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14/5/2015 Mantrams, Affirmations - Notebooks of Paul Brunton
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PaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundationhomepage>NotebooksofPaulBrunton>Category4:ElementaryMeditation>Chapter6:Mantrams,Affirmations
Mantrams,Affirmations
Mantrams
1ThepracticeofmantramyogaiswellknownthroughoutIndiaasamethodofsuppressingthewanderingtendenciesofthemind.Amantram,usuallygivenbyaguruoradaptedbyoneselffromabook,isawordoraphraseorevenawholesentencewhichthepractitionerchantstohimselforwhispersorevenmentallyuttersagainandagain.SomeSanskritmantramsarequitemeaninglesssounds,whereasothersarefullofmetaphysicalorreligiousmeaning.Whichoneisuseddoesnotmatterfromthepointofviewofacquiringconcentration,butitdoesmatterfromthepointofviewofdevelopinganyparticularqualityofcharacterordevotionalhomagewhichthemantramsymbolizes.Thismentalorvocalrepetitionistobedoneperiodicallyandfaithfully.
2TheuseofmantramsisnotpeculiartotheHindu.ItisstillfoundintheRomanandEasternChurches,intheSuficirclesandtheLamaisticprayers.
3Themantramisastatementinwordsorasymbolinpicturewhichdeclaressometruthofhigherbeing,law,attribute,andhelp,orremindsoneofamoralqualitytobepractised,oractsasausefulselfhelpselfsuggestion.Thewordscanbetakenfromanyinspiredscripture,writer,orpoetorcanbequotationsfromaphilosopherofinsightandusedasaninvocationoraffirmation.Theyshouldbetimely,fittedtotheimmediatespiritualneedoftheperson.
4TheMeditationofConstantRemembrance:
Afactorintheintegralpath,besidesmoralreeducation,towhichwehavenotgivenenoughweightinpublishedwritingsindeedhavehardlymentionedisselfrecollection,thefrequentremembranceoftheOverselfatalltimesofthedayandamidstallkindsofsituations.Suchremembrance,duringthelongintervalsbetweenformalmeditations,isanintegralpartofthisquest.Abriefsacredformulaexpressedinaninvocationoraffirmation,called"mantram,"ismostusefulforthispurposeandisgiventhedisciplesothathisremembranceisautomaticallyarousedwhenhabitcauseshimtorepeatitswordsconstantlyandmentally.Themantramisahandydeviceforattractinghimtothisremembranceandmakingitsachievementeasierandsure.AconstanttechniquethroughoutthedayisusuallylackingintheknowledgeandpracticeofWesternseekers,sotheyneedtolearnitsefficiencyanduse.Thelonghoursbetweenmeditationperiodsarewasted.Asasisterexercisetotheordinarymeditations,itwillbeusefultomanystudentswhilstasameanstoreplacethemforthosestudentswhofindformalmeditationtoodifficultortooinconvenient,itismostvaluable.Itisequivalenttothe"rightmindfulness"oftheBuddhisteightfoldpath,totheSufi"Dikr,"andtothe"correctpolarization"inmodernpsychology.
Inchoosingasuitableformulaforhisownuse,thestudentshouldbearinmindthatitisnotonlyremembrancethatisneeded,butlovingremembrance.Themantramforsuch
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repetitionmustnotonlyremindhimoftheOverselfbutattracthimtoit.Hence,itshouldbeonethatinspiresdevotionandupliftscharacter.Itshouldembodyspiritualizingthoughtandgatherennoblingemotionaroundit.ItmayconsistofasinglewordnameorattributeofGodorofachosenspiritualguide,butitispreferableandmorepowerfultouseaphraseofthreetotensyllables.ThismaybeaninvocationtoDivinity,ortotheguide,orbeabeneficentautosuggestion.Itisbetter,however,toreceivesuchawordorphrasefromaqualifiedteacheratapersonalinterview,forhewillnotonlychooseoneespeciallysuitabletothestudent'sspiritualneedatthetimeandthereforeaptandforcefulbutwillalsoimparthisownpowerintoit.
Theformulamustberepeatedmanytimesadayandeverydayintheyear.Yetitswordsshouldalwayscarryvividmeaningandneverbeallowedtobecomemereparrotutterances.Thereisnofixedtimeandnoparticularposturenecessaryforthepractice.Itmaybemutteredhalfaloudintheearlierstages,butshouldbecomesilentandmentalinthelaterstages.
Thepurposes,benefits,andresultsofthispracticeareseveral:
l.Ithasanintellectualeffectbyactingasareminderorarouserinabusymateriallife.Thus,thefirsteffectistoarousethought,thesecondistostillit.
2.Theconstantrepetitionhasamesmericeffect:itlullsthesensesandthoughtsintosemiinactivityandsetstheattentionfreetopassinwardtowardthesoulandeventuallyinducesthecontemplativemood.
3.Itdevelopsanacute,growingselfconsciousnessoftherightsort,aconstantobsessivesuggestionthatthereisahigherself.
4.Itleadstothenecessaryconcentration,whichisadoortoinnerconsciousness.
5.Itsrhythmicactivityalignsandthenintegratesthedifferentpartsofthepersonality.Italsoremovestheirrestlessness.
6.Itgraduallyestablishessubconsciousorientationtowardsthehigherself,whichkeepsonbreakingintotheconsciousfieldtothedetrimentofthelowerselfthusitgivesdirectiontothoughtandpurificationtocharacter.Itenablestheseeker,therefore,togoonwitheverydayexternalliving,knowingthatGodisworkinginhiminternally.
7.Itbecomesafocusforcontinuousconcentrationduringactivelife,evenwhilstengagedinwork,pleasure,orwalking.
Forgetfulnessofthequest,oroftheOverself,besetsmostaspirants.Hereisavaluableremedy.Itbringsthechosengoal,orthereveredideal,constantlybacktotheirattention.
5Practisingmantramconsistsofrepeatingaselectedwordoverandover,soakingoneselfinit.Therearethreestages:(a)chantingthewordoutloud(b)whisperingit(c)repeatingitmentally.Then,whenrepetitionceases,allthoughtscease.Throughthisconstantconcentration,themantrambecomesabackdroptoone'sdailylife.Justasonecanhumatunewhileattendingtootheraffairs,sothemantrambecomesaneverpresentaccompaniment.Whenoneturnsfullattentionontoitandconcentratesfullyuponitandthenstopsallthoughtsstop.Thisisthepurposeofthemantram.Thisresultmaytakeweeksormonths.
6Therearethreetypesofmantrams:
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(a)themusical(orbhakti)mantram(forexample,"JaiRam").Themusicalintonationsinrepetitionofaword(ortwowords)createanalmosthypnoticeffectasinaGregorianchantorRavel'sBolero.
(b)themeaningfulmantram.Oneselectsawordrepresentingaqualityonedesiresandchantsitslowlytoabsorbitsmeaningonemeditatesonthewordandthemeaningoftheword.Eventuallythemeaningfloodsgraduallyintooneandheidentifieswithit.Example:"IamBeing."
(c)themeaninglessmantram.Ausefultechniqueforintellectualswhowishtosurmountthebarriersoftheintellectistochooseawordwithoutapparentmeaning"Krim"or"Ayin,"forexample.TheworditselfbecomesasymbolofThatwhichisbeyondcomprehension.ItenablesonetogobeyondboundariesofthefiniteintellecttorelatetoThatwhichisinfinite.Agoodexampleis"Aum"pronounced"Aahooommm."Thefirstletterrepresentsthewakingstate,thesecondthedreamstate,thethirddeepsleep,withtheirwide,thennarrow,thenclosed,sounds.
7JapaisamantramspecificallyrestrictedinmeaningtoanameofGod.Likeallmantrams,itisconstantlyrepeated.ItisnotonlyonewayofprayerfulremembranceofGodbutalsoasimpleeasymethodofovercomingthemind'stendencytowanderaboutandtobringitintoconcentration.Itcanalsobeassistedbyharmonizingitssyllableswiththeincomingandoutgoingbreaths.
8ThedifferencebetweenpracticeofJapaandpracticeofmantraisthattheformerusesonlysacredwordsornamesbutthelattermayusenonsacred,secular,orevenmeaninglesswords.
9Therepeatedinvocationofasacredname,withtrustinitssavingpower,eventuallykeepsawayallotherthoughtsandthusfocusesthemindinakindofconstantmeditation.Intheearlierstagesitisthemanhimselfwholaboursatthisrepetition,butintheadvancedstagesitistheOverself'sgracewhichactuatesithisownpartbeingquitepassiveandmechanical.
10Amantraisashortdynamicsayingtoberepeatedtooneselfincessantly.Themonotonyofthisproceduredoesnot,asmightbeexpected,produceaboringeffectbutratheralullingonewhichispleasant.
11Itusesonethoughtinordertotranscendallthoughts,asinglevibrationofthemindinordertoattainastillnessneverordinarilyknownbythemind.
12Byrepeatingthesamewordsinthesamerhythmfrequentlyduringtheday,theweek,andtheyear,themind'sresistancetotheideaenshrinedinthosewordsisslowlyworndown.Atimecomeswhennotonlydothewordsrepeatthemselveswithoutconsciouseffort,butalsotheirmeaningimpressesitselfdeeply.
13Thisrepetitionmethodmayseemsomewhatprimitiveandcrudetothesophisticatedoreducatedmodernmind,andquiteneedlesslyredundant.Butitisbasedonsoundpsychologicalpractice.Itisanappealtothesubconscious,nottothelogicalmind.Its
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kindredisthelullabywhichamothersingsandwithwhichshesoothesherchildtosleep.
14Youmaydeviseyourownformula,affirmation,oratraditionalmantram,ifyouwish,buttheuseofonespeciallypreparedbyaMasterpossessestestedmerit.
15AfitsubjectforthemantrayogameditationexerciseistheseriesofwordsdescriptiveoftheOverself'sattributes.Onewordcouldbetakeneachday.
16TheideaisthatthisrhythmicincantationwillopenanavenueofcommunionwiththeOverself.
17Afurthervalueofmantramyogaisthatitkeepsthepractiserfromthinkingabouthimself.Thetwothingsaspecificmantramandapersonalmattercannotcoexistinhisconsciousness.
18IndianandTibetanyogisparticularlyvalueandusetheOmmantrambecausetheyaretaught,andbelieve,thatitssoundwasthefirstoneintheworldcreationandthatitsrepetitionwillbringthemindbacktothestillnesswhichexistedbeforethatcreation.
19Theyogicclaimisthatthisomomomomsoundiscosmicitisthekeynoteofthespinningglobesinspaceitisthehummingvibrationofalltheworlds.
20Vivekananda:"Wecannowunderstandwhatismeantbyrepetition.Itisthegreateststimulusthatcanbegiventothespiritualsamskaras[tendencies].Onemomentofcompanywiththeholybuildsashiptocrossthisoceanoflifesuchisthepowerofassociation.SothisrepetitionofOmandthinkingofitsmeaningarethesameaskeepinggoodcompanyinyourownmind.Studyandthenmeditateonwhatyouhavestudied.ThuslightwillcometoyoutheSelfwillbecomemanifest.ButonemustthinkofOmanditsmeaningtoo."
21Thefirstrevelationofthedivineworldissound.Beforebeholdingit,onehearsitwithaninnerear.ThenameofGodhasnotonlythepowerofeasilywashingawayallsin,butcanevenuntietheknotoftheheartandwakenloveofGod.TobeseveredfromGodistheonlyrealsin.
22Amantrambecomesmostworthwhilewhenitishearddeepdeepdowninthepractiser'sbeing.Itwillthenproducetheeffectofprofoundinnerabsorption.
23WhenonewhoseAtmaniscompletelywakenedsingsthenameofGod,thishasthepowerofwakingasleepingsoul.Whathappenstheniscalledinitiation.Bylisteningdevotedly,whileanothersingsthename,andbysingingitoneself,one'sheartisledbacktoitsrealnature,whichislove.
24OMmeans"Iampartof(oronewith)theWorldSoul."
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Partofhisendeavourshouldbetosetuparhythmicrelationbetweenthemantramandhisinnerbeing.Ifhefaithfullyattendstoitspractice,thetimewillcomewhenitwillvoiceitselfwithinhimatregulartimes,suchasafterwakingfromsleepandbeforeenteringintoit.
26AUMischantedonaverylownoteandextendedonasingleindrawnbreath.
27Themantra"ShantamParamSukham"means"Serenityisthehighesthappiness."
28Donotkeepallyourattentionfixedonthechangingscenearoundyou.HoldsomeofitbackfortheWordwhich,inyourconsciousness,standsfortheSupremePower.
29Tochantmantramsortoaffirmdeclarations,withoutlookingtothekindoflifehelives,isnotenough.
30TheyareknowninTibetasdharanis,literally"mysticalsentences,"andinIndiaasmantrams,literally"sacredsyllables"or"sacredchants."
31ThosemantramslikeHrim,Klim,andsoforth,whichhavenosignificanceatallmaystillbemeditatedonuntilthemeditatorrealizesthroughthemthattheentireworldappearanceisitselfwithoutsignificancebecauseoftheVoidnesswhichisitsreality.
32TheearthlysoundofthenameofGodisonlyavesselfortheshadowoftheSpiritualSound.EventhisshadowhelpstoleadthehearttoGod.
33Thecontinualpracticeofthemantramleadsintimetotheawakeningofhisspiritualforces.Theyriseupspontaneouslyfromtheirdeeplyhiddensourcewithinhimandbegintosaturatehismindandoverwhelmhisego.
34BothpoetTennysonandmedicoCrichtonBrownepassedintothestateofilluminationbythesamemethodsilentlyrepeatingtheirownnametothemselves.
35Allmantramsconstitutedbymeaninglessormysticalwordsareintendedtocreateamentalvacuum.
36ThewordOmisnottheonlyonewhosesoundisusedbyOrientalstoquietenthemindinmeditationandthereforeclaimedasaholyword.TheChinesehaveusedCh'an,theJapaneseZen,theHindusSoami,theArabsSufiforthesamepurpose.
37Theeffectofthisconstantdwellingonthemantramistocometorestwithinthemoodofmindorthestateofheartwhichitsymbolizes.
38IfasagebeonewhoexistsconstantlyintheawarenessoftheOverself,thenmantramcanbeaShortPathtechniquetoemulatehisawareness.Byputtingthecartbeforethehorse
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andaimingatimitatingthesage'sawareness,wecancomeclosertohisstateofbeing.
39Thevocalchantingofamantrambelongstotheelementarypracticeofit.Inthemoreadvancedpractice,nothingisspokenaloudandthemantramissimplyheldinthemindconstantlyrepeatingitselfasathoughtbutathoughttowhichwekindoflistenandfromwhichweseemtostandapartsothatithasitsowninnervitality.Thismakesagreatdifferencefromthespokenpractice,becausethelatterkeepsthemantramfixedwhereastheformerleavesitflexible.
40Inthemantram"OmManiPadmeHum,"inhaleafterthefirstword.
41"Hum"inthefamousTibetanmantramstandsfortheheart,whereasthefirstword"OM"standsfortheinnerreality,theunseenpowerbehindallthings.
42GandhioftenprescribedthecontinuousrecitationofGod'sname.Buthealwaysemphasizedthatithadtobemorethanmerelipmovementithadtoabsorbthepractitioner'sentirebeingthroughouttheperiodofexerciseandeventhroughoutlife.Whilerepeatingtheword"God,"hehadtoconcentrateintenselyongodliness.
43Whentheincantatorywordsofamantrabyconstantpracticebecomefullyactivated,themantrabecomesfullyautomaticandcirclesroundandroundinsidetheheadortheheartjustlikearevolvingwheel.Atthisdeepstage,heisnotconcernedwithitstranslatedorverbalmeaningbutonlywiththekindofconsciousnessitproduces.Fornowitisnotamatterofwhatheisdoingbutofwhatisbeingdonetohim.Themantrahasbroughthimintoaregionofreleasedforceswhichareveryactiveinhim.
44Themantrammustbeclearlypronounced.Itsmeaningmustbedevotedly,evenreverently,felt.
45InSanskritmagicandmysticism,notonlyarecompletewordsandphrasesandevensentencesusedasmantrams,butalsocertainsinglelettersandsyllablesareused.Suchamantramiscalledaseed,anditcanbeusedeitherinwrittenformonpaperorinpronunciationasasound.Thelettersalsostandassymbolsrepresentingcertainangelicorotherhigherbeingswhoareinvoked.
46Mantram=Allah(Aloninbreath,lahonoutbreath)
47Thesemantramsarebroughtintorhythmicharmonywiththebreathingofthelungsorthebeatingoftheheartorthechantingofthephrase.
48Repeatedlysoundingthevowel"O"stimulatesthebonypartofthevoiceboxinthethroatandmentallyassistsattentiontoconcentrate.ThemantramOm,sowellknown,isausefulendingtoallothermantrams.Ontheexpiringbreath,veryslowlylengthenedout,itleavesaneffectwhichassiststhefulfilmentofthemeditationthatis,acalmingone.
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Themasterofthemantrambecomesasymbolofhelp,towhichthebelieverscanturninthoughtatanytimeoratthespecialtimesetasideforit.
50Mantramicdenialsandaffirmationsshouldbeformulatedinasimpersonalawordingaspossible.Thiskeepsthereferencetoahigherpowerandawayfromtheego,withitsslenderresources.
51Itisgoodpracticetousethemantramontheintakeofbreath,whendoingrhythmicbreathing.Deepbreathingforuseinrhythmicbreathingshouldbewithlateralexpansionofchest.
52AstoryistoldofJowett,athinkerandamanofGod,thefamousandbrilliantOxfordUniversitytranslatorofPlato'sGreek,thatevenduringconversationswithothershewould,whilekeepingsilentandlisteningtothem,movehislipscontinuouslyinprayer.HewaspractisingaChristianformofmantram.
53Ithasdoneitsdutyandserveditspurposeiftheinvocationoraffirmationceasesofitselfandintheensuingsilenceamysteriouspowerrisesandtakespossessionofhim.
54MantrainSanskritmeanshymn,prayer,invocation,formulaformagic,secret,charm,linesofprayertoadivinity.ItissomethingthatcreateslovingdevotiontoGod.Themantrautteredandthedivinitycalleduponareidentical.Hencethereverenceforitandtheimportanceofitsbeingcorrectlyspoken,andthedangerofitsbeingmisusedforselfishpurpose.Itshouldnotbespoken,butsung.
55Amantramdependsforitseffectnotonlyuponrepetition(whichbringsaboutconcentratedattention)butalsoonitssound(whichbringsaboutasubtlermentalcontact).Thelattermaybelowerpsychicorhigherspiritual,accordingtothewordused.Thisisimportanttorememberforthoughanyoneoftheseeffectsjustifiescallingthewordorphraseamantram,bothincombinationprovideitwiththefullestpowerandthecompletefunction.
56AMoroccanmantricdervishdance:Acoupleofhundredmenyoungandoldwerearrangedinalargecircle.Whentheleader,whowassquattinginthecentre,gaveasignal,theyallleaptupandyelled,"Allah!"together,swayingfromsidetoside,stampingtheirfeet,andrepeatingthenameoftheirGoddozensoftimesuntiltheybecamedeliriouswithjoyandabsorbedintoahalftrancelikestate.
57NicephorostheSolitarywrote:"Weknowfromexperiencethatifyoukeeponprayinginthismanner,thatifyoupractisethe`PrayerofJesus'withattention,thewholehostofvirtueswillcometoyou:love,joy,andpeace."
58Becausethemutteringoftheseejaculationsandthechantingoftheseincantationshavebeenpervertedintouseaspartofthetechniquesofprofessionalwitchdoctorsandprimitivemedicinemen,isnoreasonwhytheirproperuseforhigherpurposesmaynotbeachieved.
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59TheArabicwordforGodAllahortheAramaic(Jesus'spokenlanguage)wordAlahaformexcellentmantricmaterial.
60Theendlessrepetitionofthesamewordisamostimportantfeatureofthepractice,forwhenithaspassedthroughthemindathousandtimesinlessthanaday,andthisforseveraldays,intheenditbecomesfixedasapartofthebackgroundofallhisconsciousness.
61WhetherheusestheHinduonesyllabledOmforsuchrepetitionortheMuhammedantwosyllabledAllahforthesamepurpose,theresultswillbethesame.
62Muhammed:"ThereisnoactwhichremovesthepunishmentofAllahfartherfromyouthantheinvocationofAllah'sname."
63Themantramisameansofawakeningthepowerofconcentration.Butallmantramsdifferfromoneanotherandthusintroduceasecondaryeffectorinfluence.Themeditationistheprimarywork,theconcentrationbeingintendedtodeveloppowerforit:theformofthemantramisshapedbyitsobjectcommunionwithGod,cultivationofavirtue,andsoon.
64Atimecomeswhenthereisnoneedtotrytopractisetheexercise,forthemantramwellsupofitsownaccord.Itthenrepeatsitselfautomaticallyandsilentlyinhismindalone.Overandoveragain,likethechorusofasong,itcomestothefrontorremainsatthebackofattention.
65BhagatSinghThind:"Negationhastobenullified,youcannottakesinintoGod,butyoucantakeGodintosin,andshortworkHewillmakeofit,ifyoudo.Ifyouareinthehabitofdoingsomethingthatyouknowisfoolish,andyoucannotshakeitoff,takeaChristintoit,holdHisNameofTruthintheveryheartofit,daretosaytheWordofLife,evenwhenyouaredoingthefoolishthing.Forthatistheverytimewhenyoumostneedit,thatisthemomentwhenyoucantestitspower.Onlysticktoit,repeatingitwithyourwholeheartandmind,holdfasttotheNameofyourDivineSelfdoggedlythroughanythingandeverything,lettingnooldfeelingofcondemnationsweepitoutofyourmind,buthangontoitbyyoureyelids,ifyouaredrowneduptothat,andyouwillfindTruthwillsetyoufree."
66Tosomeextent,itsusehasapurifyingeffectonthesubconsciouscharacter.
67Thechosenphraseorselectedwordshouldbedweltuponagainandagainuntilitisfirmlyimplantedintheeverreceptivesubconsciousmind.
68TheAsiaticmysticsaptlynamethem"wordsofpower."Theybelievethat,ifintonedcorrectly,theyhelptokeepawaythebaserinfluencesandtostimulatethefinerones.Theeffectistemporary,ofcourse,butbyconstantrepetitionitmaybecomepermanent.
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MantrampracticewasgiventoIndianstohelpstopthoughtfromwandering,justasKoanpracticewasgiventoJapanesetohelpstopthoughtfromdominating.TheKoanmethodcrippledorevenparalysedtheintellectbutthiswasonlyinitsapproachtothespiritualgoal,notinitsworldlybusiness.
70Thosewhoareunwillingtoengagethemselvesinthemetaphysicalstudiesandmysticalpracticesmayavailthemselvesofthedevotionalattitudesanddailyreverentialworshipofreligion,orrepeatconstantlytheaffirmationsanddeclarationsofmantrayoga.
71Asinglewordlike"God"orasimplephraselike"Godinme"mustbespokenwiththelipswithoutintermission,orrepeatedinthemindwithintensiveconcentration.
72Themurmuringofsuchaphraseoverandoveragainisausefuldevicetoconcentratethementalwavesandtoturnthemintoaspiritualdirection.
73Gandhi:"PersevereandceaselesslyrepeatRamanamaduringallyourwakinghours.Ultimatelyitwillremainwithyouevenduringyoursleep."
74ItisthecommonpracticeinalltheBengalidistrictsofIndiaaswellasinpartsoftheMahrattadistrictsforlargegroupsofpeople,aswellassolitaryindividuals,toengageintheprotractedchantingofGod'snameorsomephraseincorporatingit.ThementallevelonwhichitisdoneislikethatofhymnsingingintheWest.
75TheMasterTaoCh'o:"Say,withoutinterruptionandwithoutanyotherthought,theBuddha'sname,andyouwillenterthepresenceofBuddha."
76Amantraisbestandmostcommonlymuttered,butbeginnerssingitaloud,whiletheadvancedrepeatitmentallyandautomatically.
77Itislikearefrainthatkeepsonsingingintheheart.
78Therepetitiousrhythmofamantramcan,withassiduouspractice,becomealmosthallucinating.
79Hemaymutterthemantramtohimself,movinghislipsinanalmostunhearablewhisper.
80Hemustharnesshimselftothemainthoughtagainandagain.Hemustresolutelykeepthemantramachainedcaptive.
81Themantraismentallyorvocallychantedsomanytimesthatthemindisbrainwashed:itcanresistnolongerandfromthenonthephrasekeepsrevolvingbyitselfoverandoveragaininconsciousness.
82Itisclaimedthatordinarymethodsinvolveconsciousdeliberatethinkingbutthemantra
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methodofmeditationdoesnot.Itbypassesthemallanddirectlyreachesthoughtfreestillness.
83Onlyexperienceandusecanshowitsworthinrhythmicallydirectingawarenesstoacertainfixedpoint,andkeepingitthere.Theword,phrase,name,invocation,sentence,orimageprovideshimwithacertainpowerofconcentration.
84Thewordsoftheinvocationstabilizeattentionandsteadyemotion.Theyholdthemindindesiredstates.
85Heusesthemantricrepetitiontoworkhimselfintothestateofraptconcentrationandthentofeelhiswayintotheinnerself'spresence.
86Itisusefultofollowoutthemantramsystemofmeditationwhentheordinarysystems,involvingsetexercisesandformalperiods,havebeentriedandfoundprofitless.
87BhagatSinghThind:"TheconstantutteranceofHolyNamewithouttheagencyoflipsbySpiritcurrentdevelopsconcentration.TheHolyNamethatistaughthasresemblancetotheSoundorcurrentemanatingfromthenervecentrewherethepracticeistobeperformed.ThisnervecentreisthefocusoftheDeity.YourconstantrepetitionwillonedayresultincreatingharmonywiththevibrationsinsideandbringyouintoaconditionofconcordwiththeDeitytherein.YouwillthenbeabletoparticipateintheessenceofHim,andthatwillprepareyouforfurtherprogress."
88However,prayermustbemasteredfirst.This,initspurestform,iscompletestillnessofspeech,thought,andbody.Onethoughtalonemustrepeatitselfagainandagain,suchas,"Godiswithinme,"anditwilldriveawayallotherthoughts.Incidentally,thisisMantrayoga.
NoteacherisneededforMantrayogabecauseyouhavetodoityourself.Noristhereanydanger.Afterthe2045minutes'distraction,meditationmaythencomeinamoment.
89BhagatSinghThind,SikhTeacher:"WiththeeyesofMindthediscipleseestheimageoftheguru,withtheearshelistenstotheHolyNameswithin,andwiththespeechofthemindinaudiblyherepeatsrhythmicallytheHolyMantramsgiventohimbytheguru.Bythisconstantdailypracticehemovestoaningatheringofhiswholebeingtowardsintegrationandunity."
90Thetimemaycomethroughpracticeandeffortwhenhewillbeabletomeetaperiodoftroubleoranxietymorecalmlybyhummingslowlyandrepeatedlythefamiliarformula.
91Mantram=HolyWord,theMystical.Affirmation=SacredInvocation
92HewhosuffersfromincessantmentalactivitycouldharnessitandturnittoprofitbyMantrayoga,whichsolvestheproblem:"Howtotransferattentionfromforegroundtobackgroundofmindandyetattendtowork?"
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93ThevenerableheavilybeardedFatherJoseph,ofMountAthos,ateacherofothermonks,claimsthatthe"PrayerofJesus"becomeswithtimeanunstoppingactivity,productiveofenlighteningrevelation,andpurifyingfrompassions.Hisowndisciplesspendseveralhourseverydayonthementalrepetitionofthisshortprayer.
94Theconstantrecitalofthemantramisasimpleeffectiveexercisebutitcannot,byitself,winthehighestgoal.
95Therearemanywaysofmeditation,andthepracticeofmantramisoneofthemindeed,almostthemostelementaryoneofthem.Yetitisusefulonitslevel.Butoneshouldnotremainforeveronthatelementarylevel.Youmaygoonrepeatingtheword,thephrase,butatimewillcomewhenitwillloseitspowertohelpyou,whenitseffectswillvanishanditsverypracticewillbecomeboring.Useitasastepnotasastop.
96Manyofthepeopleusingthismethodareaslikelytoachievespiritualilluminationbytheirbabblingofmantramsasadonkeyisbyhisbrayingofnoises.
Affirmations
97WhatIndianscallmantraiswhatNewThoughtcallsaffirmations.
98Whenallothermethodsofmeditationprovefruitlessortoohard,lethimtrythesimplestofallmethodstheSpiritualDeclarationandbringwordstohishelp.Theymaybereducedtoasingleonethenameofhisspiritualleader,orofamoralqualitytowardswhichheaspires,orofaninnerstatewhichheseekstoachieve.Ofthefirstkind,aspecimenisthename"Jesus"ofthesecond,"Love"ofthethird,"Peace."Orafewwordsmaybecombinedintothephrasingofanyhelpfulstatement,metaphysical/mysticalaffirmation,ordevotionalprayer.
99TheDeclarationisaword,statement,orverse,affirmationorinvocation,whichiscommittedtomemoryandthenoftenrepeated.Thepurposeistwofold:first,toachieveastateofconcentrationsecond,todirecttheconcentrativemindupontheideatobeexpressed,soconstantlyorcontinuouslythattheideabeginstoinfluencehimdeeplyandalmosthypnotically.
100Affirmationsareoftwokinds:thoseforuseinmeditationandthoseforconstantrepetitionaloud,whispered,orsilently.
101Thesedividethemselvesnaturallyintotwomaingroups:thosebelongingtotheLongPathandthosetotheShortPath.Ofthefirstkind,thereisCove'sfamoussuggestion:"Everyday,ineveryway,Iamgettingbetterandbetter."OfthesecondkindthereisJesus'figurativestatement:"IandmyFatherareone."
102(a)Bothaffirmationsanddenialshavetheirplaceandusefulness.Philosophy,being
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integral,rejectsneither.Thefirstwouldseemillusoryiftheyaffirmwhatistrueonlyonahigherlevelofbeingwhilethepersonhimselfisunabletoriseabovethelowerone,asinthestatement,"Iamdivine."Butstill,theirconcentrativeandsuggestivepowermay,givenenoughtime,eventuallyhelphimtodoso.Thesecondwouldseemnonsensicalatworstindismissingwhatstubbornlyremainsallthetime,ornarcoticatbestinlullingitintobriefquietude,yettheBuddhadidnothesitatetorecommenddenialstohisdisciples:"ThisisnotminethisamInot,"wasoneformulawhichhegavethem.Foreventhetheoreticalseparationthusbroughtaboutbetweenthemanandtheweaknessorfaultdeniedhassomeconstructivevalueandisthebeginningofamentalemotionalphysicalserieswhoseintuitionguidedtotaleffortleadstoasuccessfulresult.
(b)TheDeclarationhabituallyrepeatedandfaithfullyappliedcontinuallyrenewstheIdealforhim.
(c)Itisapracticeusefulforfillingunoccupiedmoments.
103Theaffirmationistobefirmlyheldandunwaveringlytrusted.Heisnottoconsideritasastatementofafaroffidealbutofapresentactuality.Heistoidentifyhimselfwithitwithallhisbeing.
104Theaffirmationcanevenbereducedtoasingleword.Thismakesiteasiertouse,andconcentratedineffect.SuchsimplicityismoreakintotheOverselfthantotheintellectthereforethistypeofaffirmationshouldnotbedweltonanalytically,notexaminedandprobedwithalogicalscalpel,butmerelyheldclosely,repeatedslowlyandfrequentlyuntilthemindissaturatedwithit.Itmaybeusedbothinsideandoutsidethespecialmeditationperiods.Inthelattercase,itisdefensiveagainstattackfromlowerthoughts.
105Thereisonehumanactivitywhichiscontinuous,rhythmic,natural,easy,andpleasant.Itisbreathing.Wemaytakeadvantageofitsexistencebycombiningitwithasimpleexercisetobringaboutakindofmeditationwhichwillpossessallthesefourmentionedattributes.Theexerciseismerelytorepeatonewordsilentlyontheinhalationandanotherwordontheexhalation.Thetwowordsmustbesuchthattheyjointogethertomakeasuitablespiritualphraseorname.Hereisoneusefulexample:"GodIs."
106"IampoisedintheConsciousnessofTruth."Repeatitaudibly,thencarryitintotheSilence.
107TheBuddhataughthismonkstoenterdailyintothefollowingmeditation:"Asamotherevenattheriskofherownlifeprotectsheronlyson,soletamancultivategoodwillwithoutmeasureamongallbeings.Lethimsuffusethewholeworldwiththoughtsoflove,unmixedwithanysenseofdifferenceoropposedinterests."
108Thethoughtthusselfgivenwillbecometransformedintoanact.
109Thedeclarationshouldbeaudiblyrepeatedifheisalone,silentlyifnot,oraudiblyafewtimesfollowedbysilentlyforsomeminutes.
110Atafixedtimeeachdayrepeatthedeclarationforfiveortenminutes.
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111TheeffectivenessofaDeclarationdependsalsouponitsbeingrepeatedwithawholemindandanundividedheart,withconfidenceinitspower,andsinceredesiretoriseup.
112Declarations:
1."IambecomingasfreefromundesirabletraitsinmyeverydayselfasIalreadyamintheOverself."
2."InmyrealbeingIamstrong,happy,andserene."
3."Iamthemasterofthought,feeling,andbody."
4."InfinitePower,sustainme!InfiniteWisdom,enlightenme.InfiniteLove,ennobleme."
5."MyWordsaretruthfulandpowerfulexpressions."
6."Iseemyselfmovingtowardthemasteryofself."
7."MayIcooperatemoreandmorewiththeOverself.MayIdoitswillintelligentlyandobediently."
8."Icooperatejoyouslywiththehigherpurposeofmylife."
9."O!Infinitestrengthwithinme."
10."O!IndwellingLight,guidemetothewisesolutionofmyproblem."
11."IamInfinitePeace!"
12."IamonewiththeundyingOverself."
13."Everypartofmybodyisinperfecthealtheveryorganofitinperfectfunction."
14."Inmyrealselflifeiseternal,wisdomisinfinite,beautyisimperishable,andpowerisinexhaustible.Myformaloneishumanformyessenceisdivine."
15."IamacentreoflifeintheDivineLife,ofintelligenceintheDivineIntelligence."
16."IneverysituationIkeepcalmandseekouttheIntuitivethatitmayleadme."
17."IlookbeyondthetroublesofthemomentintotheeternalreposeoftheOverself."
18."MystrengthisinobediencetotheOverself."
19."OInfiniteandimpersonalBliss!"
20."IamhappyintheOverself'sblissfulcalm."
21."GodiseversmilingonMe."
22."Godissmilingonme."
23."ThePeaceofGod."
24."IdwellintheOverself'scalm."
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25."IsmilewiththeOverself'sbliss."
26."IdwellinInfinitepeace."
27."Iamaradiantandrevivifiedbeing.IexpressintheworldwhatIfeelinmybeing."
113Whatisnewerthananewdawningday?Whatachanceitoffersfortherenewingoflifetoo!AndhowbettertodothisthantotakeapositiveaffirmativeDeclarationlike,"IAmInfinitePeace!"asthefirstmorningthought,andtoholdit,andholdontoit,forthosefirstfewminuteswhichsettheday'skeynote?Then,whatevermatterstherewillbetoattend,orpressingweightydutiestobefulfilled,weshallcarryourpeaceintothemidstofthem.
114AfriendtoldmesomeyearsagoofaninterestingandusefulmethodofusingtheseDeclarationswhichhadbeentaughtherbyacelebratedholymanandmysticinhercountry,whenhegaveherthe"PrayerofJesus."ThisisaDeclarationwhichwaswidelyusedseveralhundredyearsagointheoldByzantinemonasteriesandevennowisusedtoalesserextentinBalkanandSlavonicmonasticcirclesinexactlythesamewayasinIndia.Themethodistoreducethenumberofwordsuseduntilitisbroughtdowntoasingleone.Thisreductionisachieved,ofcourse,quiteslowlyandduringaperiodcoveringseveralmonths.Inthisparticularinstance,therearesevenwordsinthePrayer:"LordJesusChrist,havemercyonme."Theyareallusedforthefirstfewweeks,thentheword"Christ"isomittedforthenextfewweeks.Thephraseisagainshortenedbydetachingfromit,afterafurtherperiodhaselapsed,theword"Lord."Then"have"istakenoutandsoonuntilonlyonewordisleft.TheDeclarationasfinallyandpermanentlyusedis"JesusJesusJesusJesus."ThismethodcanbeappliedtoalmostanyDeclaration.Theselectedlastwordshouldbeaname,ifaddressedtoGodortoaSpiritualLeader,or,ifthatisnotpartofit,adesiredquality.
115Theuseofshortstatements,oftenstrangelyworded,madebyamastertoadiscipleasameansofgettingtheflashofenlightenmentflourishedinChinaduringtheTangdynasty.ItwastakenuplaterbytheJapanese,amongwhomthemethod'soriginalname"kongan"changedslightlyto"koan."Despiteextravagantclaimsmadeforit,thesuccessfulpractisergotaglimpseonly,notapermanentandfullresult.Itisnotthesameas,andnottobeconfusedwith,themethodofmeditatinguponaffirmations,pithycondensedtruthstatements(calledMahavakyasinIndia)sincetheseopenlypossessameaningwhereaskoansareoftenillogicalandalwayspuzzling.
116Philosophyusesthesedeclarationsguardedlyanddoesnotapproveofsuchpotentiallydangerousonesas"IamGod!"or"IamonewithGod."Instead,itusesthemoreguardedoneslike"IaminGod"or"Godisinme,"andtheseonlyafterapreparationhaselapsedwithselfhumblingphraseslike"Iamnothing"and"Takemyego,swallowitup,OThouDivinity."Otherwisethetruthishalfunderstoodandmisused,whiletherelationbetweentheOverselfanditsshadowselfbecomesasourceofmischievousillusionandintellectualconfusion.
117Itisbettertochooseadeclarationwhichpertainstohisimmediateneedthanonewhichdoesnot.
118Anydeclarationbringsbeforethemindsomespecifictruthwhichitwantstorealize,but
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thegreatestone,andthemostpowerfulandcreativeone,isthatwhichaffirmsthedivinityofitsinnermostnature,thepresenceofGodinsideitsownbeing.
119Anaffirmationwhichproclaimsaspiritualreality,mayseemtobecontradictedbyouterfacts.
120Deepwithinhimthereisanopeningouttotheinfinitebeing.Howthisopeningisactuallyeffected,noonereallyknows.Onemomentheishere,thenextmomentheisthere.Itisthenthatthesespiritualdeclarationsbecomeperfectlytrue,completelyinaccordwithfact.
121Hemustdeliberatelyejecteachnegativethoughtasitarises.Theeasierwaytodothisisimmediatelytoreplaceitbya"SpiritualDeclaration"ofanaffirmativenature.Thisisquickerthanandnotsohardastryingtousewillpoweralonetogetridofthenegativethought.
122ThebestofalldeclarationsistheonewhichrepresentseithertheSupremePowerorelsethehumanleaderwhomostinspiresustothinkofthatPower.Wecannotgohigherinthoughtorcomecloserinawareness.WhatevernamewehabituallygivetothisUniquePower,beitTruthorReality,AllahorJehovah,thatisthewordtouseasourDeclarationunlesstheleader'snamehelpsusmore.
123Ifhehabituallysuffersfromacertainmood,orifhemaybethevictimofitatthemoment,itwillbeusefultochooseaDeclarationwhichaffirmstheoppositemood.Indespondency,forexample,hemayfindcheeringandupholdingsentencesforrepetitioninoneofthePsalms.
124Thesymbolordeclarationmustbeonetowhichhecancompletelygivehimself,ifallitseffectivenessistoberealized.
125Itisuselesstosaytoyourselfwhatyoucannotbringyourmindtobelieve,toaffirminyourmeditationwhatyourheartcannotpossiblyaccept.Donottrytoviolatelawsthatyoutrustbybeliefsthatarecontrarytothem.Insteadofprofitableresults,youwillgenerateinnerconflicts.Ifyouraffirmationisnotinharmonywiththeorderoftheuniverse,withthepossibilitiesandprinciplesofhumanexistence,youwillnotsucceedinitsuse.
126Ifanydeclarationseemsunnaturalandartificialandimpossibleinrelationtooneself,itoughttobeabandoneduntilithasbeenpassedthroughaprolongedthinkingoutprocess.
127Ifnoattemptismadetogainunderstandingof,aswellasgivefeelingto,theseutterances,repeatingadeclarationmaybecomeartificialandmakinganaffirmationmaybecomemechanical.
128Heshouldclosehiseyes,repeatthephraseslowlyseveraltimes,andtrytopenetrateeverdeeperintoitsmeaningwitheachrepetition.
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129ThepracticeoftheseDeclarationsisadevicetorecalltothememoryofthemanhisperfectandidealstatewhichhenotonlyhastoretainbutwhichinhisOverselfhealreadyis.Thisisameansofrecallinghimfromtheperipheryoflifetohiscentre.
130Eachstirringoftheoldweaknessesmustbetreatedasacommandtonewefforts.Buttheseshallbetowardrecollectionof,andidentificationwith,theOverselfnotnecessarilytowarddirectstrugglewiththem.Intheseefforts,lethimreiterateaspiritualdeclarationholdingtothethoughtbehinditwiththedeepestintensity.Thesilentwordmustbecomethisspiritualwarrior'ssword.
131Hedoesnotneedtopractisethedeclarationsinaconspicuousmanner,ordrawtheattentionofotherstowhatheisdoing.Instead,workingquietly,hecanandshouldletitremainasecretbetweentheOverselfandhimself.
132Asinglewordnamingsomedivineattributeorhumanidealisanothergoodfocusforaconcentrationexercise.Itshouldbeslowlybutsilentlyrepeatedtooneselfatcertainintervalswhilstitssignificanceshouldbeheldallthetimeinthemind.Everyotherideashouldbekeptout.Wordswhicharesuitabletoperformthisofficemaybesafelylefttotheaspirant'stasteandmoodofthemoment.Hereareinstances:reality,truth,love,being,illusion,goodness,pity,purity,andpeace.
Inthisexercise,herepeatsmentallyandslowlyoverandoveragainasignificantkeywordlike"Reality"orapithyformulalike"Inmyhigherbeing,Iambeyondweaknessandsin."
Incessantrepetitionofabriefmysticformula,ashortholyphrase,willkeepoutallotherthoughtsandultimatelyevenlapseitself.Themindwillthenfallintostillness,theheartbeinundatedwithquiet.
133Beforeattendinganyintervieworgroupmeeting,aswellasduringtheattendanceitself,ifaclashofwillsistobeexpectedorsometroubleistobefearedorsomefavouristoberequested,silentlypractisemantricaffirmationssuchas:"AllGoodiswithme,"or"TheInfinitePowerismyperfectsupply,"or"PerfectHarmonyisinme."
134Thewaytousetheseaffirmationsdiffersfromonetotheother,accordingtoitsnatureandpurpose.Forexample,anaffirmationofcalmnessandpeaceneedsadifferentapproachmentally,emotionally,andevenphysicallyfromoneofpowerandstrength.
135Thegeneralruleforusingtheseaffirmationsisfirsttositcomfortablyandrelaxthebodyineveryway.Thenslowlyrepeattheselectedwordsforafewminutes.Layholdintenselyontheirmeaning.Thepracticemaybedoneagainintheeveningwithanotherorwiththesameaffirmation.
136Ofallaffirmations,thestudentwhohasevolvedtothehigherstagesofdevelopmentwillselectthosethatconcerntheimpersonalratherthanthepersonalself.Thesearetheultimatetruths,theconclusiveformulaeofphilosophysuchas:"MindistheReal,"or"TheEgoisillusory,"wherethemindcalmlyrestsonthefinalpositiontobeattained.
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137Thestudentwhotakesoneofthesesentencesfromapieceofinspiredwritingisseekingtoreproduceinhisownfeelingsandthoughtstheinnerconditionwhichgaveitbirth.Ashepondersoverthephrase,heshouldnotonlyseektodistilleverybitofmeaningfromit,butalsolethisinnerbeingpassivelyreceivethatmeaningbyotherthanlogicalways.Thiswiderconcentrationuponitmaygraduallyopenupitscontent.Nevertheless,ifhereturnstoitalongtimelaterperhapsafterayearortwohemaypenetrateabruptlyandunexpectedlytoastilldeeperlayerofmeaningandwiththatexperiencethejoyofnewrevelation.
138Selectanyphrase,sentence,orevensinglewordwhichmakesmostappealtoyouandpertainstothegoal,ideal,orqualityyouwishtodevelop.Itmaybetakenfromabook(ifinspired)oryoumayconstructityourself.Examplesare:Iaminfinitepeace:harmonyharmonyharmony.ThisSpiritual"Declaration"istoberepeatedasoftenduringtheentiredayasyouremembertodososilentlyandmentallywhenoutorwithothers,whisperedtoyourselfwhenaloneandinyourownroom.Thismeansthattheremaybedozensofrepetitionsinoneday.Itisparticularlytobepractisedwhenanyprovocationortemptationarises.Afterthefirstfewweeksthehabitshouldbecomeautomatic,whenyoumaytrytomakeitasilentoneatalltimes.
Youmay,ifyouprefer,useasthethemeforconcentrationthenameofyourSpiritualLeader:"JesusJesusJesus,"forexample.Thisexercisemustbedoneveryslowly,thephrasemustbelongdrawnout,and,intheearlystages,themeaningponderedon.
139Eachaffirmationhedecidestoacceptshouldbeusedregularlyforaperiodoftwentyonedaysbeforechangingtoanotherone.
140Affirmtruth,andletothersdenyfalsehood.
141Itwilldoubletheefficacyofthisexerciseifitispractisedatthesametimeasandunitedwiththeregularcyclesofbreathingactivity.Whenthetwoareasone,muchgreaterpowerentersintothedeclarationorinvocation.
142Thevalueofthesedeclarationsandaffirmations,theseideasheldandrepeated,isnotatotalone.Themethodtheyuseisonlyafirststepandaneasystep.Itisnotaselfsufficientmethod.
143Icallitparadoxicalthinkingasopposedtologicalthinking."Iaminfinitebeing"isadeclarationwhichdoesnotfitintothelogicofconventionalexperience.
144Tothinkonlyandcompletelyofthistruthattheverymomentwhentheego'svoiceorpassion'sdemandisloudest,isanecessarystepforward.
145InthebeginningofeachsessionitwillassistthenovicetoconcentrateifhewillsaytheDeclarationseveraltimeswithhislips.
146Whenthisdelicateintuitivefeelingisverbalizedintoanintellectualstatementintheform
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ofaSpiritualDeclaration,thelattermayhelptoawakenanechoingfeelingintheheartofonewhousesit.
147ThewordsshouldbedescriptiveofsomeattributeoftheOverselforsomequalityofitsnature.TheyshouldalsoseparatetheaspirantfromhislowertendenciesoregoandidentifyhimwiththeOverself.
148ThepracticaltechnicaluseofDeclarationsbelongsonlytotheelementaryorintermediatestagesofthepath.Whentheirpurposeofremindingmanofhistrueselfisfulfilledbyeveryevent,everyhappening,everysituationinaman'slife,thenheissaidtohavereachedtheadvancedstageofmantrayoga.Atthisstage,thereisnothingtootrivialtoactasareminderofthehigherhelpfulnesstowhichtheQuestleads.Everythingcanthenbeacceptedaspresentedsymbolicallytothetraveller.
149ThedeclarationisalsousedinIndiatopurifyaplace,toupliftthemind,toinviteGrace,andtoabatesickness.
150Heistoremindhimselfconstantlyofthegreatertruths,whetherheisathomeinhisroomorabroadinthepublicplaces."BestillandknowthatIaminfinitepower"isonesuchtruth."BestillandknowthatIaminfinitejoy"isanother.
151Thesetruthsarenotmeremetaphysicalstatementsthatraisethedustofargument,butspiritualsignpostswhichguidemanintothetruewayoflife.
152Itisusefultoprepareandkeepalistofthesesilentdeclarationsandselectadifferentoneforuseduringaparticularperiod,whetheritbeasingledayorawholeweek.Itcanbechosentofittheparticularneedsofthatperiod,andtheexperienceswhichareexpectedordevelopedthen.
153Anaffirmationshouldbesomeeasilyseized,easilyheldphrase.Itistobesaidoverandoveragain.Itisessentialthatthefullestfaithshouldbegiventoitbythepersonusingit.
154"Iwilltrytoshowforthinmypersonallife,thought,andfeelingtheperfectharmonywhichalreadybelongstotheimpersonalOverselfwithinme."
155Lettheminddwellconstantlyonthesegreattruths.Letthehandwritethemdownandcarrytherecordforstudyatoddmoments.
156ADeclarationhascreativepoweronlyifthemindisfirmlyfixedonitsmeaningasitisrepeated.
157"ThedivineSelfinmemanifestsitselfincontentmentandstrength."
158Thedeclarationisasimpledeviceforachievingthreedifferentobjectivesatoneandthesametime.ItfacilitatesthecontinuousremembranceoftheOverself.Itholdstheideal
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andparadestheobjectivesofselfimprovementeverbeforeus.Itinspiresusasaformofconcentration,firstbykeepingusintouchwiththeOverselfandthenbygettingusultimatelyabsorbedinawarenessofit.
159Thepracticekeepsawayotherthoughtsiftheyareofabaserkind,yetitdoesnotkeepawaythosewhicharenecessarytocarryontheordinaryaffairsofeverydayliving.Thedeclarationstaysinthedeepplacesofthemindlikealittleislandofimmovablerock,whiletheagitatedwavesofpersonalactivitiesswirlaroundit.
160Lettheaffirmationriseintocentralconsciousnesseverymomentthatthemindisfreetoattendtoit.
161Whataffirmationshallheuse?Heshouldanalysehischaracterimpartiallyandcarefullyandlethisdecisionrestontherevelationofpositiveandnegativequalitiesthisanalysisaffordshim.
162Theymayalsobetheoppositeofaffirmationsthatis,theymaybedenials.Anexampleis:"Iwillnolongerexpressnegatives."
163Thesedeclarationscanbeformulatedinthefirstperson"Iameternal"orwithoutreferencetoanypersonatall"Godisinfinitebeing."
164Lethimcreatehisowndeclarationsordenials,tosuithisspecialneedsandindividualaspirations.
165Byaffirmingaparticularvirtue,heautomaticallyrepudiatesitsopposingevilquality.
166Theseaffirmationsaretaut,compactstatementsoftruths.
167Anaffirmationtakesageneralthought,idea,ideal,andturnsitintoapreciseone.Thishelpsthosewhocannotfindtheirwayamongabstractions.
168Herearesomeofthemoremetaphysicaldeclarationsformeditationaluse:(a)"YouaremeandIamyou"(b)"IWhoAm"(c)"WhatIhavebeen,Ishallbe"(d)"HeWhoIs."
169Thekindofthinkingwhichmakesupthecontentofyourmind,influencesalways,andcreatessometimes,thekindoffortunewhichmakesupthecourseofyourlife.
170Someofthesedeclarationsarephrasedasautosuggestions,phrasedsoastohaveevocativeorcreativevalue.
171Suggestionfromothersandexpectancyfromhimselfifstrongenoughhelptoshapeinnerexperiences,buthisownworkisessential.
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172Howmanyunacknowledgedsuggestionsdotheycarryaboutwiththem,aspartoftheirownnaturenowalthoughfirstputintotheirheadslongagobyothers?
173Onceheperceivesthistruth,hegoeshisownwayanddoesnotallowotherstomakehimavictimofsuggestion.
174ThereactionofhisenvironmenttohisdominantthoughtisascertainastheoperationofalawinNature.
175Tothedegreethatamanpractisesconstructivethinkingandharmoniousfeeling,tothatdegreewillhehelptodrawprogressiveeventsandhelpfulchancestohimself.
176Thosewhoarescepticalofthehigheroriginofthisphenomenon,whoassertittobetheworkofautosuggestion,thatitisofamindabletoimpressitsownimaginingsuponitselftosuchanextentthatitmistakesthemforrealities,arethemselvesguiltyofautosuggestion,fortheyhaveimpressedtheirscepticaltheoriestosuchanextentupontheirownmindsthatthereisnoreasonforanythingelsethanthesecomplexes.
177Ifthedominanttrendsofhisthoughtarebad,evil,ornegative,lethimcounteractthembyrepeatedly,persistently,andintenselydwellingontheiropposites.
178Intheearlystage,whenconcentrationisneeded,hewillsucceedbestbygivinghisattentionstrong,forciblecommands,bydirectinghismindtowardthechosentopicwithpositivephrases.
179TheChinesenameforthesemutteredorchantedincantationsisveryapt:"TrueWords."
180Assoonasthelightisputoutandyoupreparetosleep,giveacommandtothedeepermindtoworkontheproblemyoupresentitwith.Youmaystatetheproblemaloud.Then,whenyouwakeupinthemorning,lookforthesolutionbeforeyoudoanythingelse.
181Putintotheaffirmationalltheintensityandallthefervouratyourcommand.
182Thecallto"praywithoutceasing"whichPaulmade,therecommendationto"thinkofBuddha"whichtheLamasgive,andtheremembrancesofthenameofAllahwhichMuhammedanSufispractise,aredeclarations.
183JoyousnessisenjoinedinHinduUpanishadictexts.Itistobepractisedthroughselfsuggestions(Svabhutivakyas).
184Theseekerwillprofitduringhishoursofdistressordifficulty,whetherinwardoroutward,bypronouncingamantricaffirmationandthenmakinghisprayerofpetitioninageneralway.Aparticularthingshouldnotbeincludedintheprayer.Forexample,inthecaseofanenvironmentalwant,theaffirmationcouldbe:"WithinmethereisallI
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need."Thiskindofpetitionisafarhigherformofprayerandafarmoresuccessfulonethanthecommonbeggingforaspecificrelieforobjectorchange.
185Witheveryintervaloftimethatheisabletoget,howevershortitbeevenafewsecondsherepeatsamajesticwordlike"Peace,"oranevocativesentencelike"CastthyburdenonmybackandIshallgiveyoupeace."
186Theaffirmationisusedinthreedifferentways.Itischantedaloud,mutteredorwhispered,silentlyandmentallyrepeated.
187Whenanaffirmationisusedonlyinandformeditationexercises,itshouldbementallypronouncedasfirmlyandaspositivelyandasconfidentlyaspossible.Itshouldalsoberepeatedseveraltimes.Donotponderoveritsmeaningbutratherbecontentwithlettingeachwordsinkintothesubconsciousmind.
188Theinstantvigorousandcontinuedpracticeofadeclarationmaychangethestateofmindinafewminutesfromanegativeonethatisagitatedordepressedtoapositiveonethatisreposedorcheerful.
189Thereisanotherspecialvalueofthedeclaration,andthatisfoundduringthestrainsandstrugglesofliving.Ifestablishedpreviouslybyhabit,itwillbepresentandavailable,readytouseatanymomentofneedorcrisis.
190Thepowerofthedeclarationrisestoitsgreatestdegreewhenusedinmagicalrites,whenitissolemnlychantedbyasuitablyattiredpriestorwizard.
191Thewholeofhisconsciousnessistobewithdrawnintothedeclarationandtoremainwithinit,ifheissittinginsolitudeatformalregularmeditationatthespecialtime,butonlyapartofitifheisotherwiseengaged.
192Theseshort,specificstatements,usedpersistentlyasautosuggestions,areusefultoall.
193Heistolivewiththenameandqualitiesofhisidealeverbeforehim,forthepurposeofdrawinginspirationfromit.Heistorepeat,silentlyorvocally,ateverymomentwhenthereisabreakinwhateverhehappenstobedoing,andevenasoftenashecanduringtheactitself,aspiritualdeclaration.Suitablephrasesorsentencescanbefoundinhymns,bibles,proverbs,andpoems,andinthegreatinspiredwritingsofancientandmoderntimes.
194Thedeclarationmaybeintonedloudenoughtobeheardclearlybyhimselfbutbyothersonlyasamurmur.Thisisintendedtoinduceaconcentratedstate.
195TheyogiwhospendsyearsmechanicallymumblingtheaffirmationimpartedtohimbyhisteacherwillnotgetsofarastheWesternaspirantwhoselectshisowndeclarationandconscientiously,intelligently,workswithit.
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196Thereisonecondition:thedeclarationmustnotbelongerthanasinglesentence,andeventhatoughttobeconfinedtolessthantenwords.
197TheSpiritualDeclarationistobecomehismagictalisman,tobeusedinprovocativesituations,irritatingenvironments,orunpleasantcontactswithunlikedpersons.
198Heshouldmaketheseaffirmationsfirmly,intensely,andconfidently.
199Thesepreciouswordsoughttobeprintedincapitallettersanddoublyunderlined.For,inaworldofpoliteliesandprejudicedstupidities,theyaretheTRUTH.
200Themorehecanputhislovingattentionintothedeclarationorbehindtheautosuggestion,themorearehischancesofbeinghelpedbytheOverself'sGrace.
201ASpanishfriend,whoputintohismysticismalltheardoursofhispeople,calledthispractice"innerwork."ThemonksofMountAthos,whousehundredsoftimesadaythesamedeclarationwhichtheRumanianmysticsused,callit"work."
202Inthislovingremembrance,thisturningofthemindthroughdevotiontoitsparentalsource,theQuestfindsoneofitsmosteffectivetechniques.
203SufiDeclaration:"IamtheTruth!"
204Equippedwiththisknowledgeandtheseexercises,theaspirantwillbeabletousewellthoseidleminuteswhichwouldotherwisebewasted.
205SimoneWeiltellshowthehighlyconcentratedrecitation,withallneededtenderfeeling,ofadevotionalmetaphysicalpoembytheseventeenthcenturyEnglishman,GeorgeHerbert,turnedherfromanagnosticintoamysticastheChristconsciousnesstookpossessionofher.Thisresultwasasunsoughtasitwasunexpected.
206Thesacreddeclarationsaretobehummedinsomecases,chantedinothers,orspokeninstillothers.
207Theseinspiredsentencesorphrasescanalsobeusedasamuletsagainsthisowndarkmoodsasstrongerhandstoholdontoduringdepressedmomentsorweakphases.
208Thepracticeseemstohaveahypnoticeffectonthemindandtodrawhimwithamagneticspelltotheideabehindthedeclaration,asthelatterisfrequentlyandsolemnlyrepeated.
209Itisfromthesedeclarationsthattheideawasderivedofmagicalincantationswhichweresupposedtobringaboutextraordinaryresults,forsomemenwereablebytheiraidto
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induceatrancelikestatewhich,likethehypnoticstate,temporarilyreleasedparanormalpowersofmind.
210Standinfrontofamirrorandpronouncetheconstructiveautosuggestiveaffirmationswithdramatic,intensefeeling.
211Thesecretissimplicityitself.ItwaswrittendownbytheSufipoetShamsTabrizineightlittlewords:"KeepGodinremembrancetillselfisforgotten."Ifhekeepsthedeclarationhalfwhisperedonthetipofhistongueandjoyouslyfondledinhismind,itwillservehimwell.
212Anaffirmationfixesattentionandelevatesemotion:thisisitsprimarypurpose,butitmayalsoofferwisecounsel.
213InthefinerhomesofJapan,thereceptionroomwillcontainasilkorpaperscrollhanging,uponwhichsomemasterhasdrawn,incalligraphiccharacters,apithyandwiseaffirmation.
214Theseexercisescanusuallybepractisedwhereveramanhappenstobeand,often,whateverhehappenstobedoing.
215Thedeclarationcomesupfromthesubconsciousandgetsitselfutteredandrepeated.Theprocessofarticulationisapleasantone,sometimesevenanecstaticone.
216Bylearningtolivewiththedeclaration,evenifitseemedremote,fantastic,andimpossibleatfirst,itwillcometoevokeaveritableecstasyofacceptance.
217Thedeclarationsneedtobeponderedwithfaithandheldinthemindwithpersistenceiftheireffectivenessistobedemonstrated.
218Theexerciseisapowerfulcounterweighttotherestlessnatureofourthoughts.Itforcesthemtotakeanchorageinthedeclaration.
219Thispracticemakesitpossiblefortheotherwiserestlessmindtothinkofonethoughtandliveinonepurposeconstantly.Inthiswayitsteadiesthemindandkeepsitsattentionconcentrated.
220Thepracticealsohasapurifyingeffectsofarasitpreventstherisingofwrongthoughtsandhelpstheeradicationofthosewhichdoappear.
221TheformulacanbeselectedfromanupholdingPsalm,liketheninetyfirst,orfromtheBookofPrayer.
222OneofthegreatMahavakyasis"AyamAtmaBrahma""ThisAtmanisBrahman."
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223Whenthesedeclarationsarechanted,Orientalsfindthemtohelpbreathcontrol,whichinturnhelpsmeditation.
224Abookwhichistrulyinspiredwillcontainmanyasentencethatcanbeusedsuggestivelyinmeditation.Lingeroversomeofthemaslongasyoucan.Itisnotmovementwhichmattersherebutdepth.
225Theeffectofusingaffirmationsandrecollectionsistotinthisnaturewithdivinerqualities.Theseworkuponandgraduallytransmutehislowerones.
226Whenheispractisedenough,hewillfindthatmeditationchargeshimwithaninwardglow.
227Whathemeetswithoutwardlyaswellasinwardlyonthisquestshouldbetestedagainsttheseaffirmationsandscrutinizedinthelightofthesetruths.
228ThisexercisecanbeusedwithsuccessonlyifthereistheutmostattractiontotheideaphrasedorthefullestlovefortheDivineNameorspiritualleadermentionedinit.Ifthefeelingisweak,theremembrancewillbefitfulandunsteady,thepracticewillonlybeoccasionalandhenceinsufficient.Ifthefeelingisstrong,themindwillbeabletoholdtheideaorthenamemoreeasilyandunbrokenly,forthenitislikethefeelingwhichexistsbetweenapairofseparatedyounglovers.Theyareabletoremembereachother'snameconstantly,toholdeachother'smentalpicturequitespontaneously.Theydonotneedtomakeanydeliberateeffortatall.
229Ashepersevereswiththispractice,theintervalswhenheforgetstorepeattheDeclarationgetfewerandfewerinnumber,shorterandshorterintime.Itsconstantutteranceorremembrancethenbecomesmoreandmorearealizableaspiration.
230Themomentanyactivityisatanend,hisattentionwillinstantlyreturntothedeclarationandcontinuetheinnerworkwithit.
231WhenhislastthoughtatnightandfirstthoughtinthemorningreferstotheOverself,hemayappraisehisprogressasexcellent.
TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.
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