Beneath the Fallen Leaves

This meditation is a companion to "The Man Who Suspected His Neighbor," a Taoist story about a man who lost his axe and saw a thief in every move his neighbor made, until the axe turned up exactly where he had left it. If you haven't read the story yet, start with this week's newsletter. The meditation will be here when you're ready.

Before you press play:

• Find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted for twenty minutes, and close the door.

• Place a simple sign on the door that says, "Back in 20 minutes."

• Silence your phone completely — not vibrate, silent.

• Sit or lie down, whatever lets you be still without falling asleep. A chair with your feet on the floor works well. So does the floor itself with a cushion, blanket, or bolster.

• Use an eye mask or a folded towel across your eyes. Blocking the light helps your mind stop scanning the room and start settling inward.

• Use headphones or earbuds to minimize outside noise.

• Have a blanket nearby. Your body temperature may drop slightly as you relax.

• Keep a journal nearby to write down your reflections. I recommend keeping a dedicated one for these journeys within yourself.

That's it.

No special equipment and no experience necessary.

Just a quiet room and twenty minutes.