Sati by Christopher Pike Page B

They hold it all inside and never let it out. The middle groundis usually best for things, including love. You will remember this, Fred?'
    'Yes.'
    I was steadily gaining more and more respect for Sati's manner of teaching. She did not lecture. Rather she allowed people to draw information from her. Indeed, it was almost as if it was a personal requirement of hers that it be drawn, rather than first offered. Like Linda, I could not say I agreed with everything she said. For example, I found visualisation very helpful. When I was driving down the long road, and I was hungry, I often visualised big juicy hamburgers. I was quite adept at it. I could practically taste them. It helped get me to the next stop.
    I was never much into daydreaming about lights, though. I wasn't into New Age thought. Sati didn't seem to be either, if Linda's practices were an example of such things. Sati did not appear worried about courting any one group. But she was clever. The continuity of her theme was fascinating. No matter what the topic, she always brought it back to inner silence. Of course, this also made her somewhat repetitious, but each time her angle on the topic was slightly different.
    The young man who had already asked so many ques-tions raised his hand again.' Sati, how do we get all this? What do we do? Can't you tell us something that will help us?'
    Sati was sympathetic.' What do you want me to tell you?'
    The guy spread his hands helplessly.' I don't know!'
    Sati nodded.' Ah. A good beginning. Go on.'
    'I don't know how to go on. I want you to tell me what I should do. You keep talking about gaining inner silence. Does that mean we should meditate?'
    'Ican't sayyou should.Ifyou don'twant to,you shouldn't. Butif you are drawn into meditation, that is good.
    You havetried to meditate already?'
    The young man nodded vigorously.' I've tried, but I can't push the thoughts out of my mind."
    'Why would you want to try to push the thoughts out of your mind?'
    'All the books I've read said your mind has to be empty to meditate. You said the same thing a few minutes ago.'
    Satipaused. This was a long one. But this time she did not simply stare off into empty space. She took another flower from her vase. She stroked the petals, with her eyes half shut. She seemed to be thinking.
    No, I should say she appeared to be waiting. Finally, the young man spoke again.
    'Could you tell me how to meditate?"he asked.
    Sati looked up.' I did not say you should push the thoughts out of your mind. I said pure consciousness can only be experienced when the mind slips beyond thought.'

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    'I don't understand,'the young man said.
    'You cannot try to free the mind of thoughts. It's not possible. The more you try, them ore thoughts you will have.'
    'Then what should I do?'he asked.
    'You are in school?'
    'Yes.'
    'Do you enjoy it?'
    'Some of the time.'
    'Say you have to study for a test,'Sati said' You go out on the lawn at school. You open your book. You focus on the material, and after some time you become absorbed in it.But not far away another student is listening to her radio. One of your favourite songs is being played. Immediately your mind goes to it. But then you realise whatyou are doing. You have a test coming up. You have to study. You put your mind back on your book. Now maybe forty-five minutes go by. Suddenly you realise that you are not studying. In fact, you haven't been studying for the last ten minutes. You've been listening to the radio again.'
    The young man nodded.'I know this. My mind is always wandering.'
    'The mind does not just wander. It wanders in a direc-tion. The music is charming. The book is boring.
    When you were not thinking about it, your mind automatically went to the music. The reason for this is what I have been saying all along. It is the nature of the mind to seek out greater happiness. It does so automatically. It is the same for everyone. There