try gazing into an open fire

Human beings have been doing this for thousands of years: sitting around a fire and gazing into it. The flames have a hypnotic effect on the mind, quietening it. It is as if the fire is burning up the mundane, trivial thoughts that usually occupy us.

And what thoughts and feelings remain seem to have depth to them. Our consciousness begins to expand. Somehow we encompass aeons. Time takes on a different feeling altogether. And gazing into the glowing embers one can feel oneself disappearing, until all that is left is the heat and light coming from the fire.

I hope you do this from time to time. In the modern industrialised nations, open fires are becoming more and more a rarity. Tis a great loss. For gazing into a fire is one of those natural meditations that we would do anyway, without needing to be cajoled into it, without having to force ourself through discipline. Everyone loves it. To sit by a fire, and just gaze – gaze at these flickering flames, so alive and yet so transient.

The fire does indeed symbolise everything in life: the beauty, the warmth; but also, this impermanence – everything changing and passing away. Try it: try gazing into an open fire.