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14/5/2015 Meditative Thinking - Notebooks of Paul Brunton
http://paulbrunton.org/notebooks/4/4 1/25
PaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundationhomepage>NotebooksofPaulBrunton>Category4:ElementaryMeditation>Chapter4:MeditativeThinking
MeditativeThinking
Thepathofinspiredintellect
1Thenexttypeofmeditationistheanalytic.Itmaydealwithpersonalexperience,generalevents,universallaws,thenatureofman,andtherealityofsoul,butalwaysitseeksbyanalysisandreflectiontounderstand.
2Inthistypeofreflectivemeditation,criticalthinkingisnotbanishedbutisilluminatedbytheOverself'slight.Itisthepathofinspiredintellect.Itisextremelyvaluablebecauseitcanrevealtherightpathtotakeinpracticalaffairsandtherightcoursetotakeinmoralones.Itisequallyvaluableforextractingthelessonsoutofpastexperience.
3Thetopicselectedforpracticemaybequitepersonaltobeginwith,providedthatitissuitabletohelpbringaboutselfimprovementofapositivekindsuchasremovingfaultsandcultivatingvirtues.Butthisisonlypreparatory,sinceitisstillconcernedwiththeegoanddesignedtoimproveconcentration.Whenexperienceandregularpracticehavereachedasufficientdevelopment,thenthetopicshouldbeonewhichmakeshimfeelhighlyreverentialandshouldbedirectedtotheOVERSELFnottotheego,notevenfortheego'simprovementspiritually.
4AcleardistinctionhastobemadebetweenthinkingaboutGodandtheexperienceofGod.Eachhasitsplace.Thinkingandevaluatingtakeplaceontheintellectualleveloneshouldnotlimitoneselftothatbutshouldtrytoarriveattheinnerstillness,theexperienceoftheOverselfduringmeditation.Thereshouldbeaclearsenseofthedifferencebetweenthesetwo.Thepilingupofthoughts,howeverreasonabletheyare,actsonlyasasignaltheypointoutwhichwaytogo,butattheenddropthem.
5Itisnotmerelyanintellectualexercise.Allthepietyandreverenceandworshipgainedfromreligionareneededheretoo.WemustprayconstantlytotheSoultorevealitself.
6Whenthinkinghasdoneitsbestwork,reacheditsloftiestpoint,itshouldrelaxandceaseitsactivity.Ifallelsehaspreparedtheway,themindwillbereadytoenterthesilence,toacceptatakeoverbytheOverself.
7Inthistypeofmeditation,theintellectmustthink,firstaboutitselfandsecondaboutwhatisbeyonditself.Thischangeofthoughtbecomesasteppingstonetoachangeofconsciousness.
8TheoldQuakerfamilymorningcustomofreadingaloudapassagefromtheBible,andfollowingitbyaperiodofmeditativesilence,isausefulpointer.Anybookthatinspiresmaybereadvocallythenshutandponderedquietlyanysentencethatholdsandexalts
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attentionmaybemadethesubjectofslow,graveutterancefollowedbysilentconcentratedrumination.Anyword,attribute,name,orphrasethatenshrinesspiritualtruthmaybeaffirmedinspeechandafterwardcontemplatedinhush.
9Vicharameansdiscursivethinking,soatmavicharameansthinkingone'swayintotherealself.
10Toshortentheperiodofreincarnations,thoughtisneeded:first,analyticreflectionaboutthepastsecond,imaginativereflectionaboutthefuture.
11Allpossessthepowerofreflectionbutfewuseit.Whenthispoweristurnedoutwardly,welookuponthephysicalbody,itsorgansandsenses,asourselfandsoplungeintothebustlingactivityofthisworldwithouthesitation.Butifthissamepowerofreflectionbeturnedinwardly,webegintoforgetouractivitiesandtoloseknowledgeofthephysicalbodyanditsenvironment.Forwebecomesodeeplyindrawnintotheworldofthoughtthatforthetimebeingthisinnerworldbecomesforustherealworld.Thusweareledgraduallybyrepeatingthispracticetoidentifyourselveswiththemindalone,tolookuponourselvesasthoughtbeings.
12Inthistypeofmeditationtheactivityofthinkingisnotrejected.Onthecontrary,itisdeliberatelyaccepted,foritscharacterundergoesamarkedchange.Atacertainstage,whenconcentrationthoroughlyestablishesitself,someforcethatisdeeperthanthefamiliarpersonalselfrisesupfromwithinitselfandimposesacontinuousstreamofsequential,illuminedthoughtsupontheconsciousness.
13Whatareliefforaman,harassedbyanxietiesandfrustratedbyburdens,toturntowardsthesegreatimpersonalveritiesandconsiderthemintheserenemoodofthetwilightmeditationorthesunriseworship.
14Deepreflectivethinkingispresentbehinddeepimpersonalthinking.
15Ourrichestmomentsarethosespentindeepreverieuponthedivinerthings.
16Atdifferentperiodsinhiscareertherewillbetheneedofandconsequentlytheattractiontodifferentsubjectsformeditation.Thus:thebeautyofaflower,theuglinessofacorpse,theattributesofasage,theinfinitudeofspace,thechangesofadolescence,middle,andoldage.
17Thishabitofpersistentdailyreflectiononthegreatverities,ofthinkingaboutthenatureorattributesoftheOverself,isaveryrewardingone.Frombeingmereintellectualideas,theybegintotakeonwarmth,life,andpower.
18TheOverselftakeshisthoughtsaboutit,limitedandremotethoughtheyare,andguidesthemcloserandclosertoitsownhighlevel.Suchilluminedthinkingisnotthesameasordinarythinking.Itsqualitativeheightandmysticaldepthareimmenselysuperior.Butwhenhisthoughtscangonofarther,theOverself'sGracetouchesandsilencesthem.In
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thatmomentheknows.
19Thebookswhichlivearethosewrittenoutofthisdeepunionwiththetrueselfbymenwhohadovercomethefalseself.Onesuchbookisworthathousandwrittenoutoftheintellectaloneorthefalseegoalone.Itwilldomoregoodtomorepeopleformoreyears.Thestudentmayusesuchawork,therefore,asabasisforameditationexercise.Itsstatements,itsideas,shouldbetakenonebyone,putintofocusforhismindtoworkon.
20Aninspiredwritingismorethansomethingtobereadforinformationorinstructionitgivesamanfaith,itbecomesasymboltowhichhecanholdandfromwhichhecandrawarenewaloftrustintheuniverse.Itisthistrustwhichmakeshimdenyhimselfandinspireshimtoreachbeyondhimself.Forhismindtofastenitselftosuchawriting,therefore,andtouseitasafocusformeditation,isunconsciouslytoinvokeandreceivethegraceoftheilluminedmanwhobroughtthewritingtobirth.
21Intheseinspiredwritings,wemaylookfortwodistinctivequalities:thepowertostimulatethoughtandthepowertoupliftcharacter.Inthefirstcaseweshallfindthemaseedbedofideaswhichcanbearamplefruitinourmindsinthesecondcasethereisimpartedtoreadingsomeflavouroftheunshakeablemoralstrengthwhichtheinspiredwritersthemselvespossess.
22Lethimdwelluponsomepiecefromaninspiredwritingorthinkoutthemeaningofsomeeternalverity.Lethimdothiswiththeutmostattentiveness.Suchmeditationwillnotonlyenablehimtoadvanceinconcentrativenessbutwillalsoprofithimmentallyandmorally.
23Ifhecanrespondtothesegreatinspiredutterances,ifhecanlethisthoughtworkoverthemintherightwayandlethisemotionbesusceptibletotheirinnerdynamism,hisintenseconcentrationwillenablehimtoshareatleastthereflectedlightbehindtheircreator,thelightitself.
24Thereisasensitivityandadepthinsuchworkswhicharetrulyremarkable,apower,alight,andaheattoinspiretheirreaderswhichisbornfromgenius.
25Whenthoughtisthustrainedtoitsuttermostpointandwhenitisetherealizedbydwellingonthemostabstracttopic,itleapsoutofitself,asitwere,transcendsandtransformsitselfandbecomesintuition.
26Paragraphsthatarebornandwritteninthishigherconsciousnessarelastingones,likemanyofthevigorousscripturalsayings.
27Themeditationsonthe"I,"ontransiency,ongoodandevil,andonsufferingarebutforbeginners.Theydonotrequirethesubtletyneededforultramysticmeditation.
28ThethoughtoftheOverselfmayeasilyopenthegatewhichentersintoitsawareness.
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29Thedifferencebetweenthefirststage,concentration,andthesecondstage,meditation,islikethedifferencebetweenastillphotographandacinemafilm.Inthefirststage,youcentreyourattentionuponanobject,justtonotewhatitis,initsdetails,parts,andqualities,whereasinthesecondstage,yougoontothinkallaroundandabouttheobjectinitsfunctionalstate.Inconcentration,youmerelyobservetheobjectinmeditation,youreflectuponit.Thedifferencebetweenmeditationandordinarythinkingisthatordinarythinkingdoesnotgobeyonditsownlevelnorintendtostopitself,whereasmeditationseekstoissueforthonanintuitionalandecstaticlevelwhereonthethinkingprocesswillitselfceasetofunction.
30ThebetterkindofthinkingisthatwhichisdirectedtotheideaoftheOverself.Itreachesaculminationwhenthethinkerisabsorbedsofullyintotheideathatheandthethoughtslipawayinto,andremainundistractedfrom,theactualconsciousnessoftheOverself.
31Thoughtsmaybeahindrancetomeditationmerelybytheirpresenceor,ifoftheproperkind,ahelptoit.Andtheonlyproperkindisthatwhichleadsthemtolooktowardtheconsciousnesswhichtranscendsthem.
32Thesearchforfirstcauses,whendoneonlyintellectuallyandmetaphysically,maybecomeashadow,oralookingglassimageoftherealsearch.Forthismust,andcanonlybedone,onadeeperleveltheintuitive.Theprocesstobeusedismeditation.
33Inmeditationoneshouldfollowthepathpointedoutbyhistemperament.Heshouldstrivetothinkhisownthoughtsandnotalwaysechothoseofothers.
34Itisnotenoughtolearntheseteachingsbystudyandanalysisofthem.Theyshouldalsobeallowedtoworkunhindereduponpassive,receptive,stillmoodsofthesilencedintellect.
35Uponthosewhoaresensitivetotruthatahighlevel,thesestatementshaveastrongandpeculiareffect.Thereisdeepawe,asifstandingbeforeamysticshrine,reverentialjoy,asifbeholdingnewmosaictablets.Thereis,indeed,afeelingofbeingabouttoreceivestaggeringrevelations.
36Thatathemeformeditationshouldbeformulatedintheinterrogativeisatonceanindicationthatthekindofmeditationinvolvedisintellectual.WhatamI?isasimplequestionwithacomplexanswer.
Inthisexerciseyouwillrepeatedlythinkofwhatyoureallyareasdistinctfromwhatyouseemtobe.Youwillseparateyourselfintellectually,emotionally,andvolitionallysofarasyoucanfromyourflesh,yourdesires,andyourthoughtsasbeingobjectsofyourconsciousnessandnotpureconsciousnessitself.Youwillbeginbyaskingyourself"WhoamI?"and,whenyoucomprehendthatthelowernaturecannotbetherealyou,goontoaskingthefurtherquestion:"WhatamI?"Bysuchfrequentselfstudiesandselfdiscriminations,youwillcomecloserandclosertothetruth.
37Istheexperimenttoodifficult?Howcanamanstopthinking?Iremembernowthatitis
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notsuggestedthatoneshoulddeliberatelystopthinking.No,itistaught,"pursuetheenquiry,`WhatamI'relentlessly."Well,Ihavepursuedituptothispoint.Icannotdefinitelypindownmyegoeithertothebodyortheintellect.ThenwhoamI?Beyondbodyandintellectthereisleftonlynothing!Thethoughtcametome,"Nowpayattentiontothisnothingness."
Nothing?...Nothing?...Nothing?...Igraduallyandinsensiblyslippedintoapassiveattitude.Afterthatcameasenseofdeepeningcalm.Subtly,intangibly,quietnessofsoulinvadedme.Itwaspleasant,verypleasant,andsoothednerves,mind,andheart.ThesenseofpeacewhichenvelopedmewhileIsatsoquietgentlyswelledupintoblissineffable,intoamarvellousserenity.TheblissbecamesopoignantlykeenthatIforgottocontinuethinking.Isimplysurrenderedmyselftoitasardentlyasawomansurrendersherselftothemansheloves.Whatblessednesswasnotmine!WasitnotsomeconditionlikethistowhichSaintPaulreferredwhenhementioned"thepeacewhichpassethunderstanding"?Theminutestrickledbyslowly.Ahalfhourlaterfoundmybodystillmotionless,thefacestillfixed,theeyesstillindifferentto,orobliviousoftheirsurroundings.HadIfathomedthemysticdepthsofmyownmind?Impatiencemighthavereareditsrestlessheadandcompletelyspoilttheresult.Isawhowfutileitwastoattemptalwaystoimposeourhabitualrestlessnessinsuchunfamiliarcircumstances.
38Inonesenseallattemptstomeditateonspiritualthemesareattemptstoawakenintuition.Fortheyachievesuccessonlywhentheactivityofthethinkingintellectisstilledandtheconsciousnessentersintothatdeepsilencewherefromthevoiceofintuitionitselfissuesforth.
39Tousethesesublimeideasinandforourhoursofcontemplation,istousedefinitepotencies.
40Duringthesemeditations,heistodwellaspiringlyandlovinglyupontheidealattimesandtoreflectcalmlyandrationallyaboutitatothertimes.Thushewilllearntoachieveimaginativelyaneffectiveselfgovernment.
41Myuseoftheterm"reverie"maymisleadsometothinkImeanidle,drifting,purposeless,languidthinking.Imeannothingofthesort.
42Onlyafteralong,longsearchcanhetracethesethoughtstotheirfinalsourceinthepurestreamofMind.
43Workonsuchthemesinspiresawriter,athinker,orateacher,asworkonthehigherlevelsofartmustinspirethecreativeartist.
44Thepracticeofselfinquirybeginswiththeself'senvironmentandendswithitscentre.Itasks,"Whatistheworld?"Then,"WhatistheBody?"Next,"WhatistheMind?"Then,"Whatisthesourceofhappiness?"Andfinally,"WhatamI?"atthethresholdofitsinnermostbeing.
45Heshouldsitdownbytheseashoreoronahillsideorontheroofofatallbuildingorinanyotherplacewherehecangetalong,uninterruptedviewofoceanandskyorsky
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alone.Ifnootherplaceisavailable,lethimlieonthegroundandgazeatthesky.ThenlethimthinkoftheSpiritasbeinglikethisvastexpanseinitsfreedomanduniqueness,butinfiniteandboundlesswheretheotherisnot.
46Ordinarilyourmindshavetoolimitedandtooegocenteredarange.Itisneedfultobroadenthembyreflectionsandmeditationswhicharehighlyabstractandtotallyimpersonal."Theuniverseisinfiniteandunmeasurable.HowtinyandinsignificantisthisplanetEarthinrelationtoit!Howtrivialandunimportantareearthlythings,iftheplanetitselfissuch!Howridiculoustoletoneselfbecapturedandimprisonedbymomentarysensualpleasureswhichhavenoteventhedurationofmostofthesethings!"Suchisonesampleofhowthisexercisecouldbegin.
47Thosewhohavetrieditknowhowmuchharderrealmeditationisthanmerethinking.Thetwoarenotthesame.
48Ifhefindsonlyignorance,bewilderment,orordinariness,thenheneedstogofartherintohimself.Therevelationistherebutatadeeplevel.
49Intheseearlierstages,whatmattersishowdeeplyabsorbedhisattentionbecomesinthesubject,howstronglyheldishiscontroloverthethoughtswhichcomeintotheareaofawareness,howfarawayhewithdrawsfromactivityofthebody'ssenses.
50Everytimeathoughtrearsitshead,evaluateitforwhatitisandthenpushitaside.Everytimeanemotionrushesup,recognizeit,too,forwhatitisanddetachyourselffromit.ThisisthepathofSelfEnquiry,forasyoudothesethingsholdthewilldirectedtowardsfindingthecentreofyourbeing.Dothemwithdoggedpersistence.Dotheminyourconsciousnessandinyourfeeling.
51Someimaginativemindscanmakeprofitableuseofthevastnessoftheoceanortheimmensityofspaceastopicsonwhichtomeditateintheadvancedstages.
52Iftheutmostbenefitistobeextractedfromthiskindofexercise,heshould,attheendandbeforeherisestoresumetheordinarydailylife,brieflyrepeattohimselfitsleadingpointsandthensumupinconcentratedemphasisitsfinallesson.
53Althoughhemaycollecttogetheronlythosethoughtswhichrefertothechosensubject,hemaytakedifferentsidesofitbyturns.
54Whateverthinkingisdoneduringtheexercise,oneoughttostrivefortheutmostclearnessandthefullestalertnessinit.
55Hemaydeliberatelychooseafreshsubjecteachdayorletthespontaneousurgeofthemomentchooseitforhim.Orhemaytakeagainonethathasservedhimwellbefore.
56Thekindofmeditationinwhichthemeditatorponderspersistentlywhathissourceis,
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whatthe"I"reallyis,hastheeventualeffectofdehypnotizinghimfromthesefalseandlimitingidentificationswiththebody,thedesires,andtheintellect.
57Itmustbeatopicverydistantfrom,andquiteunconnectedwith,hisordinaryoccupationsoftheday.Hemustreleasehimselfaltogetherfromtheirproblemsandpleasures.
58Themorehepractisesatsuchtimesathinkingthatissensefreeandbeyondthephysicalthatis,metaphysicalinthetruestsensethebetterwillhebepreparedtoreceivetheintuitiveinfluxfromtheOverself.
59Thepursuitoftheselfcomesatlasttoanirreducibleelement.Theanalysercutshiswaythroughallintermediateregionsofthemind.
60Whenintellectliesexhaustedandprostrated,attheendofitsselfdirectedefforts,andgivesup,itmaythenbereadytoreceivewhat,earlier,itcouldnot.
61Concentrationkeepsthemindimplantedonaparticularthought,orlineofthought,bykeepingofftheotherones.Meditationremovesthesinglethoughtandkeepsthemindquiet.Thisisanexcellentstate,butnotenoughforthosewhoseektheReal.ItmustbecomplementedbyknowledgeofwhatisandisnottheReal.
62Theordinarykindofmeditationseekstoescapefromintellectualismattheverybeginning,whereasthemetaphysicalkindusesitfromthebeginning.Eventhoughitisanalytic,itdoesnotlimititselftocerebralactivityitconjoinsfeelingalso,sinceitseeksanexperienceaswellasunderstanding.Therefore,inthe"WhoAmI?"workitmoveswiththewholebeingandwithallitsintensity.
63Thewholecollectedforceofhisbeingisbroughttothisidea.
64IntheseexerciseshethinksofGod'snature,qualities,andattributeshemeditatesonGod'sinfinity,eternity,andunity.
65AfterhehasenteredontheShortPath,fitthemesforhismeditationwillbethosewhichturnhimawayfromthepersonalego.HecanmeditateonthegloriousattributesofGod,orontheessentialperfectionofthecosmos,orontheutterserenityofhisOverself,forinstance.
66MoststudentscanprofitablymeditateonsuchfragmentsoftheWorldIdeaastheycangleanfromdifferentandvariedsources:fromthetextsofmysticalseers,philosophicsages,religiousprophets,andeventheirownpersonalintuitions.
67Themoreweuseourthoughtstogetthedeepunderstandingofourselves,ofGod,andtheworld,andthemorewestillthethoughtstogetthemoutofthewaywhenthedivineisreadytospeaktous,themoresuccessfulwilloursearchbecome,andthemorewillweawakenfromthedreamofanunrealmateriality.
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68Butunlessthepointissurrenderedandsilenced,itwillnotbepossibletogobeyondtheintellectualstageofunderstanding.Anditisonlyaminoritywhocanachievethissilenceandyieldcapacityfordeepeningtheirexperiencetowhatamountstoarealizationofthetruth.Thesilencehasanothername:eithermeditationorcontemplation.
69Ifhehashadaspiritualexperienceinwhichfirsthanddirectknowledgeofhisownspiritualnatureanditsnonmaterialityandimmortalitybecameevidenttohim,lethimtakethatmemoryandcherishitasabasisforhispresentmeditations.
70ThenamesofGodtraditionallyusedintheOrient,suchastheCompassionate,theGuide,theAnswererofPrayer,thePardoner,thePatient,arehelpfulasobjectsofprayerorsubjectsofmeditation.
71Whenonecarriesintellecttoitshighestexercise,whichisrightreasoning,hecomesneartothefinestfunctionofnatureintuition.Yetthegulfbetweenthemremainsimpassableunlessheiswillingtoperformthevitalandsupremeactofstillingitaltogether.Intheintellect'scompletesilencethevoiceofdivineintuitionmaybeheard.
72ThegoalofenlightenmentcanbereachedbythoughtalonedespitethecontraryassertionoftheEnglishmedievalhermitwhowroteTheCloudofUnknowingbutonlywhenthoughtissofinelysharpenedthat,seeingpreciselywhereitslimitslie,itiswillingtoceaseitsownactivityandsurrendertothehigherpower.Butitmustbewiseenoughtobelieveintheexistenceofsuchapower,toknowthatItisunthinkableandunsearchableandthereforemustbeallowedtotakeoverwherethinkingstops.Yetthemedievalauthorisquiterighttothisextentthatwherethoughtiswrappedinloveandwarmedbyit,theenlightenmentisthatmuchmoreattainable.
73Pythagorashadseenthattheuniversewasbuiltonnumber,Spinozathatthenumberofpossibilitieswasinfinite:bothmenworkedwithamathematicallytrainedmindwhoseborderlandmergedintointuition,inthesamewayasitdoeswithametaphysicallytrainedmindbutitmustbepurifiedandstrengthened,too,iftherequiredconcentrationistobesustainedandifitscourseistobestraightenedandnotdistorted.Thentheintuitiveexperienceofinfinitycomeswiththeintuitivenotionofit.ThismustbesobecausetheMindwhichconceivedtheuniverseisitselfinfinite.
74Selectasentencefrompsalm,prayer,gospel,orbookwhichepitomizesforyoutheentirequest,orupliftsyounearertothegoalofthequest.Murmurittoyourselfslowlyandrepeatedly.Ponderoveritsmeaning.
75Whenwetakeupabookthatthrowslightbeforeourfeet,thatdaybecomesastarredeventinthecalendarofourlife.Itisnottobeeasilyforgotten,becausetheplanetsofTruthandBeautyarehardtofindamidthepanoplyofrivallightsinthesky.
76Itisonlywhentheideasofabookliveinyourmemoryandthinkinglongafteryouhaveputawaythebookitselfthattheauthor'spurposehasreallybeenachieved.
77
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Anotherexcellentandalwaysusefulthemeformeditationistoreadafewsentencesfromaninspiredbookandthenletyourthoughtdwelluponwhatyouhaveread.
78Suchbookssetthemindgropingforthemysterioussourcewhenceithasarisen.
79Thethememaybeoneofthosegreattruthsofphilosophywhichliftthemindtoanimpersonalandeternalregion,oritmaybeoneofthoseaptsentencesfromaninspiredbookorbiblewhichliftthefeelingstoadorationoftheOverself.
80Takeanyofthesegreatideasbyturns,orastheysuityouatdifferentperiods,andsubjectthemtointensivemeditation.
81Ateachofthesedailysessions,hewillbeeverwatchfulforanyinnerleadingtowardaspecialtopictoengagehismusing.
82Whenyougetagreatthoughtchainit.Holdit.
83Themorehecanlosehimselfintheabstractthought,thementalimage,thechosenideal,thequickerhewillfindhimselfintheSoul'spresence.
84Thepracticeofselfquesteliminatestheoppositionoftheintellectinamarvellousmannerandbringstheminduptotheverybordersofthetranscendental,whereitistakenupandputtotheserviceoftheDivine.
85Whenheissosunkinabstractionthathedoesnotnoticeeventhepresenceofanotherperson,hismeditationhasgoneasdeepasitoughtto.
86Ashemeditatesonthesesacredsentences,everywordwillbecomemorealiveandmoresignificant.
87Whenconcentrationcomeswithoutdifficultyandcanbepractisedwithease,heshouldgoontomeditation.
88Bringingthesamelineofthoughtintothefocusofattentionagainandagain,holdingittheresustainedly,isapathtorealizingit.
89Hemuststudytheseinspiredsayingsasalapidarymightstudyagemwithlovingcareandjoyousfeeling.
90Whatevertopicwillinteresthimsoonest,engagehisattentionmorefirmly,andabsorbitmorefullyisthebesttopictomeditateupon.
91Ausefulexerciseistomeditateonthewisdomwritteninthebookoftheuniverse.
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92Thekindofmeditationcalleddiscursivetriestothinkactivelyaboutanideaoratruthuntilitisfullypenetrated.
93Theendofallthisthinkingistobenotthinking,mentalquiet.Thisstatecomeshardtoeveryoneitleadsmanytoutterboredom,butafewtoutterpeace.
94Thematerialsfortheseanalyticmeditationswillcomedirectlyoutofhispresentcircumstancesandpastexperiences,outofthelivesofotherpeoplehehasknown,outofthepagesofbookshehasread.
95Heistotakesuchamightyspiritualtruthorphilosophicmaximintodeepestconsiderationanddeepestfeeling.
96Ifthemeditationattemptsprovecompletelyarid,theymaybeprefacedbyslow,thoughtoutreadingpunctuatedbyreflectivepauseswhenthebookistobeputaside.Itisduringsuchpausesthattheimpetustotheinnermovementmaybefelt.Thebook'sworkisthendone.
97"MeditateonthemindasBrahman"(theSupremeBeing),counselsanancientIndiantext.
98Toooftendoeshelosehiswayandleavethehighsubjectofhismeditationforthoughtsaboutpersonalaffairsandworldlytopics.
99Weneedtomeditatemoreoftenontheseremindingstatementsofthesages,tobecomemoreconcernedwithourhigherinterests.
100TakeaconceptofGodintoyourmeditationandtrytostaywithitaslongasyoucan.Thisitselfisaformofworship,astrueaformasanythatyouwillfindinachurch.
101Itisavaluable,important,andfruitfultopicofmeditationtothinkoftheDivinePrincipleasitisinitsrealnatureandessentialbeing,notastheologianshavethoughtittobeorvisionarieshaveimaginedittobe.
102Meditationisnotachievediftheconcentratedmindisdirectedtowardasubjectofpersonalandworldlynature.Reflectingonthesubjectwillgiveadeeperknowledgeofitandafullerperceptionofitsmeaning,butitwillnotgiveanythingmore.Howeverconcentratedthemindmaybecome,itwillnotescapefromtheego,nordoesitseektodoso.MeditationisachievediftheconcentratedmindisusedtoreflectontheOverselforthewaytoit.
103Letthinkingexamineitself,alwayswithaviewtopenetrationofitshinterland.
Selfexaminationexercises
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104Meditationmustbeaccompaniedbyconstanteffortinthedirectionofhonestselfexamination.AllthoughtsandfeelingswhichactasabarrierbetweentheindividualandhisUltimateGoalmustbeovercome.Thisrequiresacuteselfobservationandinnerpurification.Hate,jealousy,anger,greed,spite,andsoon,formmanyaninnerMountEverestwhicheachseekermustscaleandconquerforhimselfbeforehecanhopetoseeWhatIsBeyond.
105Thestudentmustavoidfallingintothesnaresofselfflattery.Anexcellentmeansofdoingthisistoreviewthefactsofhispastlifetopickouthissinsandblunders,hisslipsandfalls.
106Theformintowhichhislifetheoryismoldedisitselfaproduct,orratheraprojection,oftheunconscioussideofhismind,whereahostofcomplexesmaintaintheirexistenceremotefromhiscriticism,examination,orevendiscussion.
107Itisimportantforhimtoknowcorrectlywhencehisleadingideas,impulses,intuitions,andevendreamscomefrom.Hemustaccuratelymeasuretheheightsanddepthsofthevariouslevelsfromwhichtheydescendorascendtohisordinaryconsciousness.
108Itisnoteasyforthestudenttoassesscorrectlythemotiveswhichactuatehisinnerandouterlife,foranimportantgroupofthemdoesnotordinarilyrevealitselftohisconsciousmentality.
109Heshouldfromtimetotimepassinanalyticreviewtheimportantevents,theexperiences,andtheattitudesofhispast.Itisnotthegoodbuttheevilemotionsanddeeds,theiroriginsandconsequences,thatheshouldparticularlyattendto,mentallypicture,andexaminefromtheperspectiveofhishigherself.Butunlessthisisdonewithperfecthonestyinanimpersonalunconcerneddetachedandselfcriticalspirit,unlessitisapproachedwithaselfimposedausterityofemotion,itwillnotyieldthedesiredresults.Itisnotenoughtomournoverhiserrors.Heshouldcarefullylearnwhateverlessonstheyteach.
110Inreviewinghispast,hemaydiscoverhowtheegohascunninglysoughttopreserveitself,howithasledhimintologicaldeceitsandmadehimbelieveitwasabsentwheninrealityitwasverymuchpresent,howithasplayedsubtletricksofeverykinduponhim.
111Heoughttostudyhispasterrorsintently,nottoreproachhimselfemotionallybuttoreformhimselfconstructively.
112Hemustwatchhisthoughtsdailyandexaminehisactionsnightly.Hemustapplythelancettohismotivesperiodically.Hemustanalyseandreanalysehimselfimpersonally.
113Thisdoesnotmeanthatheshouldbeforeversolemnlyexamininghismoods,analysinghisfeelings,andmakinghimselftheobjectofhisownattention.Itmeansthatheshoulddothisonlyforawhile,atcertaintimes,oronregularoccasions.
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114Selfexaminationrequireshimtofindoutandidentifythepositivequalitiesaswellasthenegativeones,ifheistogivehimselfafairpicture.
115Adelicatebalanceisneededhere.Ifhebecomesoverlycriticalofhisownself,ofhischaracter,decisions,choices,andattitudes,hemayfindhimselfbecomingmorbidandhiswilltoactionparalysed.
116Hispastisamatterforanalyticconsideration,notformelancholybrooding.Hemustgatheritsfruitinthelessonsityields,convertitssufferingsintovirtueandwisdom.
117Hemustbeonhisguardagainstthefalsifications,therationalizations,andthedeceptionsunconsciouslypractisedbyhisegowhentheselfanalysisexercisesbecomeuncomfortable,humiliating,orpainful.Norshouldheallowhimselftofallintothepitofselfpity.
118Duringthishalfhourhemustsuspendthepersonalwayoflookingatlife.Hemuststandasidefromtheegoforthetimebeingandregardimpersonallyandimpartiallyitsactsandemotionsaswellastheeventsandfortuneswithwhichitmeets.Hemustexaminealltheseexperiencesasiftheyhadhappenedtosomebodyelse.Hecollectsthematerialsforhismeditationfromallthechiefincidentsandepisodes,doingsandfeelingsofthewholeday.Hisreflectionuponthemmusttakeatwofoldcourse:inthefirst,hesimplygivesuperrors,illusions,andcomplexesinthesecond,helearnstruths,principles,andvirtues.
119Inlookingbackoverthepast,hehumblyperceiveshismistakesandsadlyapportionstheblameforhisfailuretohimself.Henolongerwasteshistimeinhuntingalibisorincriticizingotherpeopleforhistroubles.Nordoeshecomplainoffate.Henowseesthatinaspiringforspiritualgrowthandprayingforspiritualhelp,thoseveryexperienceswhichexposedhisweaknessesandbroughtouthisfaultsweretheanswerstohisprayer,thegracesheduponhisaspirations.
120Hismemoriesoftheunhappypastorthemistakenpresentmustbeconvertedintolessonsinwisdom.Otherwisehismeditationsoverthemwillonlyturnthemintobreedinggroundsofresentmentandothernegativethoughts.
121Heshoulddevelopthesenseofselfcriticismtoahighandevenpainfuldegree.Hecannotanylongeraffordtoprotecthisego,ashedidinthepast,ortoseekexcusesforitssorryfrailtiesandfoolishnesses.
122Whathewillthinkfeelordoinanygivencircumstanceswillbemostlargelydeterminedbythesepasttendencies.Howimportantthentheneedofsuchcriticalselfexaminationexercises.
123Hewillneedtodeveloptheabilitytostandbackperiodicallyfromthepersonalselfandsurveyitslife,fortunes,character,anddoingsquiteimpartially.Duringthisexercise,heshouldadopttheattitudeofadisinterestedspectatorseekingtoknowthetruthaboutit.Hence,heshouldstudyitcalmlyandnottakesideswithitemotionally.
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124Thisistosay,nearlythewholeofyourlifecanbesteeredmanagedandcontrolledbythesimpleprocessoftakingstockonceaday.
125WemustnotseektoescapetheconsequencesofourdeedsmerelybyhandingthemovertotheOverself.Wemustnothandthemoverbeforewehavetriedearnestlytomastertheirlessons.Ifwehandthemoverprematurely,beassuredtheywillneverreachtheOverselfatall.
126Anotherpurposewhichhemustkeepinviewwhenrecallingthepastandseekingthelessonswhichstandoutfromit,isthediscernmentofkarma'sworkinginsomeoftheseexperiences.
127Wherepassions,appetites,anddesiresofanunworthykindaretherepeatedthemesofthesecriticalanalyses,theytendtobecomeweakerandweakerastheprocess,withitscorrosiveeffect,extendsintoalongtime.
128Whatistobesoughtforduringthisshortperiodandinthisexerciseisdetachmentfromhisownexperiencesandseparationfromhisownhabitualegoism.
129Hismeditationsonthissubjectofselfimprovementmustbeconstantlyrepeatedandunremittinglypursued.Hemustlookrelentlesslyattheuglytruthabouthimselffacetofaceandthenzealouslyfosterthoughtsthatcounteractituntiltheybecomehabitual.
130Whenwedevelopthehabitofcriticallyreflectinguponourexperiences,wefinditneedfultoreviseourideasandalterouroutlookfromtimetotime.
131Itmaybeeasytogettheworldly,thepracticalmessageofparticularexperiences,butitisnotsoeasytogetthehigher,thespiritualmessagetheycontain.Thisisbecausewehabituallylookatthemfromtheego'sstandpoint,especiallywhenpersonalfeelingsarestronglyinvolved.Truthcallsforatransferoftheinnercentreofgravity.
132If,however,aneffortisnotmadetopurifythemselvesbyundergoingthephilosophicdiscipline,theneventhisanalysisofthepastwillyieldlittleornovaluetothem.Experienceswillbeviewednotastheyreallyarebutastheviewerwishestoseethem.Thetroublesomeorpainfulconsequencesoftheirownblunders,weaknesses,orsinswillnotbeinterpretedasevidenceofsuch,butasevidencesofotherpeople'sfaults.Theirpersonalemotionswilldominateandhencemisreadeverysituation.Thesourcesoftheirowndifficultiesnotbeingseen,thenecessarychangesinthoughtandbehaviourwillnotbemade.
133Itisthebusinessofthedisciplewhoisinearnesttoprybeneaththesurfaceofhisactionsanddiscovertheirrealmotivatingforces,toexaminehisfeelingsandimpulsesandascertaintheirhiddencharacter,andnottointerpretthemfalselyathisego'sbidding.Hehastoprobeintohisattitudesanddiscoverwhattheyspringfromhehastolearntoanalysehisfeelingsimpartiallyandcoollyataskwhichfewmenliketodoorcandohehastoachieveaclearunderstandingofthecauseofhisfailuresanderrors.
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134Forsomeitisausefulpracticetowriteoutaselfarraignment,listingthemostglaringfaultsfirstandthemosthiddenoneslater.Thishelpsthemtokeepconstantlyawareofwhattheyhavetoavoid.Itcallstothemquietlybutinsistently.
135Toobservehimselfcorrectly,amanmustdosoimpartially,coolly,dispassionately,andnotleniently,conceitedly,excitedly.Hemustalsodoitjustly,withthewholeofhisbeingandnotpsychopathically,withonlyasinglepartofit.
136Itiseasyfortroubledpersonstofallintoaneuroticselfpity,tobroodtenselyoverthepictureoftheirpersonalmiseries.Theyaredoingwhatisrightinawaywhichiswrong.Itisrighttoanalysetroublessoastounderstandhowandwhytheyhavearisen.Butthisshouldbedonecasually,impersonally,andwithspecialreferencetothefaultsorweaknesseswhichhavecausedorcontributedtothearising.Thelessonshouldbelearnt,theresolvetodobetterinfuturetaken.Thentheabsorptioninsuchagloomytopicshouldbebroughttoanend.Thelightofhopeandfaithandsurrendershouldbeletin.
137Awarningisneeded:Whenitlackshumility,moralselfexaminationoftengoesastrayandyieldsamisleadingresult.
138Thosewhoarenotcompletelyhonestwiththemselves,whopreferattractivedelusiontorepulsivetruth,merelydeferthemomentofhumiliatingconfession.
139Hehastosearchoutandridhimselfofphobiasandprejudices,inhibitionsandneuroses,obsessionsandothermentalills.Hehastoseehimselfnotashisadmirersdo,butashisenemiesseehim.
140Hemustconstantlyexaminehisactionsandobservehisfeelings.Butheistodosoimpartially,critically,andbythestandardsoftheidealforwhichheisstriving.
141Hewhohasnotthecouragetofacehimselfasheis,tolookathisweakpointsalongwithhisbetterones,isnotfitforphilosophy.
142Heshouldkeeponprobingintohisweaknessesandthinkingaboutthemconstructively,theircausesandconsequences.Theimprovementofcharacterandtheelevationofmoralconditionarethefoundationofallspiritualwork.
143Tounwraphisinnerselfofthoughts,emotions,desires,motives,andpassionstodecidewhatisworthkeepingandwhatneedscuttingoutinit,thisishisfirsttask.
144Thisunendingprobeintothemeaningofhisownlifeandhumanity'slife,thisconstantselfexaminationofcharacterandmotive,leadstoaswifterdevelopmentofhismindandgrowthofhisego,afasterrealizationofhimselfandunfoldingofhisinnerpotentialities.
145Theremustariseanawarenessofhishiddendefects,ofthosedistortedemotionalandintellectualfactors,thosesubtlywarpedpurposes,whichhavegrownupwithhispastand
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nowdominatehissubconsciousbeing.Hemustopenupthecoveredplacesofhisheartandhemustdoitruthlesslyandfearlessly.
146Henoteshischaracteristicsasiftheywereoutsidehim,belongingtoanothermanandnotinsidehim.Hestudieshisweaknessestounderstandthemthoroughly.Theydonotdismayhimforhealsorecognizeshisstrengths.
147Iftheresultsofsuchanexaminationdisturbhisselfconfidenceandshakehisvanity,somuchthebetterforhisquest.
148Heistotrytobeawarefirstatspecifiedtimesandlateratalltimesofhisinnerstate,ofhisthoughtsandfeelings,hismotivesanddesires.Thatis,heistowatchhimself.Therearetwoformsofthisexercise.Inthepassiveonehewatcheswithoutpassingjudgementormakingcomment.Intheotherandactiveone,hemeasureshisstateagainsttheidealstatenot,however,byintellectuallyformedstandardsbutbyamindquieteningwaitingforintuitivefeeling.
149Atthisstageofhisinnerlife,thedisciplewillfindhimselfbeingledmoreandmoreinthedirectionofhisownpast.Hewillfindhimselfconsideringitsvariousphasesbutespeciallythosewhichweremarredbyignorance,errorandsin,wrongdecisions,andfoolishactions.Thesebroodingswillinevitablytakeonamelancholysaddeningcharacter.That,however,isnoreasonforavoidingthem.Thosesuperoptimistswhowouldhavemengazeonlyatthepresentandfuture,whodeprecateallremembranceoftheblunderingpast,seekatransientpseudohappinessratherthanatrulydurableone.For,inthedisciple'scasecertainlyandinothermen'scasesperhaps,itisbyfrankconfessionofthesemistakesandmisdeedsandbygloomyrecognitionoftheirchasteningconsequencesthattheirvaluablelessonsaredistilledandtheiruselessrecurrenceavoided.Thediscipleshouldsearchthoroughlyforhisweaknessesofcharacterandfaultsofintellect,andhavingthusdetectedthemaswellashumbledhimself,beconstantlyonhisguardagainstthemuntilhehassucceededineliminatingthemaltogether.
150Thehourforretirementatnightshouldalsobethehourforrecallingtheday'shappenings,deeds,andtalksinmemory,atthesametimemakinganappraisaloftheircharacterfromthehigherpointofview.Butwhentheexercisehascometoanend,theaspirantshoulddeliberatelyturnhismindutterlyawayfromallworldlyexperience,allpersonalmatters,andletthehushedsilenceofpuredevotionalworshipfalluponhim.
151Thisexerciseisparticularlysuitedtothoseperiodswhenheisabletoretirefromsociallifeandworldlybusiness,whenhecangointoretreatforawhile.Therehecanreflectwithprofituponthefaultsonhispastconduct.
152Hemustbegintopractiseintrospection.Thismaybegivenamorbidturn,asissooftendonebythosenotengagedwiththequest,oritmaybegivenahealthyone.Ifheusesthepracticetoexaminethecausesofhismistakesandtodiscovertheweaknessesinhischaracter,andthentakestheneedfulstepstoeliminatetheoneandovercometheother,itcanonlybenefitandelevatehim.
153Suchretrospectiveanalyses,criticalevaluations,andimpersonalinterpretationsofhis
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pastmustbeattemptedonlyincalmperiodsiftheresultsarenottobeemotionallydistorted.Againstthisrulethereisneverthelessanexception.Whenhefeelsbitterselfreproachabouthisbygonemistakesormisdeeds,itiswelltotakeadvantageofsuchanantiegoattitudewhileitlasts.
154Duringthispassiveandreceptivephaseofmeditation,variousevents,happenings,andobjectsreturntoconsciousnessagainandinthiswaythemeditatorhasanopportunitytodealwiththemfromahigherstandpointorfromafreshanddifferentone.Hemayalsoreceiveinformationorknowledgeinthiswayaboutthethingpsychicallyorintuitivelywhichhedidnothavebefore.
155Thetough,harshanalysisofone'sownerrorsshouldnotendthere,shouldnotterminateinagonizedselftorment.Itmustbecounterbalancedbypositiveattitudes.
156Itispossibletowatch,byintrospection,thehappeningsinthemind.Buttodothisaccuratelyandadequately,thedetachmentfosteredbythewitnessattitudemustbepresent.Partofhisconsciousnessmuststandaside,cool,untouchedbyemotions,andindependentofego.
157Tosearcharoundinsideoneselfmaybeamorbidoradangerousaffair,ifithasnohighobjective.
158Heshouldtrytoputhimselfintothefutureandlookbackonthispresentperiod.
159Theunconsciousmotivesmaybeonlyhalfhiddenfromtheconsciousmindanddeliberatelyignoredormaybecompletelysunk.
160Inordertounmaskhissensitivitiesandrecognizethemforthehiddenmotivesthattheyusuallyare,theseekermustdeliberatelysubjecthimselftothemostintensiveandgruellingselfanalysis.Everydisguisemustbestrippedbare.Everystumblingblockmustbepenetrated.Everyformofselfdeceptionmustbeuprooted.Hishighestaspirationsmustundergothesameexaminationandtreatmentashislowercharacteristics.Theresultsifheperseveresandisstrictlyhonestaremorethanlikelytoshockhim,or,atleast,toleadtosomestartlingdiscoveries.Suchselfanalysiswillnaturallyleadtotheseekingofahumbler,moreselfless,andmoreworthwhilewayoflife.
161Recognitionofmistakesisessentialbutshouldnotbedweltoninapurelynegativefashion.TheTeachermayindicatethatrecognitionaloneisnotenoughmoreeffortshouldbeputforthtoovercomethem.Butifheweretosetdownallthefaultsanddefectsstillobservable,hisstudentmightbecomesodejectedthathewouldthrowawayhisopportunities.Ontheotherhand,ifthestudentisearnest,certainvirtuesandfavourabletendencieswouldalsobeevident,andthese,setdownfully,mightcausehimtobecomesoelatedthathewouldoverestimatehispossibilities.
162Youwillfaceamomentinyourmentalselfanalysiswhenfearwilldescenduponyou,whenthedreadofdisintegrationwillshadowyouforyouwillreachforthebottom.
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163Thehabitofdissolvinghiscustomaryegoisticregardforhimselfiswellworthcultivatingrepeatedlyforaperiod.Forseveralreasonsitisgoodtolearnthisartofdetachment,topractisebecomingasecondandseparateperson,towatchhimselfandnotethedifferentreactionstotheday'sevents.Duringthisexercise,heshouldplacehisattentionuponsomedecisiveeventfromhispastwhichmeantmuchtohimatthetime.Heistoconsideritasimpartiallyandcoollyasifithadhappenedtoanotherman.Hemustkeepoutpersonalemotionfromthisspecialsurveyasheanalysesthewholehappeningfrombeginningtoend,fromcausestoresults.Heistojudgeitcriticallyandwherehefindshisformerattitudeoractsfaulty,reshapeitorthemmentallytothecorrectform.
164Ananalyticalremorsemaybehelpfulinuncoveringfaultsordeficiencies,butamorbidremorsewillhinderbettermentandparalyseaspiration.
165Ifhispastmistakesweremadeoutofignorancebutinuttersincerity,heneednotspendtherestofhislifetormentinghimselfwithvainreproaches.
166Hemustsearchhimselffortherealmotivesbehindhisconduct,whicharenotalwaysthesameasthoseheannouncestootherpersonsoreventohimself.
167Healoneknowswhattherealmanislikebehindtheimagewhichothershaveofhim.Butheknowsitonlyunderthecolouringofextenuations,justifications,andrepressions,withwhichhetintsit.
168Itwouldbeeasyforhimtocombthroughthesurfaceofhischaracterduringthisselfexaminationandyetmisstherealmotivationslyingbeneathit.
169Atrueappraisalshouldlistboththegoodandbadqualitiesofaseeker.Itshouldinventnothing,hidenothing.
170Thisscrutinymustpenetratehischaracterdeeply.Itmustlookfirstforthepsychologicalcausesofhisdismalfailuresthefaults,theindisciplines,andtheinadequacies.
171Torecognizeourguiltintracingthesourceofcertaintroublesisalwayshardsoblindedbyegoismarewe.Thephilosophicdisciplineaimsatcreatingtherequisitepersonaldisinterestednessinus.
172Rememberthatinexaminingyourselfitisunlikelythatyouwillbeimpartial.
173Introspectiveselfexaminationofthiskind,doneinthisway,isnotmorbidandunhealthy.Onthecontrary,itishelpfulandhealthy.
174Ifhestudiespastexperienceinthisimpersonalandanalyticway,whathelearnswillhelphimbeginaselftrainingofcharacterandintellectthatwillstopthecommissionoffurthermistakesorsinsandeliminatethefallaciesofbelieforhabit.
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175Suchselfexaminationwillbefruitfulifitsuppressesnothingandrevealseverything,moreespeciallyifitseeksoutfailingsratherthanvirtues.
176Philosophydoesnotencourageamorbiddwellingoverpastsins,lostopportunities,orerrorscommitted.Thatmerelywastestimeandsapspower.Theanalysisfinished,thelessonlearned,theamendmentmade,whatisleftovermustbeleftbehind.Whyburdenmemoryanddarkenconsciencewiththeirreparableifnogoodcanbedonebyit?
177Theresultofthisunflatteringexaminationwillbethathewillpassforawhilefromselflovetoselfdespising.
178Hemustscrutinizemotivesandfindouttowhatextenttheyarepureorimpure,sincereorhypocritical,factualordeceptive.
179Hemustregardhisfaultswithsincerityandwithoutflinching.Heshouldbetoomuchinearnesttohidethemfromhimselfortoseekplausibleexcusesforthem.
180Hemustpractisesevereselfjudgementandruthlessselfcriticismbylookingathisimperfectionswithcourageandhonesty,subordinatingsmugvanityuntiltherevelationofhimselftohimselfcomesoutclearlyandtruthfullyintheend.
181Hewillfindthatundoinghispastmistakeswillbehamperedorhelpedbyhiscapacitytorecognizethemforwhattheyreallyare.
182Bysearchinghimselfandstudyinghispast,hemaybeabletodetermineatwhatpointhedeviatedfromthecorrectpathoflivingorrightthinking.
183Whentheimpactofthetruthabouthisownunderlyingmotivesisfirstfelt,heislikelytosinkintogravediscouragement.
184Itmaybedishearteningtoreviewfromtimetotimethepresentstateofhisownfailingsbutitisbetterthanpretendingtheyarenotthereandgettingtrippedbytheminconsequence.
185Heshouldnotrefusetorecognizehisowndeficiencies,butheneednoteitherexaggerateorminimizethemwhiledoingso.
186Hemustexplorehisownpastandgleanthelessonsfromit.Hemustanalysethepersonalandenvironmentalfactorswhichcomposedeachsituationorinfluencedthem,andhemustdoallthisasadequatelyandthoroughlyaspossible.
187Heshouldstudyhisbrilliantsuccessesandsorryfailuresforthedifferentlessonswhichbothcanteachhim.
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188When,atlonglast,heisabletoburrowbeneaththeveryfoundationofhisego,themeditationapproachesitsbestvalue.
189Hehastostandasidefromhimselfandobservethechiefeventsofhislifewithphilosophicdetachment.Someofthemmayfillhimwithemotionsofregretorshame,otherswithprideandsatisfaction,butallshouldbeconsideredwiththeleastpossibleegoismandthegreatestpossibleimpartiality.Inthiswayexperienceisconvertedintowisdomandfaultsareextractedfromcharacter.
190Itisoutofsuchreflectionsthatwenowlearnwhatfoolswemadeofourselvesjustwhenwebelievedweweredoingsomethingclever,whatfallaciousideasweheldjustwhenwebelievedthetruthwithinourgrasp.
191Eachseparaterecollectionofthesepasterrorsisinitselfarepeatedpunishment.
192Lethimthrowallhisexperiencesintothisscrupulousanalysis.Itdoesnotmatterwhether,onthesurface,theyareimportantornot.Solongasthereissomeinstructivesignificancetobedistilledfromthem,somemorallesson,philosophicprinciple,practicalguidance,ormetaphysicaltruth,theyaregristforhismill.Mosteventsandepisodesthathecanremember,thetrivialaswellasthetragic,aretobereconsideredfromthisstrictlyimpersonalpointofviewandmadetoservehisspiritualdevelopment.
193Tomakethemindacquaintedwithitselfbywatchingitsthoughtwhileinastateofdetachment,isamainpurposeofsuchspiritualexercises.
194Itisinsuchrelaxedperiods,whenthepanoramaofhisownpersonalhistoryfiltersthroughhismind,lettingtheeventspassbutkeepingbacktheirlessons,thathecanpractiseanimpersonalitywhichprofitshisfuturelives.
195Atechniqueofremembranceisnecessarytodiscoverwhatlessonsarestillneededbyconstantlyanalysingone'swholepastlife,judgingallmajordecisionsandactionsinthelightoftheresultstowhichtheyled,andoftheeffectswhichtheyhadbothuponhimselfanduponothers.Suchreflectionshouldbedonenotonlyintheformofmeditation,butalsoatoddtimeswhenthemoodcomesuponhim,nomatterwhatheisdoing.
196Itisanexperiencewhennotonlyknownmistakes,moralorworldly,standoutsharplybeforehismind'seyebutothers,hithertounrecognizedassuch,areseenforthefirsttime.
197Everyaspirantknowsthatwhenthisselfexaminationrevealsthepresenceofwrongattitudeshemustfightthem.
Moralselfbettermentexercises
198
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Inearlyperiodsofdevelopment,itisnecessarytoincludeinthemeditationperiodexercisesfortheconstructivebuildingofcharacter.Theywillthenbepreparatorytotheexercisesformindstilling.
199Theimaginationwhichsportswithpersonalfanciesandplayswithegotisticfictionsmaybeharmfultophilosophicpursuitoftruth,buttheimaginationwhichcreativelysetsouttopicturethefurtherstepsindevelopmentishelpfultoit.
200Thephilosophicaluseofmeditationnotonlydiffersfromitsmysticaluseinsomewaysbutalsoextendsbeyondit.Amostimportantpartofthestudent'smeditationsmustbedevotedtomoralselfimprovement.Whenhehasmadesomeprogressintheartofmeditation,hehasacquiredapowerfulweapontouseinthewaragainsthisownbaserattributesandpersonalweaknesses.Hemustreflectuponhisownmistakenconductofthepastandthepresent,repentitsoccurrence,andresolvetoridhimselfoftheweaknesseswhichledhimintoit.Hemustcontemplatethepossibilityofsimilarsituationsdevelopinginthefutureandpicturehimselfactinginthemashisbetterselfwouldhavehimact.If,insteadofusingmeditationperiodsonlyforlollingnegativelyintheemotionalpeacewhichtheyyield,hewillreserveapartofthoseperiodsforpositiveendeavourtowielddominionoverthoseattributesandweaknesses,hewillfindthatthefortifiedwillandintensifiedimaginationofsuchmomentsbecometrulycreative.Fortheywilltendtoreproducethemselvessuccessfullyinhissubsequentexternalconduct.Thatwhichhehaspicturedtohimselfandabouthimselfduringmeditationwillsuddenlycomebacktohisconsciousnessduringthepostmeditativeperiods,oritwillevenexpressitselfdirectlyinexternaldeedswhentheirmeditativestimulihavebeenquiteforgotten.
201CreativeThought:Thisexercisemakesuseofoneofman'smostvaluablepowersspiritualizedimagination.Everyonepossessestheimagemakingfacultytosomedegreeandartiststoanextraordinarydegree.Thestudentmuststrivetogetsomethingoftheartist'simaginativecapacityandthenallyitwiththeilluminatinganddynamizingpowerofhishigherself.Butthiscanonlybesuccessfullyandperfectlyachievedif,first,theimagesareharmoniouswiththedivinewillforhimandif,second,hehasdevelopedtotheseconddegreeofmeditation.Butnotmanycanfulfiltheseconditions.Nevertheless,allmayattemptandbenefitbytheexercise,eventhoughtheirattemptwillbehalting,theirbenefitpartial,andtheresultsimperfect.Foreventhenitwillbegreatlyworthwhile.Thisistherightwaytomakeimaginationservehim,insteadoflettingitevaporateinuselessfantasiesorharmfuldaydreams.
202Thisexerciseacceptsandutilizesthepowerofimagery,thefacultyofvisualization,whichisoneofthefeaturesdistinguishingthemanfromtheanimal.Itplacesdesirablepatternsinthemindandplacesthemthereregularlyandpersistently,untiltheybegintoinfluenceboththewayweapproachfortuneandthefortunewhichapproachesus.Thesepatternsconcerntheself'scharacterandtheself'sfuture,portraytheidealandpredictthemorrow.
203Meditationdirectedtowardsthereformandimprovementofcharactershouldhaveatwofoldapproach.Ontheonehand,itshouldbeanalyticandlogicalselfcriticism,exposingthefaultsandweaknesses,theunpleasantresultstowhichtheyleadbothforoneselfandforothers.Ontheotherhand,itshouldbecreativeandimaginativepicturingofthevirtuesandqualitieswhicharethecontraryoppositesofthefaultsandshortcomingsexposedbytheotherapproach.Themeditatorshouldpicturehimself
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expressingthesetraitsinaction.
204Inthemeditationalworkuponeradicatingthefault,hemaybeginbytryingtorememberasmanyoccasionsashecanwhereheshowedit,andexpressrepentanceforthem.
205Theactreproducesthepicturehehadpaintedofitinhisimagination.Hisidealcharacter,hisperfectpatternofconductneednolongerremainunrealizableorfrustrating.
206Thelabouronhimselfdoesnotmeanamorallabouronly:althoughthatwillbeincluded,itisonlypreparatory.Itmeansalso,andmuchmore,givingattentiontohisattention,notingwherehisthoughtsaregoing,trainingthemtocomebackintohimselfandthus,attheend,tocometorestattheirsourceundisturbedConsciousness.
207Heisabletoriseabovehisownlimitedexperiencebyimaginativelyabsorbingotherpeople'sexperience.
208Theevilconsequencesofyieldingtocertaindesiresformsafitthemeforthiskindofmeditationexercise.
209Wemustbringourquestionsandproblemstothesilenthourwiththedesiretoknowwhatisreallyforourowngood,ratherthanforourpersonalgratification.
210Hewhodevelopsalongtheselinesthroughthecreativepowerofmeditation,willeventuallyfindthathisinstinctwillspontaneouslyrejectthepromptingsofhislowerselfandimmediatelyaccepttheintuitionsofhishigherself.
211Therearetwofactorswhichretardoraccelerate,preventorconsummatetheresultheseekstoachievebythecreativeuseofthought.Thefirstishisindividualdestiny,preordainedfrombirth.ThesecondistheharmonyordisharmonybetweenhispersonalwishandtheOverself'simpersonalwillforhisownevolution.Themorehecantakeadetachedviewofhislife,separatinghisneedsfromhisdesires,themoreishiswishlikelytobefulfilledbytheuseofthismethod.
212Fromthesesessionshecandrawattractivequalitiesstronginwillpower,relaxedinnerves,andeversmilinginface.Fromthem,too,heislikelytorenewmorecourageouslythanbeforehispersonalcommitmenttotheQuest.
213Heshouldanalyticallystudy,warmlyadmire,andimaginativelypossessthecharacteristicqualitiesofSagehood.Theyformanexcellenttopicfordwellingonduringthemeditationperiod.
214Theserarenatureswhodispensegoodwillandradiatetolerance,whorisecalmlyandwithoutapparenteffortaboveangerprovokingsituationsandhighlyirritatingpersons,representanideal.Itisnotanimpossibleoneandmayberealizedlittlebylittleifhefaithfullypractisesconstructivemeditationuponthebenefitsofcalmnessaswellasupon
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thedisadvantagesofanger.
215Theexercisedealswithpersons,things,situations,andproblemswhichexistonlyinimaginarycircumstancesinsidehisownmind.Butotherwiseheistogiveitalltherealityhecan,tosee,hear,touch,andsmellinternallyasvividlyasifhewereusingthesesamesensesexternally.Exceptforanyspecialmodificationwhichthephilosophicdisciplinemaycallfor,everyactistobedonementallyjustashewoulddoitinreallife.
216Heistopicturetohimselftheexactqualityheseekstogain,justasitfeelswithinhimselfandexpressesthroughhisactions.
217Ausefulmeditationexerciseistocreateinadvancethroughimagination,anymeetingwithotherslikelytohappeninthenearfutureorwiththoseheliveswith,workswith,orisassociatedwith,whichmayresultinprovocation,irritability,oranger.Thestudentshouldseetheincidentinhismind'seyebeforeitactuallyhappensonthephysicalplane,andconstructivelypicturehimselfgoingthroughitcalmly,serenely,andselfcontrolledjustashewouldlikehimselftobe,oroughttobe,atthetime.
218Meditationismorefruitfulifpartofitisdevotedtoreflectiononideals,qualities,andtruthsneededbythestudentatthetime.
219Meditationshouldbebegunwithashort,silentprayertotheOverself,humblybeseechingguidanceandGrace.ThismaybedoneeitherbykneelingintheWesternfashionorbysittingintheOrientalfashion.Afterofferinghisprayer,theaspirantshouldsitdowninthepositionhecustomarilyusesinmeditation,closehiseyes,andtrytoforgeteverythingelse.Hemaythenformamentalpictureofhisownfaceandshoulders,asthoughhewerelookingathimselffromanimpersonalpointofview.Heshouldthinkofthepersoninthepictureasastranger.Lethimfirstconsidertheother'sfaultsandweaknesses,but,later,asachangedperson,endowedwithidealqualities,suchascalmness,aspiration,selfmastery,spirituality,andwisdom.Inthisway,hewillopenadoorfortheHigherSelftomakeitsmessagesknowntohimintheformofintuitions.Heshouldbepreparedtodevoteyearstointenseeffortsinselfexaminationandselfimprovement.Thisisthefoundationforthelaterwork.Oncethecharacterhasbeenennobled,thewaytoreceivingguidanceandGracewillbeunobstructed.
220Thestudentmustearnestlytrytolearnthelessonsofhisownexperiencebyconsideringsituationsasimpersonallyandunemotionallyashecan.Bymeditatingontheminacool,analyticalwayferretingoutpastblundersandnotsparinghimselfhemayuncoversomeoftheweaknessesimpedinghisprogress.Heshouldthenmakeeveryefforttocorrectthem.
221Theproblemoftryingtocontroltemperisonethatisfrequentlypresented.Itcanonlybesolvedslowlyunderordinarycircumstances.Duringmeditation,heshouldpicturehimselfinatemperandthendeliberatelyconstructanimaginativescenewhereinheexercisesmoreandmoredisciplineoverhimself.Thesementalpictureswhensufficientlyrepeatedandwithsufficientintensitywilltendtoreappearbeforehismind'seyeatthemomentwhenhedoesactuallyfallintoatemper.
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Themethodofvisualizingwhatyouwishtomaterializemayonlyservetofattentheegoandblockspiritualadvancement,whichiswhathappenswithmostofitspractisers.Butifitisresortedtoonlywhenthemindhasbeenharmonized,evenforafewmoments,withtheOverself,itwillnotonlybeharmlessbutalsosuccessful.Foratsuchatimeandinsuchacondition,nothingwillbewishedforthatwillnotbeconformabletothehigherwelfareoftheindividual.
223Althoughanuninformed,unchecked,andunguidedimaginationcancarryhimintodangerousplacesoronuselessjourneys,canboghimdowninutterselfdeceptionorinfluencehimtodeludeothers,neverthelesswhenithastherightqualitiestheimaginativefacultycancarryhimfaralongthespiritualpath.Itcanhelphimtocreatefromwithinhimselfgoodqualitiesandbetteredattitudeswhich,ordinarily,thedisciplineofpainfuleventswouldhavecreatedfromwithout.ItisneededforvisualizingtheIdeal,foracquiringvirtues,andforholdingtheSymbolinmeditation.HencetheoldRosicrucianadept,Mejnour,whoisoneoftheleadingcharactersinthatinterestingoccultnovel,Zanoni,says:"Youngman,ifthyimaginationisvivid...Iwillaccepttheeasmypupil."AndBulwerLytton,theauthor,himselfanexperiencedoccultist,remarks:"ItwastothisstatethatMejnourevidentlysoughttobringtheNeophyte....Forhewhoseekstodiscover,mustfirstreducehimselfintoakindofabstractidealism,andberenderedup,insolemnandsweetbondage,tothefacultieswhichcontemplateandimagine."
224Analyse,understand,andconfessthesinexpressremorse,resolvetoactrightlyinthefutureandfinallythrowyourselfonGod'smercy.
225Thereisnopsychicdangerfortheworthyintheprevisioningexercises,buttherewouldbeforpeopledominatedbylowmotivesandexpressingunpurifiedemotions.
226Itispossiblebythepowerofsuchmeditations,creativelytoshapethecharacteranddeepentheconsciousnessofoneself.
227Itisnotenoughtovisualizeoneselflivingtheidealonemustalsolearntoretainthepicture.
228CreativeThoughtExercise:Hevisualizespossibleevents,preexamineshisbehavioronmeetingthem,andreshapestheseanticipatedthoughtsanddeedsonhigherprinciples.
229CreativeMeditationExercise:Hemaythinkofprobablemeetingsduringthenextday,ifheispractisingatnight,orofthecomingdayifatmorn,ofeventsthatarelikelytohappenthen,andofplaceswherehemayhavetogo.Alongsideofthathemayimaginehowheoughttoconducthimself,howtothinkandtalkunderthosecircumstances.Andalways,iftheexerciseistoproveitsworth,heshouldtakethestandpointofhisbetter,nobler,wiserself,oftheOverself.
230Hemusttrainhimselfduringsolitaryhoursinthequalitiesheseekstoexpressduringactiveones.Creativeimaginationandconcentratedthinkingarethemeansforthisselftraining.
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Alldominanttendenciesandrulingideaswhichareofanundesirablecharacterconstitutefruitfulsourcesoffutureaction.If,bysuchcreativemeditation,weeradicatethemwealsoeradicatethepossibilityofundesirableactioninthefuture.
232Outofthesequietmomentstherewillemergeintoactivedaytodaylifethosecontrolsofcharacter,thosedisciplinesofemotion,whichelevatethehumanentity.
233Whenyouhaveclimbedthepeakofthismeditation,youhaveenteredintoyourmostpowerfulcreativemoments.Itiswellthereforeatsuchatimetomakeyourfirststepindescenttoordinaryconsciousnessastepinselfimprovement.Takesomedefectincharacterthatneedstobeovercomeandimaginativelytreatyourselfforitlikeadoctortreatingapatient.
234Everyhelpfulselfsuggestiongivenatthispointofcontemplationwillgerminatelikeaseedandproduceitsvisiblefruitinduetime.
235ThemeditationpracticesoftheJesuitswerebasedonthesameprinciple.Theirexercisestransformedmen'scharacter.Thestudenthadtoexperienceimaginativelywhathehopedtorealizeonedayphysically.Thedualitywhichisaffirmedandpicturedintenselyinmeditationbecomesmaterializedintime.
236Suchconstructivemeditationonpositivequalitieswillhelptoeliminatewrongfearsfromaman'slifeandincreasehisstrengthtoendurethevicissitudesofmodernexistence.
237ByconstantlymeditatingupontheIdeal,thecreativepowerofimaginationgraduallyimplantsthelikenessofitsqualities,attributes,andvirtuesinhim.Itbecomes,indeed,asecondselfwithwhichheincreasinglyidentifieshimself.
238Theworkofmeditationmayeventuallybecomeatransformingone.Ifthemeditator,whilerestinginthiscreativequietude,earnestlystrivestoreeducatehischaracter,impersonalizehisattitude,andstrengthenhisspirituality,hecandevelopaninnerlifethatmustinevitablybringmarkedanddeepchangesinhisouterlife.
239Anditisthroughsuchpersistentreflectionsuponexperiencethathischaracterslowlyalters,thusconfirmingSocrates'saying:"Virtuecanbelearned."Theidealpicturesforhimthesortofmanhewantstobe.
240Rightreflectionaboutpastexperiences,togetherwithdeterminationtotakehimselfinhand,willleadthestudenttoamoreworthwhilefutureandsmooththepathahead.
241Itisausefulexercisetospendtimerecollectingthepreviousday'sactions,situations,andhappeningsinthesameorderinwhichtheymanifested.Thosepersonswhoappearinthemshouldberecalledasvividlyastheywerethenseen,andtheirvoicesheardasclearly.
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Thisexerciserequireshimtoreviewthedayjustpastfromthehourofwakingoutofsleeptothehourofgoingbacktobedatnight.
243Thevalueoftakingthiskindofabackwardlookatthedayjustfinishedisfarmorethanitseems.Foreverythinginhimwillbenefithischaracter,hisdestiny,andevenhisafterdeathexperience.
244Theexerciseispractisedwhenheretiresforthenightandislyinginthedark.Hegoesbackwardintimeandrecallsallthathashappenedduringthedaythepersonshehasmet,theplaceshehasvisited,andwhathehasdone.Thepictureshouldbemadeasfullydetailedaspossibleandcovertheentirefieldfromthemomentheawokeinthemorninguntilthemomenthelaydowntobegintheexercise.Ifhehastalkedwithothers,henotestheparticulartoneandaccentoftheirvoices,aswellashearingthesentencesthemselves.Hetriestoinsertasmanylittleitemsintohisvisualizationaswillrenderitsharp,realistic,andconvincing.Outofthisbackgroundheselectsthoseofhisactionsandwords,aswellasthoseofhisfeelingsandthoughts,whichcallforamendmentorcorrectionordiscipline.Heistoculloutoftheday'sepisodesandhappeningsnotonlywhathisconscienceorjudgementtellhimcallforcorrectiveworkinmeditationbutalsowhatismostsignificantforhisspiritualpurposeandwhatislikelytoprovemostfruitfulforhiscreativeworkinmeditation.
245Allwillcomeunderreviewperiodicallythemanagementofhisrelationshipswithothers,hispersonal,social,andprofessionalactivities,themanagementofhislife.Butallthisscrutinyistobedonefromastandpointhigherthantheordinaryone,lessegogovernedandmoreimpersonal.Thereforeitshouldbedoneonlyandpreferablyatsuchtimesasthismoodisuponhim,ifitistobeeffectivelydone.
246Heshould,forthepurposesofthisexerciselookbackanumberofyearstothepointsinhispersonalhistorywhereopportunitywasmissedordecisionwaswrongoractioncouldhavebeenbetter.Then,usinghisimaginativefaculty,heshouldreconstructthesituationsandmentally,correctinghispasterrors,dowhatheoughtthentohavedone.Fromthere,heshouldproceedtotracetheprobableconsequencesdownthroughtheyears.
TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.