The Technique

'The true lover of knowledge is always striving after being.'
Plato

PREPARATION

Now we get to the part of the book where you actually learn how to use the Calm Technique. From now on the going gets more practical and much easier to follow. Nevertheless, I do urge you to ensure you understand each section before going on to the next.

Your first experience of the Calm Technique should be absolutely right. That doesn't mean you should approach it with trepidation because there is absolutely nothing harmful that can happen. The biggest risk is merely that you have built your expectations (or more probably, I have built your expectations) too much and you may find it a bit of an anticlimax. So clear your head of all preconceptions and expectations, and expect nothing more than a peaceful, calm twenty minutes. Expect to feel calm and relaxed when you're finished. Anything else will be a bonus.

I'll say it again. Your first experience should be absolutely right. So any preparation that needs to be done should be done faithfully.

BEFORE YOUR FIRST MEDITATION
1) Avoid alcohol and drugs for at least twenty-four hours before your first meditation.
2) Plan it for an occasiob when you know you will not be disturbed.
3) Be rested - don't try it after two hours' sleep.
4) Approach it with an open frame of mind.
5) Your expectations should not be too high.
6) You have nothing to fear - you will not lose consciousness or anything sinister like that.
7) No experiments until the text tells you to!

WHERE TO DO IT
As you know, the Calm Technique is a discipline. It is also habitual. Therefore, it is desirable to practise it in the same place each time. The same room, the same corner, the same chair. While this is not essential, you will find that your special place tends to develop an aura of great calm for you, and even in moments when you're not meditating, this place will be a peaceful retreat for you. (There is nothing magical about this. You associate a certain place with a feeling of peace and calm, and you'll feel peace and calm when you're there. Elementary.) The room should be warm, quiet and private.

The lights should be low. While it isn't necessary to have a blacked out room, you'll find that very low light levels are most helpful in the early stages of learning the Calm Technique. You'll also find that a warm-coloured light globe is very relaxing in itself. If you'd like to try one - especially for your first few meditations - it will help create an atmosphere of calm.

Your chair should be comfortable and reasonably straight backed. As you are not required to adopt any particular physical posture during the Calm Technique, you should seek out a chair that's comfortable. Any kind of chair is suitable, though I prefer the more rigid upright kind, because it prevents drowsiness.

Plant a clock nearby - preferably not a loud-ticking one - where you can refer to it occasionally. To avoid a heart attack, make sure the alarm is turned off. After a couple of times with the Calm Technique, you'll find your body clock has taken over and you'll know exactly when your twenty minutes are up. As long as you don't feel insecure about your own timing ability (in which case you'll be checking with the clock every two minutes), your body will tell you with great accuracy when your time is up.

You could also burn a stick of incense if you wish. It does contribute to the calm atmosphere of your room (and has been known to affect the psycho-neuro centre of the brain).

Finally, take the phone off the hook.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR ENVIRONMENT
1) Have your own special calm place.
2) Lower the lights; perhaps use a warm coloured globe.
3) Use a straight-backed, comfortable chair.
4) Place a clock nearby if necessary.
5) Use incense if you wish.
6) Take the phone off the hook.

YOUR POSTURE
There is no difficult posture required with the Calm Technique (other than a mental posture, perhaps). As long as your back is reasonably straight and your head up, you'll be fine. Hands and feet can go wherever they feel comfortable.

Make sure you're wearing comfortable clothing. Loose garments, no tight belts, no shoes.

You should be very relaxed before you begin the Calm Technique. If you're suffering nervous feelings, if you're twitchy and fidgety, there are some Calm Exercises (see pages 124-136) which will relax you. This is very important. You must begin the Calm Technique in a relaxed frame of mind otherwise you will be overcome with impatience.

Before you do anything at all, sit for a minute or so until you feel perfectly calm. Your breathing will be slow and regular. You will hear it quite clearly. Forget about everything around you. Forget about the world. Forget about what you have to do in the Calm Technique. Just relax. If you find you have to sit for five minutes before your mind is calm, then do so. It will be worth it.

Initially, you'll practise the Calm Technique with your eyes closed. (In a later version you'll discover an alternative to this. But in most instances, eyes closed.) Your closed eyes should be looking straight ahead, unfocused.

--This excerpt was taken from The Calm Technique by Paul Wilson