Exercise 46: Back at the Apophatic

Background: Many people find apophatic meditation difficult but rewarding.

Once the basics are under control, it is worth coordinating the breath with this practice.  With the affirmation (‘God is Love’) we might inhale as a way to embrace this truth.  With the negation, we might exhale (‘God is not love’) as a form of rejecting the limitedness of the affirmation.

When we negate the negation (‘God is not not love)  we can try to coordinate this so it equally positioned with the inhale and the exhale of the next breath.  A goal (one not worth fussing much over) is to have the first ‘not’ concluded with the inhale.

The subject (God) and the objects (Love, etc.)  are here mostly as place holders.  If there is a subject or object that resonates more deeply with you, by all means, run with these.   It is highly reccomended that whatever objects you are using, you decide these in advance.

The Exercise

1.  Create a position which is both comfortable and alert.
2. Release your responsibilities and expectations.
3. Breathe deeply.
4. With your next inhale, think “God is Love.”
5. With your next exhale, think “God is not Love.”
6. Part way through your next inhale, begin with “God is not”
7. Moving into the exhale, complete the thought “not love.”
8. With your next inhale, think “God is in control.”
9. With your next exhale, think “God is not in control.”
10. Part way through your next inhale, begin with “God is not”
11. Moving into the exhale, complete the thought “not in control.”
12. With your next inhale, think “God is Jesus.”
13. With your next exhale, think “God is not Jesus.”
14. Part way through your next inhale, begin with “God is not”
15. Moving into the exhale, complete the thought “not Jesus.”
16. When you are ready, release this practice and sit in wordless union.

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