Vinaire's Blog

[Reference: The Sixth Sense]

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Sometimes the journey toward mindfulness must be started from a state where a person is unable to even think coherently and control his actions. He will not be able to understand and apply the earlier KHTK exercises on his own. He would need some guidance toward becoming mindful. Any effort toward mindfulness would at first require becoming mindful of the physical body.

This would be the case with small children who lack experience. Guiding them toward mindfulness could be a fun exercise for the parents. This could also be the case with adults who have gone through some trauma and are unable to come out of it.

Any guidance, therefore, should start with encouraging the person to control his or her body consciously.

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Exercise (Part A)

NOTE: In the first part of this exercise, the guide demonstrates to the person that control of the person’s hand is possible despite inner resistance, and invites the person to consciously control his hand. The exercise starts with the guide demonstrating to the person how the hand is to be controlled. He then encourages the person to consciously control the hand in the same way.

1. Have the person sit on a chair without arms. The guide sits close together on a similar chair facing the person. The person’s knees are between guide’s knees.

2. The guide nods at the person’s hand and gently commands, “Give me that hand.” He then extends his hand to receive that person’s hand.

3. The guide leaves an instant for the person to give the hand by own will. The person may put his hand in the guide’s hand.

4. If the person hesitates or does not respond, the guide picks up the person’s hand by wrist and carries it to his hand.

5. The guide clasps the person’s hand gently, and then holding the person’s hand by the wrist, places it back in the person’s lap.

6. The guide then says, “Thank you” to complete the cycle.

7. The guide repeats steps 2 to 6 exactly the same way, clasping the person’s hand the same way with the same pressure, and then placing it back at the same spot in preclear’s lap. The guide continues to repeat steps 2 to 6, keeping each cycle separate.

8. The guide’s focus is totally on getting the person to give the hand naturally and freely. Whenever any resistance is presented by the person, the guide does not get involved in chatter or argument. Instead he continues with steps 2 to 6 in an encouraging manner.

9. When the person is able to control the hand by own will and without internal resistance, the guide moves to the next part of this exercise.

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Exercise (Part B)

NOTE: In the second part of this exercise, the guide demonstrates to the person that control of the person’s body is possible despite inner resistance, and invites the person to consciously control his body. The exercise starts with the guide demonstrating to the person how the body is to be controlled. He then encourages the person to consciously control the body in the same way.

1. The person and the guide stand together between two walls that are a comfortable distance apart. The guide is in a position to physically steer the body of the person as needed.

2. Indicating a wall, the guide gently commands, “Look at that wall,” and gives the person a moment to obey.

3. The person may obey the command. If he doesn’t then the guide gently guides the person’s face encouraging him to look at the wall.

4. The guide says, “Thank you,” to acknowledge the person’s action.

5. The guide then commands the person, “Walk over to that wall.” He enforces the command, as necessary, with physical contact. He does that by gently moving the person’s body in a smooth manner. When the command is executed the guide acknowledges, “Thank you.”

6. The guide then commands “Touch that wall.” He enforces the command, as necessary, with physical contact, gently and smoothly. When the command is executed the guide acknowledges, “Thank you.”

7. The guide then commands “Turn around.” He enforces the command, as necessary, with physical contact, gently and smoothly. When the command is executed the guide acknowledges, “Thank you.”

8. The guide repeats the steps 2 to 7 with reference to the other wall. Whenever any resistance is presented by the person, the guide does not get involved in chatter or argument. Instead he continues with steps 2 to 7, gently encouraging the person to consciously control the body.

9. The guide continues to repeat steps 2 to 7, keeping each cycle separate.

10. When the person is able to control the body consciously without any internal resistance, this exercise may be concluded.

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[For further details, please see: KHTK Mindfulness]

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