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By regularly going to the region of the true self through the basic techniques of meditation, we are able to remove ourselves from all the dramas, anxieties and concerns of the Mind’s world. Even 5 minutes a day is good as it gives us the experience of true rest. This 'true rest' is obtained at a mental level, for when the mind is a rest, the body can also follow very easily and obtain benefit.
These analogies of the Mind-Mirror and its inherent biases and distortions, are not meant to de-value or claim that all things viewed through this instrument of perception are unreliable. Analogies are only meant to serve as building blocks or stepping stones for positive progress.
So now when you meditate, cultivate the awareness of staying in the silent realm of the True Self. This is that part of you that watches ALL THINGS in perfect peace.
Know also that...
The Mind is the source of emotions.
The True Self is never affected by the emotions.
The Mind co-ordinates worldly expression.
The True Self communicates in wordless silence.
The Mind is a repository of acquired knowledge.
The True Self is your source of wisdom.
The Mind is the source of passion.
The True Self is your source of Love.
The Mind perpetually hungers.
The True Self is self fulfilled.
The Mind will always struggle as it thinks that it is "itself" that does the meditating.
The True Self is Always Meditating.
Be Peaceful,
Adrian
Faith & Inner Struggle
by Adrian Newington © 1991
FAITH: A form of knowing. A subtle, non-intellectual spiritual knowing of non-intellectual spiritual realities. Much more than a belief system.
Note the use of the word KNOWING as opposed to KNOWLEDGE. The word Knowledge implies an internal conceptualisation of authenticated experiences. That is, an experience becomes reduced to concepts and words, proven to be reliable and repeatable for all people in all situations. Knowledge then becomes sources or points of reference for us to function in the world. Many books are full of knowledge, facts and figures. Such knowledge can bring about resistance to counter our efforts in the development of faith.
People are knowledgeable about the skills they are proficient in, but Knowing is an experience detained in the present moment. It is consciousness being active and pregnant with awareness. Also, we can say that the word knowing implies a form of knowledge but without questions, associations or the requirement of validation. Thus, “knowing” is non-intellectual and devoid of qualification. This is fortunate, for the experience which brings about this ‘knowing’ is linked to spiritual realities which are essentially unable to be proven or validated by the usual human process. Normally, the process of validation of worldly experiences is done through the 5 human senses, but we are not equipped with a biological ‘Sense’ capable of evaluating the non-physical.
This is where we begin to enter the realm of the higher faculties of Mind related to our development in terms of Spiritual Consciousness. Intuition is often referred to as the ability to sense, perceive, or discern the subtle.
Spiritual realities are not able to be validated beyond the individual who experiences them, (though the spiritual maturity of another may allow an understanding of it). For example, I will never be able to prove to you my connection to God. I may be able to assist you in the personal search, but I cannot prove to you what is valid for me. I can’t give you my personal knowledge or ‘knowing’ of my experience.
Consider this old saying…
For those who believe, no proof is necessary,
For those who do not believe, no proof is possible.
The human process of validation and authentication of experiences that lead to knowledge, pertains only to worldy realities. The purity and power of the personal experience will NEVER go beyond the individual. THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO CULTIVATE A HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS.
HOW Do I Do THAT??
I hear you ask!
Just as any other discipline, our faith NEEDS to be cultivated and nurtured through practices which exercise and elevate our consciousness. For myself, the 3 most vital things were:
- PRAYER
- MEDITATION
- CONTEMPLATION
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