The Lotus Stair

In the old Tantric texts the body holds a stair of lotuses, one above another along the spine. Each has a place and a seed syllable, a single sound that stands for it. In this working you climb that stair slowly with your attention, sounding each syllable silently and resting at each landing before moving on. Nothing needs to rise or open. You’re only visiting.

The working

1. Sit upright and comfortable with your eyes closed. Let your breathing be slow and easy, and keep it that way throughout. Don’t hold it.
2. Bring your attention to the base of the spine, the root. Silently sound lam on a few out-breaths, then rest there for a few breaths.
3. Move up to the lower belly, a little above the pubic bone. Sound vam the same way and rest.
4. Move up to the navel. Sound ram and rest.
5. Move up to the centre of the chest, the heart. Sound yam and rest.
6. Move up to the throat. Sound ham and rest.
7. Move up to the point between the eyebrows. Sound om and rest.
8. Last, let your attention rest lightly at the crown of the head. This lotus has no syllable, so rest there in silence for a while.

Closing

Come back down the stair at an easy pace, with no sounds, and let your attention settle in the belly for a few breaths before you open your eyes. If any part of this leaves you restless, dizzy or too warm, stop, rest your attention in the belly or your feet, and choose a quieter meditation for now.