CHECKING NOTES

Revised By Maharishi
June 1974 Switzerland
December 74 Switzerland

Checking Procedure

 Not to be given out except by initiators through verbal dictation in training checkers.

The purpose of checking is to give the experience of right meditation. For this it is necessary to give the experience of the right start. To give the right start, first the meditator experiences how he thinks. To experience how he normally, naturally thin ks, let him sit easily, comfortably. Then indicate to him that thinking is a process that is effortless in that quietness.

Checking does not involve talking. And we don't investigate into any faults. Just give him the experience of effortless natural thinking. Whatever is the complaint against meditation, whatever is the difficulty take the man through the necessary steps for checking, and he will feel better.

Before you start checking, just one or two minutes listen with interest and patience to the story of his meditation, but only if he is eager to talk, so that he may know that you are interested in him. Otherwise don't embark on questioning and don't try to find the fault in his meditation. Just say: "Yes, but now this will be better," or "All right, we will see how it is."

Many meditators only come for a routine checking with no special complaint. In both cases, whether he complains or not, it will be good to ask him:
" How long have you been meditating?"

"When was the last time you meditated?"
  • If his answer indicates that he had not been regular or has not meditated for some time, we say:
" It doesn't matter, we will see how you feel after checking."
  • Always ask:
" About how many minutes have you been meditating each time?"
  • Whatever he says, we acknowledge by a word:
" Yes, good, fine," etc. and then start checking.

1.
" Let's close our eyes."
(10 seconds)
  • It is better to refrain from using "you", "your", or "I" whenever possible. Use "we" or "our".

2.
" Let's open our eyes."
(3-5 seconds)
  • Speak slowly and softly throughout the checking session. Never be looking at him as he is opening his eyes. If he sees us looking at him, he might wonder if we are using some power on him or are trying to hypnotize him. Another point to always remember is that we never give any instruction or explanation to a man while his eyes are closed. Once we have asked him to close his eyes, we do not speak to him until we have asked him to open his eyes and he has opened his eyes and we have waited at least 3-6 sec onds.

3.
" Now, again let's close our eyes."
(20 seconds)
  • If he is not sitting comfortably and easily, then phrase the instruction:
"Let's sit comfortably, easily and again close our eyes."
    (Setting ourselves comfortably as an example)

4.
"Open the eyes."
(3 seconds)
5.
" Again close the eyes."
(30 seconds)

6.
" Slowly open the eyes."
(5 seconds)
7.
" When we close our eyes, naturally we feel some quietness, some silence, yes?"
    • If he says "yes" go to point number 11.
    • If he says "no" got to point number 8.
  • He may say here, or at any time during the checking session, "the mantra comes."
    Then say:
"Did you notice that the mantra came effortlessly? This is just the right start of the mantra -- effortless thinking. Now close the eyes and take it as it comes."
    • Let him meditate 3-4 minutes then go to point #21.

      • If he should say "no" to noticing that the mantra came effortlessly, say:
      "Did you try to repeat the mantra?"
      • (He will say no because the mantra just came naturally when he closed his eyes).
      • Then say:
      "This is what we mean by effortless thinking" and then continue with "this is just the right start of the mantra -- effortless thinking. Now close the eyes and take it as it comes."
      • Let him meditate 3-4 minutes then go to pt # 21.
8.
"All right, now close the eyes, sit easily, not minding anything, take it easy."
(one minute)
9.
" Slowly open the eyes."
(5 seconds)

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