Meditating After Allen Ginsberg: A Mindful Journey

Allen Ginsberg, the poet and wise man, was an advocate for meditation and its ability to change the world. In his song Do the Meditation Rock, Ginsberg offers a light-hearted yet precise guide to basic meditation practice. The song, featuring Bob Dylan on bass, encourages listeners to tell the Superpower to sit the same way and watch and wait, emphasising that it's never too late to start meditating. Ginsberg's own description of meditation involves concentrating on one's breath and letting go of thoughts, allowing one to find peace and equanimity.

The physical act of meditation

Posture and Positioning:

Ginsberg advises maintaining a straight spine and backbone during meditation. This involves sitting on a pillow on the ground or, if that is not possible, on a chair. The key is to keep your back straight and your body relaxed.

Focus on Breath:

Ginsberg emphasises the importance of focusing on one's breath. This involves following your breath as it moves in and out of your nose, observing it without clinging to thoughts that may arise. He suggests that when thoughts do arise, you gently acknowledge them without judgement, and then return your attention to your breath.

Observing Thoughts:

Ginsberg instructs that during meditation, you may notice your mind wandering into speculation, subconscious gossip, planning, or thinking. He advises that you simply rest and acknowledge these thoughts without pushing them away or inviting them in. You can observe your thoughts with a friendly attitude, letting them go by without participating in them.

Cultivating Equanimity:

By following the above instructions, Ginsberg suggests that one can attain a sense of equanimity or peacefulness. This involves being aware of your thoughts and the situation around you while maintaining a nonjudgmental and peaceful mindset.

Patience and Generosity:

Ginsberg's poem "Do the Meditation Rock" mentions cultivating patience and generosity through meditation. This involves learning to be patient with yourself and others, as well as cultivating a generous spirit.

Consistency:

Ginsberg notes that meditation can be practised for an hour or just a minute each day. The key is consistency, as he suggests that telling yourself to sit in meditation each day will help you develop a regular practice.

Ginsberg's experience with meditation

Allen Ginsberg's experience with meditation was deeply intertwined with his artistic practice and Buddhist beliefs. In his poem "Do the Meditation Rock," Ginsberg offers a lighthearted yet precise guide to basic meditation techniques. The poem, set to a folk-rock tune, features instructions on posture, breath control, and observing thoughts without judgement.

Ginsberg's meditation practice was influenced by his Buddhist teacher, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who founded Naropa University. After receiving meditation training in the late 1970s, Ginsberg sought to share the benefits of meditation with others, especially poets and artists. He believed that meditation could bring about peace, freedom, tolerance, and enlightenment, and he often used humour to make these teachings more accessible to his audience.

Ginsberg's description of meditation during an interview is particularly insightful. He explains that when thoughts arise, one should "rest again and acknowledge your thoughts. You don’t push them away, you don’t invite them in, but just turn your attention back to your breath again." This act of gently redirecting attention helps to calm the mind and cultivate a sense of equanimity and peacefulness.

Ginsberg's meditation practice extended beyond his personal life and became a form of activism. In his song "Do the Meditation Rock," he encourages listeners to meditate, regardless of external circumstances, believing that it can empower individuals to face challenges and bring about positive change in the world.

Ginsberg's song about meditation

Allen Ginsberg's "Do the Meditation Rock" is a song that acts as a meditation instruction manual, teaching listeners how to meditate. The song, recorded in 1982, is a shambling folk-rock jam featuring guitarist Steven Taylor and members of Bob Dylan's touring band, including Dylan himself on bass.

Ginsberg, a poet and meditation practitioner, wrote the song after receiving training in meditation in the late 1970s. He wanted to "knock all the poets out with sugar-coated dharma", using humour to disarm his audience while imparting wisdom. The song provides step-by-step instructions for classical sitting practice, Samatha-Vipasana ("Quieting the mind and clear seeing").

In the song, Ginsberg instructs listeners to keep their spines straight, sit on a pillow on the ground or in a chair, and follow their breath. He encourages them to observe their thoughts without judgement, letting them go by with a friendly attitude, which can lead to equanimity and peacefulness. This practice, according to Ginsberg, can bring about patience and generosity.

"Do the Meditation Rock" also conveys a powerful message about the impact of meditation on the world. Ginsberg suggests that through daily meditation, one can influence even a "Superpower" to "watch and wait", emphasising that it's never too late to stop and meditate. The song's chorus, a take-off on "I Fought the Law", adds a playful element to the meditation instructions.

Ginsberg's song is a unique blend of music and meditation, using humour and accessible instructions to guide listeners towards a calmer and more mindful state.

Meditation as a way to knock out poets

Allen Ginsberg, the poet, songwriter, and performer, was also a meditator and a proponent of meditation. In his song "Do the Meditation Rock", Ginsberg offers a meditation instruction, urging his audience to "do the meditation, follow your breath". The song, featuring Bob Dylan on bass, provides a lighthearted and humorous take on basic meditation practices.

Ginsberg's meditation instruction is simple and accessible. He suggests that one should keep their "backbone straight" and sit on a "pillow on the ground". The key, according to Ginsberg, is to focus on one's breath, letting go of thoughts without pushing them away or inviting them in. By doing so, one can achieve a sense of "equanimity" and "peacefulness", observing their thoughts without judgment.

Ginsberg's goal in sharing his meditation practice was to "knock all the poets out with sugar-coated dharma". He believed that meditation could change the world, even in the face of challenging circumstances. This is reflected in the lyrics of "Do the Meditation Rock", where he sings, "If you sit for an hour or a minute every day / you can tell the Superpower, sit the same way / you can tell the Superpower, watch and wait".

Through his song and meditation instruction, Ginsberg provides a unique and playful approach to meditation, encouraging others to give it a try. His message is that it's never too late to start, and that meditation can bring about a sense of calm and clarity, even for poets with their minds constantly abuzz with thoughts and ideas.

Meditation as a way to change the world

Allen Ginsberg, the poet and wise man, believed that meditation could change the world. In his song "Do the Meditation Rock", Ginsberg encourages people to take some time each day to meditate, even if it's just for a minute. He believed that through meditation, one could find patience and generosity and spread these virtues to others.

Ginsberg's meditation practice was influenced by his Buddhist teacher, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who founded Naropa University. After receiving training in traditional meditation techniques, Ginsberg wanted to share these teachings with others, especially poets. In his song, Ginsberg offers step-by-step instructions on how to meditate, including keeping a straight spine and focusing on one's breath.

Ginsberg's description of meditation involves concentrating on one's breath and letting go of thoughts. He acknowledges that thoughts will come and go during meditation, but instead of pushing them away or inviting them in, one should simply turn their attention back to their breath. This process helps one to become more aware of their thoughts and observe them without judgment.

By meditating, Ginsberg believed that individuals could find inner peace and equanimity, which could then be reflected in their interactions with the world. He understood that meditation is a powerful tool that can help people become more mindful and present, leading to a more positive impact on the world.

Through his teachings and artistic expressions, Ginsberg continues to inspire people to embrace meditation as a way to change themselves and, ultimately, the world. His legacy reminds us that taking time for ourselves and cultivating inner peace can have a ripple effect, creating a more compassionate and harmonious society.

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