Stephen Leslie

Primal

Few understand the meditative life. What is the point of spending each morning sitting in silence?  In ancient Greece inscribed on the temple wall was the phrase… ”Know thyself.” For those caught up in the endless pursuit of money or working hard to support their family there is little time to “Know thyself.” Friends often comment about my achievement of sitting in meditation daily for fifty years with praise and admiration. But I know that this is nothing compared to the spiritual giant that was my teacher. His final exam as a meditation student was to be locked in a dark cave for nine months. One meal a day was brought to him through an opening in the wall. He had no human contact at all during this time. The cave was so small that he could stand or sit but there was not enough room to lie down. Before he voluntarily entered the cave his teacher told him that he would emerge in nine months either enlightened or mentally ill.

waking in fear
dream of falling
into infinity

---

About the Author

Stephen Leslie is a retired hospice chaplain.  At the young age of 24 he met an advanced yogi who encouraged him to meditate.  He has meditated daily for fifty years.

---