“Purity of speech, of the mind, of the senses, and of compassionate heart
are needed by one who desires to rise to the divine platform.”
– Chanakya Hindu Statesman – 300 BCE
It’s an especially fun game to play with family and friends. Perhaps as an after dinner treat. It’s actually a meditative exercise because it calms the mind by getting one more acutely tuned into one’s senses, and that sure makes a lot of sense to me!
Start by ringing your meditation bell. This is nothing like the sound of a school bell, even tho school has started and bells are ringing there. A meditation bell is a gentle soothing sound which reverberates for a long period of time. The more you hear its sound, the more the feeling of … ahhhhh. The bell’s resonation creates a deep focus of stillness and relaxation. Wouldn’t it be cool if schools replaced the unsettling school buzzers with meditation bells? Imagine the possibilities with this type of focusing sound resonating through classrooms and hallways. What a wonderful world it could be!
If you don’t have a meditation bell for this exercise, no problem. Just search one out someday to imagine the potential.
And now for the 5 senses exercise. Everyone playing this game will need a small paper and pencil to write things down. Once everyone gets that together, let’s go!
- Let’s start with the eyes – notice 5 things you can see. Try to find things that don’t usually catch your attention. Write them down.
- Next notice 4 things you can feel. For example, the paper you may be holding, the texture of your clothes. Count 4 different textures. Write them down.
- Listen for 3 separate sounds around you. Find background sounds which may not be as immediately noticeable. Write them down.
- Now notice 2 things you can smell. The food cooking, the dog that needs a bath. Whether pleasant or unpleasant smells write two down.
- Finally, a taste. A sip, a chew, a swallow, bring your full attention to one taste and write it down.
Then compare your sensory notes with the others. How many items are the same? How many are different. It’s fascinating on 2 levels – to learn how similar we are, and also how different we are. No judgements, just simple observations.
And that’s what meditation involves. No judgements + simple observations = increasing awareness.
Time for the sound of another gentle meditation bell… ahhh.
