November 2005 Meditaion

THE GOLDEN FLOWER MEDITATION

Introduction.

The Secret of the Golden Flower is a very ancient meditation. It was first translated by Richard Wilhelm and Carl Jung wrote the commentary. A more recent translation is found in “The Secret of the Golden Flower: The Classic Chinese Book of Life” by Thomas Cleary, published by HarperSanFrancisco in 1991. I am more familiar with it from a chapter in “Meditation”, by Grace Cooke, White Eagle Publishing Trust, 1999, 3 rd edition.

For our meditation this month, we take the symbol of a golden rose, the golden flower symbolising spiritual wisdom found in the heart chakra. Traditionally the chakras are visualised as lotus blossoms or flowers and each has a specified number of petals. The heart chakra is said to have 12 petals. The yoga symbol of the heart chakra is a six pointed star with 12 petals surrounding it. The star is formed of 2 equilateral triangles. One triangle points upwards and represents our everyday physical life as we aspire to live the best we can. The other triangle points downwards. It represents the inspiration of our higher self, or Source of All That Is, or the LIGHT. The complete symbol, then, represents the mingling of everyday life with a spiritual focus, such as finding regular time to meditate and attune to the LIGHT.

For further explanations of the mystic meaning of the star, see www.thestarlink.net and www.whiteagle.org

THE GOLDEN FLOWER.

Sit in your favourite meditation pose and centre yourself by tuning in to your breathing. Notice each breath as it comes and goes. Feel yourself growing peaceful and calm. You begin to find yourself in an immense triangle of golden light. Its point is above your head and its base beneath you. It feels almost as if you are in a pyramid of light. Continue to notice your breath and as you breathe, fill yourself with the radiant light that surrounds you. Like a glass of sparkling water when the light shines on it, you seem filled with bubbles of golden light that reflect all the colours of the spectrum. Continue with the gentle breathing and then feel yourself rising up to the apex of the triangle. Here, you see another triangle, pointing downwards, so there are two triangles interlocked. Above your head, interlocking with the first triangle, is the upper edge of a triangle with its point beneath you. This forms the symbol of the heart chakra. You are in the heart chakra.

Continue the visualisation, seeing yourself in the heart of the star, the golden light of the heart chakra, the place of love and wisdom. In front of you there is a beautiful yellow rose. Breathe in its fragrance. Feel the softness of its petals. See a beautiful pearl at its centre, the jewel of wisdom within the flower of divine love.

After some time, return to focusing on your breathing. Create a grounding cord from your feet into the centre of the earth. Begin to breathe more deeply and open your eyes when you are ready. Take some time to feel sure you are not too floaty. Drink some water to ground yourself.

© Kathleen Pepper 2005

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