Savio Rodrigues SJ

Though a lot of dust was kicked up some time ago, for encouraging prayer through methods that are non-Christian, one must agree that the Buddhist vipassana method of prayer is not just self-seeking or self-centred, but is an exercise which predisposes the individual toward meeting God. As quoted earlier on, one cannot pray without making oneself available to God. This Buddhist form of centring is extremely helpful toward disposing oneself for prayer. If done over a period of ten days, as the course demands, and if you adhere to the strict rules of diet, sleep, and hours of sitting still, being fully conscious of the HERE and NOW, you very soon realise that letting go of the intellect and concentrating on the sensations and emotions, of the present moment is not that difficult. Surprising also, is the paucity of food and sleep one actually needs.

The vipassana exercises help the body, mind and emotions. In fact they help the total self relax to such an extent, that the body does not need food or sleep. Neither does it feel tired, sleepy or hungry. It does not lose any weight due to the lack of food.

The above introduction was necessary to get rid of any fears one might have had regarding this form of prayer being pagan worship.

To start with, it is important that you wear loose clothes. Tight clothing will not give you the freedom of movement and will restrict your concentration due to the discomfort you experience.

Find a quiet place — not too bright nor too dark but well ventilated.

If you prefer to squat, then use a comfortable mat, cushion or rug.

If you sit on a chair then use a chair with a straight back. Avoid easy, inclined, rocking, deck chairs. It is advisable to have a good padding on the seat and backrest of the chair.

If you are squatting then there is no problem with your feet as they are automatically inter-locked. In case you are sitting then cross your feet gently under the chair.

Place the palms of your hands one over the other on your lap, the palms facing upwards — asking God to fill you with Himself. The shoulders must be totally relaxed — not tense or stiff. Put no pressure on the shoulders. Rotate your shoulder blades to feel the freedom. Your arms must rest lightly, not as dead weight. Remember to always keep your back STRAIGHT, ERECT, UPRIGHT — never stiff, but relaxed.

Once you feel comfortable, GENTLY close your eyes and begin to be AWARE, of your breathing. Say to yourself, “I am inhaling, I am exhaling”. Keep doing this for as long as you feel you need to do it. Later try and feel the breath of air between the tip of your nose and your upper lip. Try and concentrate on the difference of warmth in the air as you inhale and as you exhale it.

After you have spent some time doing this, and feel you were able to concentrate on what you were doing without letting your mind wander elsewhere, shift to the sensation awareness exercise. Let the eye of your mind focus on the crown of your head — move down to your face — down your chest — down your left hand — back up to your chest — to your right hand — up back to the chest — down to the stomach — the left foot — back up — then down the right foot — up to the crown again — then the same for the back. As the eye of your mind goes over each of these parts of your anatomy, be aware of any sensation that might be present. JUST BE AWARE (Do not try to get rid of them or reason out as to why they are there, etc.) and keep repeating this procedure over and over, till you feel your mind’s eye now does not stray, but can concentrate on just one fixed part of your anatomy.

It is important to keep on doing it, with no agenda in mind. Enjoy it. Do not set targets or goals for yourself. Just let go and relax. Enjoy what you are doing. Constant setting aside of time for this exercise will help you achieve that total concentration, on the here and now. Trying to push yourself towards a definite goal only becomes counter–productive for that again is a form of desire attachment.

The Prayer Method on this page has been provided with permission from the book Pray: How? by Savio Rodrigues SJ