the speaking tree - Your Best Friend And Your Worst Enemy
Swami Vishnudevananda
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The mind is its own worst enemy as well as its own best friend.According to yogic thought, the mind has five different types of behaviour. In the kshipta state, it is fragmented, distracted and scattered on various objects. It is restless and jumps from one thing to another. In the mudha state it is dull and forgetful. Vikshipta is the gathering mind. It is occasionally steady and at other times distracted.This is its condition during practice as it struggles to become focussed. In the ekagrata or one-pointed state there is only one idea present. In the niruddha state full control is achieved.
The greatest impediment to concentration is restlessness and tossing of the mind. When a beginner sits for practice, the thoughts, unaccustomed to this new game and freed from their usual grooves, leap about in an uncontrolled way . To remove tossing and other obstacles to one-pointedness, adamantly fix the mind on one object alone. When it runs away , as it naturally will, pull it back again and again. It will want to create hundreds of alternate thought forms. But if not disciplined no progress can be made.
It is necessary to introspect and watch the mind carefully . Bubbling thoughts must be silenced and emotions calmed; the purpose of concentration is the stilling of mental waves. One should not allow the mind to dissipate energy uselessly on vain thoughts, worries, imagination and fears ... The mind is attracted to pleasing or favourite ideas.Therefore, concentrate on something that is appealing.Because of its natural, externalising bent, in the beginning concentrate on gross objects. A flame, the moon or a concrete spiritual symbol can be concentrated upon with open eyes.Later use subtle objects and abstract ideas. With the eyes closed, the aspirant concentrates on the space between the eyebrows, the heart, or any of the chakras, or centres of spiritual energy.
By manipulating the mind, one is able to bring it under control and compel it to concentrate. However, don't wrestle with it. Struggle only sets more mental waves into motion ... Sometimes spiritual aspirants leave off the practice of concentration, as they find it difficult. They make a great mistake. In the initial struggle to overcome body consciousness, practice may well be troublesome.There is physical restlessness attended by an overabundance of emotions and thoughts. In due time, often only after many years, the mind becomes cool, pure and strong, and immense joy is derived from it.
The sum total of all the pleasures in the world is nothing compared to the bliss derived from meditation. Do not give up the practice at any cost. Have an attitude of patience, cheerfulness and tenacity . Success will eventually come. By serious introspection, it is possible to discover the various impediments to concentration. They may be removed with patience and effort. They can be nipped in the bud through discrimination, right inquiry and meditation.
The more concentrated the mind is, the more power is brought to bear on one point. The purpose of life is to fix the mind on the Absolute. When it is so fixed, one becomes calm, serene, steady and strong. In concentration the senses cease to function, and there is no longer awareness of the body and surroundings. As it deepens, one experiences great joy and spiritual intoxication.Concentration opens the inner chambers of love and, as it leads to meditation, is the sole key to the realm of Eternity . (`Meditation & Mantras' from the Sivananda Ashram.)
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The greatest impediment to concentration is restlessness and tossing of the mind. When a beginner sits for practice, the thoughts, unaccustomed to this new game and freed from their usual grooves, leap about in an uncontrolled way . To remove tossing and other obstacles to one-pointedness, adamantly fix the mind on one object alone. When it runs away , as it naturally will, pull it back again and again. It will want to create hundreds of alternate thought forms. But if not disciplined no progress can be made.
It is necessary to introspect and watch the mind carefully . Bubbling thoughts must be silenced and emotions calmed; the purpose of concentration is the stilling of mental waves. One should not allow the mind to dissipate energy uselessly on vain thoughts, worries, imagination and fears ... The mind is attracted to pleasing or favourite ideas.Therefore, concentrate on something that is appealing.Because of its natural, externalising bent, in the beginning concentrate on gross objects. A flame, the moon or a concrete spiritual symbol can be concentrated upon with open eyes.Later use subtle objects and abstract ideas. With the eyes closed, the aspirant concentrates on the space between the eyebrows, the heart, or any of the chakras, or centres of spiritual energy.
By manipulating the mind, one is able to bring it under control and compel it to concentrate. However, don't wrestle with it. Struggle only sets more mental waves into motion ... Sometimes spiritual aspirants leave off the practice of concentration, as they find it difficult. They make a great mistake. In the initial struggle to overcome body consciousness, practice may well be troublesome.There is physical restlessness attended by an overabundance of emotions and thoughts. In due time, often only after many years, the mind becomes cool, pure and strong, and immense joy is derived from it.
The sum total of all the pleasures in the world is nothing compared to the bliss derived from meditation. Do not give up the practice at any cost. Have an attitude of patience, cheerfulness and tenacity . Success will eventually come. By serious introspection, it is possible to discover the various impediments to concentration. They may be removed with patience and effort. They can be nipped in the bud through discrimination, right inquiry and meditation.
The more concentrated the mind is, the more power is brought to bear on one point. The purpose of life is to fix the mind on the Absolute. When it is so fixed, one becomes calm, serene, steady and strong. In concentration the senses cease to function, and there is no longer awareness of the body and surroundings. As it deepens, one experiences great joy and spiritual intoxication.Concentration opens the inner chambers of love and, as it leads to meditation, is the sole key to the realm of Eternity . (`Meditation & Mantras' from the Sivananda Ashram.)
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