So I’ve been reading Jim and His Karma, day after day, feeling annoyed, but strangely drawn toward his point of view, if only to understand something different. He seems to like it.
Here is a report on my first attempt at Jim’s anti-saintly meditation method: I had a heavy lunch, sipped some wine, sat down and, after a moment of spinal breathing, I reminded myself just to skip to IAMing. Soon fell asleep. I woke up, and after a groggy, depressed phase, felt surprisingly smooth and cool. I fit right in social situations that followed. And when I was brushing my teeth, I noticed in the mirror that I looked quite balanced, healthy.
The working paradox of the method has to do with “self pacing” by intentionally, and slightly ironically, favoring non-saintly acts: the sort that are sometimes done with an embarrassed feeling of falling short. I don’t recommend it, but there it is IMHO.
B
I’ve never given instructions for meditating after drinking and eating.
I have suggested that those with serious pitta imbalances not fully corrected via standard procedures might try, for a limited time, doing the reverse of what’s often recommended for getting “more spiritual”. Heavy food, worldly engagement, avoiding art and beauty, etc). But that’s for certain people under certain conditions for limited periods of time.
I’ve also said that mild use of alcohol has never affected me as negatively as the rishis warn. But I don’t drink a lot, almost never to the point of actual inebriation, and I never do practices after drinking.
So, sorry, but you’ve got me completely wrong.
Yeah, but look at the category it’s in. . .very complimentary.
You’re supposed to deny it in a way that sounds like you’re praising bewell, and bless him.
Yeah, I don’t remember J&K ever exhorting us to pork out and then meditate. I think this may be taking his words out of context.
You folks have gotten Bewell wrong. He never said J&K gave instructions for meditating after eating and drinking.
As I see it, bewell is talking about meditating without piety and without fuss and without making a big deal, ‘spiritual’ or otherwise about it. Which is partly what Jim O’ Karmi Rishi Baba is saying.
It so happens that meditating after eating is ill-advised for other reasons, but let’s not let that lose bewell’s point.
And I agree with the underlying ideas fully. I would recommend too that meditation should not be usually be done piously, or in a highly-charged way, or even with a sense that something sacred is happening. It should be done like brushing ones teeth, or even going to the toilet.
My personal favorite (though I totally realize I’m conceptualizing in the way I bug other people not to!) is Katrine’s analogy to a warm bath.
I only seize on this at the very beginning of the practice session…as I settle in. It helps.
Hi Jim,
I see I took some parts out of context. But completely wrong? It was my first time trimming it down to just IAM meditation. I tried it per your sharing that that is what you do. Upon waking, after my short bout of groggy grouchiness, I felt unusually smooth and balanced and socially functional. Some of the shift seemed attributable to your way of trimming off pretence of saintliness or of being all properly yogic. I was belching a lot yesterday too.
After pausing and reflecting on what I’ve said above, I’ve decided share another level of my meaning. I think I have “followed” you in somewhat the sense that you “follow” Yogani’s AYP: with a twist.
B
I’ve never been big on the toothbrush analogy - too much work. Warm bath? Maybe - I prefer showers. I liked Saint Jimster’s hair cutting analogy - just sit back and still and stay out of the way. Sorry that I misinterpreted your post, Bewell. Must’ve been the time of day - the irony was confusing. Maybe my embarrassment will help my meditation, as you suggest. 
I think David is right… I don’t think Bewell is saying that Jim has told him to eat and drink and be a yogi… this was just his way of trying out… “Jim’s anti-saintly meditation method”
However Bewell, if I am wrong… then you are wrong… because, nowhere has Jim ever said you can eat a heavy meal and have wine just before meditating… He has recommended non-yogic methods as a way to ground excess energy - never before meditation though…
The only place that I can remember he has talked about wine was here… but not for being non-yogic…
OK… my post was a little late… I did not see Bewell’s post or Meg’s…
I’m down on it lately, too. I’ve been shifting over to the barbershop analogy, as in let the cosmic barber cut your hair.
OTOH (that’s “on the other hand”, frank!) the toothbrushing bit works well for beginners. And by the time you recognize that it’s about letting the practices do you rather than you doing the practices, you probably don’t need anyone’s analogies.
The warm bath is just a quick mental flip I do as I’m getting into position. It sparks the “ahh” relaxation response, which is a good place to work from.
Also, I’m going to ask the moderators to move this thread to the section it belongs in - “Other Systems” (since these sorts of visulizations are NOT recommended by AYP…and with good reason, I must admit).
I like the barber analogy. Divine barber cuts and combs your hair.
[quote]Originally posted by Jim and His Karma
I’ve been shifting over to the barbershop analogy, as in let the cosmic barber cut your hair.
Hi All,
I went back and forth on mentioning this but, anyway, when I fell asleep yesterday, in so doing, I missed a haircut appointment. Literally. Got a cosmic cut, I guess. Undaunted, intent on keeping my worldly responsibilities, I got up, went to the salon to at least tip the stylist, compensate her for her time. It turned out she had another no-show and was able to accommodate my belated arrival.
And now it is time to clean up. Literally, I haven’t done my after-work wash yet. Ahh, the metaphors we live. I usually shower, but you know what? Today I feel like a warm bath.
B
That’s a jewell 