Q: Is Matrix Meditations just for people who are seriously into a meditative practice, or who want to get into one?

A: No, anyone can read it and find value in it. The first section of each of the 65 cells --usually about two pages-- is a reflective passage that anyone is likely to find informative and useful. The second section of each cell describes a specific meditation or awareness practice. If you want, you can think about the reflective passage without going on to the formal meditation, or vise versa and only read the meditation.

Q: This may seem like a silly question, but in your book and this website you have nature pictures. Why that, instead of photographs of people sitting in meditation halls?

A: We wanted to emphasize that someone of any religious background, or none at all, can use Matrix Meditations. Most pictures of meditation itself are set in Buddhist or Hindu or Christian settings, and we wanted to avoid that. Second, in the book the nature pictures are visually keyed to the subject of each cell. We didn't have pictures of people meditating that would do that. We ourselves enjoy meditating in natural settings, and it felt right for our photos to reflect that quality.

Q: The comments and methods in the Matrix of Consciousness are divided into four groups: Those that focus on the mind, on body movements and sensations, on emotions, and on action. Isn't that an artificial separation?

A: Yes. Almost any distinctions between different mental and spiritual processes are at least a little arbitrary. Very little in our psychological, emotional, and physical makeup includes only one of these elements. Most conceptual processes have an emotional component; and most of our thinking and feeling involves the body in some way. The cells in each of the four columns of the Matrix of Consciousness focus on one of the four elements just described, but each one includes dimensions of the others as well. When we understand how these elements affect and interact with one another we have a greater capacity to make the right choices and live in harmony.

Q: Why does the Matrix of Consciousness provide 4 distinct forms of meditation and 65 specific techniques? Isn’t that an awful lot?

A: It is. You don’t have to use them all. Their value is in helping you develop mental capacities that can help enhance your inner and outer perceptions. If something doesn’t feel relevent to you now, skip it and focus in on what does feel valuable. At some future point you may want to review techniques that may become important to your situation or problems at that time.

Q: “How does Matrix Meditations deal with creativity?”

A: It does so in many ways, but most specifically Cell 58 of the Matrix of Consciousness deals explicitly with the creative process. It describes a three part sequence that includes methods to stimulate inspiration, exploration, and evaluation. Also it offers a structured focused fantasy technique that you can follow step by step to stimulate your creativity. In addition, you can use the "oracle" method described just below to help you think about what you want to create from several different perspectives. This can open up possibilities you otherwise might never have thought about.

Q. Can you describe in simple terms how to use the Matrix as an oracle?

A: It's best to read the oracle procedures described in chapter 9. Basically, the method is comparable to throwing the coins for the I. Ching. First formulate your question. You will then use either coins or playing cards to synchronistically direct you to one or more cells of the Matrix. Once you have been directed to a specific cell, either meditate or reflect on what the cell tells you in relation to your situation or creative undertaking. Most often, this cell will through some light on your question, perhaps helping you to relate to it from a new and different angle.

Q: “My mother and father are getting divorced, and being very hurtful to each other. My mind and and emotions are in so much pain and going in a million different directions. What meditation can help?”

A: The first several meditations in the Matrix are an excellent starting point. You begin by literally finding your internal balance, calming your breathing, and letting go of muscular tension. (Releasing the muscular tension is especially helpful, because that’s something you can do in the middle of situations where it’s difficult or impossible to go into formal meditation.) You can choose any of three methods that are described in the Matrix in detail to slow and focus your mind. One is concentration on an object, another is a simple counting meditation, and a third is a mantra meditation. You'll be learning to witness how you create your own mental and emotional disturbances, and finding new ways to diminish painful thoughts and move your attention into more desirable thoughts and feelings.
.....Don’t think that it’s wrong for you to be upset about what your parents are doing. It’s normal. But you can become less upset rather than more so. Then you can take that upset energy and channel it into something useful, like sports, your studies, or your creative pursuits.
.....Truly, except for saints and great gurus, learning to handle life's troubles without being overwhelmed by them is an impressive achievement. But recognize that as you become able to be less disturbed by this troubling event, you'll be developing your ability to do improve your reactions to other challenges as well.