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Page 1 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Awareness and Acquiescence
First Lesson – Commentary Smart Phone Version
Terton Lama: Jigme Gyatso, Rime Rinpoche
FIRST edition
2019-a02-05b
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Acknowledgments
This sadhana or practice text and it’s commentary was inspired by:
The termas or psychic instructions I received from:
Avalokiteshvara, Arya Tare, and Padmasambhava,
the oral instructions of Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu,
Lama Chodrak Gyatso, and Lama Olé
meditation manuals composed by Gautama Siddhartha: the Buddha
“Maha Satipatthana Sutta– the Greater Discourse upon the Four Bases of Mindfulness
translated by Maurice Walshe,
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
“Satipatthana Sutta –the Discourse upon the Four Bases of Mindfulness”
translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and
“Anapanasati Sutta – the Discourse of Mindfulness with Breathing”
also translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli
a meditation manual composed by Ven. Dr. Madawela Punnaji Maha Thera
“Ariymagga Bhavana – the Sublime Eightfold Way”
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
one of the last meditation manuals composed by
Dza Patrul Rinpoche, Jigme Chökyi Wangpo
“The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones
the Practice of View, Meditation, and Action;
a discourse Virtuous in the Beginning, Middle, and End”
and the explanation thereof given by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
translated by the Padmakara Translation Group,
a meditation manual composed by Karma Chagme Rinpoche
“The Quintessence of Spiritual Practice,
the Direct Instructions of the Great Compassionate One”
translated by Eric Pema Kunsang
a sadhana translated by Ani: Thubten Chodron
“Praises and Requests of the Twenty-one Taras”
from “Pearl of Wisdom: Buddhist Prayers and Practices Book II”
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
a meditation manual composed by Bokar Rinpoche
“Chenrezig: Lord of Love,
the Principles and Methods of Deity Meditation”
translated by Christiane Buchet
a meditation manual composed by Atisha – Shrijana Dipamkara
“Sadhana of the Venerable Tara:
Tara Battarika Sadhana”
translated by Martin Willson
a meditation manual composed by Lama Kazi Dawa Samdup
“Tibetan Yoga; and Secret Doctrines”
translated by Lama Kazi Dawa Samdup and edited by W. Y. Evans-Wentz
a meditation manual composed by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
“Guide to Dakini Land”
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
a sadhana composed by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje
“The Daily Recitation of the Revered Noble Tara”
translated by the Vimala staff
a commentary composed by His Eminence Chagdud Tulku
“Ngondro Commentary:
Instructions for the Concise Preliminary Practices of the New Treasure of Dudjom”
Compiled by Jane Tromge
a sadhana composed by Dudjom Lingpa Rinpoche
“Dudjom Tersar Ngöndro”
translated under the direction of His Eminence Chagdud Tulku
and a meditation manual composed by Lama Surya Das
“Natural Radiance: Awakening to your Great Perfection”
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Table of Contents
Opening Material
Acknowledgements.………………………....pg. 2
Contents…………………………...............…pg. 7
Tao Te Ching Syllabus……………………....pg. 8
First Set of Meditations…………………………….......................pg. 9
Crease Counting and Acquiescence.................pg. 10
Appendix…………………………………………….......................pg. 15
Advancing as a Contemplative……………......pg. 16
Syllabus……………………………………….pg. 17
Concise – Twelve Elemental Permutations.......pg. 18
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Tao Te Ching Syllabus
Lesson Volume Chapters
1st A-na-pa-na-sa-ti Sut-ta
2nd 1st of 14 1st – 6th
3rd 2nd of 14 7th – 12th
4th 3rd of 14 13th – 18th
5th 4th of 14 19th – 24th
6th 5th of 14 25th – 30th
7th 6th of 14 31st – 36th
8th 7th of 14 37th – 42nd
Lesson Volume Chapters
9th 8th of 14 43rd – 48th
10th 9th of 14 49th – 54th
11th 10th of 14 55th – 60th
12th 11th of 14 61st – 66th
13th 12th of 14 67th – 72nd
14th 13th of 14 73rd – 78th
15th 14th of 14 79th – 81st
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
First Set of Meditations Palms UP
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Welcome to the Commentary
We live in a world where
there is so much misinformation about meditation, that
this potentially powerful tool for self-development has
been largely reduced to an ascetic practice that
is as difficult as it is boring.
How fun it could be if
this series of sixteen lessons could
resurrect the ease, entertainment, pleasure and transformative power of
this lost art.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
But how are we to know
whether this teacher or this teaching
could be worthy of trust?
In both the Sutta of the Kalama’s Dilemma
as well as the Parinibbana Sutta
we could come to understand that the test of a teacher and a teaching
is NOT their beauty, eloquence, popularity, age or wealth,
but rather the effects generated in our lives
when we enthusiastically and accurately
apply their advice.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Here is an easy, four step process
to do just that.
First – suspend judgement,
second – receive the teacher’s first lesson,
third – enthusiastically and accurately practice that technique
EVERY morning and EVERY evening for six and half days,
fourth – engage your judgement and
notice the results generated by
your six and half consecutive days of practice;
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
if you’ve become so anxious and cranky
that people start calling you “little Darth Vader,”
then go, and find a better teacher.
But, if your twice daily practice
of the technique of your teacher’s first lesson
makes you even a little more
peaceful, resilient, resourceful and compassionate
then it could be in your best interest
to return to your teacher and receive his or her second lesson.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Crease Counting and Relaxing
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Why count our creases
Over the millennia many Buddhists have
blended counting and meditation; sometimes as
a kind of bronze-age timer.
Necklaces of meditation beads,
known as “Mala” in Sanskrit could
be found in Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia,
Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Shri Lanka,
Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.
Although they can be lovely their
theft, loss or absence could
serve as excuse not to meditate.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
I am grateful to the Bengali’s who first
taught me a method of counting upon
the creases of my fingers as
a replacement for a mala.
That technique serves as one of
many foundations for the method we’ll be
playing with during this sixteen week course.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Contemplative notation
This seems like a good time to discuss,
what I like to call, contemplative notation.
Growing up, my neighbor studied the trumpet
as his junior high elective.
The first week they trained Rick
how to properly finger his instrument
(and no, that’s NOT a euphemism for puberty)
the remaining weeks of the semester
the focus was on learning to read musical notation
while playing along on his trumpet.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
The idea was that by the end of his second semester
he’d be able to play any non-virtuoso trumpet piece,
just by reading the notation.
That is why these guided meditations are written
in a format we could describe as contemplative notation;
to make it as easy as possible for students
to learn, practice and yes, even master Buddha’s path
in a remarkably short period of time…
such as sixteen weeks!
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Quick note; we are only students
if we arrive to each class early
and enthusiastically perform our homework
every morning as well as every night,
otherwise we’re merely audience members.
This week’s guided meditation is twelve pages long.
Let’s take a moment to take a look at the first page.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Legs – Climbing – Feet
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Left Middle…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Whew!
It seems a hot mess, doesn’t it?
Not to worry, by the end of our first week of homework,
no less the conclusion of this commentary to the FIRST lesson,
it could seem as plain as the noses on our faces.
At the top of the page, you’ll note a line that reads:
Legs – Climbing – Feet
Let’s unpack this.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
In this system of crease counting,
we work with the four fingers of our left hand,
the four fingers of our right hand,
and the four fingers of both our hands (simultaneously)
for a total of twelve different combinations of finger gestures,
or Mu-dras in Sanskrit,
that correspond to the twelve elemental permutations
that predate Buddhism
which many contemplatives have found useful over the millennia.
In fact, a chart listing the four elements,
and the three modes,
which when multiplied together give us the twelve elemental permutations;
is found in this lesson’s appendix.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Many long term contemplatives,
spending four, or more, hours a day in meditation,
and four more in daily study,
after ten thousand, twenty thousand,
thirty thousand hours of meditation, or more,
have noticed a correlation between
various finger gestures and various body parts.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
In this system the twelve finger positions
correlate with twelve body parts.
To simplify things we
categorize the twelve body parts into three groups:
Legs – including feet, calves, bones, and thighs;
Torso – including crotch, kidneys, intestines, liver, and stomach; and
Bust – including arms, throat and scalp
for a total of twelve.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Let’s return to the first line:
Legs – Climbing – Feet
The noun “Legs” tells us we’re
beginning with the first third of the body.
The verb “Climbing” refers to the general sequence of
body parts that are accessed as
we move through the twelve gestures.
We use the term general sequence because there
is one instance in the sequence where we perform a single zig-zag,
but for the most part it’s mostly ascending,
most of the time.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Ironically the twelve finger gestures are
numbered from twelve to one.
The term “Feet” really narrows things down for us, denoting
that we’ll begin with the twelfth gesture which
correlates with the feet.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Let’s take a look at the second bit of
contemplative notation:
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
The highlighted portion communicates that
during the exercise listed on this page we’ll:
be touching the tip of our left thumb to
the first set of creases at the base of the left middle finger,
sliding the tip of our left thumb up
to the second set of creases a bit higher upon our left middle finger,
again sliding the tip of our left thumb up
to the third set of creases even higher upon our left middle finger and
finally sliding the tip of our left thumb up
our left middle finger to its tip;
clearly, counting a total of four points
upon our left middle finger.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
A similar counting method will be repeated upon
each of the eleven remaining finger combinations the only variable being
which finger is being counted upon.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Contemplative Notation part three
Now that we have the idea that
we’ll be counting to four upon our left middle finger, the
questions remains
“what is it we’ll be counting four repetitions of?
To answer that, let’s take a look at
the third set of information communicated upon our
first page of guided meditations:
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
IN-breath: Left Middle…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
The phrase “IN-breath:” is short for,
“Hey, during the inhalation silently and mentally recite
the words to the right of the colon.”
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
The folly of forced breathing
This is a good time to discuss breathing.
There are some schools of meditation that teach us to
control the timing, depth and duration of our breathing
(we’re looking at you, Hindu Pranayama), but this, is NOT that.
Although that can be appropriate for
the contrived path of yang
(warned against by the Tao Te Ching),
we will instead merely notice when our body spontaneously breaths in and
when it spontaneously breaths out for…
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
this course of sixteen lessons adheres to yin’s path of:
vulnerable, yielding, non-conceptual, centered spontaneity
(that is lauded by, you guessed it, the Tao Te Ching).
And if at this point you’d guessed that
the Tao Te Ching figures prominently in this series of lessons,
you’d be right!
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Why so cryptic?
IN-breath: Left Middle…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
As we notice our spontaneous inhalation we’ll
silently and mentally recite, “Left Middle,” which
seems really cryptic,
because it really is.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Although it could be perfectly accurate to
silently and mentally recite,
“My intention uses these words to
gently guide my subtle awareness to
passively notice my left middle finger;”
doing so, during the span of one inhalation,
could prove difficult.
Page 36 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
So we opt for the concise,
three syllable phrase,
“Left Middle,”
as it fits more smoothly with
the whole idea of coordinating our silent and mental recitations with
our spontaneous and uncontrived breathing.
Hey, we’re not going to say the guided meditations of this course are
where good grammar goes to die a horrible death, but
sometimes when we’re practicing we can hear the
sound of high school English teachers lamenting inconsolably.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Active concentration versus passive mindfulness
Let’s return (as we often will) to
the yang/ yin comparison; because
(you guessed it) the Tao Te Ching.
The aggressive path of yang favors
active concentration but
that leads to rigidity, crankiness, anxiety and sorrow.
The Tao’s acquiescent path of yin endorses
passive awareness (also known as mindfulness) for
it leads to greater: flexibility, peace, resilience, creativity,
joy, compassion, patience and centered spontaneity.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Exhalation
IN-breath: Left Middle…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
The phrase “OUT-breath” concisely communicates to us that
during our spontaneous and uncontrived exhalation we
silently and mentally recite “relaxing!”
Page 39 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
How do we relax?
If these teaching hailed from
the yang tradition we’d
actively strive to concentrate upon our left middle finger while
we forced an inhalation then
we’d actively strive to relax while
we forced ourselves to exhale;
oh how exhausting!
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Luckily this set of lessons resonate
with the yin tradition so
through the effortless act of silently and
mentally reciting the words “Left Middle” we
succeed at gently influencing part of
our mind to at least consider our left middle finger
(because words influence intention, which influences mind), and
by silently and mentally reciting the word “relaxing” in
harmony with our spontaneous and uncontrived exhalation we
invite our bodies to at least partially relax,
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
not only because word influence intention, which influences mind, which
influences energy, which influences body, but also because humans and
many other animals seem to be hardwired to tighten up or
notice a bit more during each inhalation and
relax, let go or acquiesce a
bit more during each exhalation.
Page 42 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Are we there yet?
IN-breath: Left Middle…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
The term “round” in the context of this style of meditation refers
to the act of inhaling once followed by exhaling once, or
in other words, a set of one IN-breath followed by
one OUT-breath is called one round.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
A round also refers to the silent and mental recitations that
accompany each inhalation and it’s following exhalation.
The phrase “Four breaths” tells us how
many rounds or repetitions of the meditation
we are to perform.
Now that we’re more comfortable with the idea of
IN-breaths, OUT-breaths and
the silent and mental recitations that
are coordinated with them let’s
revisit the notion of counting our four repetitions of
the first meditation “Left Middle… relaxing!” upon
our left middle finger.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Counting to Four
As we notice our bodies spontaneously inhale we
silently and mentally recite “Left Middle…” while
drawing the tip of our left thumb to
the first set of creases at the base of its left middle finger.
During our spontaneous and uncontrived exhalation the
tip of our left thumb continues to rest gently upon
the first crease, at the base of tis middle finger while
we silently and mentally recite “relaxing!”
Remember we’re not actively breathing in and then out, as
much as we’re just passively noticing when each phase of breath occurs and
coordinating our mental recitations with them,
as best we can.
There are no extra points for
neurotic perfectionism.
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Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Also… bear in mind this section contains a lot of repetitive language NOT
in an effort to drink deep from the waters of annoyance but
to really hammer in what we are and are NOT doing, namely
NOT forcing our breath… E.V.E.R!
As we notice our bodies start to inhale we
silently and mentally recite “Left Middle…” while
sliding the tip of our left thumb up
to the second set of creases a bit higher upon its left middle finger.
During our spontaneous and uncontrived exhalation the
tip of our left thumb continues to rest gently upon
its middle finger’s second set of crease as
we silently and mentally recite “relaxing!”
Page 46 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
As we notice our bodies start to inhale we
silently and mentally recite ‘Left Middle…” while
sliding the tip of our left thumb up
to the third set of creases even higher upon it’s left middle finger.
During our spontaneous and uncontrived exhalation the
tip of our left thumb continues to rest gently upon
its middle finger’s third set of creases as
we silently and mentally recite “relaxing!”.
Page 47 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
As we notice our bodies start to inhale we
silently and mentally recite “Left Middle…” while
sliding the tip of our left thumb up
to the tip of its left middle finger.
During our spontaneous and uncontrived exhalation the
tip of our left thumb continues to rest gently upon
the tip of its middle finger as
we silently and mentally recite “relaxing!” … whew!
Well that was mind numbing, wasn’t it? But
now that we’ve got it down, we
won’t have to review those instructions again.
Page 48 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
The benefits of counting on our left middle finger
Hey, remember reading how
in the appendix of this commentary (and in the appendix of each lesson of this series)
there is a one page summery of the procedures and benefits of
the twelve elemental permutations?
Good, because we’re going to
take our first look at it on the next page.
Page 49 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 50 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Yes, this could seem daunting,
but if we pay attention to this lesson,
and actually perform our homework
every morning and every evening
within a week or two
we could find that we have accidentally memorized each gesture (Mu-dra in Sanskrit)
as well as their sequence.
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
Let’s unpack this.
“12” is merely this Mudra’s number.
We access these mudras in order of twelve through one.
Page 51 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
Our left Middle-finger,
is simply the digit that we’ll be working with.
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
The “Mutable” mode
refers to that which is acquiescent, and yielding,
not unlike the yin path lauded by (wait for it) the Tao Te Ching.
In this system it will always refer to the left hand.
Page 52 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
In this system
the element of “water” always refers
to one or both of our Middle-fingers.
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
In days of yore
the night time sky served as humanities only calendar.
Our ancestors divided information
between four elements and three modes.
Since the product of four and three is twelve
it could come as little surprise that this system
we passively work with, some like to call,
the twelve elemental permutations.
Page 53 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
Some, who exhibit a high degree of perceptual acuity
have noticed a correlation
between Mutable-water and our feet.
“12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood”
Over the millennia some have noticed correlations
between various archetypes
and our body-parts,
as well as elemental permutations.
Over time people communicated these observations as similes,
the similes became metaphors,
the metaphors became confused with literal statements,
and rational astronomy mutated into superstitious astrology.
Page 54 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
This archetype of Pisces’ surrendered sagehood
is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the mystic, the dreamer, the artist, the poet,
the guide, the guru, the medic, the healer,
the worshipper, the creator, the dancer,
the psychotic, the addict and the visionary.
Now we know how to count to four
using just one finger and one thumb.
Let’s perform the meditation “Left middle/ relaxing! on
the following page…
Page 55 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Legs – Climbing – Feet
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Left Middle…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 56 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
So what?
Congratulations, after much skull doggery we’ve learned:
how to unevenly divide the body into three,
count to four upon our left middle finger,
perform one meditation while
passively coordinating the first and second halves of
its silent and mental recitation with
our spontaneous and uncontrived breathing.
We’ve also learned that when the four elements and
three modes are multiplied they
give us the twelve elemental permutations.
Page 57 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
In addition to that we’ve learned that
the left hand refers the mutable mode,
the middle finger refers to the water element and
the left middle finger
(or “Mutable-water” if you want to be fancy) is
associated with the fourteen archetypes of Surrendered Sagehood.
Now let’s turn our attention to
the next meditation.
Page 58 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Legs – Climbing – Calves
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Both index…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 59 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 60 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
Welcome to the eleventh mudra,
where we count the creases of both of our Index-fingers simultaneously,
with the tips of their thumbs.
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
Air always refers to
one or both of our Index-fingers.
Page 61 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
Fixed always means we’ll
be using both hands simultaneously.
The fixed mode could be likened to
the balance seen in the Yin/ Yang symbol.
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
Our calves could be
correlated to Fixed-air.
Page 62 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
BOTH our index fingers could be correlated with
the archetype of Aquarius’ Laid-back, smart generosity
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the revolutionary, the scientist, the eccentric,
the visionary, the rebel, the genius,
the outlaw, the free spirit, the activist,
the inventor, the alchemist and the exile.
If we were traversing the path of patriarchy
we might contrive to access an archetype
through the cunning use of these finger positions.
Page 63 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
But upon this path of matriarchy,
we are content to passively and non-conceptually notice
whatever archetype rears its head
as we flow from the twelfth mudra
up through the first mudra
while we play with these contemplative exercises.
For our identity is NOT determined
by which archetype makes an appearance
but by our practice of vulnerably, passively and NON-conceptually
noticing and letting-go
in harmony with our inhalations and exhalations, respectively.
Page 64 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
It is understandable how one could get feed up
with this seemingly random sequence of finger positions…
but firstly – in our interdependent bodies
the sequence of our finger positions
could have a profound effect
upon our physical, emotional and mental experience.
Page 65 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Please do not squander your time and energy
striving to re-invent the wheel,
merely follow the instructions every morning
and every evening
for six and a half days
and notice the results you generate.
Secondly – after one or two weeks
of twice daily practice
you’ll intuit the pattern of the finger sequence
thus shattering the illusion that they are random.
Of course perusing the chart
of the twelve elemental permutations
couldn’t hurt either.
Now let’s perform the meditation “Both index/ relaxing!” on
the next page…
Page 66 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Legs – Climbing – Calves
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Both index…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 67 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
This week’s third meditation
Page 68 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Legs – Climbing – Bones
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: This right ring…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 69 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 70 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
Welcome to the tenth mudra,
where we count the creases of our Right Ring-finger
with the tip of it’s thumb.
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
Cardinal refers to that which is aggressive and advancing,
not unlike the yang path warned against by
(you guessed it) the Tao Te Ching.
In this system the cardinal mode is
associated with the fingers of the right hand.
Page 71 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
Earth always refers to
one or both Ring-fingers.
Therefore we access Cardinal-earth
by counting our Right Ring-finger’s creases
with the tip of its thumb.
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
Our bones could be correlated to
Cardinal-earth.
Page 72 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
Cardinal-earth is correlated with
the archetype of Capricorn’s affluence and power
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the old soul, the administrator, the judge,
the mentor, the prime minister, the father,
the entrepreneur, the banker, and the wizard.
Now let’s perform the “This right ring/ relaxing!” meditation for
four breaths as written on the following page…
Page 73 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Legs – Climbing – Bones
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: This right ring…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 74 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
This week’s fourth meditation
Page 75 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Legs – Climbing – Thighs
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Left little…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 76 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 77 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
Welcome to the ninth mudra,
where we’ll count the creases of our left Little-finger
with the tip of its thumb.
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
As we’ve already learned
in this system “Mutable” refers
to the yielding energy of the left hand.
Page 78 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
Fire always refers to one or both Little-fingers.
Therefore we access Mutable-fire
by counting the creases of our left Little-finger
with the tip of its thumb.
Don’t be too overwhelmed by this,
for all this information is organized in a concise chart
at the end of this commentary
as well as at the end of the practice text.
Page 79 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
Our tush and thighs could
be correlated to Mutable-fire
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
Mutable-fire is correlated with
the archetype of Sagittarius’ big picture thinking
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the wanderer, the tourist, the teacher, the guide,
the philosopher, the psychiatrist, the student,
the benefactor, the comedian, and the free spirit.
Page 80 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Perhaps you’ll notice that many of these elemental permutations
share some of sub-archetypes
not unlike an overlapping Venn diagram.
This is seen throughout the natural world
for evolutionary biology seems to
leave a trail of redundant traits.
Now let’s perform the meditation “Left little/ relaxing!”
on the next page…
Page 81 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Legs – Climbing – Thighs
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Left little…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 82 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
This week’s fifth meditation
Page 83 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Torso – Climbing – Crotch
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Both middle…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 84 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 85 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
Welcome to the eighth mudra,
where we count the creases of both Middle-fingers simultaneously
with the tip of each one’s thumb.
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
As we’ve already discussed
in this system “Fixed” refers
to the balanced energy of both hands.
Page 86 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
Water always refers to
one or both Middle-fingers.
Therefore we access Fixed-water
by counting the creases of both Middle-fingers simultaneously,
with the tip of each one’s thumb.
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
Our crotch could be
correlated to Fixed-water.
Page 87 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
Fixed-water is correlated with
the archetype of Scorpio’s deep desires
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the mystic, the alchemist, the detective,
the sorcerer, the hypnotist, the chemist,
the psychiatrist, the witch, the investigator,
the fortune teller, and the guardian.
Let’s perform the meditation “Both middle/ relaxing!” on
the next page…
Page 88 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Torso – Climbing – Crotch
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Both middle…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 89 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
This week’s sixth meditation
Page 90 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Torso – Climbing – Kidneys
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Right index…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 91 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 92 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
Welcome to the seventh mudra,
where we count the creases of our right Index-finger
with the tip of its thumb.
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
“Cardinal” refers
to the advancing energy of the right hand.
Page 93 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
Air always refers to
one or both Index-fingers.
Therefore we access Cardinal-air
by counting the creases of our right Index-finger
with the tip of its thumb.
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
Our kidneys could
be correlated to Cardinal-air
Page 94 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
Cardinal-air is correlated with
the archetype of Libra’s love and beauty
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the lawyer, the counsellor, the socialite,
the lover, the peacemaker, the creator,
the seductress, the lover, the flirt,
the minx, the designer, and the mediator.
Let’s perform the
meditation “Right index/ relaxing!”
on the next page…
Page 95 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Torso – Climbing – Kidneys
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Right index…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 96 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
This week’s seventh meditation
Page 97 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Torso – Climbing – Guts
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: This left ring…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 98 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 99 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
Welcome to the sixth mudra,
where we count the creases of our left Ring-finger
with the tip of its thumb.
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
“Mutable” refers
to the yielding energy of the left hand.
Page 100 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
Earth always refers to
one or both Ring-fingers.
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
Our intestines could
be correlated to Mutable-earth
Page 101 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
Mutable-earth is correlated with
the archetype of Virgo’s considerate meticulousness
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the healer, the perfectionist, the servant,
the analyst, the alchemist, the messenger,
the martyr, the nature spirit, and the naturopath.
Let’s perform the meditation “This left ring/ relaxing!” on
the next page…
Page 102 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Torso – Climbing – Guts
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: This left ring…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 103 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
This week’s eighth meditation
Page 104 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Torso – Climbing – Liver
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Both little…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 105 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 106 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
Welcome to the fifth mudra,
where we simultaneously count the creases of both of our Little-fingers
with the tips of their respective thumbs.
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
“Fixed” refers
to the balanced energy of both hands.
Page 107 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
Fire always refers to
one or both Little-fingers.
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
Our liver could
be correlated to Fixed-fire
Page 108 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
Fixed-fire is correlated with
the archetype of Leo’s charismatic leadership
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the protector, the warrior, the artist,
the actor, the ruler, the performer,
the golden child, the healer, the prophet,
the magician, the king, the queen, and the guardian.
Let’s practice the meditation “Both little/ relaxing!” on
the next page…
Page 109 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Torso – Climbing – Liver
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Both little…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 110 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
This week’s ninth meditation
Page 111 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Torso – Climbing – Stomach
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Right middle…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 112 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 113 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
Welcome to the fourth mudra,
where we count the creases of our right Middle-finger
with the tip of its thumb.
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
“Cardinal” refers
to the advancing energy of our right hand.
Page 114 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
Water always refers to
one or both Middle-fingers.
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
Our stomach could
be correlated to Cardinal-water.
Page 115 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
Cardinal-water is correlated with
the archetype of Cancer’s mother hen
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the healer, the psychic, the mother,
the invisible man, the maiden, the witch,
the counsellor, the seductress and the psychologist.
Let’s practice the meditation “Right middle/ relaxing!” on
the next page…
Page 116 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Torso – Climbing – Stomach
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Right middle…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 117 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
This week’s tenth meditation
Page 118 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Bust – Climbing – Arms
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Left index…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 119 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 120 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
Welcome to the third mudra,
where we count the creases of our left Index-finger
with the tip of its thumb.
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
“Mutable” refers
to the yielding energy of our left hand.
Page 121 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
Air always refers to
one or both Index-fingers.
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
Our upper limbs’: hands, wrists, arms and shoulders could
be correlated to Mutable-air
Page 122 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
Mutable-air is correlated with
the archetype of Gemini’s playful creativity
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the student, the storyteller, the gypsy,
the wander, the journalist, the trickster,
the comedian, the child, the writer,
the teacher, and the messenger.
Let’s practice the meditation “Left index/ relaxing!” on
the next page…
Page 123 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Bust – Climbing – Arms
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Left index…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 124 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
This week’s eleventh meditation
Page 125 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Bust – Climbing – Throat
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Both these rings…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 126 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 127 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
Welcome to the second mudra,
where we count the creases of both our Ring-fingers simultaneously,
with the tips of each of their thumbs.
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
“Fixed” refers to
the balanced energy of both our hands.
Page 128 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
Earth always refers to
one or both Ring-fingers.
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
Our throat could
be correlated to Fixed-earth
Page 129 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
Fixed-earth is correlated with
the archetype of Taurus’ affluent, rooted, hedonism
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the nature spirit, the musician, the silent one,
the object of passion, the owner, the temptress,
the artist, the creator, the banker, and the designer.
Let’s practice the meditation “These rings/ relaxing!” on
the next page…
Page 130 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Bust – Climbing – Throat
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Both these rings…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 131 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
This week’s twelfth meditation
Page 132 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Bust – Climbing – Scalp
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Right little…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 133 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 134 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
Welcome to the first mudra,
where we count the creases of our right Little-finger
with the tip of its thumb.
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
“Cardinal” refers to
the advancing energy of our right hand.
Page 135 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
Fire always refers to
one or both Little-fingers.
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
Our crown could
be correlated to Cardinal-fire
Page 136 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
Cardinal-fire is correlated with
the archetype of Aries’ adventurous courage
which is like a basket containing many sub-archetypes such as:
the pioneer, the explorer, the combatant,
the freedom fighter, the defender, the rescuer,
the worthy opponent, the dare devil,
the adventurer, and the new born.
Let’s practice the meditation “Right little/ relaxing!” on
the next page…
Page 137 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Bust – Climbing – Scalp
3 Left Index-finger
6 Left Ring-finger
9 Left Little-finger
12 Left Middle-finger
2 Both Ring-fingers
5 Both Little-fingers
8 Both Middle-fingers
11 Both Index-fingers
1 Right Little-finger
4 Right Middle-finger
7 Right Index-finger
10 Right Ring-finger
IN-breath: Right little…
OUT-breath: relaxing! Four breaths
Page 138 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Conclusion
This extensive explanation of the twelve elemental permutations,
and how to access them,
has been elaborate and exhausting.
For a brief and easy synopsis you might enjoy:
“Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations” in
the appendix of each lessons’ practice text.
That’s it, we’ve completed the first lesson.
Doing our homework,
assuming we’re not rereading the lesson,
should take us less than eight minutes.
Such a short amount of time
is easy to shoe horn into our busy mornings and evenings.
Page 139 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Consider the first benefit of this week’s homework
to be increasing our experience
of simplicity, patience and compassion…
the second benefit could be a familiarity and
comfort with the twelve finger positions
(or Mu-dras in Sanskrit),
whereas the third benefit
could simply be forging the habit
of twice daily practice;
a habit that could benefit us in ways heretofore undreamt.
Page 140 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Appendix
Gradually Progressing from a Beginning to an Intermediate Contemplative
Syllabus
Concise – Twelve Elemental Permutations
Page 141 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Gradually progressing from a Beginning
to an Intermediate Contemplative
Week Duration
1st 7 ½ minutes
2nd 7 ½ minutes
3rd 15 minutes
4th 22 ½ minutes
5th 30 minutes
Week Duration
6th 45 minutes
7th 52 ½ minutes
8th 60 minutes
9th 67 ½ minutes
Page 142 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Week Rumination Recitation Meditation
First Anapanasati Sutta or its Commentary Gradually Progressing as a Contemplative
Twelve Elemental Permutations
Finger Positions and Relaxation
Second Tao Te Ching 1st – 6th Chapters Two Paths
Good Fortune 1st – Set of Sensation and Acquiescence
Third Tao Te Ching 7th – 12th Chapters Meaningful to Behold 1st – Set of Perception and Acquiescence
Fourth Tao Te Ching 13th – 18th Chapters Opening Compassionate Intention 1st – Set of Universal Compassion
Fifth Tao Te Ching 19th – 24th Chapters Benediction 2nd – Set of Impermanence & Acquiescence
as well as Awareness and Acquiescence
Sixth Tao Te Ching 25th – 30th Chapters Impermanence and
Four Levels of Practice
1st – Set of Impermanence & Acquiescence
as well as Awareness and Acquiescence
Seventh Tao Te Ching 31st – 36th Chapters The Nature of Suffering 2nd – Set of Sensation and Acquiescence
Eighth Tao Te Ching 37th – 42nd Chapters Precious Human Life 2nd – Set of Perception and Acquiescence
Ninth Tao Te Ching 43rd – 48th Chapters Interdependence 2nd – Set of Universal Compassion
Tenth Tao Te Ching 47th – 54th Chapters Calling the Lama from Afar 3rd – Set of Impermanence & Acquiescence
as well as Awareness and Acquiescence
Eleventh Tao Te Ching 55th – 60th Chapters Notice, Relax and Flow Sleep Induction
Twelfth Tao Te Ching 61st – 66th Chapters Wakefulness Induction
Thirteenth Tao Te Ching 67th – 72nd Chapters Befuddlement Practice
Fourteenth Tao Te Ching 73rd – 78th Chapters Fortunate Rebirth Very Sedating Practice
Fifteenth Tao Te Ching 79th – 81st Chapters The Path of Mastery
Sixteenth The Means of Mastery
Page 143 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
Concise Twelve Elemental Permutations
1 Right Little-finger Cardinal-fire Crown Adventurous Courage
2 Both Ring-fingers Fixed-earth Throat Wealth and Sexuality
3 Left Index-finger Mutable-air Upper limbs Playful Creativity
4 Right Middle-finger Cardinal-water Stomach Mother Henning
5 Both Little-fingers Fixed-fire Liver Charismatic Leadership
6 Left Ring-finger Mutable-earth Guts Considerate Meticulousness
7 Right Index-finger Cardinal-air Kidney Love and Beauty
8 Both Middle-fingers Fixed-water Crotch Deep Desires
9 Left Little-finger Mutable-fire Thighs Big-picture Thinking
10 Right Ring-finger Cardinal-earth Bones Affluence and Power
11 Both Index-fingers Fixed-air Calves Laid-back, Smart Generous
12 Left Middle-finger Mutable-water Feet Surrendered Sagehood
Page 144 of 144
Awareness and Acquiescence – First Lesson – Commentary
If you find this synopsis to be cryptic and incomprehensible
then you might enjoy the “Extensive Twelve Elemental Permutations,”
found in the commentary to this, the First Practice.