In this presentation, we will examine remaining way to control our minds, that of Constant Practice. Why do we need to practice constantly? This seems to be due to the quality of restlessness, which is more or less inherent in mental matter and in mental elemental essence. In fact, the elemental essence is largely responsible for our wandering thoughts as it constantly darts from one thing to another.
Since mental matter is subject to the laws of habit, just like all matter, it’s possible to train it through constant practice until it becomes habitual for it to be the opposite of restless. This way, mental matter can be fashioned into the willing and obedient servant of the real person, the Thinker.
The quickest and best way to overcome the wanderings of the mind is, of course, to use the will. Whatever method is chosen, the will must be used to some extent. Some people rely solely on the force of the will, while others prefer to assist and supplement their willpower with philosophy, devotion, or any other devices they may discover for themselves.
It is, of course, possible to make a shell around oneself and thus exclude thoughts from outside. But this method is not recommended as a permanent plan, as shells are only temporary solutions. However, if you choose to use a shell, keep in mind that it cannot prevent wandering thoughts from arising within your own mind, but it can prevent the intrusion of casual floating thoughts left about by other people.
It is advisable to employ only lower mental matter in making such a shell, as using higher mental or causal matter might keep out helpful thoughts or hamper your own thoughts as you communicate with your Master. Having said that, how many of us have access, let alone control over our causal envelope?
In Freemasonry, the corresponding process is Tyling the Lodge, which is performed on the appropriate plane for the degree being worked. For your reference, Tyling the Lodge refers to the process of securing and guarding a Masonic lodge meeting to ensure privacy and prevent unauthorised entry.
The power of concentration can and should be acquired in ordinary daily life. Regardless of what we are doing, we should focus our whole attention and do it to the best of our ability and with full concentration. For example, a letter should be well and accurately written, with no carelessness in detail allowed to mar its effects. Similarly, a book should be read with full attention and effort to grasp the author’s meaning. Every day should involve some definite exercise of the mind, as strength comes only through exercise; disuse always leads to weakness and atrophy.
The student should understand the process of worry and how to overcome it. Work, when not excessive, does not harm the thinking process, but instead strengthens it. On the other hand, worry definitely damages the thinking process and can lead to nervous exhaustion and irritability, making it difficult to focus on steady mental work.
Worry involves repeating the same thoughts with slight variations, leading to no resolution and often not even aiming for one. It is the continuous reproduction of thoughts initiated by the mind and the brain, not by the consciousness. This thought is imposed on the consciousness.
The Thinker, when unable to solve a problem, remains unsatisfied, and the fear of anticipated trouble keeps them in an anxious and restless state. Under this influence, which is not directed by the Thinker, the mind and brain continue to generate images that have already been formed and rejected. In worry, the Thinker becomes controlled by their mind and brain, rather than being their master.
The experience of worry is largely due to automatic thinking patterns, but those same properties of mental processes can be utilised to overcome worry. One effective way to get rid of a “worry channel” is to focus on thoughts of an exactly opposite nature. This can be achieved through meditation on ideas such as “The Self is Peace; that Self am I. The Self is Strength; that Self am I.” As one meditates on these thoughts, the sense of peace and strength that are being contemplated will envelop the individual, providing a sense of serenity and courage. The specific ideas for meditation should be tailored to each individual’s needs.
It is essential for the student to learn not only to engage in active thinking but also to be able to stop thinking at will. Once the mental work is complete, it should be consciously set aside and not allowed to continue aimlessly, resembling a boat drifting and knocking against a rock. Similarly, just as a machine is not left running without a purpose, the valuable machinery of the mind should not be allowed to run without producing useful results. Just as tired muscles find relief in complete rest, the mind can also find comfort in complete mental relaxation.
It is important for the student to let go of their thoughts once they have finished thinking. When new thoughts come into the mind, the student should shift their attention away from them. Another method is to not take any interest in the thoughts that arise. Let the thoughts come as they may, but remain completely indifferent to them. After a short time, without giving them any more attention, the thoughts will stop appearing, and a complete stillness free from any kind of thought will be experienced. This is very restful for both the emotions and the mind. This method can also be used to treat sleeplessness. Stopping all thoughts is a necessary step before working on higher planes. Once the brain becomes quiet, it becomes possible to withdraw consciousness from the physical body.
The student will now be in a position to understand the full force of the aphorism or general truth of Patanjali that, for the practice of yoga, a person must stop “the modifications of the thinking principle”. The task to be achieved is to acquire such perfect control over the mental envelope, or “thinking principle”, that it can only be modified with the deliberate consent of the person themself, the Thinker.
The term used by Patanjali to define yoga is “chitta-vritti-nirodha”, which means restraint (nirodha) of the whirlpools (vritti) of the mind (chitta).
A person must be able to take up and lay down the mind as one does a tool. When that stage is reached, then the possibility arises for the person to withdraw altogether from the mental envelope. Yoga is thus the inhibition of all vibrations and changes in the mental envelope. Hence, in the mental envelope of a Master, there is no change of colour, except as initiated from within.
The colour of his mental envelope is like “moonlight on a rippling ocean.” All possibilities of colour lie within that whiteness, but nothing in the outside world can change its hue. His mental envelope is simply an outer covering that he uses when he needs to communicate with the lower world.
When the Knower concentrates with a steady mind on one image, a result is obtained. This result provides a deeper understanding of the object than could be achieved through any verbal description. The word description of an object creates a rough outline, which is then filled in with more detail as the picture is formed in the mental envelope. Through this process, consciousness becomes more connected with the described things.
In summary, the importance of constant practice in controlling our minds focuses on several key points:
- Mental matter and elemental essence are inherently restless, causing wandering thoughts. Constant practice is needed to train mental matter to become less restless and more obedient to the Thinker.
- Willpower is crucial in overcoming mind wandering. Some rely solely on willpower, while others supplement it with philosophy, devotion, or other techniques.
- Concentration should be practiced in daily life by giving full attention to tasks, no matter how mundane.
- Worry is a harmful thought pattern that can be overcome by focusing on opposite thoughts, such as peace and strength.
- Learning to stop thinking at will is as important as active thinking. Mental relaxation is crucial for rest and preparation for higher plane work.
- The goal is to achieve perfect control over the mental envelope, allowing modifications only with the deliberate consent of the Thinker.
- Yoga is defined as the restraint of mental modifications, aiming to inhibit all vibrations and changes in the mental envelope.
- Mastery over the mind allows for deeper understanding and connection with objects of concentration.
It can not be emphasised strongly enough that constant practice is necessary due to the inherent restlessness of mental matter. Through consistent effort, one can train the mind to become a willing and obedient servant of the Thinker, ultimately leading to greater control and understanding of one’s thoughts and consciousness.
The next topic for discussion in relation to our detailed examination of the mental envelope is meditation, a perennial favourite and one that I fail at ceaselessly. See you in the next presentation.