Handbook of the Navigator (Page 3 of 3)

It's interesting how the path is so unique for each.
The truth is everywhere when it can be discerned from "belief", religion and propaganda.

For this "inner navigator" to be intuited, contacted, engaged, lived in, there only need be true interest and also some knowledge of what constitutes a dead end, so we are not just spinning wheels with some new conditioned way of looking at things, replacing the old conditioning.
WE NEED to know what doesn't work for our true goals. And that's described in negative terms. How else can you say it?
IT DOES NOT WORK to trust in others words and beliefs, for example, with out making it "your own"

People good with words and some level of understanding can sell you systems, c.d.'s books, programs etc. PROMISES are enticing.
Don't believe it, if they tell you it will lead to awakening.
Only you can do that. no-one else can make it happen for you.
as long as you understand this, it's all good.
to begin earnestly is not dependent on anything external.
You can do it with or without a teacher or guide.

To be Awake is to see what is front of us, not holy or unholy...as is.
The conditioned, programmed mind we normally use without noticing, sees same and interprets it based on the past or second hand info.
awakening is the ability to learn for oneself, moment by moment.
to seek meditation techniques and "prana" (of which we are made of anyway) may be a useful stage if one has not done it.
discipline=disciple=interest.
to admit not knowing and listen.
Nobody wants to admit knowing nothing, and everybody wants to be told "how to do it". But it doesn't work that way.

You must eventually through whatever methods, find out for yourself firsthand... for it to be more than an intellectual understanding. (but even this is important to understand what you trying to "achieve" to some extent at first!)

definitely meditate, but what do you need to know? postures?
sit up straight, and listen.
not to any one/thing specifically, but inwardly,
where the silence is or is not.
Get off brain dope of any kind, those systems and c.d.'s that put you in a trance or whatever, more manipulation from "outside".

no manipulation, this is the first key.
let go and listen to what's here openly.

Question, and frame appropriate questions, the simpler the better.
If you find one that's centers on what you hope to find out;
for example "Who am i" "what is this" "where am i" etc
then stick with it, not mechanically, but with fresh looking.

question constantly, inwardly, whenever the mind is not engaged.
the inner vortex gets stronger with breathing aligning effortlessly with this still questioning mind state.
energy rests in lower half of body, the breathing gets more refined as you get more still, until you are almost always in contact with the breath in your belly.
Is this technique?  it might start that way... but ends up being awareness...no force or pressure...allowing it to be there.

patience is the other key but comes by itself when interest and discernment are there

"The way" is simple.
Most prefer to believe in a guru, master, book, system, technique.
Is technique useful at times? Yes.
Does it bring you to awakening? NO!
that's beyond technique and is merely your true Self once revealed to you.