TWO MEDITATIONS
       
       As an orb
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       The self is a transparent orb at the centre of an endless
       sea. Inside this orb the self is ever safe, ever secure, for
       the orb is impenetrable, and the unshakeable self within
       always righted up with its crown to heavan, root to earth
       below. Waves may come and crash upon the orb with
       ferocity. Or, waves may gently heave the orb and lap upon
       its contours. Or the sea may be completely still, with the
       sun forming a haloed corona upon the orb's edges. The face
       of the sea is the face of the self's felt sense. In this
       meditation, imagine your identified self within the centre
       of the orb's safety, and your identified felt sense as the
       wind that moves the endless sea. Let the sea personify the
       self's anger, fear, saddness, joy, or contentment. Let the
       orb be the indifferent centre of that self. Let the sea be
       as the felt sense is, and also as the felt sense may become.
       
       
       As a banana
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       The open heart is the soft centre fruit of a banana. It is
       held beneath bruised, battered, and thickened encasement---a
       sweet nourishing meal of loving for the self that knows how
       this fruit can be peeled. So open the heart like a
       banana. When the muscle tightens in hungry response to
       identification of fear, harm, worry, or judgement, imagine a
       finger drawing down a peel to reveal the radiant fruit of
       love within.