Wisdom.

Five years after I created the Zen garden in southwest England, I spent some time as a travel journalist in Zimbabwe. In the language of the local Shona, Zimbabwe roughly means "stone houses," which was probably influenced by the Matobo landscape. In this magnificent natural setting, the stones don't just lie around; they reside, indeed, they sit enthroned in the landscape.

These stones from Matobo National Park now inspire an insight I've had. Although the meanings of the five stones at Symondsbury Zen Garden correspond to traditional Japanese Zen, today, I'm adding another stone.

The Stone of Discipline!

Nothing works without discipline, and especially in our time, there is a great lack of discipline. This lack must be remedied with the help of TerLiMa and discipline.

Everything is transient

It is therefore illusory to believe in the permanence of things in this world. 

In Buddhist Zen, we know that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. 

A beautiful example of this is the "Symondsbury Zen Garden," which I and my students created at a magical place of power in the southwest of England. Have a look...some pictures.

We used the garden for several year as a refuge of peace and relaxation and for meditation. After I left the area for a while, my students cared for this beauty spot another two years and after that the landowner required the plot back.

About Breathing

 It doesn't have to be a self-made Zen Garden, as pictured here.

More than four years ago, my students and I created the Symondsbury Zen Garden. It was meant to be a place for meditation. But you can practice relaxing breathing almost anywhere. When sitting, ensure your back is straight and don't squeeze your stomach. 

I always practice my breathing in the morning before meditation. Or sometimes in the evening, when I'm already in bed. This usually leads quickly to sleep. I strongly advise against practising this kind of exercise while driving. Deep breathing is too relaxing and can negatively affect your driving.