Clearing the mind...

[Guest guest]

John;

 

 

 

There are a number of ways to answer your question.

 

First, if one follows a meditative tradition that emphasizes

one-pointedness, one will have learned to stop all thoughts and to center

the mind completely on the object of their contemplation. One can

accomplish this using any number of 'objects' including a mantra,

concentration on a point, on an idea, on a mystical diagragm--or even a

combination of these. It is not an easy process, and one must, in my view

and the view of most experts, offer complete dedication to attainment. One

must dedicate the day and night to the release of tension and preparation

for meditation. But this can be accomplished while 'living in the world.'

Focusing the mind on a single activity is often called meditation 'with a

seed', or an object in the mind. But it is a preparation for

contemplation/meditation 'without a seed,'--on pure awareness alone.

>From The Meditative Mind, by Daniel Goleman,

 

"By continually focusing on the object of meditation, there comes the first

moment marking a total break with normal consciousness. This is full

absorption, or 'jhana.' The mind suddenly seems to sink into the object and

remains fixed in it. Hindering thoughts cease totally. There is neither

sensory perception nor the usual awareness of one's body..."

>From my experience;

 

A few years ago, I had had a particularly trying day and evening. Work had

been long, and a conflict had arisen between myself and my mother. I took

refuge with friends who had a puja room in their house dedicated to Swami

Lakshmanjoo. I had been a guest in their home many times for worship and

friendship. On this night, around midnight, I knocked on their door, spoke

for a while with my friend John, and asked to visit the portrait of Swamiji

in the meditation room.

 

No sooner had I sat before Swamiji when all thoughts, all emotions, all

perturbations of any sort departed. I sat gazing at His smiling face

surrounded by stillness and peace. I sat for some time that evening.

Occasionally, I marveled over this miracle-- a thought would rise and was

easily whisked away. Peace continued unabated until long after I left the

puja room and the portrait of the Master.

>From a more 'technical' perspective, may I say that Grace has been favorable

in the worship of meditation,(and supporting practices), and I can bear some

personal witness to my words. The work has continued for many years and I

can say plainly that it is possible to 'retool' as Goleman says in the

above-mentioned book, or re-structure consciousness so that one no longer

experiences boundaries and the 'inner' activities that once one experienced

as 'normal.' It is indeed possible to 'imbibe' the world, as Swami

Lakshmanjoo said in the quote I posted this morning, and discover that the

world is bright and aromatic and brilliantly alive in a way one never

imagined.

 

Madhya

[Guest guest]

At 6:41 PM -0700 5/12/1999, Madhya Nandi wrote:

>"Madhya Nandi" <madhya

>

>John;

>

>

>

>There are a number of ways to answer your question.

 

Thank you for your effort.

[Guest guest]

> "By continually focusing on the object of meditation, there comes the

first

> moment marking a total break with normal consciousness. This is full

> absorption, or 'jhana.' The mind suddenly seems to sink into the object

and

> remains fixed in it. Hindering thoughts cease totally. There is neither

> sensory perception nor the usual awareness of one's body..."

 

This exact experience has happened to me, but included with it was the

perception of a pinpoint (or slightly larger) of absolutely clear white

light, just slightly to the left of the "perceptual" field. There was a

noticeable "descent" back to "normal" consciousness as the mind "woke

up"

in surprise at noticing this light.

 

This Jhana is also known as Salvikalpa Samadhi, I believe.

 

Hari OM,

 

Tim