Saturday, 01 March 2014
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As I attempt to be "awake" I am finding myself to be very confused, as well as overwhelmed at the amount of thought processing through me. I find that I can only stay vigilant for seconds at a time, then another voice (or two! or three!) comes in to distract me. I try to continuously remind myself to be present, but every time I think of this my mind has multiple things processing in it, as does my emotional brain and body, and I have difficulty managing where to put my attention (which feels like a pinball in a machine).

When I catch myself in discursive thought, is the idea to try to stop that thought and practice SOL?
Does it take a long time for this to get easier? Is it possible that I am getting totally exhausted physically by this?
Does transmuting give fuel to this process? Do you have any advice for how to not get overwhelmed by this - I feel I have opened pandora's box!

Sorry for all of the questions, and thank you so much for your help!
10 years ago
·
#6015
Accepted Answer
Subject, Object, Location helps develop the spatial sense, which when active, helps us develop more serenity of thought. If you're mind is overwhelming you, direct your attention elsewhere. Observe nature. Enjoy peaceful surroundings. If you only focus on the bad, you give your mind opportunity to invest your energy into morbidity.

Vigilance becomes easier and more natural the more we work with it, but in the beginning it is exceptionally hard to initiate and to maintain throughout the day. This is the meaning of jihad al-Akbar, the greater Holy War of Islam, to strive against the animal mind.

Transmutation is the fuel that empowers vigilance, self-observation. Therefore, we must always be working with vocalization and transmutation, daily, so as to strengthen our soul.

When you feel overwhelmed, as I mentioned, take a walk in nature, relax, listen to classical music by Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, light incense and candles, take a hot bath, drink a good cup of coffee; basically, distract yourself from thinking so much. When your mind gives you problem, switch gears, meaning: work with one of the other two brains, not just the intellect, such as by going for a walk (motor brain) or listening of classical compositions (emotional brain). Walks in nature also help to distract the mind from its preoccupations, and by observing nature, we develop the spatial sense.

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!"

10 years ago
·
#6015
Accepted Answer
Subject, Object, Location helps develop the spatial sense, which when active, helps us develop more serenity of thought. If you're mind is overwhelming you, direct your attention elsewhere. Observe nature. Enjoy peaceful surroundings. If you only focus on the bad, you give your mind opportunity to invest your energy into morbidity.

Vigilance becomes easier and more natural the more we work with it, but in the beginning it is exceptionally hard to initiate and to maintain throughout the day. This is the meaning of jihad al-Akbar, the greater Holy War of Islam, to strive against the animal mind.

Transmutation is the fuel that empowers vigilance, self-observation. Therefore, we must always be working with vocalization and transmutation, daily, so as to strengthen our soul.

When you feel overwhelmed, as I mentioned, take a walk in nature, relax, listen to classical music by Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, light incense and candles, take a hot bath, drink a good cup of coffee; basically, distract yourself from thinking so much. When your mind gives you problem, switch gears, meaning: work with one of the other two brains, not just the intellect, such as by going for a walk (motor brain) or listening of classical compositions (emotional brain). Walks in nature also help to distract the mind from its preoccupations, and by observing nature, we develop the spatial sense.

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!"

10 years ago
·
#6037
Amazing. Thank you. I listened to the "How we die" lecture this morning which discussed the necessity to balance the energy used in each of the three brains, and it was clear to me that I over-intellectualize (sometimes to the point of physical exhaustion). Your reply validates that. Thanks for the reply.
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