Thread: Easy All-Day Awareness Exercise

No, I do not mean the ADA technique. Sorry if my title misled. I realized after posting that the title could have been better worded.

I read in the forum about people always asking what they can do to be more aware. What can they do to acquire mental focus to more easily use the LD techniques. Well, here is one that I practice with good results. Mileage will vary, depending on dedication to execution.

This exercise has at its core martial training, the inner aspect of martial arts, that can directly help move you closer to all-day lucidity.

At its core is the interaction with, or focus on, the 1st Tantien (yes, many different English transliterations), or Hara in Japanese. It is your body's built-in gyroscope. It is the center of your physical/energetic being, your balance point. You can use it as your point of mental balance as well.

This exercise is very similar to Walking Vipassana Meditation. But, I don't want to get caught up in all the religious connotations. I simply bring it up so no one would feel compelled to go off-point in an attempt to discuss it.

So, what do you do?

Before you start your walk, stand still a moment and take a few deep breaths to physically and mentally relax. Get your mind into a calm, relaxed place. Bring your focus to your 1st Tantien, which is approximately 2" below your naval, or about the location of your 2nd Chakra for those into Chakras. This point is internal, not sitting on your skin staring up at you. Visualize a pool of energy at this point. You don't have to get a tape measure for precision. Wing it. The visualization will give your mind something to focus on rather than have an amorphous locale that is easy to lose track of.

Start walking, keeping your attention on the Tantien. As you start to walk, feel your arms and legs go in motion. Feel the natural rhythm, the back and forth movement of their relaxed swing. Allow the rhythm to pick up energy all the while retaining focus on the Tantien. Remember it is your mental focus and your physical focus of balance. Feel your upper and lower body halves naturally orient around the Tantien, without effort. Use your mental energy simply observing, feeling your body in motion. If you do this in a relaxed manner, you will very quickly drop into a meditative, trance-like altered state. You will be very much in the moment. And by giving your mind something easy to focus on, you are much less likely to drift off into stray thoughts. If you do, so what. Just refocus and continue on.

Mechanically speaking, this exercise builds a very strong foundation for your awareness practice, for your practice of being in the moment. You can easily add to this exercise once you become not just accustomed to it but once it becomes second nature. You will find that this exercise will seep its way into your daily routines, which is what you are actually after long term. Don't be in a rush.

This exercise, along with daily seated meditation, will give you a great foundation of awareness, the stepping stone for lucid dreams, and lucid wakefulness.