Hi,
How to relax the mind before doing the concentration practices?
I've read lots of lectures, yet I lack understanding what is true relaxation of the mind.
At first I relax body, then start to observe mind. To begin with loudly (in mind) identifying every thought I see.
However after some time state of perception changes and observer starts receiving various chaotic experiences from the mind. Shortly afterwards observer sinks into mind and loses separation between observer and thing observed. And starts dreaming...
Am I doing it right? How should I maintain separation and do not identify?
How to relax the mind before doing the concentration practices?
I've read lots of lectures, yet I lack understanding what is true relaxation of the mind.
At first I relax body, then start to observe mind. To begin with loudly (in mind) identifying every thought I see.
However after some time state of perception changes and observer starts receiving various chaotic experiences from the mind. Shortly afterwards observer sinks into mind and loses separation between observer and thing observed. And starts dreaming...
Am I doing it right? How should I maintain separation and do not identify?
Accepted Answer
This realization indicates that you must apply more conscious effort being attentive throughout the day. Your questions also indicate that you must learn how to relax throughout the day as well. We accomplish this through persistent practice, by taking the time to step back from any agitated activity in order to observe oneself, as well as to relax the body and mind. Comprehension of the nature of self-observation does not come over night, not even throughout a couple of years. It is a lifetime of work. You will come to recognize that state of separation from the ego simply by making daily and moment-to-moment efforts in your consciousness to realize that awakened state. Naturally, as this occurs, the body and mind relax, since the consciousness is utilizing those energies that normally are squandered through the ego.
When our consciousness is weak and identified throughout the busy moments of life, then our meditations will reflect that lack of discipline. Our internal mental chaos becomes evident when we sit to close our eyes, indicating a lack of conscious dominion over the mind. If we are vigilant throughout the day, watchful, attentive and aware no matter what circumstance, difficulty or preoccupation, then concentration naturally develops in a gradual and harmonious manner. As we learn to relax throughout the day, pausing for a few minutes to re-establish equilibrium in our three brains, the natural perceptive state of attention and awareness become robust. Simply put, we learn how to concentrate very well when we pay attention, and when we know how to pay attention, we overcome tense energies in our body and mind. Since the ego is an obstacle in the flow of existence, the consciousness helps to untie those knots through the power of attention.
Labeling defects can be a good start, whereby you identify those thoughts which emerge from the subconsciousness within your meditation. However, you will need to move beyond mere labeling of defects in order to go deeper into the mind. The solution is to pay attention throughout the day and to take breaks during your busy activities in order to relax and meditate, even for just short periods of time. Meditating frequently in small doses is a good start towards developing a mature meditative discipline.
When you feel yourself slipping into unconsciousness, you can work with a mantra (mentally or out loud). You can also perform transmutation. These activities help to stabilize the consciousness and provide fuel for spiritual experience.
The Gnostic Meditation Course explains this process of attention, concentration and meditation very well. We recommend you study and apply its principles in depth, specifically the chapters on Vigilance, Calm Abiding and Concentration. Also study "Treatise of Revolutionary Psychology" by Samael Aun Weor, not for a period of a few days, months, or years, but throughout your entire life, since within this relatively short book are the tools and techniques for achieving awakened consciousness.
When our consciousness is weak and identified throughout the busy moments of life, then our meditations will reflect that lack of discipline. Our internal mental chaos becomes evident when we sit to close our eyes, indicating a lack of conscious dominion over the mind. If we are vigilant throughout the day, watchful, attentive and aware no matter what circumstance, difficulty or preoccupation, then concentration naturally develops in a gradual and harmonious manner. As we learn to relax throughout the day, pausing for a few minutes to re-establish equilibrium in our three brains, the natural perceptive state of attention and awareness become robust. Simply put, we learn how to concentrate very well when we pay attention, and when we know how to pay attention, we overcome tense energies in our body and mind. Since the ego is an obstacle in the flow of existence, the consciousness helps to untie those knots through the power of attention.
Labeling defects can be a good start, whereby you identify those thoughts which emerge from the subconsciousness within your meditation. However, you will need to move beyond mere labeling of defects in order to go deeper into the mind. The solution is to pay attention throughout the day and to take breaks during your busy activities in order to relax and meditate, even for just short periods of time. Meditating frequently in small doses is a good start towards developing a mature meditative discipline.
When you feel yourself slipping into unconsciousness, you can work with a mantra (mentally or out loud). You can also perform transmutation. These activities help to stabilize the consciousness and provide fuel for spiritual experience.
The Gnostic Meditation Course explains this process of attention, concentration and meditation very well. We recommend you study and apply its principles in depth, specifically the chapters on Vigilance, Calm Abiding and Concentration. Also study "Treatise of Revolutionary Psychology" by Samael Aun Weor, not for a period of a few days, months, or years, but throughout your entire life, since within this relatively short book are the tools and techniques for achieving awakened consciousness.
Joyful in hope, suffering in tribulation, be thou constant in thy prayer.
Benedictis, qui venit in nomine Domini. Osanna in excelsis.
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!"
Accepted Answer
This realization indicates that you must apply more conscious effort being attentive throughout the day. Your questions also indicate that you must learn how to relax throughout the day as well. We accomplish this through persistent practice, by taking the time to step back from any agitated activity in order to observe oneself, as well as to relax the body and mind. Comprehension of the nature of self-observation does not come over night, not even throughout a couple of years. It is a lifetime of work. You will come to recognize that state of separation from the ego simply by making daily and moment-to-moment efforts in your consciousness to realize that awakened state. Naturally, as this occurs, the body and mind relax, since the consciousness is utilizing those energies that normally are squandered through the ego.
When our consciousness is weak and identified throughout the busy moments of life, then our meditations will reflect that lack of discipline. Our internal mental chaos becomes evident when we sit to close our eyes, indicating a lack of conscious dominion over the mind. If we are vigilant throughout the day, watchful, attentive and aware no matter what circumstance, difficulty or preoccupation, then concentration naturally develops in a gradual and harmonious manner. As we learn to relax throughout the day, pausing for a few minutes to re-establish equilibrium in our three brains, the natural perceptive state of attention and awareness become robust. Simply put, we learn how to concentrate very well when we pay attention, and when we know how to pay attention, we overcome tense energies in our body and mind. Since the ego is an obstacle in the flow of existence, the consciousness helps to untie those knots through the power of attention.
Labeling defects can be a good start, whereby you identify those thoughts which emerge from the subconsciousness within your meditation. However, you will need to move beyond mere labeling of defects in order to go deeper into the mind. The solution is to pay attention throughout the day and to take breaks during your busy activities in order to relax and meditate, even for just short periods of time. Meditating frequently in small doses is a good start towards developing a mature meditative discipline.
When you feel yourself slipping into unconsciousness, you can work with a mantra (mentally or out loud). You can also perform transmutation. These activities help to stabilize the consciousness and provide fuel for spiritual experience.
The Gnostic Meditation Course explains this process of attention, concentration and meditation very well. We recommend you study and apply its principles in depth, specifically the chapters on Vigilance, Calm Abiding and Concentration. Also study "Treatise of Revolutionary Psychology" by Samael Aun Weor, not for a period of a few days, months, or years, but throughout your entire life, since within this relatively short book are the tools and techniques for achieving awakened consciousness.
When our consciousness is weak and identified throughout the busy moments of life, then our meditations will reflect that lack of discipline. Our internal mental chaos becomes evident when we sit to close our eyes, indicating a lack of conscious dominion over the mind. If we are vigilant throughout the day, watchful, attentive and aware no matter what circumstance, difficulty or preoccupation, then concentration naturally develops in a gradual and harmonious manner. As we learn to relax throughout the day, pausing for a few minutes to re-establish equilibrium in our three brains, the natural perceptive state of attention and awareness become robust. Simply put, we learn how to concentrate very well when we pay attention, and when we know how to pay attention, we overcome tense energies in our body and mind. Since the ego is an obstacle in the flow of existence, the consciousness helps to untie those knots through the power of attention.
Labeling defects can be a good start, whereby you identify those thoughts which emerge from the subconsciousness within your meditation. However, you will need to move beyond mere labeling of defects in order to go deeper into the mind. The solution is to pay attention throughout the day and to take breaks during your busy activities in order to relax and meditate, even for just short periods of time. Meditating frequently in small doses is a good start towards developing a mature meditative discipline.
When you feel yourself slipping into unconsciousness, you can work with a mantra (mentally or out loud). You can also perform transmutation. These activities help to stabilize the consciousness and provide fuel for spiritual experience.
The Gnostic Meditation Course explains this process of attention, concentration and meditation very well. We recommend you study and apply its principles in depth, specifically the chapters on Vigilance, Calm Abiding and Concentration. Also study "Treatise of Revolutionary Psychology" by Samael Aun Weor, not for a period of a few days, months, or years, but throughout your entire life, since within this relatively short book are the tools and techniques for achieving awakened consciousness.
Joyful in hope, suffering in tribulation, be thou constant in thy prayer.
Benedictis, qui venit in nomine Domini. Osanna in excelsis.
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!"
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