This is a variation on the Tibetan meditation known as "Sky-Gazing." It is named as such because the practice involves gazing relaxedly at the sky as you meditate. This meditation is essentially the same, and can be used if you are indoors or where you cannot immediately see the sky.

Begin by taking a seat with your back erect, hands resting on your lap. Alternatively, you can lie down comfortably, but not so comfortable that you risk falling asleep. Close your eyes and take a few calming breaths as your eyes settle gently behind your eyelids, gazing gently ahead. To relax even further, you can repeat silently to yourself the seed mantra, Emaho! (ay-mah-ho) It is Tibetan for "wondrous!" and is the core-teaching of Tibetan meditation. Experience the wonder of being alive, sitting there in your Buddha nature.

Imagine that you are staring out into a vast emptiness, a deep dark void where nothing exists. When you can imagine this easily, begin to breathe in and out as deeply as you can while remaining relaxed. Your focus should be on the out-breath, imagining that with each exhalation you are breathing out your essence into that void, becoming one with its spacious luminousness. No ego exists here. Feel yourself expanding beyond any corporeal confines, filling that void. Rest in that feeling of being without any boundary for as long as you like, knowing that this is the real you.

When you are ready to come out of this trance, slowly bring awareness back to the confines of your body. Slowly move your toes and fingers. Shift your weight lightly in your chair or, if you are lying down, stretch your limbs gently. Then cover your eyes with your hands, opening them slowly so that the light doesn't hurt them. If you like, you can keep a journal where you record your Void-Gazing sessions. How did it feel? Did any images or visions come to you in that state? Could you sense yourself becoming one with the void?

With practice, you will not only feel more relaxed and less stressed, but you will feel more connected with the universe and slowly notice a shift in your priorities. The little things won't matter as much when you've allowed the "monkey mind" to settle. And please, do share your experiences in the comment section below.

Emaho!