THE ESSENCE
Sit quietly in a place where you can hear the birds.
Aim your attention toward the voice of one species of bird and do not worry about identifying the species.
Hear the bird either in solitary song, or in a conversation with another of its own species.
As your awareness of this bird (or these birds of a feather) becomes more all encompassing you are less aware of other surroundings or thoughts.
If you like you may expand your mind’s focus and allow other bird voices within your mental space.
At a certain moment, after a certain period of time you may be aware and only aware of bird sounds.
Rest in the space/time you have while conscious of bird songs/sounds.
With no striving just ease out of this space/time at your own pace at your own time in your own place - and relax.
Let this oasis of space/time be cherished and recalled as a reminder of the place/time to which you can return.
May my heart be filled to the brim with gratitude for all of the blessings of this moment.
A COMMENTARY
Sit quietly in a place where you can hear the birds.
This first instruction does not prevent one from either standing or lying down while practicing this meditation, but recognizes that the latter posture might induce sleep, which is not a failure but perhaps an enhancement of the technique.
Aim your attention toward the voice of one species of bird and do not worry about identifying the species. Allow that bird’s voice to be the sole focus in your mind.
I’m thrilled when my wife hears a bird’s call and can identify the species. It’s a skill that can be picked up by many folks with some time and effort.
Hear the bird either in solitary song, or in a conversation with another of its own species. Their voices echo through the landscape in what seems a call and response. Do not try to interpret their conversation. Let their calls provide the object of your sole auditory focus.
As your awareness of this bird (or these birds of a feather) becomes more all encompassing you are less aware of other surroundings or thoughts. Meditation usually involves the aspect of time. As you devote more time to the endeavor you are rewarded by results.
If you like you may expand your mind’s focus and allow other bird voices within your mental space.
As the consciousness of bird voices expands with other species they can form a choir, a “multi ethnic like” village market collaboration, a conclave of avian voices. Don’t be bothered by these categorizations, especially while meditating.
At a certain moment, after a certain period of time you may be aware and only aware of bird sounds. This is a moment that comes naturally with no need of striving. It occurs spontaneously and when it does your mind is nothing else but bird songs/sounds.
Rest in the space/time you have while conscious of bird songs/sounds.
There is no need for timing or clock watching! Just rest and relax at this moment for as long as you wish.
With no striving just ease out of this space/time at your own pace at your own time in your own place and relax. Eventually we are likely return to thoughts, plans, desires and what may seem to be ordinary consciousness.
Let this oasis of space/time be cherished and recalled as a reminder of the place/time to which we can return.
Consciousness is moment to moment and when we leave this place/time and while in the midst of life we can recall it’s savor. This recollection does not return us to this space/time but reminds us that this can be experienced again when we make the effort, when we make the time.
May our hearts be filled to the brim with gratitude for all of the blessings of this moment.
SOURCE(S)
In the late 1970’s Stephen Gaskin was publishing quite a few books, conducting speaking tours and giving interviews to magazines, newspapers, and other media. This was in addition to being one of the leaders of one of the largest counter cultural communes in the United States: the Farm. I first ran across his description of this meditation sometime between 1979 and 1981 and have happily employed it many times over the years. Some of his early books include This Seasons People, Mind at Play, The Caravan, and Monday Night Class.
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