BY BODHIDHARMA

This is a meditation practice beginning with Bodhidharma, who is regarded as the First Patriarch of Zen meditation.

“Wall-gazing” means to ponder the matter of existence, the meaning of life. In order to practice wall-gazing one must turn ones back to the world.

“It is when we are up against the wall that our true character shows.”

In Buddhism, before one can accomplish anything of consequence in the world, one must perceive one’s true character through some kind of single-minded, concentrated effort. That is, save yourself first before trying to save others.

This idea can be found in a Mahayana sutra: "When one, abandoning the false and embracing the true, in simplicity of thought abides in wall contemplation, one finds that there is neither selfhood nor otherness, that ordinary men and saints are of one essence."

It is said that Bodhidharma and others who followed used this practice as a means of reaching enlightenment. The Tibetans use the word lhan me to express 'abiding in brightness' or 'abiding in luminosity,' which pertains to the luminosity of Mind.

In the book The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma, Red Pine translates "Those who turn from delusion back to reality, who meditate on walls, the absence of self and other, the oneness of mortal and sage, and who remain unmoved even by scriptures are in complete and unspoken agreement with reason."

Feel and look at this meditation as a practice of emptiness - the idea that a phenomenon arises and returns. Allowing our being just as it is in this moment as we gaze at the wall recognizing the Oneness of all and that we are all interconnected. As we continue this practice, we turn even more inward and our understanding expands becoming more and more spacious allowing for BEING without beginning or end.

"In an ancient text ascribed to Bodhidharma, his way of meditation is characterized by the Chinese word pi-kuan, literally wall-gazing or wall-contemplation. Except for the word pi-kuan, the same passage is found in a Mahayana sutra; it reads: "When one, abandoning the false and embracing the true, in simplicity of thought abides in pi-kuan, one finds that there is neither selfhood nor otherness, that ordinary men and saints are of one essence." The sutra speaks of the "vision of enlightenment at this point—an expression that also occurs in Zen literature. Whatever the case may be, with the insertion of the word pi-kuan in this text (most likely taken from the sutra), the expression pi-kuan and the whole text indicated a manner of meditation that later generations typified as "Bodhidharma Zen" (Zen Enlightenment, p. 38).

Those who turn from delusion back to reality, who meditate on walls, the absence of self and other, the oneness of mortal and sage, and who remain unmoved even by scriptures are in complete and unspoken agreement with reason" (The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma, p. 3). (Italics mine.)

We can think of this wall as being a luminous wall. It alone represents true reality. The wall’s nature is purely universal and dynamic from which all phenomena arise and return. It is also thoroughly signless and empty—yet not empty of true reality. It is only empty of the non-real or the same, empty of illusory phenomena.

MEDITATION
l. Get a cushion and a mat. These can be obtained from most Japanese Zen Centers but any firm cushion and reasonably soft mat will do. The cushion must be firm enough to elevate the base of the spine so that it shares the body's weight with the knees.

2. Sit facing a white or light-colored blank wall as closely as is necessary to have it fill the field of vision.

3. Sit in lotus with the spine propped up on the cushion's edge. If full lotus cannot be managed, then half-lotus will have to do.

4. Place the tongue against the roof of the mouth, the underside of the tongue touching the roof.

5. Place your hands in a comfortable mudra (configuration). The easiest way to arrange your hands is to let the right one lie upon the left, top of the right hand against the palm of the left, with the thumbs gently touching. The hands may either be held high as though cradling the navel - in which case your elbows should extend sideways, or your hands may simply rest in your lap, arms relaxed.

6. Stare at the wall

7. Breathe Deeply in and out

8. Relax, empty your mind of all thoughts. Thoughts will continuously pop into your mind but your task is to allow none of them to grab your attention. Treat your mind as you would treat a child you are taking for a walk. Whenever your attention wants to linger on a thought, it must be gently pulled away. Say to it, "Sorry, we'll think about that another time."

One of the  biggest mistake is forcing yourself to sit on your cushion. Never make meditation drudgery. Meditation is a beautiful experience. Save miserably for another time.