In the Meditation Part 2 post I described a few techniques for concentration including Mantras, Zen Koans, and the Duality Technique. Now I’d like to share a few more visualization practices that we can use to develop the skill of concentration and apply them in meditation.

Candle Visualization

Fix your attention and gaze upon a lit candle. Observe the candle in detail. Close your eyes and build the image of the candle in your mind. Concentrate on holding the image of the candle on the screen of your mind. If any other thoughts or images appear, imagine “sending them into the candle flame to be burned.”

Plant Visualization

Begin studying in detail a plant. Close your eyes and reconstruct the image of the plant in your mind’s eye. Visualize the different structures of the plant. See the biological processes in action; the water drawn up by the roots, travelling through the stem and evaporating from the leaves by photosynthesis.

Now visualize the plant growing larger and larger, blossoming and bearing fruit. Now see the plant growing old and brittle, withering and dying, returning to the soil.

Heart Concentration

Relax your body. Find your heartbeat and focus your attention on it. Feel your entire body pulse in sync with your heartbeat. Move your heartbeat around to various parts of your body. Feel your heartbeat in your hands, feet, head, etc.