Meditation: the most essential and universal practice

A warrior who goes to war, especially during the action, forgets his past as well as his future and concentrates entirely on the present moment because his life depends on it. In the same way, the essence of meditation is to be "here and now", the very meaning of the maqam (station) of 'Arafat, the goal of the great pilgrimage of life, the culminating and decisive point. Like the warrior, vigilance is fundamental because two dangers threaten him: torpor and distraction by the clutter of thoughts.When thoughts arise, which is normal, we don't try to reject or take them, we let them pass. They are like waves on the sea produced by the wind of our agitation. We observe them as a simple detail of the sea (our consciousness). The waves are not the sea but a detail of the sea, they can come and go, it does not bother us anymore.

Breathing and posture

The natural and soft concentration on our breathing can be enough to calm the mind. We can also put the Name: Allah that we can hear internally (dhikr Khafi) and also visualize in front of us his writing (this is the method of Moulay 'Arabi Darkawi) at the height of the forehead. We can visualize the name Allah according to the calligraphy which is convenient for us, either in front of us as written on the wall, or which enters and leaves like a pulse in the middle of the forehead. We can also visualize a small luminous sphere like a pulsation which enters and leaves then becomes immobile in the center of the skull: it is the luminous pulsation of the 6th of the latâifs (subtle centers): the latifa an Nafs.

You can also visualize your master in front of you in meditation communion. Then finally let the Divine Presence settle naturally. If there are noises that arise outside, instead of rejecting them, we use them as a support. The risk of torpor is very pernicious and it manifests itself without our being aware of it, hence the importance of vigilance. We must therefore be careful with our position because if the back is not straight and the position is not natural and relaxed (at the same time) it causes torpor. Those who can sit cross-legged while remaining stable is ideal and can practice it every day at least a little. It is also possible to meditate on a chair, which the tradition calls the "maytreya" position, provided that the back is straight and always without excessive tension.

To avoid the torpor that is unfortunately mistaken for peace of mind, it can be good to "sequence" meditation times, for example in half an hour or an hour, or even two hours, then stop, relax or read the Koran.

Another very important point is not to expect anything from one's practice, neither to project success nor to regret a "bad meditation". We give up the idea of succeeding or failing.

We remain in the BEING (Al wujûd) of the "here and now".