No. These exercises work with a level below the conceptual mind. While having some framework to place your experiences in is helpful, it is not necessary. In fact, I would urge an attitude of healthy skepticism. Approach this with almost the air of a scientific experimenter.
One of my teachers once said "These practices work not because we believe in them, but if we have some belief, we stick with them long enough for them to have an effect." I think there is a great truth to this. Some of these techniques require some patience before you see results. Because of this, unless you have some idea (or "faith") that there is a result to be had, you will not continue long enough to get anywhere.
Its a little like drilling for water. You have to trust that somewhere underground, there's water to be had. Otherwise, you scratch the surface, find nothing, and stop.
This is a good metaphor in another sense: each of us has a different distance to "dig" before we get to our water. One book I was reading said that the preparation for the awakening of Kundalini could take up to twelve years. Given the events in the world, I think we should not wait quite that long. My sense is that two or three years is sufficient at this point, but each person's path is unique.
Blog Archive
