The Eye in the Tetraktys

This meditation makes use of the Pythagorean symbol Tetraktys, which similar to the qabalist Tree of Lifesymbolizes creation and the inner harmony of it. Although the Pythagoreans knew the four elements, assigning the uppermost point of the Tetraktys to fire, the second row to air, the third row to water and the fourth one to earth, which is done here, is likely a deviation from Pythagorean symbolism.
During the meditation, these ten points assigned to the elements are being associated with one's own body. In this association, the fire point belongs to the brain, the air points belong to the two wings of the lung, the water points to the three most important digestive organs (stomach, liver and bowel) and the earth points to the thighs and shanks. Those familiar with the magical system of Franz Bardon will find a parrallel to these assignments there. A sitting posture as seen in the picture results in the body approximating a Tetraktys.

Normally, this meditation is done sitting cross-legged or in the lotus or half-lotus postures - or any other posture you can associate with the triangle shape of the Tetraktys. With a degree of experience, merely imagining being in such a posture will suffice. Now the ten Tetraktys points are to be found within the body. The association of body and elemental Tetraktys can be built up in any way. For example, visualizations or invocations of the elements into the parts of the body can be used. The sequence of the associations is to be chosen at will.

For the Pythagoreans, for example, the Tetraktys unfolds from above to below. By the way, you might find it useful to accompany the symbol build-up steps with mantrams, such as corresponding divine names or the names of the elements.

When the ten points are clearly perceivable, become aware the ten points form a unity in the Tetraktys symbol. This creates a state of awareness that harmonizes and strengthens the physical and energetic bodies. At this point, you are magically identical with the Tetraktys, which means with all of creation. As long as you stay aware of the built-up image, the harmonization takes place. This meditation is comparatively "physical" or "solid" and serves well for pacifying, grounding or healing oneself, as well as for preparation to creative work. When this effect has been achieved satisfactorily, the meditation may be ended.

However, should you want and - by way of enough meditation practice - be able to, you may also extend the exercise. In that case, once all previous steps have been made, you would associate the whole ten points with the fifth element, spirit. This element is contained within the other four and so (in a triangle shape) also identical with your body. This additional point of view deepens the meditation. After that, you concentrate on the middle point of the Tetraktys - it is connected to the energy center below the navel that is also known as the Hara spot, lower Tan Tien or seat of the Ch'i. Cover this place with both hands. A point in the middle of a triangle? Another association fits in here very well: the eye in the pyramid, which your hands keep closed. Take away your hands and open the eye.

In whatever you experience in the state that ensues, take note that you are losing a lot of energy through the open eye. Therefore, it is important you do not fall back into perceiving yourself as a meditating human, but keep up the association with the Tetraktys composed of the elements, i.e. the universe, so it is not your own energy you are dispersing. Apart from that, enjoy the show.

End the meditation slowly. It may be advisable to repeat every single step in reverse order.