This meditation relies heavily on imagery from the Jedi Temple meditation. Please be certain that you have worked with the Temple meditation before you attempt this one.
(To be read to the pupil, recorded and played back or memorized for proper sequence)
As with all meditations, sit comfortably with your back straight. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Do this again, visualizing as you release the breath, the release of all tension in your body. Take a third breath and feel your body releasing, settling itself in comfort to do this meditation. Once more, breathe in deeply and release slowly, and see any areas of tightness or pain unwinding and falling away from you. Take a moment to center yourself before you begin and then close your eyes (brief pause).
See before you the door you saw in the previous meditation – your doorway into the inner worlds of the mind. As before, examine the door closely. Right away, you notice something different. Carved on the door, directly above the lock, is the symbol that you saw as you entered the cave which led to the Jedi Temple. Take a moment to focus on that sign, meditate on it for a moment and see if anything new comes to your consciousness (brief pause for meditation).
Now, open the door, step through it and close it firmly behind you. You hear the lock click but know that this is not a problem – the door always responds to your touch.
You turn to find that you are standing directly outside the Temple, its green and blue marble like stone glistening in the light of a pale full moon. You stride confidently to the door and, using the Force, as you have done before, spring the lock. The door swings inward on well oiled hinges and you step inside. Closing the door behind you, you proceed across the smooth stone floor which glows like alabaster in the mysterious light which come from an unknown source above you. It is night and deep shadows envelop the edges of the square room. You stop and, as is your custom, place your hands on the altar, feeling the deep resonance of the Force within you, marveling yet again at the strength of those who built this place (brief pause).
After a moment, you turn your attention to the symbol which sits in an alcove beyond the altar. It is your personal Force symbol and you take a moment to contemplate its deep meaning in your life (brief pause).
You see movement from the corner of your eye as you stand at the altar and whirl to face the figure that has materialized from the deep shadows of the Temple. You strain your eyes to see this figure but can not make out much in the gloom. You relax a little as you realize that the figure is swathed in the robes of a Jedi.
“Who are you?” you ask and then, growing bolder, “Come forward where I can see you please”.
The figure remains silent but moves forward into the light. You can not make out much even then, the hood of the robe hides the strangers face and the flowing robes give only the vaguest outlines of the person’s form. Yet, there is something familiar about the figure and you feel a strong pull to go and join this stranger from the shadows.
You know better than to ignore the pull of the Force when it prompts you so you walk slowly over to the Jedi before you. The figure makes no threatening move as you stop several feet away.
“Who are you?” you repeat, “Why have you come here?”
The silent Jedi reaches slowly into the voluminous robes and pulls forth a box. You accept the box as it is handed to you and, opening it, look carefully within
Each person’s gift will be a little different but you realize that what the Jedi has given you is something that you were missing in your training, some lack that you felt but perhaps could not even express. You take a moment to meditate upon this gift you have been given before folding it into your own robes.
Silently, you bow your thanks for this wondrous gift and the stranger bows back. The Jedi beckons for you to follow and moves over to the altar, placing hands wrinkled with age upon the altar just as you have always done. You join your mysterious compatriot and a voice speaks in your mind.
“You may ask one question of me before I depart. Consider and ask as you will.”
You realize the wisdom of this person as you stand there and dozens of questions well up in you, things for which you have long sought answers. Take a moment to calm your mind and then carefully choose a question. Ask the question then still yourself for the response. It may come in words or images or feelings – do not limit the figure before you. (brief pause)
Once you have your answer, thank the Jedi. Know that, when you have need of this mysterious elder, he or she will come to you in your Temple meditations and assist you in finding your way. You have but to ask.
The question has been asked and answered and the elder disappears back into the shadows without a backward glance. As always, you look to the right of the altar and, with a little focus, see your door that leads back into the here and now. You walk to the door, after bowing before the altar and giving personal thanks for the aid that you have received, and open it, stepping through into consensual reality and closing the door firmly behind you.
Remember that it will take a moment before things come back into focus and that you should not be overeager to become active. Have a snack or warm beverage to help you re-center yourself.
May you be ever present in the Living Force.