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Fundamentals

Stopwanderingthoughts

1Thelongestbookonyogacanteachyounothingmoreaboutthepracticalaimofyogathanthis:stillyourthoughts.

2Oneofthecausesofthefailuretogetanyresultsfrommeditationisthatthemeditatorhasnotpractisedlongenough.Infact,thewastageofmuchtimeinunprofitable,distracted,ramblingthinkingseemstobethegeneralexperience.Yetthisisthepreludetotheactualworkofmeditationinitself.Itisanecessaryexcavationbeforethebuildingcanbeerected.Thefactisunpleasantbutmustbeaccepted.Ifthisexperienceofthefirstperiodisfrustratinganddisappointing,theexperienceofthesecondperiodishappyandrewarding.Heshouldreallycountthefirstperiodasapreparation,andnotasadefeat.Ifthepreliminaryperiodissoirksomethatitseemslikeanartificialactivity,andthesubsequentperiodofmeditationitselfissopleasantandeffortlessthatitseemslikeaperfectlynaturalone,themoralis:moreperseveranceandmorepatience.

3Iftheturningwheelofthoughtscanbebroughttoaperfectstandstillwithoutpayingthepenaltyofsleep,theresultswillbethattheThinkerwillcometoknowhimselfinsteadofhisthoughts.

4Meditationisadmittedlyoneofthemostdifficultartstolearn.Themindofhumanityinitspresentdayconditionissorestless,sowandering,andespeciallysoextroverted,thattheefforttobringitundercontrolseemstothebeginnertomeetwithdishearteningresults.Properpatience,righttechnique,andthementalhelpofanexpertareneeded.Inmostcasesittakesseveralyears,butfromexperienceandknowledgetheremaycometheskillandeaseoftheproficientmeditator.

5Itisusefulonlyinthemostelementarystagetoletthoughtsdrifthazilyorhaphazardlyduringtheallottedperiod.Foratthatstage,heneedsmoretomaketheideaofsittingperfectlystillforsometimequiteacceptableinpracticethanheneedstobeginwithdrawalfromthebody'ssense.Hemustfirstgaincommandofhisbodybeforehecangaincommandofhisthoughts.Butinthenextstage,hemustforciblydirectattentiontoasinglesubjectandforciblysustainitthere.Hemustbegintopractisementalmastery,forthiswillnotonlybringhimthespiritualprofitsofmeditationbutalsowillwardoffsomeofitspsychicdangers.

6Arabbleofthoughtspursuehimintothesilenceperiod,asifdeterminedtokeephismindfromeverbecomingstill.

7Donotmisstheobjectofyourmeditationsandloseyourselfinuselessreveries.

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8Themoralis,findtheobjectthatmakesmostappealtoyourtemperament,theobjectthatexperienceprovestobemosteffectiveininducingtheconditionofmentalconcentration.

9Thefirstquarterhourisoftensofatiguingtobeginnersthattheylookfor,andeasilyfind,anexcusetobringthepracticetoanabruptend,thusfailinginit.Theymayfranklyacceptthefatigueitselfassufficientreasonfortheirdesertion.Ortheymaymaketheexcuseofattendingtosomeothertaskwaitingtobedone.Butthefactisthatalmostassoonastheystart,theydonotwanttogoon.Theysitdowntomeditateandthentheyfindtheydonotwanttomeditate!Why?Theanswerliesintheintellect'sintractablerestlessness,itsinherentrepugnancetobeinggovernedorbeingstill.

10Commandyourthoughtsduringthisfirstperiodofmeditationdirectthembytheenergizedwilltowardsadefiniteandspecificsubject.Donotletthemdriftvaguely.Assertyourmasterybyapositiveeffort.

11Inyourmeditations,stopthinkingaboutthethingsthatoughttohavebeenleftoutsidethedoorandstartthinkingabouttheOverself.

12Themindwillrushofflikeawildbullfromthedisciplineheseekstoimposeonit.Ifthisfails,itwillusetemptationsordiversionsorpessimism.

13ThinkofthelamasittinginlongandsustainedmeditationinthefreezingcellofaTibetanmonasteryandbeashamedofyourownweakness.

14Ifthemeditationisnottoloseitselfinemptydaydreaming,itmustbealert.

15Ifmeditationweretostopwithruminatingintentlyoverone'sownbestideasoroversomeinspiredman'srecordedideas,theresultwouldcertainlybehelpfulandthetimespentworthwhile.Itwouldbehelpfulandconstructive,butitwouldnotbemorethanthat.Suchcommunionwiththoughtsisnottherealaimofmeditation.ThataimistoopenadoortotheOverself.Toachievethis,itcastsoutallideasandthrowsawayallthoughts.Wherethinkingstillkeepsuswithinthelittleego,thedeliberatesilenceofthinkingliftsusoutoftheegoaltogether.

16Theessenceofyogaistoputastoptotheego'smentalactivities.Itseverworking,everrestlesscharacterisrightandnecessaryforhumanlifebutatthesametimeisatyrantandslavedriveroverhumanlife.

17Oneofthehindrancestosuccessinmeditation,tobeovercomewithgreatdifficulty,isthetendencyoftheintellectandespeciallyofthemodernWesternintellecttothinkoftheactivitytowhichitcouldbeattendingifitwerenottryingtomeditate,ortolookforwardtowhatitwillbedoingassoonasthemeditationends,ortoprojectitselfintoimaginationsandpredictionsaboutthenextfewhoursorthenextday.Theonlywaytodealwiththiswhenithappensisforciblytodragthemind'sattentionawayfromitswanderingsandholdittotheNow,asifnothingelseexistsorcaneverexist.

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18Catchyourthoughtsintheirfirststageandyoucatchthecauseofsomeofyourtroubles,sins,andevendiseases.

19Thethoughtswhichintrudethemselvesonyourmeditationinsuchmultitudesandwithsuchpersistencemaybequelledifyousetgoingasearchastowheretheycomefrom.

20Ifthewanderingcharacteristicofallthoughtsdivertsattentionanddefeatstheefforttomeditate,tryanotherway.Questionthethoughtsthemselves,seekouttheirorigin,tracethemtotheirbeginningandreducetheirnumbermoreandmore.Findoutwhatparticularinterestorimpulseemotionordesireintheegocausesthemtoariseandpushthiscausebacknearertothevoid.Inthisway,youtendtoseparateyourselffromthethoughtsthemselves,refusetoidentifywiththem,andgetbacknearertoyourhigheridentity.

21Thefirstpartoftheexerciserequireshimtobanishallthoughts,feelings,images,andenergieswhichdonotbelongtothesubject,prayer,ideal,orproblemhechoosesasatheme.Nothingelsemaybeallowedtointrudeintoconsciousnessor,havingintrudedbythemind'soldrestlessness,itistobeblottedoutimmediately.Suchexpulsionisalwaystobeaccompaniedbyanexhalingofthebreath.Eachreturnofattentiontotheselectedthemeistobeaccompaniedbyaninhalingofthebreath.

22Whenthoughtsarerestlessandhardtocontrol,thereisalwayssomethinginuswhichisawareofthisrestlessness.Thisknowledgebelongstothehidden"I"whichstandsasanunruffledwitnessofallourefforts.Wemustseekthereforetofeelforandidentifyourselfwithit.Ifwesucceed,thentherestlessnesspassesawayofitself,andthebubblingthoughtsdissolveintoundifferentiatedThought.

23Hemustfirstworkatthecleansingofhismind.Thisisdonebyvigilantlykeepingoutdegradingthoughtsandbyrefusingentrytoweakeningones.

24Hemustwaitpatientlyyetworkintentlyafterhecloseshiseyesuntilhisthoughts,circlinglikeaflockofbirdsaroundaship,comegentlytorest.

25Wehabituallythinkatrandom.Webeginourmusingswithonesubjectandusuallyendwithanentirelydifferentone.Weevenforgettheverythemewhichstartedthemovementofourmind.Suchanundisciplinedmindisanaverageone.Ifweweretowatchourselvesforfiveminutes,wewouldbesurprisedtodiscoverhowmanytimesthoughthadinvoluntarilyjumpedfromonetopictoanother.

26Thefirstproblemishowtokeephisinterestfromdryingup,thesecondhowtokeephisattentionfromwanderingoff.

27Whenhehaspreviouslypurifiedhischaracter,hewillnaturallybeabletosustainlongperiodsofmeditationwithoutbeingdistractedbywaywardemotions.

28ThepassageinconsciousnessfrommerethoughtstosheerThoughtisnotaneasyone.

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Lifelongingrainedhabithasmadeourconsciousnessformridden,tiedtosolids,andexpectantofconstantchange.Tosurrenderthishabitseemstoit(albeitwrongly)quiteunnatural,andconsequentlyartificialresistancesaresetup.

29Tokeepupthemeditationforsomelengthoftime,toforcehimselftosittherewhileallhishabitualbodilyandmentalinstinctsareurginghimtoabandonthepractice,callsforarousingofinnerstrengthtofightoffinattentionorfatigue.Butthisverystrength,oncearoused,willeventuallyenablehimtokeepitupforlongerandlongerperiods.

30Asthemindslowlyrelaxes,thenumberofthoughtsisreduced,theattentivenesstothemincreased.

31Wheneverthemeditatornoticesthathehaslosthiswayandisnolongerthinkingofhischosensubject,hehastostartagainandrethinkthesubject.Thisprocessofrefindinghiswayseveraltimesmayhavetoberepeatedduringeachsessionofmeditation.

32Itwillbeahelptomeditatemoresuccessfullyif,atthebeginning,thebreathingrhythmisequalizedsothattheinbreathandtheoutbreathareroughlyofthesamelengthandifonedrawstheairinalittlemoredeeplythannormallyandletsitoutalittlemoreslowlythannormally.

33Thesocallednormalmindisinastateofconstantagitation.Fromthestandpointofyoga,thereislittledifferencewhetherthisagitationbepleasurableorpainful.

34Ifastudentisnotpurifiedenough,norinformedenough,itisbetternottoendeavourtoreachthetrancestage.Heshoulddevotehiseffortstothecontrolofthoughtsandtothesearchforinnertranquillityalongwiththisselfpurificationandimprovementofknowledge.

35Thethoughtflowmaybestoppedbyforciblemeanssuchasbreathcontrol,buttheresultwillthenbeonlyatransientandsuperficialone.Ifadeeperandmoredurableresultisdesired,itisessentialtoconjointhebreathcontrolwithotherkindsofselfcontrolwithadisciplineofthesensesandacleansingofthethoughts.

36Theaimistowork,littlebylittle,towardslowingdowntheactionofthinkingfirstandstillingitaltogetherlater.

37Iftheinitialperiodofdistracted,wandering,overactive,orrestlessthoughtsirkshimbyitslength,heshouldrememberthatthisshowsthestateofhismindduringmostoftheday.

38Itisacustomamongtheyogis,andonelaiddowninthetraditionaltexts,tobeginmeditationbypayinghomagetoGodandtothemaster.Thepurposeofthisistoattracthelpfromthesesources.

39

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Themindisdraggedhitherandthitherbyitsdesiresorinterest,draggedtofleetingandephemeralthings.

40Theundisciplinedmindwillinevitablyresisttheeffectsneededfortheseexercises.Thisisadifficultperiodforthepractiser.Theremedyistoarousehimself,"summonupthewill,"andreturnagainandagaintothefightuntilthemind,likeahorse,beginstoacceptitstrainingandlearnstoobey.

41Inthisinterimwaitingperiodnothinghappens,onlythethoughtsbubblealongastheyusuallydoduringanidletime,exceptthatthereissomestrain,someconstrictionwheneverheremembersthatthereisapurposeinhissittinghere,acontrolneededtoachieveit.

42Heistobeginbygivingadisciplinedattentiontotheworkingsofhisownmind.

43Thebodysoonbeginstoprotestagainsttheunaccustomedstillnesssuddenlyenforcedonit:themindsoonstartstorebelagainstthetediumandboredomoftheearlystages,andthehabitualunrestofbothwillhavetobefacedagainandagain.

44Itisdifficult,oftenimpossible,tostopthinkingbyone'sowneffort.Butbygrace'shelpitgetsdone.Withthinkingnolongerintheway,consciousnessceasestobebrokenup:nothingistheretoimpedemovementintostillness.

45Iftheinnatecapacityislacking,asitusuallyis,thentheaspirantrequiressomeskillgatheredfromrepeatedexperiencetoshutoutsoundswhichbringthemindbacktophysicalsituations.

46Itisnotonlythoughtsthatcomeupintheformofwordsthathavetobebroughtundercontrol,butalsothosethatcomeupintheformofimages.Solongasconsciousnessispeopledbytheactivitiesofimagination,solongdoesitsstillnessandemptinessremainunreached.Thatcertainyogaexercisesuseeitheroftheseformstoreachtheirgoaldoesnotfalsifythisstatement.Foreventherethemethodpractisedhastobeabandonedataparticularpoint,orstoptherebyitself.

47Theintellectualtypetriestoanalysewhathedoesandseesintheattempttounderstanditmorefully.Buttheendresultisthatthetranscendentpartoftheexperienceislostonesetofthoughtssucceedsonlyinproducinganother.Hemustbewillingandreadytostopintellectionatthestartoftheexercise.Thisisessentialtosuccessinmeditation.

48Whatevermethodblocksthewanderingofthoughtsorthepracticeofintellectualism,whetherrandomorcontinuous,maybeusefulsolongasitassistsconcentrationandlogicalexaminationisavoided.Itcouldbeamantram,butnotadevotional,intelligible,ormeaningfulone.Itcouldbeadiagram,adotonthewall,oradoorhandle.

49Hemusttrytokeephismentalequilibriumundisturbedbythehardshipsandunbrokenbythepleasureswhichlifemaybringhim.Thiscannotbedoneunlessthemindisbroughtto

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restonsomepoint,idea,name,orsymbolwhichgivesitahappypoise,andunlessitiskeptthere.

50Itisnotenoughtoachievecontrolofthebody,itsurgesanditsdrivesanditspassions,splendidthoughthatcertainlyis.Hisadvancemustnotstopthere.Forhehasyettodealwithhisthoughts,torecognizethattheycomefromhisego,feedandnurtureit,andcontrolofthemmustalsobeachieved.

51Thefirstlawofthedisciple'slifeistobringhisownthoughtsunderlaw.

52"Tostopthinkingisasifonewantedtostopthewind"isanoldChinesestatement.

53Thecontrolofthoughtanditsconsecrationtoexaltedthemeswillbringhimmorepeaceandmorepower.

54Hemustgivehimselfasufficientlengthoftime,firsttoattaintheconcentratedstateandsecond,toholdit.

55Hefindsthat,howeverwillingandeagerhemaybe,hecansustaintheintensityofstruggleagainstthisrestlessnessofmindonlyforacertaintime.

56Hemustgivehisthoughtsadecisiveturninthechosendirectioneverytimetheystrayfromit.

57Imaginationislikelytorunawaywithhisattentionduringthisearlyperiod.Atfirstitwillbeoccupiedwithworldlymattersalreadybeingthoughtabout,butlateritmayinvolvepsychicalmatters,producingvisionsorhallucinationsofanunreliablekind.

58Evenwhenheismeditating,theaspirantmayfindthatfeelings,thoughts,memories,ordesiresandotherimagesofhisworldlyexperiencecomeintotheconsciousness.Hemustnotbindhimselftothembygivingattentiontothem,butshouldimmediatelydismissthem.

59Experiencesandhappeningskeepattentioneveractiveandeveroutwardturned,whilememories,althoughinternal,directitbacktothephysicalworld.Soaman'sownthoughtsgetinthewayandpreventhimfromaconfrontationwithpureThoughtitself.

60Theabilitytobringthemindtocontrolledonepointednessisextremelydifficult,anditsachievementmayrequiresomeyearsofeffortanddetermination.Heneednotallowhimselftobecomediscouragedbutshouldacceptthechallengethusofferedforwhatitis.

61Themindfluttersfromsubjecttosubjectlikeabutterflyfromflowertoflower,andisunabletostaywherewewantit.

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Blanknessisnotthegoal

62Amereemptinessofmindisnotenough,isnottheobjectiveofthesepractices.SomeidiotspossessthisnaturallybuttheydonotpossessthewisdomoftheOverself,theunderstandingofWhoandWhattheyare.

63Philosophydoesnotteachpeopletomaketheirmindsablank,doesnotsayemptyoutallthoughts,beinertandpassive.Itteachesthereductionofallthinkingactivitytoasingleseedthought,andthatoneistobeeitherinterrogativelike"WhatAmI?"oraffirmativelike"Thegodlikeiswithme."ItistruethattheopeningupofOverselfconsciousnesswill,inthefirstdelicateexperience,meantheclosingdownofthelastthoughts,theuttermoststillnessofmind.Butthatstagewillpass.Itwillrepeatitselfagainwheneveroneplungesintothedeepesttrance,theraptestmeditativeabsorption.Anditmustthencomeofitself,inducedbythehigherself'sgrace,notbythelowerself'sforce.Otherwise,merementalblanknessisariskyconditiontobeavoidedbyprudentseekers.Itinvolvestheriskofmediumshipandofbeingpossessed.

64Vacuityofmindisnottobeconfusedwithperceptionofreality.

65Itisonlyalimp,semimesmericstate,afterall,andyieldsapeacewhichimitatesthetruedivinepeaceastheimageinamirrorimitatesthefleshandbloodman.Itisproducedbyselfeffort,notbyGrace,byautosuggestionratherthanbytheOverself.

66"NomoreseriousmistakecanbecommittedthanconsideringthehibernationofreptilesandotheranimalsasillustratingthesamadhistageofYoga.Itcorrespondswiththepratyahara,andnotthesamadhistage.Pratyaharahasbeencomparedwiththestageofinsensibilityproducedbytheadministrationofanesthetics,forexample,chloroform."*tMajorB.D.Basu,IndianMedicalService

67Toseekmentalblanknessasadirectobjectiveistomistakeaneffectforacause.Itistruethatsomeoftheinferioryogisdoso,tryingbyforciblemeanslikesuppressionofthebreathtoputallthoughtsoutofthemind.Butthisisnotadvocatedbyphilosophy.

68Toattempttheeliminationofallthoughtsastheyarise,withtheaimofkeepingconsciousnessentirelyemptyofallcontent,isanothermethodwhichsomeyogisandnotafewOccidentalstrytopractise.Itisnotaseasyasitseemsandisnotfrequentlysuccessful.Philosophydoesnotusethisrashmethod,doesnotrecommendmakingthemindjustablank.Therearetwoperilsinit.Thefirstisthatitlaysamanopentopsychicinvasionfromoutsidehimself,or,failingthat,frominsidehimself.Inthefirstcase,hebecomesaspiritualisticmedium,passivelysurrendershimselftoanyunseenentitywhichmaypassthroughthedoorthusleftopen,andrisksbeingtakenpossessionofbythisentity.Itmaybeearthbound,foolish,lying,orevil,atworst.Inthesecondcase,heunloosesthecontrolsoftheconsciousselfandletsintoitforcesthathehaslongoutgrownbutnotfullyeliminatedpastselvesthataredyingandwouldbebestleftalone,subconsciousimpulsesthatleadintoevilorinsanehallucinationsmasqueradingasoccultperceptionsorpowers.Nowitiscorrecttosaythatthemindmustbecompletelymasteredandthatavacuumwillariseintheprocess,butthisisstillnotthewaytodoit.Thebetterwayistofocusthemindsounwaveringlyonsomeonething,thoughtorimage

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orphrase,soelevatedthatapointwillbereachedwherethehigherselfitselfsuddenlyobliteratesthethoughts.

69Thesilenceofmeditationisadignifiedthing,butthesilenceofastupidemptymindisnot.

70Merelybeingthoughtfreebyitselfmayleadtopsychicresults.Onehastosinkbacktoadynamicpositivementalsilencebystartingmeditationwithadynamicpositiveattitude.

Eliminatingthoughtsandeliminatingtheegoduringmeditationaretwodifferentthings.Youshouldexperimentwiththevariousmethodsgiveninthebooksifyouwanttoknowwhichwouldhelpyoumost.

71SuTungPo:"Peoplewhodonotunderstandsometimesdescribeastateofanimalunconsciousnessasthestateofsamadhi.Ifso,thenwhencatsanddogssleepafterbeingwellfed,theytoodonothaveathoughtontheirminds.Itwouldobviouslybeincorrecttoarguethattheyhaveenteredsamadhi."

72ZenPatriarchHuineng:"Itisagreatmistaketosuppressourmindfromallthinking...torefrainfromthinkingofanything,thisisanextremeerroneousview...yourmenareherebywarnednottotakethoseexercisesforcontemplatingonquietudeorforkeepingthemindinablankstate."

73Thedrowsytorporofalazymindisnotthetruevoidtobedesiredandsought.

74Thefeelingofpeaceisgoodbutdeceptive.Theegocauseofallhistensionisstillhiddenwithinit,inreposebutonlytemporarilyinactive.

Practiseconcentratedattention

75Meditationhasasitsfirstobjectanincreasingwithdrawalofthemindfromthethingsofthisworld,andalsofromthethoughtsofthisworld,untilitisstilled,passive,selfcentered.Butbeforeitcanachieveanyobjectatall,attentionmustbemadeaskeenlyconcentratedasaneagle'sstare.

76TheaimistoachieveaconcentrationasfirmandassteadyastheMongolianhorseman'swhenhegallopswithoutspillingadropofwaterfromacompletelyfilledglassheldinhishand.

77Eachexerciseinmeditationmuststartwithafocalpointifitistobeeffective.Itmustworkuponaparticularideaortheme,eventhoughitneednotendwithit.

78Whenitissaidthattheobjectofconcentrationpracticeshouldbeasingleone,thisdoesnotmeanasinglethought.Thatisreservedeitherforadvancedstagesorforspiritual

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declarations.Itmeansasingletopic.Thiswillinvolveawholetrainofideas.Buttheyoughttobelogicallyconnected,oughttogrowoutofeachother,asitwere.

79Thegeniusistheproductofintenseconcentration.Allthosewholackthisquality,willalsolackgenius.

80Exercise:Whenwhollyabsorbedinwatchingacinemapictureorastagedramaorinreadingabookwithcompleteinterest,youareunconsciouslyinthefirststageofmeditation.Droptheseedofthisattention,thatis,thestory,suddenly,buttrytoretainthepureconcentratedawareness.Ifsuccessful,thatwillbeitssecondstage.

81Theseconcentrationsbegintobecomeeffectivewhentheysucceedinbreakinguptheholdofhishabitualactivitiesandimmediateenvironment,whentheyfreehisattentionfromwhatwouldordinarilybehispresentstate.

82Heisabletoreachthisstageonlyaftermanymonthsoffaithfulpracticeor,morelikely,aftersomeyearsofit.Butonedayhewillsurelyreachit,andthenhewillrecognizethatthestraining,thetoil,andthefaithwereallwellworthwhile.

83Thefirstthingwhichhehastodoistoreeducateattention.Ithastobeturnedinanewdirection,directedtowardsanewobject.Ithastobebroughtinsidehimself,andbroughtwithdeepfeelingandmuchlovetothequestoftheSoulthathidesthere.

84ThemindcanbeweaponedintoasharpswordwhichpiercesthroughtheillusionthatsurroundsusintotheRealitybehind.Ifthentheswordfallsfromourgrasp,whatmatter?Ithasserveditsusefulpurpose.

85Thereisaninvisibleandinaudibleforcewithinusall.Whocanreaditsriddle?Hewhocanfindtheinstrumentwherewithtocontactit.Thescientisttakeshisdynamoandgatherselectricitythroughitsmeans.ThetruthseekerconcentrateshisminduponhisinteriorandcontactsthemysteriousForcebackoflife.Concentratedthoughtishisinstrument.

86Theeffortneededtowithdrawconsciousnessfromitsfocalpointinthephysicalbodytoitsfocalpointinathought,amentalpicture,orinitsownself,isinevitablytremendous.Indeed,whenthechangeisfullycompleted,themanisoftenquiteunawareofhavinganybodyatall.

87Patanjalipointsoutthatinabilitytoholdastateofmeditationafteritisreachedwillpreventthearisalofspiritualconsciousnessasmuchasinabilitytoreachthestateatall.

88Themindmustbeemptiedfirstofallcontentsavethisoneparamountthought,thisfixedfocusofconcentration.

89Letitbegrantedthatthepracticeofconcentrationishardtoperformandirksometo

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continueforweeksandmonthswithoutgreatresult.Nevertheless,itisnottoohard.Anyonewhoreallymakesuphismindtomasterit,candoso.

90Whenthisconcentrationarrivesatfixityandfirmnesswhicheliminatesrestlesswandering,intrusion,anddisturbance,theneedofconstantlyrepeatingtheexercisevanishes.Ithasfulfilleditsimmediatepurpose.Theaspirantshouldnowtransferhisattentiontothenext("ConstantRemembrance")exercise,andexerthimselfhenceforthtobringhisattainmentintoworldlylife,intothemidstofattendingtoearthlyduties.

91Thepracticeofyogais,negatively,theprocessofisolatingone'sconsciousnessfromthefivesensesand,positively,ofconcentratingitinthetrueself.

92Withitmaximummoralandmentalconsciousnessisinduced.Therearetwoseparatephasesinthistechniquewhichmustbedistinguishedfromoneanother.Thefirstinvolvestheuseofwillpowerandthepracticeofselfcontrol.Thesecond,whichsucceedsit,involvesredirectionoftheforcesinaspirationtowardtheOverself,andmaybecalledtheegostillingphase.

93Allexercisesinconcentration,alllearningandmasteryofit,requiretwothings:first,anobjectorsubjectuponwhichattentionmaybebroughtsteadilytorestsecond,enoughinterestinthatobjecttocreatesomefeelingaboutit.Whenthisfeelingbecomesdeepenough,thedistractionscausedbyotherthoughtsdieaway.Concentrationhasthenbeenachieved.

94Justaswegetstrongbyenduringtensionsinthevariedsituationsoflife,sowegetstronginconcentrationbypatientlyenduringdefeatsoneaftertheotherwhendistractionsmakeusforgetourpurposewhilesittingformeditation.

95Quieteningthemindinvolves,andcannotbutinvolve,quieteningthesenses.

96Concentrationpracticeadvancesthroughstages.Inthefirststagethatwhichisconcentratedonisseenasfromadistance,whereasinthesecondstagetheideatendstoabsorbtheminditself.Inthefirststagewestillhavetomakehardeffortstoholdtheideatoattentionwhereasinthenextstagetheeffortisslightandeasy.

97Thebodymuststopitshabitualmovement.Theattentionmusttakeholdofonethingametaphysicalsubjectorphysicalobject,amentalpictureordevotionalidea.Onlyafterproficiencyisreachedinthispreliminarystageshouldtheintellectseekanunfamiliarstillnessandanexpectantpassivitywhichmarktheclosingsectionofthesecondstage.

98Ifanylightflashorformisseen,heshouldinstantlyconcentratehiswholeminduponitandsustainthisconcentrationaslongasheisableto.Theactivethoughtscanbebroughttotheirendbythismeans.

99Itispossibleforaperfectlyconcentratedyogitoimagineawaythewholeworldoutofhisexistence!

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100Ifthereverieattainsthedepthofseeingandfeelinghardlyanythingoutsidehim,beingonlyfaintlyawareofthingsbeforehimoraroundhim,thatisquiteenoughforphilosophicalpurposes.Afulltranceisneithernecessarynordesirable.

101Heconcentratesdailyontheimagewhichhedesirestocreateandsustaininhismind.

102Thisworkofpushingattentioninwards,backtoitsverysource,andthesenseof"Iness"backwithit,istobeaccompaniedbythinkingonlyuntilthelattercanbestoppedoritselfstops.Thisworkisthencontinuedbyastilledandsteadysearch.Whentheneedofsearchcomestoanend,thesearchervanishes,the"I"becomespure"Being,"hasfounditssource.Inthesedailyornightlysessions,itishisworktoturnawayfromthediffusedattentionwhichishisnormalconditiontotheconcentratedattentionwhichisindispensableforprogress,andtosustainit.

103Itisnotadvisabletolistentomusicwhilstworkingatatypewriter,doingcreativewriting,orreadingtolearn.Theonlyexceptionisreadinglight,unimportant,orentertainingmaterialalthougheventhenitisstillnotadvisable.Thisisbecauseitleadstoadividedminditcreatestension,andwhatoneisdoingmustnecessarilysuffertosomeextentwhiletryingtoattendtothemusic.

104Readinganoblebookhelpsbecauseitconcentratesthethoughtsalongasingletrack.Itisthusanexerciseinconcentration.

105Ifhisloweremotionsandearthlypassionsaretobebroughtunderpropercontrol,willandreason,intuitionandaspirationmustbebroughtintothestruggleagainstthem.Ifhisactsaretobehisown,andnottheresultofenvironmentalsuggestion,ifhisthoughtsaretoarisefromwithinhisownmind,andnotfromotherpeople'sminds,hemustlearntheartoffixingthemonwhateverhechoosesandconcentratingthemwheneverhewishes.

106GivequestersthisorderofDailyExercise:(1)Prayerinposture(2)Breathinginposture(3)Affirmationsinmantrasemimeditation(4)Fullmeditation.

107Becauseheneedstogenerateenoughpowertoconcentratehismindonthishightopic,acertaineconomyofenergiesisrequiredandanavoidanceofdistractions.

108Thesamepowerofdirectingattentionandconcentratingthoughtwhichbindshimtotheworldlyexistencecanbeusedtofreehimselffromit.

109Thecultivatedandconcentratedfacultyofattentionbecomesthetoolwherewithhecarriesonhisinnerworkuponhimself.

110Thepreliminariesofmeditationmustnotbemistakenfortheactualmeditationitself.Theyaremerelyoccupiedwiththeefforttobrushoffdistractionsandattainconcentratedthoughtwhereasitiseffortless,continuousmentalquiet.Theycarrythemeditatorthroughtheinitialperiodofsearchitisthehigherstateofconsciousnesswhichthey

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induce.

111Suchintenseconcentrationcanabolishtimeandannihilatespaceinitthusreveriesdemonstratetheirrelativityandtheirmentalness.

112Ausefulexercisetohelpacquireconcentrationistoshuttheeyes,directattentiontowardsomepartofthebody,andholditthere.

113Wemakeuseofconsciouseffortsonlyinordertoattainsubconsciouseffortwefixonethoughtinmeditationonlyinordertoarriveatastatebeyondallthought.

114Themind'sgreatcreativepotencyrevealsitselfinproportionasthemind'sconcentrativenessdevelops.

115NuritheDervishwasanadeptinmeditation.Whenaskedfromwhichmasterhehadlearntsuchskill,hesaidthatacatwatchingamousehadbeenhisguru.

116Therearetwodifferentgazingpracticesusedbytheyogis.Thefirstrequiresthemtofixtheireyessteadilyontheendortipofthenosethesecondrequiresthemtofixitontheroot.Thefirstleavestheeyelidsclosertogetherthanthesecond.Thereisathirdpracticeofarelatedkindinwhichthegazeisdirectedtothecentreofthestomach,ornavel.

117MeditationExerciseonPulseBeat:Takeholdoftheleftwristbetweenthumbandforefingerofrighthand.Locatethearterywherethecirculationofthebloodcanbefelt.Concentrateattentiononthispulsebeatundividedly.

118Thestateofconcentrationacquiredduringaworldlypursuitdiffersfromthatacquiredduringmysticalmeditationinthatthefirstisusuallydirectedtowardoutwardthingsandtheexperienceofsensepleasures,whereasthesecondisdirectedtowardinwardbeingandrejectssensepleasures.Thusthetwostatesareatoppositepolesonebelongingtotheegoseekingman,andtheothertotheOverselfseekingman.

119Whereasordinaryconcentrationkeepstheattentionstillturnedtowardoutwardthingsandsituations,thatconcentrationwhichattainsitsthirdstageistransformedintocontemplation.Heretheattentionisentirelyinwardturnedandtowardtheheavenlybeing,theholyofholiesthatistheOverself.

120Therearetwowaysinwhichconcentrationispractised.Thefirstisunconsciousandisusedbymanypersonstogettheirworkdonewhethertheybeengineersorartists.Theyhavetoholdtheirmindtothejob,thematter,orthedutyinhand.Thescientistmaypractiseit,too,inanalysingorinlogicallydevelopingatheoryorinlinkingupdifferentideas.Themeditatorusesconcentrationinadifferentwayifheisatthefirststage,whichistheconsciousanddeliberatepracticeofconcentration.Itisthenusedwithoutanalysis,withoutdiscursivethought.Itissimplyheldtoasingleobjectoridea.Theattentionisnotallowedtowanderawayintodevelopmentsofthatideaorobject.Inshort,theconnectionstootherthingsarenotmade.

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121Concentration,fromthestandpointofmysticaldevelopment,mayberegardedasachievedwhenattentioniskeptononeideaallthetime,withoutbeingdividedupoverseveraldifferentideas.Itisnotachievedifkeptononesubjectallthetimethroughconsideringseveralrelatedideasthatis,ordinaryconcentratedthinking.

122Hemusttrainhimselftopossessthepowertoconcentrate:first,onasinglelineofthoughtstotheexclusionofallothersandsecond,onasinglethought.

123Withthegradualsettlingdownofthoughtandbody,thementalstiffnesswhichresistedconcentrationdiminishes.Hewillbedistinctlyandvividlyawareofthisturningpointbecauseoftheease,andevendelight,withwhichhismindwillnowfeelitsownexaltedpower.

124Thespirituallifeofmanatthisjunctureisabattleagainsttheoutwardrunningtendencyofthemind.Toperceivethisinoneselfistoperceivehowweakonereallyis,howfeebleavictimofworldlyactivities,howlackingintheabilitytoconcentrateperfectlyevenforfiveminutes,andhowunabletoholdtheattentionforthesamelengthoftimeintheimpersonalembraceofaphilosophictheme.

125TheSamuraiofoldJapanembodiedayogatechniqueinthefencinginstruction.Thenovicehadtodevelopthepowerofmentalconcentration,andthenuseitbypicturinghimselfduringmeditationwieldingtheswordtoperfection.Thusthebodywasbrokengraduallytothewillofthemind,andbegantorespondwithrapidlightningstrokesandplacingsofthesword.ThefamousKatsu,whorosefromdestituteboytonationalleadershipofJapan'snineteenthcenturyawakening,wentnightafternighttoanabandonedtemplewherehemingledregularmeditationwithfencingpracticeinhisambitiontobecomeoneofTokyo'smasterswordsmen.

126ThispowertosustainconcentratedattentionuponasinglelineorobjectiveforalongtimeapowersogreatlyadmiredbyNapoleoncomesintheendtothosewhopersevereinthesepractices.

127Thefixedstatuelikepostureofthehunterwatchingapreycloseathand,refrainingfrommovementlesthedisturbit,eyesandmindcompletelyintentontheanimal,gavetheyogiseersanotherobjectlessonintheartofconcentration.

128Hemakesthenovice'smistakeofassumingthatwhatisgoodforhim,necessaryforhim,isequallygoodandnecessaryforothers.Butwhatisessentialformysticalexperienceisonethingandonethingonlythefacultyoffixingone'sattentionwithinandsustainingit.

129Throughityoueffectachangeinyourentirementalmakeup.Themindbecomesincreasinglyonepointed.Itisabletoformquickdecisions.Thosedecisionsareusuallycorrectbecauseallthefactsofthecaseareseenatonce,asinaflash.Itwillgiveyouanairofdefinitepurpose,simplybecauseinyourexternallifeyouaremerelyworkingaccordingtothepurposesplannedinquietude.Youreveryactbecomesmorerealandvital.Yougatherselfconfidencebecauseyouconcentrateyourmindontheonethingyouaredoing.

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130Hispurposemustbeutterlyunified,absolutelysingleminded.

131Theattainmentofreveriepassesthroughtwostagesalso.Inthefirst,themindislikealittlechildtryingtowalkbutoftenfalling,fortheabstractedmoodisintermittentonlyandsoonlost.Inthesecondstage,themindislikeanadultwalkingsteadilyandcontinually,fortheabstractedmoodremainsunbrokenandundisturbed.

132Whenthemeditatortriestokeepoutallotherthoughtsexceptthechosenone,heputshimselfuptoatension,astrainbecauseinmostcaseshesimplycannotdothisandthefailurewhichisfinallyadmittedafterrepeatedeffortsthenhasadepressinganddiscouragingeffectuponhisQuest.Therefore,otherandeasiermethodshavebeendevisedforbeginnersasapreliminarytothemoredifficultpracticesofconcentration.Suchmethodsincludethesteadygazingataphysicalpoint,object,orplaceuseofamantram,whichistheconstantrepetitionofawordorphraseorformulaShortPathaffirmationwhichisthedwellingmentallyandconstructivelyonametaphysicaltruthorethicalqualityofcharacterand,finally,thepracticeofcertainbreathingexercises.

133Heimaginesapointuponthewallandconcentratesallhisbeinguponituntilheisawareofnothingelsebutthepoint.Allotherthoughtshavetobeemptiedoutofhismind,allexperienceofthephysicalsensesotherthanthissightofthepointhastovanish.

134Itisausefulpractice,whenthethoughtsduringmeditationrefusetobeconcentrated,toturnthem,too,overtotheHigherPowernomattertowhateventorperson,situationorplacetheystray.

135Whenthecapacityforconcentrationisintensifiedandprolonged,themanisthenreadyforthefurtherphasewhichismeditationassuch.

136AsimpletechniqueformeditationwhichhasbeenusedinAsiasincethemostancienttimesavoidstheuseofanyhumanbeingoranysacredmantramastheobjectofmeditation.Thistechniqueinitsmostprimitiveformistotakeapieceofcharcoalandtodrawacircleorasquareonthewallofaroomandtheninthecentreofthepatterntoputadot.Thestudentisthentoldtoconcentratehisgazeuponthedotandtothinkofnothingelse.Thepatternisusuallylargeenoughforhimtoseeitquiteplainlywhensittingayardortwooreventhreefromthewall.Nowadays,thesametechniqueisusedbymakingthediagramonplainwhitethickdrawingpaperandpinningthepapertothewall.

137Thepracticeofusingaphysicalobjectuponwhichtogazeinordertoconcentrateattentionduringmeditationmakesitmucheasierforthosewhoareattractedtoit.AmetaphysicianofKonigsberg,ImmanuelKant,usedthesamepracticewhenworkingouthismetaphysicaltheories.Sittinginhisstudy,hewouldlookthroughthewindowandfixhissightonaparticularfirtreewhichwasgrowingoutside.OnedayitwascutdownandremovedandforsometimethereafterKantfounddifficultyinholdinghislineofthoughtwithouttheaccustomedfirtreetogazeupon.Indeed,Kantwassuchacreatureofhabitthateveryeveningpunctuallyatfiveo'clockhewouldtakehiswalk.PeopleinthecityofKonigsbergusedtotimetheirwatchesbyhisappearanceinthestreet,becausehewasinvariablypunctualinstartinghiswalk.

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138Forthosewhohavesetupahighspiritualidealandmoralcharacterforthemselvesandwhohaveacquiredsufficientknowledgethroughstudyorlecturesabouttheprinciplesandfundamentalsofyoga,thereisanexcellentexercisewhichwillhelpthemthroughtheelementaryphasesofdevelopmentbuttootherswhoarehighlyneurotic,mentallydisturbed,approachingorunderpsychosis,itisnotonlynotrecommended,butwouldbedangerous.Thisexerciseistoconcentratealltheattentionupononeobjectinthesurroundingsandtokeepitthere.Allassociatedideas,analysis,andthoughtsabouttheobjectshouldbethrownout.Itisnotamatterofreflectingabouttheobject,butofholdingitintheviewandinthemindtotheexclusionofeverythingelse.

Onecanbeginwithveryshortperiodsofpracticeandgoonslowlytolongerones,butwhensomeamountofsuccesshasbeenestablishedbytherigoroususeofwillpowertheobjectshouldbechosenfromsomethingselevatingtothemindsuchasbeautifulmusicorbeautifullandscape.Fortheelementaryphase,aboutfifteenminutesshouldbethemaximum,butforthisupliftingphaseonemaygoonlonger.

139Thepracticeofonepointedconcentrationofattentionforanypurposeofanordinaryorworldlycharacterorprofessionalortechnicalnaturecanbecarriedtosuchafarpointthatitwillinfluencethemindgenerally,sothatwheninthecourseoftimethepersonevolvestohigheraimsandworthiergoalshehasreadytouseandtobringintohiseffortstoattainthosegoalsthisconcentratedpowerofthemindwhichissovaluableandsonecessaryforhisinnergrowth.

140Tosquintlightlyattherootofthenoseisanotherformofconcentration.Itisahelptowardswithdrawingfromthephysicalsensesandenteringeitherthepsychicorthespiritualplanes.Thepsychicpicturesmaybeseenassymbolicorliteral,andclairvoyancemaydevelop.Ifthesemanifestationsarerejected,andattentionisdrawndeeperintothevoidofspace,freedomandjoymaybefelt.Butiftheyareaccepted,thecreativefacultyoftheartistisunfolded.

141Meditationexercise(LamaDrati):Imagineawhitedotincentreofforeheadandkeepattentionheldunmovinglyonitforonehour.Oryoucanplaceitinheart.Betterstill,imaginethefigureofBuddhaprojectedinfrontofyou,radiatingwhitelight.OrplacetheBuddhaminiaturesizedonyourhead.Allthesearecalledexercisestoattainonepointedmind.Onlyafterthisattainmentcanyouproperlydothemoreadvancedexercises.

142Whatconcentrationmeanstotheartistiswhatitmeanstothemystic.Onlyitsobjectisdifferent.ThelateSirHenryWood,conductoroftheLondonQueen'sHallConcerts,toldhow,duringtheFirstWorldWar,heneverheard,whilstconducting,thesirenswarningthemetropolisofimpendingairraids.Thisiswhatraptabsorptionmeans.

143Theartoffixingthemindinfreechoice,ofholdingthoughtsas,andwhen,onewills,hasyettobevaluedandpractisedasitoughttobeamongus.Overlookedanddisregardedasithasbeen,itislikeburiedtreasureawaitingthediggerandthediscoverer.

144Itisimportanttogivethemindadefiniteideatoholdandmulloveroradefinitelinetofollowandconcentrateon.Itmustbepositiveinthisearlystagebeforeitcansafelybecomepassiveinalaterstage.

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145Themindcanbeinfluencedbythefivesensesonlywhenitattendstothem.

146Atacertaindepthofpenetrationintohisinwardbeing,painofthebodyandmiseryoftheemotionsareunabletoexist.Theydisappearfromthemeditator'sconsciousness.

147Duringthefirstperiod,whichmayextendtohalfanhour,whennothingseemstohappenandthelineofthoughtorawarenessiswobblyanduncertain,discouragementirksomenessandimpatiencequiteoftenovercomethepractiser.Theymayinducehimtoabandonthesessionforthatday.Suchasurrendertodefeatismisunwise.Eveninthecaseofthosewhohavepractisedforsomeyearsthetediousinitialwaitingperiodmaystillhavetobeendured.Foritistheperiodduringwhichthoughtssettleslowlydownjustasaglassofmuddywaterslowlyclearsasthemudsettlestothebottom.Theproperattitudetoholdwhilethisprocesscontinuesispatience.Thisisquiteindispensable.

148HowcanamanunifyhisconsciousnesswiththeOverselfwithoutfirstputtinghismindundersomesortofatrainingtostrengthenit,sothathewillnotletgobutwillbeabletoholdonwhenaGlimpsecomes?

149Whereattentionisbeingfixedlyheldonasingletopicbythepowerofastronginterestinit,therewillbelittleregardgiventothepassageoftime.

150Thoughtswilldriftpastineverchangingvariety,buthewilllearntogivethemnoattentioneventhoughheisawareofthem.

151Theactofcontinuousconcentrationifcarriedonforsometimedrawsanextraandunusualquantityofbloodtothebrain.Thiscausespleasurablesensationswhichmayincreasetoanecstaticdegree.

152Thenasalgazemeditationexerciseisbotheasyandquieting.ItismentionedintheGita.Thehalfclosedeyeslookdownonthetipofone'snose.Theymustnotwinkduringthegazeorbeclosed.Whentired,closethemandrest.Avoidstrain,staring,andpoppingtheeyeswideopen.Theactionshouldbeoneofrelaxation,restful.Allattentionofanalertandconcentratedmindshouldbefixedonthegazing.Thisexercisegivescontrolovertheopticnerveandcontributestowardssteadinessofmind.

153Withsufficient,welldirectedpractice,heshouldfixtheidealofbeingabletoattainacapacityofwithdrawingattentionfromtheworldandconcentratingitwithinhimselfwithoutlosingasingleminute.

154Hisprogressintothedeeperstateisretardedif,whiletryingtoholdhisattentiononthechosentheme,heletssomeofitremainselfconsciouslyalertatthesametimetowhatheisdoingandwhathissurroundingsarelike.

155Anymethodwhichsettlestheminduponafixedsubject,orconcentratesattentionuponasingleobject,maybeused.Buttheresultmustbeelevatingandinaccordwithhis

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ultimatepurpose.

156Withallattentiongatheredin,listentothebeatingoftheheart.

157Whenthemindistooactiveandthoughtssucceedeachothertooquickly,asinthecaseofverynervousorveryintellectualpersons,physicalmethodsareindicatedforpractice.Thesemaybebreathingexercises,repetitionofasoundorlisteningtomusicofarepetitivenature,gazingatalandscape,figure,workofart,orsymbolicpattern.

158Meditationsucceedstotheextentthatattentioniscontrolledandturnedinward.Whenthiscontrolbecomessointensivethatneithersoundsnorlightscanbreakit,itsconcentrationiscomplete.

159Howbeautifulisthatdetachmentfromunpleasantsurroundingswhichthecapacitytointenselyconcentratebestows.Andthisisonlyoneofitsrewards.Efficiencyinstudyinganewsubjectisanother.

160Thesecretofconcentrationis...practiseconcentration!Onlybyarduouseffortandpersistent,diligentendeavourstomasterhisattentionwillhefinallysucceedindoingso.Noeffortinthisdirectioniswastedanditmaybedoneatanytimeoftheday.

161Onecanturnamysticalexperienceofasmuchastwentyyearsago,orlonger,intofocusforattentioninmeditation,andtherebyassistthememorytorecalleverydetailofit.

162Thepracticeofisolatingconsciousnessandremainingcenteredinit,canbefollowedwhetherweareinsolitarymeditationoractiveintheworld.Inmeditationitbecomestheobjectofthoughtsinactivityitbecomestheirbackground.Theeyescannotlookatthemselves,neithercanconsciousness:itisitselfthesubjectandcannotbeitsownobject.Ifthethoughtsletthemselvesslipbackintoittheirsourcethestillnessofbeingisexperienced.Stayinginitisthepractice.

163Thementaldetachmentneededforthisstudypermitshimtoshakeoffpersonalworriesandpettierdistractions.Whenhecanfullyconcentrateinhisthinking,sustainedandunwanderingabsorptionispossible.

164Itisnotessentialforthemeditatortobesosunkinhispracticeastobecomeentirelyheedlessofhissurroundings.

165Hisattentionshould,intheory,bewhollyconcentratedonthissinglelineofthought.Butinpracticeitwillbesoonlyatbrokenintervals.

166Yogademandsthatthemindoccupyitselfwithonethoughtoronecoherentlineofthought,thatattentionbeheldfasttoit,whetheritbethethoughtofsomethingabstractlikeGodorthethoughtofsomethingconcretelikethecross.

167

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Throughsuchconcentrativethinking,wemayreachpeace.Itishard,certainly,andthehandcuffedintellectwillstruggleinyourgrasplikeareluctantprisonernewlyarrested.Youmustcontinuewithyourefforttodevelopconsciousconcentratedthoughtnomatterhowfumblingyourfirstforaysmaybe.

168Theaimistosittheretotallyabsorbedinhisthoughtor,atamoreadvancedlevel,rigidlyconcentratedinhislackofit.

169Theword"centre"isapurelymysticalterm:itisunphilosophical.Whereisthepossibilityofacentralpointinthemindwhichissounlimited?Butforpractisingmysticsseekingtoretirewithin,thecentreisanexcellentgoaltoaimat.

170Couldoneoftheseyogispractisehismeditationwhileassailedbythedeafeningnoiseofasteelgirderrivettingmachineoperatingoutsidehiscave?IsitpracticabletofollowtheadviceoftheMaharishee,whichIheardhimgiveawouldbemeditatorcomplainingaboutbeingbittenbymosquitoes,toignorethem?Letitbenotedthatnopersonwhoistryingtopractisethisartcouldbedistractedifhedidnotattendtothesenseaffected,whetheritbehearingarousedbyamachineorfeelingarousedbyamosquito.

171Shuttingtheeyesisonlythefirststeptowardshuttingallthesenses.Thatinitsturnisonlyasteptowardsthestillhardertaskofshuttingoutallthoughtsandallordinaryeverydayfeelings.

172Thefivesensesserveuswellintheordinaryhoursofactuallifebuttyrannizeoveruswhenwetrytotranscenditandenterthespirituallife.

173Withinafewminutesofstartingtheexercisetheyfeelexhausted.Theefforttoconcentratethemindishardenoughbuttoconcentrateandintrovertitatthesametimeistoomuchforthem.

174Theancientyogatextsenjoinconcentrationofasteadfastgazeuponasmallobjectuntiltheeyesbegintoshedtears.Theresultofsuchpracticesisacatalepticstateinwhichthemindbecomesfixedandunmovingwhilethebodybecomesstiffaswood.

175Itisnotenoughtocarrytheconcentratedawarenessawayfromoutwardthings:itmustthenbekeptthere.Thisalsoishard,becausealltendenciesrebelatfirst.

176Hisattentionmustbeabsoluteandperfectifitistobeeffectualandcreativeinproducingthisresult.

177Concentrationrequiresacapacityforcontinuousattention.

178Attentionmustnotwaver,thoughtmustnotwander.Thisistheideal,ofcourse,andisnotapproached,letalonereached,untilafterlongpractice.

179

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Tokeeptheattentionawayfromanyotherthanthechosensubjectistheworkofthisfirststage.Thebetterthisissustained,thedeeperisthepenetrationintothesubject.

180Whateverdistractsattentionopenlyandviolently,likethepassionsorsubtlyandinsidiously,likecuriosityorpreoccupiesitwithcaresandanxieties,likebusiness,islikelytointerferewiththemindduringpracticesessionseitherinconcentrationorexaltation.

181Againandagainhewillhavetocollecthisthoughtsandbringhisattentiontothecentralpoint.

182SomeoftheoldBuddhistmonks,thehistoriessay,reachedsamadhisimplybysteadfastgazinguponthefloor.

183Allthatliesonthemarginofattentionmayremainthere.

184Thereisnodoubtthat,initsearlyphases,theartofmeditationmakesdemandsformoreconcentrationthanmostpersonspossess,thattheysoontireunlesstheirenthusiasmcontinues.

185Fixingthegazeuponaspotmarkedonawalloranobjectnearorfar,isonlyapreliminarytofixingthemindonathought.

186Whenconsciousnessisdeliberatelyturnedawayfromtheworldanddirectedinwardtoitself,andwhenthisconditionissteadilymaintainedbyapurifiedperson,theresultisarealone.

187Thestageofconcentrationisevaluatedashavingbeenestablishedwhenitcanbesustainedlongenoughtoletattentionbecomesufficientlyabstractedfromsurroundings,sufficientlyabsorbedinthementalobject,andforthepracticeitselftobeeasy,unhindered,attractive.

188Toachievethiskindofconcentrationwhereattentioniswithdrawnfromtheouterworldandheldtightlyinitself,adeterminedattitudeisneededofnotstoppinguntilthissharplypointedstateisreached.Allotherthoughtsarerejectedintheverymomentthattheyarise.IfatthestartthereisaspirationanddevotiontowardtheOverself,andinthecourseoftheefforttoo,theneventuallythestressfallsawayandtheStillnessreplacesit.

189Hewhoisunwillingtoendureconcentrationsustainedtothepointoffatiguewillnotbeabletopenetratetothedeeplevelwheretruthabides.Butwhenhedoessucceed,thefatiguevanishes,anintenseexhilarationreplacesit.

190Whenheisgoingtopractiseanyexercisewhethermysticalorphysicalhismindshouldbethoroughlyconcentratedonitandnotonanythingelse.Allthoughtandenergyshouldgointoit,ifitistobesuccessfullydone.

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191Whenconcentrationattainsitseffectivestate,theevertossingmentalwavessubsideandtheemotionalperturbationsbecomestill.Thisisthepsychologicalmomentwhenthemysticnaturallyfeelsexaltation,peace,andsuperearthliness.Butitisalsothepsychologicalmomentwhen,ifheiswise,heshouldturnawayfromrevellinginpersonalsatisfactionatthisachievementand,penetratingyetdeeper,strivetounderstandtheinnercharacterofthesourcewhencethesefeelingsarise,strivetounderstandpureMind.

192Tobringhisscatteredthoughtstoheel,togiveundividedattentiontotheintuitivefeelingwhichwouldleadtothesecretspiritualselfthisisthefirsttask.

193Ifitistoprofithim,thestudentmustnotallowhismeditationtobecomenebulousandvague.

194Thewill,drivingtheattentiontoafinepinpointofconcentration,sinksthroughlayerafterlayerofthemindtillitreachesthenoblest,thewisest,andthehappiestofthemall.

195Itwouldbeaseriouserrortobelievethatheistocontinuewithanyparticularexerciseorchosentheme,withanyspecialdeclarationoranalysisorquestion,nomatterwhathappensinthecourseofasession.Onthecontraryifatanymomenthefeelstheonsetofdeeperfeelings,orstrongeraspirations,ornotablepeace,heoughttostoptheexerciseorabandonthemethodandgivehimselfupentirelytotheinteriorvisitant.Heoughttohavenohesitationandnofearinconsideringhimselffreetodoso.

196Whenthisgentleinwardpullisfelt,concentrateallattention,allfeeling,andalldesireuponit.Giveyourselfuptoit,foryouarereceivingavisitationfromtheLord,andthemoreyoudoso,thecloserHewillcome.

197Thisisthestageofadoration,whentheOverself'sbeautyandtranquillitybegintotakepossessionofhisheart.Heshouldthenceasefromanyfurtherthinkingdiscursivelyaboutitorcommuningverballywithit.Itisatimeforcompleteinnersilence.Lethimengagehimselfsolelyinbeholding,loving,andeventuallyunitingwiththegracioussourceofthesefeelings.

198Thereisadistinctfeelingofsomethinglikeavalveopeningintheregionoftheheart.

199Whenthatdelicatefeelingcomesoverhim,heshouldholdontoitwithallhisconcentrativenessandallhiscollectedness.

200Thereisacrucialtimeinthemeditationsessionwhenthemeditatorgoesintoreverseasitwereinsteadofintensifyinghisattentionontheideaorobject,imagery,orsound,heletsgoinsurrenderandrests.Butitisnotarestinegocentricity.AllhasbeenhandedovertothehigherSelftowhomhenowfeelsclose.Onlyatthispointisheconcentrated,calm,ready,andreceptivetotheDivinity.

201Themomenthefeelsthebeginningsofanymovementtowardstheindrawingofthought

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andfeelingawayfromexternals,heshouldatoncerespondtoitandletattentionfalldeeperanddeeperintohimself,evenifforonlyfiveminutes.ThisisimportantbecauseofthecurrentsofGracewhicharebeingtelepathicallytransmittedtohiminfulfilmentoftheexistingrelationship.

202IfheiswillingtosubmittotheOverself'sgentledrawing,hemustfirstbeabletorecognizeitforwhatitis.

203Thesensationofbeingdrawngentlyinsidewillbefelt.

204Heistopushattentionfromoutsidehimselftoinside.Heisthentopushawayextraneousthoughtswhileheconcentratesonthefeelingsearchforhisinnermostself.

205Betterthananyotherpracticeisthisdeepinsearching.

206Consciousnessmustfocusitselfinwarduponascertainingitsownsourcetotheexclusionofeverythingelse.

207Themoreheinternalizeshisattention,andthelessherespondstothesenseimpressions,thenearerhedrawstothespiritualpresenceinhisheart.

208ThedivineatomisthatpartofthebodywithwhichtheOverselfismostdirectlyassociated,andthatiswhyitisplacedintheheart,butofcourse,theOverselfisassociatedwiththewholebody.Thereisascientificexplanationwhytheheartisthespiritualcentreofthebodyandwhythebrainisthementalcentre,andthisisgiveninTheWisdomoftheOverself.

209Hisdetermined,onepointedattentionkeepsgoingdowndeeperanddeeperintohisownbeing.

Varietiesofpractice

210Therearevariouspracticalmethodsofachievingthecombinedaimofrememberingthedivineandconcentratingonthedivine.Mantramrepetitionisoneofthem.Theyaremostlyelementaryandwellsuitedtoaspirantswhoareatanearlystageofdevelopment.Buttheseaspirantscannotstaytherealways.Thetimecomeswhentheymustseekandstruggleforahigherstage.Fullenlightenmentcancomeonlytothefullydeveloped.

211Althoughtherearesomegeneralfeaturescommontomosttechniques,thereisalsoineachcasesomethingwhichispersonallyneededtosuittheparticulartemperament,character,andstatus.

212Eachmethodismerelyapointofdeparture,notaplaceorarrival.Itisafocussingof

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thoughtsuponaspecialobjectorsubjectwithaviewtotravellinglaterbeyondallthoughtsintothestageofcontemplation.

213Mostofthesetechniquesarepreliminary,intendedtobringthemindintoonepointedconcentration.Theydonotleadtotherealenlightenment.

214Thereisnoobjectiontoelementarymethodsoflearningtoconcentrate,thatis,tomantram,affirmation,andbreathcontrolprovideditisrecognizedthattheyareelementaryandthereforehavetheirlimitations.Butwhen,asissooftenthecase,thisisnotknown,notunderstood,ornotthoughttobecorrect,thenillusionsanddeceptionsarefostered.Oneoftheillusionsisthatenlightenment,Truth,reality,hasbeenattained.Oneofthedeceptionsisthatthistechniqueisallthatneedstobedone.

215Wehavetriedtoformulatemethodsandtoadaptexerciseswhichwillenablethemodernmantocomeintothistranscendentalconsciousnesswithoutdesertingtheworldandwithoutbecomingavotaryofasceticism.

216Itisavaluableexerciseforthosewhoarerepelledbyallexercises,toreachbackinmemoryandimagination,insurrenderandlove,tosomegrandraremomentofmysticalinsight.Theywillnotberepelledbythisone,foritissosimplethatitcanhardlybeclassifiedamongtheexercises.Andyetitis,withavalueimmenselydisproportionatetoitssimplicity.

217Thestudentshouldnotfeelboundtofollowrigidlyadevotionalmeditationalprogramlaiddown,asitneedsmustbe,ongenerallinestosuitavarietyofpeople.Heshouldfeelfreetoexpresshisindividualitybyimprovisingadditionsoralterationsinitshouldastrongpromptingtodosocometohim.

218Alltheserulesandsuggestionsareforbeginners.Intheendhewillhavetolearntobeabletopractiseinanyplaceandatanytime.

219Lethimexperimentwithmanydifferentexercisesandsolearnwhichonessuithimbestandhelphimmost.

220Allthesemethodsaresimplymechanicaldevicesforthrowingtheconsciousmindoutofgear.

221Noneoftheelementarymethodsofyogasuchasbreathcontrolandmantramleadtoapermanentcontrolofthemind,buttheypreparethewayandmakeiteasiertotakeupthosepracticeswhichdoleadtosucharesult.

222Sofarasmeditationisaffectedbytheirhiddenoperation,thetendenciesdrawonepersonbyonewayandothersbyanother.Thereisnosingleroad.Thosewhofailtoadvancein,orareunattractedby,discursivemeditation,mayusemantrams,symbols,andformsinstead.

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223WhethertheseekerusesaTibetanmandala(spirituallysymbolicpicture)toconcentrateon,oranIndianmantram(continuousmentalormutteredrepetitionofaverbalformula),theendresultwillbeanindrawnstateofconsciousness,abstractedfromtheoutsideworld,orelseadeeperandmoresustainedremembranceofGod.Liketheotheryogamethods,theyaredevicestoachieveonepointednessofmind.

224Whenselectinganexerciseforpracticeitiswelltobeginwithonethatcomeseasiesttohim.

225Anewexercise,theme,orpracticeinmeditationwillnaturallyneedmoretimethananoldfamiliarone.

226ThemethodoftheMaharishiMaheshYogicannotleadtoenlightenmentbytruth,butitcanleadtoaverypleasurabletemporaryquietingofthemind.

227Explanationsoftheyogicchakras:Heshouldtreatthemforjustwhattheyare,pointsinthephysicalbodyuponwhichtoconcentratethemind.Asheprogressesinwardly,hemovesuptothenexthigherchakrabutthiskindofconcentrationyogaisnotordinarilyrecommended.Itbelongstoaspecialyogawhichseekstheawakeningofthespiritfireandthatisariskyundertaking.

228InTibetanBuddhistinitiationsofcertainschools,themasteruseshissceptretotouchthosecentreswhicharespeciallysensitivetoreceivethemysticpowerheistransmittingamongthem.Aftertouchingtheheadandbreast,theimportanceofthenervecentreatthenapeoftheneckisrecognizedbyreceivingthethirdtouch.

229Aftersomepractice,hewilllessandlessconsciouslythinkofthetechniqueandmoreandmoreinstinctivelyfollowit.

230Themostbalancedprocedureistoalterthethemesandexercisesfromtimetotimetomeetthedifferentrequirementsofhisallrounddevelopmentaswellasthedifferentintuitiveurgesandpassingmoodswhichmaymanifestthemselves.

231Theadvocacyofmeditationinanonspiritualmedicopsychologicalformwouldprobablymeetthesituationofanumberofindividuals.However,thereoughttobe,sidebysideandalongwithit,anotherefforttoadvocatemeditationinareligiousandaspirationalformforthesakeofotherindividualswhoarereadytoemergefromnarroworthodoxy,butstillwishtokeeptheirreligiousfaith.Inbothcases,itisnecessarytopointoutthatallkindsofmeditationmustbesafeguardedbysomeeffortatselfpurificationandatstrengtheningintellectualbalance.Otherwiseitmaydoharmaswellasgood.

232Eventhelargerangeofpossiblemeditationsuponspiritualprinciples,mentalideas,imaginedpicturesandphysicalobjectsdoesnotexhaustthelist.Hemayusehisownbody,too.Thegazemaybeconcentratedbetweentheeyebrows,downthenose,oruponthenavel.Theprocessofbreathingmaybecloselywatched.

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233Theinstructionsanddirectionswhichareoffirstimportancemustbeseparatedfromthosewhicharemerelysecondinimportance,orconfusionwillresult.

234Discussionofthemethodsofmeditation,andcriticalscrutinyofitsnatureandresultscanonlybeofvalue,ifnotofinterest,tothehandfulofinitiateswhohavepractisedoneofthemethodsandexperiencedsomeoftheresults.Allotherswillbedependentonwhattheyhaveheardorreadaboutmeditation.Tothemsuchdiscussionandsuchscrutinywillbeeitherincomprehensibleorunprofitableorbewildering.

235Acontinuousringingoflargeheavyoldchurchbells,ifintentlyconcentratedupon,mayproduceinapersonappreciativeofthemusicinthem,asuitablestartingpointforintrovertingattention.

236Themethodsusedtoinducethisabsorbedtrancelikestatehavebeenasmanyastheyarevaried,fromtheloudbulllikeroarsofthePasupatayogistotheaestheticwhirlingsoftheMevlevidervishes.

237Thewitchdoctorwho,orwhoseassistant,beatsoutarhythmonhisdrumaccomplishesaconcentrationofmindalullingofthesensesandarecessionfromtheworldforhishearers,toafartherextentthantheywouldhavebeenabletoaccomplishforthemselvesalone.

238Thereareexerciseswhichleadtothishigherconsciousness.Bythepowerofwilltheyconcentrateattentionbypursuinganelevatedtopictheybringthelattertomeditationbypatientlyandperseverantlydroppingthewillwhichservedsowell,theyattainthestillnessofcontemplation.

239Someofthesetechniquesmakethemindnumbandthusarrestthinking:theyarenotonlyveryelementarybutalsoinferior.Butfornumbersofpeopletheyaretheeasiestwaysandthemostresultful.Theyhavetobeusedbysuchpersonsassteppingstones,notaspermanenthomes.

240Therearevariouswaysusedbyvariousseekersofputtingtheconsciousmindoutofordinaryaction.Thewayofthosedervisheswhotwirlaroundontheirfeetand,atthesametime,spinaroundinalargercircle,isoneofthem.Theyeventuallygetvertigoandfalltotheground.Theyswoon,andthereaftermaygetaglimpse.

241Thetrueinneruseofthekoaniscorrectandlaudable.Themistakeistomakeitspracticeacauseofanxietyandstress.No.Itshoulddevelopsmoothly,thinkingharmoniouslyandevenlogically,andthusreachtheinevitablerecognitionthatintellectcangonofurther.Sotheintellectstopsworking,resignsitself,andlo,actsnomore(WuWeiinaction).Themanthenwaitspatientlyandpeacefullyandacceptantly.Theresultisnolongerinhishands.Itmustbenowentrustedtohigherpower.

242Wheremeditationusesthoughtsorimageslogicalsequentialthoughts,orsymbolicalorrealisticimagesitisstilltheworkofthemanhimselfandthereforewithintheego.

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243Astowhethermeditationshouldbeginwithmentalconcentrationormentalstillness,eachpracticeisadvisableatdifferenttimesorduringdifferentphasesofone'sdevelopment.Inthecourseofayear,thestudentmaydevotehisworkduringsomemonthstobeginningwiththefirstandduringothermonthswiththesecond.Itisnotpossibletogeneralizeaboutwhichoneisbetterduringanyparticularperiodthisdependsentirelyonindividualcircumstances.Thebestwaytofindoutistomakeanimpersonalselfexamination,andthenfollowone'sownintuition.

244ThecreatoroftheOrderofWhirlingDervishesusedthegyratorymovementsanddanceconcentrations,withreedpipemusicalaccompaniments,tobringthemintothemysticalexperience.Thisispossiblebecausebodyandmindreactuponeachother.Toalesserextentbutinadifferentway,thesameprincipleisusedinhathayoga.Bothmethodsareintendedtoreachandawakenpeoplewhowouldfindthesolelymental,physicallyimmobilemeditationtoodifficult.

245Theycomplainaboutthenoiseoutsidetheirmeditationroombutthenoiseoftheiregoinsideitislouder.Theirtechniquesareusefulandpreparatorybutunlessaccompaniedorfollowedbydiscrimination,knowledge,understanding,theyfailtorootouttheego,onlylullingitandtyingthemtotheespousedsystem,dogma,orcredo.

246Thedifferentyogasaretransitoryphaseswhichtheseekermustdevelopandthenoutgrow.

247Thosewhofeeltheneedofoutwardritualandsacramentalserviceshouldsatisfyit,butthosewhofindsimplemeditationwithnothingaddedmoreattractivemayprogressintheirownway.

248Ifsomeofthedisciplinesarenolongerpracticalundertheconditionsofpresentdayliving,othersarestilluseful.

249Thewellknownhelpstoconcentrationsuchasrosaries,mandalas,geometricaldiagrams,candleflamesinthedarkness,and,mostpopularofall,amantrammaybeusedbybeginnersbuttheyarenotnecessarytofairlyadvancedstudents.

250Techniqueshouldsuittemperament.

251Thereisavailableforusallatechnicalmethodinwhichmaybefoundthemeanstoachievetherefulgentmoodsofmysticalinspiration.

252Itisneitherrightorwrongtotrytosuppressthoughtsinmeditationexercises:whatmattersistofitwhatisattemptedtotheparticularobjectoftheparticularexercise.Sotherearetimestoletthoughtsmoveandtimestoreinthemin.

253Thepracticeoftratak[continuousgazing]isintendedtomaketheyogiblindtoexternalscenesbyattendingtoasingleobjectthepracticeofshabdayogaisintendedtorender

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himdeaftoexternalsoundsbyattendingtoasinglesoundandwithsightsandsoundscutoff,heiswellnighcutofffromthewholeexternalworld.Thusthesesystemsofyogaarenootherthantechniquesforinducingaconcentratedinwardturnedstate.

254DalaiLamaonTibetantantra:"YoupushupForcethroughspinethenleanbackwardmentallytomeetit."

255Tothealternativesofthinkingwiththeheadandthinkingwiththeheart,theJapaneseZenmasteroffersathirdchoice:"Thinkwiththeabdomen,"headvisesthepractiserofkoanmeditationexercises.TheTibetanTantrikmastersofferevenafourthchoice:"Thinkwiththegenerativeorganandsublimateitsfeelings."TheAdvaitaVedantinsgostillfarther."Thinkquiteabstractly,notofthebodyatall,"theycounsel.Shouldallthisnotshowthatnomethodisofexclusiveimportance?

256TheEasternChurchused,amongotherHesychasticmethodsofmakingmeditationmoresuccessful,thepressingofthechinagainstthechest.

257OnceaprofessoratleadingIndianuniversities,andthenonattainmentofindependenceaministerintheIndiangovernment,thelateRadhakumudMukerjeewasacodiscipleofthesameguruwhosentYogananda,founderofS.R.F.,toAmerica!Oncewhenwemeditatedtogether,Mukerjeeswayedashesat,movingheadandshouldersfromlefttorightinacircularfashion.Atfirstthisrotationwasquiteslow,butitpickedupalittlespeedasitwenton.

258VoodoomusiciansandAfricanwitchdoctorsusetherhythmicbeatingofdrumstoinduceeitherthetrancestateoremotionalcrescendos.

259Thedesertfathers,theEgyptianeremites,havetheirIndianequivalents.Meditationwithoutphilosophy,withoutinstruction,withoutknowledge,produceswidelyandstrangelydifferentresultsindifferentpeople.

260Someoftheseoldyogaswerecurious,somealluring,andothershorrible.Thusonerequiredhimtolethisbodyenterregularlyintosexualintercoursebuttothinkallthetimeabouttheact'sanimaluglinessandevilconsequences.Hewastodothisuntilthesightofanakedfemalebodyarousedrevulsion,itswhitegleaminglimbsseemedmorehideousthanattractive,anditsinvitationtocoitusfilledhimwithdisgust.Anothermethodrequiredhimtositonafreshcorpseinthepitchdarknessofacemeteryatmidnightandthinksolelyofthequalityoffearlessness.TheseapparentlywereIndianversionsoftheattempttotakethekingdomofheavenbyviolence.InBengalandTibettheyarestillpractisedbysomefanatics.Yetmoreaspirantsarelikelytofailwiththemthansucceed.Intheoneyoga,suchfailureswouldresultingreatersensualitythanbeforeandintheotheringreaterfearthanbefore.Neverthelesstheireffectivenessmaybegranted.But,weask,isitnotbetterforcivilizedmodernseekerstousemorerefinedandlessdrasticmethods?

TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.