4-Meditative Thinking - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

14/5/2015 Meditative Thinking - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

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PaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundationhomepage>NotebooksofPaulBrunton>Category4:ElementaryMeditation>Chapter4:MeditativeThinking

MeditativeThinking

Thepathofinspiredintellect

1Thenexttypeofmeditationistheanalytic.Itmaydealwithpersonalexperience,generalevents,universallaws,thenatureofman,andtherealityofsoul,butalwaysitseeksbyanalysisandreflectiontounderstand.

2Inthistypeofreflectivemeditation,criticalthinkingisnotbanishedbutisilluminatedbytheOverself'slight.Itisthepathofinspiredintellect.Itisextremelyvaluablebecauseitcanrevealtherightpathtotakeinpracticalaffairsandtherightcoursetotakeinmoralones.Itisequallyvaluableforextractingthelessonsoutofpastexperience.

3Thetopicselectedforpracticemaybequitepersonaltobeginwith,providedthatitissuitabletohelpbringaboutselfimprovementofapositivekindsuchasremovingfaultsandcultivatingvirtues.Butthisisonlypreparatory,sinceitisstillconcernedwiththeegoanddesignedtoimproveconcentration.Whenexperienceandregularpracticehavereachedasufficientdevelopment,thenthetopicshouldbeonewhichmakeshimfeelhighlyreverentialandshouldbedirectedtotheOVERSELFnottotheego,notevenfortheego'simprovementspiritually.

4AcleardistinctionhastobemadebetweenthinkingaboutGodandtheexperienceofGod.Eachhasitsplace.Thinkingandevaluatingtakeplaceontheintellectualleveloneshouldnotlimitoneselftothatbutshouldtrytoarriveattheinnerstillness,theexperienceoftheOverselfduringmeditation.Thereshouldbeaclearsenseofthedifferencebetweenthesetwo.Thepilingupofthoughts,howeverreasonabletheyare,actsonlyasasignaltheypointoutwhichwaytogo,butattheenddropthem.

5Itisnotmerelyanintellectualexercise.Allthepietyandreverenceandworshipgainedfromreligionareneededheretoo.WemustprayconstantlytotheSoultorevealitself.

6Whenthinkinghasdoneitsbestwork,reacheditsloftiestpoint,itshouldrelaxandceaseitsactivity.Ifallelsehaspreparedtheway,themindwillbereadytoenterthesilence,toacceptatakeoverbytheOverself.

7Inthistypeofmeditation,theintellectmustthink,firstaboutitselfandsecondaboutwhatisbeyonditself.Thischangeofthoughtbecomesasteppingstonetoachangeofconsciousness.

8TheoldQuakerfamilymorningcustomofreadingaloudapassagefromtheBible,andfollowingitbyaperiodofmeditativesilence,isausefulpointer.Anybookthatinspiresmaybereadvocallythenshutandponderedquietlyanysentencethatholdsandexalts



attentionmaybemadethesubjectofslow,graveutterancefollowedbysilentconcentratedrumination.Anyword,attribute,name,orphrasethatenshrinesspiritualtruthmaybeaffirmedinspeechandafterwardcontemplatedinhush.

9Vicharameansdiscursivethinking,soatmavicharameansthinkingone'swayintotherealself.

10Toshortentheperiodofreincarnations,thoughtisneeded:first,analyticreflectionaboutthepastsecond,imaginativereflectionaboutthefuture.

11Allpossessthepowerofreflectionbutfewuseit.Whenthispoweristurnedoutwardly,welookuponthephysicalbody,itsorgansandsenses,asourselfandsoplungeintothebustlingactivityofthisworldwithouthesitation.Butifthissamepowerofreflectionbeturnedinwardly,webegintoforgetouractivitiesandtoloseknowledgeofthephysicalbodyanditsenvironment.Forwebecomesodeeplyindrawnintotheworldofthoughtthatforthetimebeingthisinnerworldbecomesforustherealworld.Thusweareledgraduallybyrepeatingthispracticetoidentifyourselveswiththemindalone,tolookuponourselvesasthoughtbeings.

12Inthistypeofmeditationtheactivityofthinkingisnotrejected.Onthecontrary,itisdeliberatelyaccepted,foritscharacterundergoesamarkedchange.Atacertainstage,whenconcentrationthoroughlyestablishesitself,someforcethatisdeeperthanthefamiliarpersonalselfrisesupfromwithinitselfandimposesacontinuousstreamofsequential,illuminedthoughtsupontheconsciousness.

13Whatareliefforaman,harassedbyanxietiesandfrustratedbyburdens,toturntowardsthesegreatimpersonalveritiesandconsiderthemintheserenemoodofthetwilightmeditationorthesunriseworship.

14Deepreflectivethinkingispresentbehinddeepimpersonalthinking.

15Ourrichestmomentsarethosespentindeepreverieuponthedivinerthings.

16Atdifferentperiodsinhiscareertherewillbetheneedofandconsequentlytheattractiontodifferentsubjectsformeditation.Thus:thebeautyofaflower,theuglinessofacorpse,theattributesofasage,theinfinitudeofspace,thechangesofadolescence,middle,andoldage.

17Thishabitofpersistentdailyreflectiononthegreatverities,ofthinkingaboutthenatureorattributesoftheOverself,isaveryrewardingone.Frombeingmereintellectualideas,theybegintotakeonwarmth,life,andpower.

18TheOverselftakeshisthoughtsaboutit,limitedandremotethoughtheyare,andguidesthemcloserandclosertoitsownhighlevel.Suchilluminedthinkingisnotthesameasordinarythinking.Itsqualitativeheightandmysticaldepthareimmenselysuperior.Butwhenhisthoughtscangonofarther,theOverself'sGracetouchesandsilencesthem.In



thatmomentheknows.

19Thebookswhichlivearethosewrittenoutofthisdeepunionwiththetrueselfbymenwhohadovercomethefalseself.Onesuchbookisworthathousandwrittenoutoftheintellectaloneorthefalseegoalone.Itwilldomoregoodtomorepeopleformoreyears.Thestudentmayusesuchawork,therefore,asabasisforameditationexercise.Itsstatements,itsideas,shouldbetakenonebyone,putintofocusforhismindtoworkon.

20Aninspiredwritingismorethansomethingtobereadforinformationorinstructionitgivesamanfaith,itbecomesasymboltowhichhecanholdandfromwhichhecandrawarenewaloftrustintheuniverse.Itisthistrustwhichmakeshimdenyhimselfandinspireshimtoreachbeyondhimself.Forhismindtofastenitselftosuchawriting,therefore,andtouseitasafocusformeditation,isunconsciouslytoinvokeandreceivethegraceoftheilluminedmanwhobroughtthewritingtobirth.

21Intheseinspiredwritings,wemaylookfortwodistinctivequalities:thepowertostimulatethoughtandthepowertoupliftcharacter.Inthefirstcaseweshallfindthemaseedbedofideaswhichcanbearamplefruitinourmindsinthesecondcasethereisimpartedtoreadingsomeflavouroftheunshakeablemoralstrengthwhichtheinspiredwritersthemselvespossess.

22Lethimdwelluponsomepiecefromaninspiredwritingorthinkoutthemeaningofsomeeternalverity.Lethimdothiswiththeutmostattentiveness.Suchmeditationwillnotonlyenablehimtoadvanceinconcentrativenessbutwillalsoprofithimmentallyandmorally.

23Ifhecanrespondtothesegreatinspiredutterances,ifhecanlethisthoughtworkoverthemintherightwayandlethisemotionbesusceptibletotheirinnerdynamism,hisintenseconcentrationwillenablehimtoshareatleastthereflectedlightbehindtheircreator,thelightitself.

24Thereisasensitivityandadepthinsuchworkswhicharetrulyremarkable,apower,alight,andaheattoinspiretheirreaderswhichisbornfromgenius.

25Whenthoughtisthustrainedtoitsuttermostpointandwhenitisetherealizedbydwellingonthemostabstracttopic,itleapsoutofitself,asitwere,transcendsandtransformsitselfandbecomesintuition.

26Paragraphsthatarebornandwritteninthishigherconsciousnessarelastingones,likemanyofthevigorousscripturalsayings.

27Themeditationsonthe"I,"ontransiency,ongoodandevil,andonsufferingarebutforbeginners.Theydonotrequirethesubtletyneededforultramysticmeditation.

28ThethoughtoftheOverselfmayeasilyopenthegatewhichentersintoitsawareness.



29Thedifferencebetweenthefirststage,concentration,andthesecondstage,meditation,islikethedifferencebetweenastillphotographandacinemafilm.Inthefirststage,youcentreyourattentionuponanobject,justtonotewhatitis,initsdetails,parts,andqualities,whereasinthesecondstage,yougoontothinkallaroundandabouttheobjectinitsfunctionalstate.Inconcentration,youmerelyobservetheobjectinmeditation,youreflectuponit.Thedifferencebetweenmeditationandordinarythinkingisthatordinarythinkingdoesnotgobeyonditsownlevelnorintendtostopitself,whereasmeditationseekstoissueforthonanintuitionalandecstaticlevelwhereonthethinkingprocesswillitselfceasetofunction.

30ThebetterkindofthinkingisthatwhichisdirectedtotheideaoftheOverself.Itreachesaculminationwhenthethinkerisabsorbedsofullyintotheideathatheandthethoughtslipawayinto,andremainundistractedfrom,theactualconsciousnessoftheOverself.

31Thoughtsmaybeahindrancetomeditationmerelybytheirpresenceor,ifoftheproperkind,ahelptoit.Andtheonlyproperkindisthatwhichleadsthemtolooktowardtheconsciousnesswhichtranscendsthem.

32Thesearchforfirstcauses,whendoneonlyintellectuallyandmetaphysically,maybecomeashadow,oralookingglassimageoftherealsearch.Forthismust,andcanonlybedone,onadeeperleveltheintuitive.Theprocesstobeusedismeditation.

33Inmeditationoneshouldfollowthepathpointedoutbyhistemperament.Heshouldstrivetothinkhisownthoughtsandnotalwaysechothoseofothers.

34Itisnotenoughtolearntheseteachingsbystudyandanalysisofthem.Theyshouldalsobeallowedtoworkunhindereduponpassive,receptive,stillmoodsofthesilencedintellect.

35Uponthosewhoaresensitivetotruthatahighlevel,thesestatementshaveastrongandpeculiareffect.Thereisdeepawe,asifstandingbeforeamysticshrine,reverentialjoy,asifbeholdingnewmosaictablets.Thereis,indeed,afeelingofbeingabouttoreceivestaggeringrevelations.

36Thatathemeformeditationshouldbeformulatedintheinterrogativeisatonceanindicationthatthekindofmeditationinvolvedisintellectual.WhatamI?isasimplequestionwithacomplexanswer.

Inthisexerciseyouwillrepeatedlythinkofwhatyoureallyareasdistinctfromwhatyouseemtobe.Youwillseparateyourselfintellectually,emotionally,andvolitionallysofarasyoucanfromyourflesh,yourdesires,andyourthoughtsasbeingobjectsofyourconsciousnessandnotpureconsciousnessitself.Youwillbeginbyaskingyourself"WhoamI?"and,whenyoucomprehendthatthelowernaturecannotbetherealyou,goontoaskingthefurtherquestion:"WhatamI?"Bysuchfrequentselfstudiesandselfdiscriminations,youwillcomecloserandclosertothetruth.

37Istheexperimenttoodifficult?Howcanamanstopthinking?Iremembernowthatitis



notsuggestedthatoneshoulddeliberatelystopthinking.No,itistaught,"pursuetheenquiry,`WhatamI'relentlessly."Well,Ihavepursuedituptothispoint.Icannotdefinitelypindownmyegoeithertothebodyortheintellect.ThenwhoamI?Beyondbodyandintellectthereisleftonlynothing!Thethoughtcametome,"Nowpayattentiontothisnothingness."

Nothing?...Nothing?...Nothing?...Igraduallyandinsensiblyslippedintoapassiveattitude.Afterthatcameasenseofdeepeningcalm.Subtly,intangibly,quietnessofsoulinvadedme.Itwaspleasant,verypleasant,andsoothednerves,mind,andheart.ThesenseofpeacewhichenvelopedmewhileIsatsoquietgentlyswelledupintoblissineffable,intoamarvellousserenity.TheblissbecamesopoignantlykeenthatIforgottocontinuethinking.Isimplysurrenderedmyselftoitasardentlyasawomansurrendersherselftothemansheloves.Whatblessednesswasnotmine!WasitnotsomeconditionlikethistowhichSaintPaulreferredwhenhementioned"thepeacewhichpassethunderstanding"?Theminutestrickledbyslowly.Ahalfhourlaterfoundmybodystillmotionless,thefacestillfixed,theeyesstillindifferentto,orobliviousoftheirsurroundings.HadIfathomedthemysticdepthsofmyownmind?Impatiencemighthavereareditsrestlessheadandcompletelyspoilttheresult.Isawhowfutileitwastoattemptalwaystoimposeourhabitualrestlessnessinsuchunfamiliarcircumstances.

38Inonesenseallattemptstomeditateonspiritualthemesareattemptstoawakenintuition.Fortheyachievesuccessonlywhentheactivityofthethinkingintellectisstilledandtheconsciousnessentersintothatdeepsilencewherefromthevoiceofintuitionitselfissuesforth.

39Tousethesesublimeideasinandforourhoursofcontemplation,istousedefinitepotencies.

40Duringthesemeditations,heistodwellaspiringlyandlovinglyupontheidealattimesandtoreflectcalmlyandrationallyaboutitatothertimes.Thushewilllearntoachieveimaginativelyaneffectiveselfgovernment.

41Myuseoftheterm"reverie"maymisleadsometothinkImeanidle,drifting,purposeless,languidthinking.Imeannothingofthesort.

42Onlyafteralong,longsearchcanhetracethesethoughtstotheirfinalsourceinthepurestreamofMind.

43Workonsuchthemesinspiresawriter,athinker,orateacher,asworkonthehigherlevelsofartmustinspirethecreativeartist.

44Thepracticeofselfinquirybeginswiththeself'senvironmentandendswithitscentre.Itasks,"Whatistheworld?"Then,"WhatistheBody?"Next,"WhatistheMind?"Then,"Whatisthesourceofhappiness?"Andfinally,"WhatamI?"atthethresholdofitsinnermostbeing.

45Heshouldsitdownbytheseashoreoronahillsideorontheroofofatallbuildingorinanyotherplacewherehecangetalong,uninterruptedviewofoceanandskyorsky



alone.Ifnootherplaceisavailable,lethimlieonthegroundandgazeatthesky.ThenlethimthinkoftheSpiritasbeinglikethisvastexpanseinitsfreedomanduniqueness,butinfiniteandboundlesswheretheotherisnot.

46Ordinarilyourmindshavetoolimitedandtooegocenteredarange.Itisneedfultobroadenthembyreflectionsandmeditationswhicharehighlyabstractandtotallyimpersonal."Theuniverseisinfiniteandunmeasurable.HowtinyandinsignificantisthisplanetEarthinrelationtoit!Howtrivialandunimportantareearthlythings,iftheplanetitselfissuch!Howridiculoustoletoneselfbecapturedandimprisonedbymomentarysensualpleasureswhichhavenoteventhedurationofmostofthesethings!"Suchisonesampleofhowthisexercisecouldbegin.

47Thosewhohavetrieditknowhowmuchharderrealmeditationisthanmerethinking.Thetwoarenotthesame.

48Ifhefindsonlyignorance,bewilderment,orordinariness,thenheneedstogofartherintohimself.Therevelationistherebutatadeeplevel.

49Intheseearlierstages,whatmattersishowdeeplyabsorbedhisattentionbecomesinthesubject,howstronglyheldishiscontroloverthethoughtswhichcomeintotheareaofawareness,howfarawayhewithdrawsfromactivityofthebody'ssenses.

50Everytimeathoughtrearsitshead,evaluateitforwhatitisandthenpushitaside.Everytimeanemotionrushesup,recognizeit,too,forwhatitisanddetachyourselffromit.ThisisthepathofSelfEnquiry,forasyoudothesethingsholdthewilldirectedtowardsfindingthecentreofyourbeing.Dothemwithdoggedpersistence.Dotheminyourconsciousnessandinyourfeeling.

51Someimaginativemindscanmakeprofitableuseofthevastnessoftheoceanortheimmensityofspaceastopicsonwhichtomeditateintheadvancedstages.

52Iftheutmostbenefitistobeextractedfromthiskindofexercise,heshould,attheendandbeforeherisestoresumetheordinarydailylife,brieflyrepeattohimselfitsleadingpointsandthensumupinconcentratedemphasisitsfinallesson.

53Althoughhemaycollecttogetheronlythosethoughtswhichrefertothechosensubject,hemaytakedifferentsidesofitbyturns.

54Whateverthinkingisdoneduringtheexercise,oneoughttostrivefortheutmostclearnessandthefullestalertnessinit.

55Hemaydeliberatelychooseafreshsubjecteachdayorletthespontaneousurgeofthemomentchooseitforhim.Orhemaytakeagainonethathasservedhimwellbefore.

56Thekindofmeditationinwhichthemeditatorponderspersistentlywhathissourceis,



whatthe"I"reallyis,hastheeventualeffectofdehypnotizinghimfromthesefalseandlimitingidentificationswiththebody,thedesires,andtheintellect.

57Itmustbeatopicverydistantfrom,andquiteunconnectedwith,hisordinaryoccupationsoftheday.Hemustreleasehimselfaltogetherfromtheirproblemsandpleasures.

58Themorehepractisesatsuchtimesathinkingthatissensefreeandbeyondthephysicalthatis,metaphysicalinthetruestsensethebetterwillhebepreparedtoreceivetheintuitiveinfluxfromtheOverself.

59Thepursuitoftheselfcomesatlasttoanirreducibleelement.Theanalysercutshiswaythroughallintermediateregionsofthemind.

60Whenintellectliesexhaustedandprostrated,attheendofitsselfdirectedefforts,andgivesup,itmaythenbereadytoreceivewhat,earlier,itcouldnot.

61Concentrationkeepsthemindimplantedonaparticularthought,orlineofthought,bykeepingofftheotherones.Meditationremovesthesinglethoughtandkeepsthemindquiet.Thisisanexcellentstate,butnotenoughforthosewhoseektheReal.ItmustbecomplementedbyknowledgeofwhatisandisnottheReal.

62Theordinarykindofmeditationseekstoescapefromintellectualismattheverybeginning,whereasthemetaphysicalkindusesitfromthebeginning.Eventhoughitisanalytic,itdoesnotlimititselftocerebralactivityitconjoinsfeelingalso,sinceitseeksanexperienceaswellasunderstanding.Therefore,inthe"WhoAmI?"workitmoveswiththewholebeingandwithallitsintensity.

63Thewholecollectedforceofhisbeingisbroughttothisidea.

64IntheseexerciseshethinksofGod'snature,qualities,andattributeshemeditatesonGod'sinfinity,eternity,andunity.

65AfterhehasenteredontheShortPath,fitthemesforhismeditationwillbethosewhichturnhimawayfromthepersonalego.HecanmeditateonthegloriousattributesofGod,orontheessentialperfectionofthecosmos,orontheutterserenityofhisOverself,forinstance.

66MoststudentscanprofitablymeditateonsuchfragmentsoftheWorldIdeaastheycangleanfromdifferentandvariedsources:fromthetextsofmysticalseers,philosophicsages,religiousprophets,andeventheirownpersonalintuitions.

67Themoreweuseourthoughtstogetthedeepunderstandingofourselves,ofGod,andtheworld,andthemorewestillthethoughtstogetthemoutofthewaywhenthedivineisreadytospeaktous,themoresuccessfulwilloursearchbecome,andthemorewillweawakenfromthedreamofanunrealmateriality.



68Butunlessthepointissurrenderedandsilenced,itwillnotbepossibletogobeyondtheintellectualstageofunderstanding.Anditisonlyaminoritywhocanachievethissilenceandyieldcapacityfordeepeningtheirexperiencetowhatamountstoarealizationofthetruth.Thesilencehasanothername:eithermeditationorcontemplation.

69Ifhehashadaspiritualexperienceinwhichfirsthanddirectknowledgeofhisownspiritualnatureanditsnonmaterialityandimmortalitybecameevidenttohim,lethimtakethatmemoryandcherishitasabasisforhispresentmeditations.

70ThenamesofGodtraditionallyusedintheOrient,suchastheCompassionate,theGuide,theAnswererofPrayer,thePardoner,thePatient,arehelpfulasobjectsofprayerorsubjectsofmeditation.

71Whenonecarriesintellecttoitshighestexercise,whichisrightreasoning,hecomesneartothefinestfunctionofnatureintuition.Yetthegulfbetweenthemremainsimpassableunlessheiswillingtoperformthevitalandsupremeactofstillingitaltogether.Intheintellect'scompletesilencethevoiceofdivineintuitionmaybeheard.

72ThegoalofenlightenmentcanbereachedbythoughtalonedespitethecontraryassertionoftheEnglishmedievalhermitwhowroteTheCloudofUnknowingbutonlywhenthoughtissofinelysharpenedthat,seeingpreciselywhereitslimitslie,itiswillingtoceaseitsownactivityandsurrendertothehigherpower.Butitmustbewiseenoughtobelieveintheexistenceofsuchapower,toknowthatItisunthinkableandunsearchableandthereforemustbeallowedtotakeoverwherethinkingstops.Yetthemedievalauthorisquiterighttothisextentthatwherethoughtiswrappedinloveandwarmedbyit,theenlightenmentisthatmuchmoreattainable.

73Pythagorashadseenthattheuniversewasbuiltonnumber,Spinozathatthenumberofpossibilitieswasinfinite:bothmenworkedwithamathematicallytrainedmindwhoseborderlandmergedintointuition,inthesamewayasitdoeswithametaphysicallytrainedmindbutitmustbepurifiedandstrengthened,too,iftherequiredconcentrationistobesustainedandifitscourseistobestraightenedandnotdistorted.Thentheintuitiveexperienceofinfinitycomeswiththeintuitivenotionofit.ThismustbesobecausetheMindwhichconceivedtheuniverseisitselfinfinite.

74Selectasentencefrompsalm,prayer,gospel,orbookwhichepitomizesforyoutheentirequest,orupliftsyounearertothegoalofthequest.Murmurittoyourselfslowlyandrepeatedly.Ponderoveritsmeaning.

75Whenwetakeupabookthatthrowslightbeforeourfeet,thatdaybecomesastarredeventinthecalendarofourlife.Itisnottobeeasilyforgotten,becausetheplanetsofTruthandBeautyarehardtofindamidthepanoplyofrivallightsinthesky.

76Itisonlywhentheideasofabookliveinyourmemoryandthinkinglongafteryouhaveputawaythebookitselfthattheauthor'spurposehasreallybeenachieved.

77



Anotherexcellentandalwaysusefulthemeformeditationistoreadafewsentencesfromaninspiredbookandthenletyourthoughtdwelluponwhatyouhaveread.

78Suchbookssetthemindgropingforthemysterioussourcewhenceithasarisen.

79Thethememaybeoneofthosegreattruthsofphilosophywhichliftthemindtoanimpersonalandeternalregion,oritmaybeoneofthoseaptsentencesfromaninspiredbookorbiblewhichliftthefeelingstoadorationoftheOverself.

80Takeanyofthesegreatideasbyturns,orastheysuityouatdifferentperiods,andsubjectthemtointensivemeditation.

81Ateachofthesedailysessions,hewillbeeverwatchfulforanyinnerleadingtowardaspecialtopictoengagehismusing.

82Whenyougetagreatthoughtchainit.Holdit.

83Themorehecanlosehimselfintheabstractthought,thementalimage,thechosenideal,thequickerhewillfindhimselfintheSoul'spresence.

84Thepracticeofselfquesteliminatestheoppositionoftheintellectinamarvellousmannerandbringstheminduptotheverybordersofthetranscendental,whereitistakenupandputtotheserviceoftheDivine.

85Whenheissosunkinabstractionthathedoesnotnoticeeventhepresenceofanotherperson,hismeditationhasgoneasdeepasitoughtto.

86Ashemeditatesonthesesacredsentences,everywordwillbecomemorealiveandmoresignificant.

87Whenconcentrationcomeswithoutdifficultyandcanbepractisedwithease,heshouldgoontomeditation.

88Bringingthesamelineofthoughtintothefocusofattentionagainandagain,holdingittheresustainedly,isapathtorealizingit.

89Hemuststudytheseinspiredsayingsasalapidarymightstudyagemwithlovingcareandjoyousfeeling.

90Whatevertopicwillinteresthimsoonest,engagehisattentionmorefirmly,andabsorbitmorefullyisthebesttopictomeditateupon.

91Ausefulexerciseistomeditateonthewisdomwritteninthebookoftheuniverse.



92Thekindofmeditationcalleddiscursivetriestothinkactivelyaboutanideaoratruthuntilitisfullypenetrated.

93Theendofallthisthinkingistobenotthinking,mentalquiet.Thisstatecomeshardtoeveryoneitleadsmanytoutterboredom,butafewtoutterpeace.

94Thematerialsfortheseanalyticmeditationswillcomedirectlyoutofhispresentcircumstancesandpastexperiences,outofthelivesofotherpeoplehehasknown,outofthepagesofbookshehasread.

95Heistotakesuchamightyspiritualtruthorphilosophicmaximintodeepestconsiderationanddeepestfeeling.

96Ifthemeditationattemptsprovecompletelyarid,theymaybeprefacedbyslow,thoughtoutreadingpunctuatedbyreflectivepauseswhenthebookistobeputaside.Itisduringsuchpausesthattheimpetustotheinnermovementmaybefelt.Thebook'sworkisthendone.

97"MeditateonthemindasBrahman"(theSupremeBeing),counselsanancientIndiantext.

98Toooftendoeshelosehiswayandleavethehighsubjectofhismeditationforthoughtsaboutpersonalaffairsandworldlytopics.

99Weneedtomeditatemoreoftenontheseremindingstatementsofthesages,tobecomemoreconcernedwithourhigherinterests.

100TakeaconceptofGodintoyourmeditationandtrytostaywithitaslongasyoucan.Thisitselfisaformofworship,astrueaformasanythatyouwillfindinachurch.

101Itisavaluable,important,andfruitfultopicofmeditationtothinkoftheDivinePrincipleasitisinitsrealnatureandessentialbeing,notastheologianshavethoughtittobeorvisionarieshaveimaginedittobe.

102Meditationisnotachievediftheconcentratedmindisdirectedtowardasubjectofpersonalandworldlynature.Reflectingonthesubjectwillgiveadeeperknowledgeofitandafullerperceptionofitsmeaning,butitwillnotgiveanythingmore.Howeverconcentratedthemindmaybecome,itwillnotescapefromtheego,nordoesitseektodoso.MeditationisachievediftheconcentratedmindisusedtoreflectontheOverselforthewaytoit.

103Letthinkingexamineitself,alwayswithaviewtopenetrationofitshinterland.

Selfexaminationexercises



104Meditationmustbeaccompaniedbyconstanteffortinthedirectionofhonestselfexamination.AllthoughtsandfeelingswhichactasabarrierbetweentheindividualandhisUltimateGoalmustbeovercome.Thisrequiresacuteselfobservationandinnerpurification.Hate,jealousy,anger,greed,spite,andsoon,formmanyaninnerMountEverestwhicheachseekermustscaleandconquerforhimselfbeforehecanhopetoseeWhatIsBeyond.

105Thestudentmustavoidfallingintothesnaresofselfflattery.Anexcellentmeansofdoingthisistoreviewthefactsofhispastlifetopickouthissinsandblunders,hisslipsandfalls.

106Theformintowhichhislifetheoryismoldedisitselfaproduct,orratheraprojection,oftheunconscioussideofhismind,whereahostofcomplexesmaintaintheirexistenceremotefromhiscriticism,examination,orevendiscussion.

107Itisimportantforhimtoknowcorrectlywhencehisleadingideas,impulses,intuitions,andevendreamscomefrom.Hemustaccuratelymeasuretheheightsanddepthsofthevariouslevelsfromwhichtheydescendorascendtohisordinaryconsciousness.

108Itisnoteasyforthestudenttoassesscorrectlythemotiveswhichactuatehisinnerandouterlife,foranimportantgroupofthemdoesnotordinarilyrevealitselftohisconsciousmentality.

109Heshouldfromtimetotimepassinanalyticreviewtheimportantevents,theexperiences,andtheattitudesofhispast.Itisnotthegoodbuttheevilemotionsanddeeds,theiroriginsandconsequences,thatheshouldparticularlyattendto,mentallypicture,andexaminefromtheperspectiveofhishigherself.Butunlessthisisdonewithperfecthonestyinanimpersonalunconcerneddetachedandselfcriticalspirit,unlessitisapproachedwithaselfimposedausterityofemotion,itwillnotyieldthedesiredresults.Itisnotenoughtomournoverhiserrors.Heshouldcarefullylearnwhateverlessonstheyteach.

110Inreviewinghispast,hemaydiscoverhowtheegohascunninglysoughttopreserveitself,howithasledhimintologicaldeceitsandmadehimbelieveitwasabsentwheninrealityitwasverymuchpresent,howithasplayedsubtletricksofeverykinduponhim.

111Heoughttostudyhispasterrorsintently,nottoreproachhimselfemotionallybuttoreformhimselfconstructively.

112Hemustwatchhisthoughtsdailyandexaminehisactionsnightly.Hemustapplythelancettohismotivesperiodically.Hemustanalyseandreanalysehimselfimpersonally.

113Thisdoesnotmeanthatheshouldbeforeversolemnlyexamininghismoods,analysinghisfeelings,andmakinghimselftheobjectofhisownattention.Itmeansthatheshoulddothisonlyforawhile,atcertaintimes,oronregularoccasions.



114Selfexaminationrequireshimtofindoutandidentifythepositivequalitiesaswellasthenegativeones,ifheistogivehimselfafairpicture.

115Adelicatebalanceisneededhere.Ifhebecomesoverlycriticalofhisownself,ofhischaracter,decisions,choices,andattitudes,hemayfindhimselfbecomingmorbidandhiswilltoactionparalysed.

116Hispastisamatterforanalyticconsideration,notformelancholybrooding.Hemustgatheritsfruitinthelessonsityields,convertitssufferingsintovirtueandwisdom.

117Hemustbeonhisguardagainstthefalsifications,therationalizations,andthedeceptionsunconsciouslypractisedbyhisegowhentheselfanalysisexercisesbecomeuncomfortable,humiliating,orpainful.Norshouldheallowhimselftofallintothepitofselfpity.

118Duringthishalfhourhemustsuspendthepersonalwayoflookingatlife.Hemuststandasidefromtheegoforthetimebeingandregardimpersonallyandimpartiallyitsactsandemotionsaswellastheeventsandfortuneswithwhichitmeets.Hemustexaminealltheseexperiencesasiftheyhadhappenedtosomebodyelse.Hecollectsthematerialsforhismeditationfromallthechiefincidentsandepisodes,doingsandfeelingsofthewholeday.Hisreflectionuponthemmusttakeatwofoldcourse:inthefirst,hesimplygivesuperrors,illusions,andcomplexesinthesecond,helearnstruths,principles,andvirtues.

119Inlookingbackoverthepast,hehumblyperceiveshismistakesandsadlyapportionstheblameforhisfailuretohimself.Henolongerwasteshistimeinhuntingalibisorincriticizingotherpeopleforhistroubles.Nordoeshecomplainoffate.Henowseesthatinaspiringforspiritualgrowthandprayingforspiritualhelp,thoseveryexperienceswhichexposedhisweaknessesandbroughtouthisfaultsweretheanswerstohisprayer,thegracesheduponhisaspirations.

120Hismemoriesoftheunhappypastorthemistakenpresentmustbeconvertedintolessonsinwisdom.Otherwisehismeditationsoverthemwillonlyturnthemintobreedinggroundsofresentmentandothernegativethoughts.

121Heshoulddevelopthesenseofselfcriticismtoahighandevenpainfuldegree.Hecannotanylongeraffordtoprotecthisego,ashedidinthepast,ortoseekexcusesforitssorryfrailtiesandfoolishnesses.

122Whathewillthinkfeelordoinanygivencircumstanceswillbemostlargelydeterminedbythesepasttendencies.Howimportantthentheneedofsuchcriticalselfexaminationexercises.

123Hewillneedtodeveloptheabilitytostandbackperiodicallyfromthepersonalselfandsurveyitslife,fortunes,character,anddoingsquiteimpartially.Duringthisexercise,heshouldadopttheattitudeofadisinterestedspectatorseekingtoknowthetruthaboutit.Hence,heshouldstudyitcalmlyandnottakesideswithitemotionally.



124Thisistosay,nearlythewholeofyourlifecanbesteeredmanagedandcontrolledbythesimpleprocessoftakingstockonceaday.

125WemustnotseektoescapetheconsequencesofourdeedsmerelybyhandingthemovertotheOverself.Wemustnothandthemoverbeforewehavetriedearnestlytomastertheirlessons.Ifwehandthemoverprematurely,beassuredtheywillneverreachtheOverselfatall.

126Anotherpurposewhichhemustkeepinviewwhenrecallingthepastandseekingthelessonswhichstandoutfromit,isthediscernmentofkarma'sworkinginsomeoftheseexperiences.

127Wherepassions,appetites,anddesiresofanunworthykindaretherepeatedthemesofthesecriticalanalyses,theytendtobecomeweakerandweakerastheprocess,withitscorrosiveeffect,extendsintoalongtime.

128Whatistobesoughtforduringthisshortperiodandinthisexerciseisdetachmentfromhisownexperiencesandseparationfromhisownhabitualegoism.

129Hismeditationsonthissubjectofselfimprovementmustbeconstantlyrepeatedandunremittinglypursued.Hemustlookrelentlesslyattheuglytruthabouthimselffacetofaceandthenzealouslyfosterthoughtsthatcounteractituntiltheybecomehabitual.

130Whenwedevelopthehabitofcriticallyreflectinguponourexperiences,wefinditneedfultoreviseourideasandalterouroutlookfromtimetotime.

131Itmaybeeasytogettheworldly,thepracticalmessageofparticularexperiences,butitisnotsoeasytogetthehigher,thespiritualmessagetheycontain.Thisisbecausewehabituallylookatthemfromtheego'sstandpoint,especiallywhenpersonalfeelingsarestronglyinvolved.Truthcallsforatransferoftheinnercentreofgravity.

132If,however,aneffortisnotmadetopurifythemselvesbyundergoingthephilosophicdiscipline,theneventhisanalysisofthepastwillyieldlittleornovaluetothem.Experienceswillbeviewednotastheyreallyarebutastheviewerwishestoseethem.Thetroublesomeorpainfulconsequencesoftheirownblunders,weaknesses,orsinswillnotbeinterpretedasevidenceofsuch,butasevidencesofotherpeople'sfaults.Theirpersonalemotionswilldominateandhencemisreadeverysituation.Thesourcesoftheirowndifficultiesnotbeingseen,thenecessarychangesinthoughtandbehaviourwillnotbemade.

133Itisthebusinessofthedisciplewhoisinearnesttoprybeneaththesurfaceofhisactionsanddiscovertheirrealmotivatingforces,toexaminehisfeelingsandimpulsesandascertaintheirhiddencharacter,andnottointerpretthemfalselyathisego'sbidding.Hehastoprobeintohisattitudesanddiscoverwhattheyspringfromhehastolearntoanalysehisfeelingsimpartiallyandcoollyataskwhichfewmenliketodoorcandohehastoachieveaclearunderstandingofthecauseofhisfailuresanderrors.



134Forsomeitisausefulpracticetowriteoutaselfarraignment,listingthemostglaringfaultsfirstandthemosthiddenoneslater.Thishelpsthemtokeepconstantlyawareofwhattheyhavetoavoid.Itcallstothemquietlybutinsistently.

135Toobservehimselfcorrectly,amanmustdosoimpartially,coolly,dispassionately,andnotleniently,conceitedly,excitedly.Hemustalsodoitjustly,withthewholeofhisbeingandnotpsychopathically,withonlyasinglepartofit.

136Itiseasyfortroubledpersonstofallintoaneuroticselfpity,tobroodtenselyoverthepictureoftheirpersonalmiseries.Theyaredoingwhatisrightinawaywhichiswrong.Itisrighttoanalysetroublessoastounderstandhowandwhytheyhavearisen.Butthisshouldbedonecasually,impersonally,andwithspecialreferencetothefaultsorweaknesseswhichhavecausedorcontributedtothearising.Thelessonshouldbelearnt,theresolvetodobetterinfuturetaken.Thentheabsorptioninsuchagloomytopicshouldbebroughttoanend.Thelightofhopeandfaithandsurrendershouldbeletin.

137Awarningisneeded:Whenitlackshumility,moralselfexaminationoftengoesastrayandyieldsamisleadingresult.

138Thosewhoarenotcompletelyhonestwiththemselves,whopreferattractivedelusiontorepulsivetruth,merelydeferthemomentofhumiliatingconfession.

139Hehastosearchoutandridhimselfofphobiasandprejudices,inhibitionsandneuroses,obsessionsandothermentalills.Hehastoseehimselfnotashisadmirersdo,butashisenemiesseehim.

140Hemustconstantlyexaminehisactionsandobservehisfeelings.Butheistodosoimpartially,critically,andbythestandardsoftheidealforwhichheisstriving.

141Hewhohasnotthecouragetofacehimselfasheis,tolookathisweakpointsalongwithhisbetterones,isnotfitforphilosophy.

142Heshouldkeeponprobingintohisweaknessesandthinkingaboutthemconstructively,theircausesandconsequences.Theimprovementofcharacterandtheelevationofmoralconditionarethefoundationofallspiritualwork.

143Tounwraphisinnerselfofthoughts,emotions,desires,motives,andpassionstodecidewhatisworthkeepingandwhatneedscuttingoutinit,thisishisfirsttask.

144Thisunendingprobeintothemeaningofhisownlifeandhumanity'slife,thisconstantselfexaminationofcharacterandmotive,leadstoaswifterdevelopmentofhismindandgrowthofhisego,afasterrealizationofhimselfandunfoldingofhisinnerpotentialities.

145Theremustariseanawarenessofhishiddendefects,ofthosedistortedemotionalandintellectualfactors,thosesubtlywarpedpurposes,whichhavegrownupwithhispastand



nowdominatehissubconsciousbeing.Hemustopenupthecoveredplacesofhisheartandhemustdoitruthlesslyandfearlessly.

146Henoteshischaracteristicsasiftheywereoutsidehim,belongingtoanothermanandnotinsidehim.Hestudieshisweaknessestounderstandthemthoroughly.Theydonotdismayhimforhealsorecognizeshisstrengths.

147Iftheresultsofsuchanexaminationdisturbhisselfconfidenceandshakehisvanity,somuchthebetterforhisquest.

148Heistotrytobeawarefirstatspecifiedtimesandlateratalltimesofhisinnerstate,ofhisthoughtsandfeelings,hismotivesanddesires.Thatis,heistowatchhimself.Therearetwoformsofthisexercise.Inthepassiveonehewatcheswithoutpassingjudgementormakingcomment.Intheotherandactiveone,hemeasureshisstateagainsttheidealstatenot,however,byintellectuallyformedstandardsbutbyamindquieteningwaitingforintuitivefeeling.

149Atthisstageofhisinnerlife,thedisciplewillfindhimselfbeingledmoreandmoreinthedirectionofhisownpast.Hewillfindhimselfconsideringitsvariousphasesbutespeciallythosewhichweremarredbyignorance,errorandsin,wrongdecisions,andfoolishactions.Thesebroodingswillinevitablytakeonamelancholysaddeningcharacter.That,however,isnoreasonforavoidingthem.Thosesuperoptimistswhowouldhavemengazeonlyatthepresentandfuture,whodeprecateallremembranceoftheblunderingpast,seekatransientpseudohappinessratherthanatrulydurableone.For,inthedisciple'scasecertainlyandinothermen'scasesperhaps,itisbyfrankconfessionofthesemistakesandmisdeedsandbygloomyrecognitionoftheirchasteningconsequencesthattheirvaluablelessonsaredistilledandtheiruselessrecurrenceavoided.Thediscipleshouldsearchthoroughlyforhisweaknessesofcharacterandfaultsofintellect,andhavingthusdetectedthemaswellashumbledhimself,beconstantlyonhisguardagainstthemuntilhehassucceededineliminatingthemaltogether.

150Thehourforretirementatnightshouldalsobethehourforrecallingtheday'shappenings,deeds,andtalksinmemory,atthesametimemakinganappraisaloftheircharacterfromthehigherpointofview.Butwhentheexercisehascometoanend,theaspirantshoulddeliberatelyturnhismindutterlyawayfromallworldlyexperience,allpersonalmatters,andletthehushedsilenceofpuredevotionalworshipfalluponhim.

151Thisexerciseisparticularlysuitedtothoseperiodswhenheisabletoretirefromsociallifeandworldlybusiness,whenhecangointoretreatforawhile.Therehecanreflectwithprofituponthefaultsonhispastconduct.

152Hemustbegintopractiseintrospection.Thismaybegivenamorbidturn,asissooftendonebythosenotengagedwiththequest,oritmaybegivenahealthyone.Ifheusesthepracticetoexaminethecausesofhismistakesandtodiscovertheweaknessesinhischaracter,andthentakestheneedfulstepstoeliminatetheoneandovercometheother,itcanonlybenefitandelevatehim.

153Suchretrospectiveanalyses,criticalevaluations,andimpersonalinterpretationsofhis



pastmustbeattemptedonlyincalmperiodsiftheresultsarenottobeemotionallydistorted.Againstthisrulethereisneverthelessanexception.Whenhefeelsbitterselfreproachabouthisbygonemistakesormisdeeds,itiswelltotakeadvantageofsuchanantiegoattitudewhileitlasts.

154Duringthispassiveandreceptivephaseofmeditation,variousevents,happenings,andobjectsreturntoconsciousnessagainandinthiswaythemeditatorhasanopportunitytodealwiththemfromahigherstandpointorfromafreshanddifferentone.Hemayalsoreceiveinformationorknowledgeinthiswayaboutthethingpsychicallyorintuitivelywhichhedidnothavebefore.

155Thetough,harshanalysisofone'sownerrorsshouldnotendthere,shouldnotterminateinagonizedselftorment.Itmustbecounterbalancedbypositiveattitudes.

156Itispossibletowatch,byintrospection,thehappeningsinthemind.Buttodothisaccuratelyandadequately,thedetachmentfosteredbythewitnessattitudemustbepresent.Partofhisconsciousnessmuststandaside,cool,untouchedbyemotions,andindependentofego.

157Tosearcharoundinsideoneselfmaybeamorbidoradangerousaffair,ifithasnohighobjective.

158Heshouldtrytoputhimselfintothefutureandlookbackonthispresentperiod.

159Theunconsciousmotivesmaybeonlyhalfhiddenfromtheconsciousmindanddeliberatelyignoredormaybecompletelysunk.

160Inordertounmaskhissensitivitiesandrecognizethemforthehiddenmotivesthattheyusuallyare,theseekermustdeliberatelysubjecthimselftothemostintensiveandgruellingselfanalysis.Everydisguisemustbestrippedbare.Everystumblingblockmustbepenetrated.Everyformofselfdeceptionmustbeuprooted.Hishighestaspirationsmustundergothesameexaminationandtreatmentashislowercharacteristics.Theresultsifheperseveresandisstrictlyhonestaremorethanlikelytoshockhim,or,atleast,toleadtosomestartlingdiscoveries.Suchselfanalysiswillnaturallyleadtotheseekingofahumbler,moreselfless,andmoreworthwhilewayoflife.

161Recognitionofmistakesisessentialbutshouldnotbedweltoninapurelynegativefashion.TheTeachermayindicatethatrecognitionaloneisnotenoughmoreeffortshouldbeputforthtoovercomethem.Butifheweretosetdownallthefaultsanddefectsstillobservable,hisstudentmightbecomesodejectedthathewouldthrowawayhisopportunities.Ontheotherhand,ifthestudentisearnest,certainvirtuesandfavourabletendencieswouldalsobeevident,andthese,setdownfully,mightcausehimtobecomesoelatedthathewouldoverestimatehispossibilities.

162Youwillfaceamomentinyourmentalselfanalysiswhenfearwilldescenduponyou,whenthedreadofdisintegrationwillshadowyouforyouwillreachforthebottom.



163Thehabitofdissolvinghiscustomaryegoisticregardforhimselfiswellworthcultivatingrepeatedlyforaperiod.Forseveralreasonsitisgoodtolearnthisartofdetachment,topractisebecomingasecondandseparateperson,towatchhimselfandnotethedifferentreactionstotheday'sevents.Duringthisexercise,heshouldplacehisattentionuponsomedecisiveeventfromhispastwhichmeantmuchtohimatthetime.Heistoconsideritasimpartiallyandcoollyasifithadhappenedtoanotherman.Hemustkeepoutpersonalemotionfromthisspecialsurveyasheanalysesthewholehappeningfrombeginningtoend,fromcausestoresults.Heistojudgeitcriticallyandwherehefindshisformerattitudeoractsfaulty,reshapeitorthemmentallytothecorrectform.

164Ananalyticalremorsemaybehelpfulinuncoveringfaultsordeficiencies,butamorbidremorsewillhinderbettermentandparalyseaspiration.

165Ifhispastmistakesweremadeoutofignorancebutinuttersincerity,heneednotspendtherestofhislifetormentinghimselfwithvainreproaches.

166Hemustsearchhimselffortherealmotivesbehindhisconduct,whicharenotalwaysthesameasthoseheannouncestootherpersonsoreventohimself.

167Healoneknowswhattherealmanislikebehindtheimagewhichothershaveofhim.Butheknowsitonlyunderthecolouringofextenuations,justifications,andrepressions,withwhichhetintsit.

168Itwouldbeeasyforhimtocombthroughthesurfaceofhischaracterduringthisselfexaminationandyetmisstherealmotivationslyingbeneathit.

169Atrueappraisalshouldlistboththegoodandbadqualitiesofaseeker.Itshouldinventnothing,hidenothing.

170Thisscrutinymustpenetratehischaracterdeeply.Itmustlookfirstforthepsychologicalcausesofhisdismalfailuresthefaults,theindisciplines,andtheinadequacies.

171Torecognizeourguiltintracingthesourceofcertaintroublesisalwayshardsoblindedbyegoismarewe.Thephilosophicdisciplineaimsatcreatingtherequisitepersonaldisinterestednessinus.

172Rememberthatinexaminingyourselfitisunlikelythatyouwillbeimpartial.

173Introspectiveselfexaminationofthiskind,doneinthisway,isnotmorbidandunhealthy.Onthecontrary,itishelpfulandhealthy.

174Ifhestudiespastexperienceinthisimpersonalandanalyticway,whathelearnswillhelphimbeginaselftrainingofcharacterandintellectthatwillstopthecommissionoffurthermistakesorsinsandeliminatethefallaciesofbelieforhabit.



175Suchselfexaminationwillbefruitfulifitsuppressesnothingandrevealseverything,moreespeciallyifitseeksoutfailingsratherthanvirtues.

176Philosophydoesnotencourageamorbiddwellingoverpastsins,lostopportunities,orerrorscommitted.Thatmerelywastestimeandsapspower.Theanalysisfinished,thelessonlearned,theamendmentmade,whatisleftovermustbeleftbehind.Whyburdenmemoryanddarkenconsciencewiththeirreparableifnogoodcanbedonebyit?

177Theresultofthisunflatteringexaminationwillbethathewillpassforawhilefromselflovetoselfdespising.

178Hemustscrutinizemotivesandfindouttowhatextenttheyarepureorimpure,sincereorhypocritical,factualordeceptive.

179Hemustregardhisfaultswithsincerityandwithoutflinching.Heshouldbetoomuchinearnesttohidethemfromhimselfortoseekplausibleexcusesforthem.

180Hemustpractisesevereselfjudgementandruthlessselfcriticismbylookingathisimperfectionswithcourageandhonesty,subordinatingsmugvanityuntiltherevelationofhimselftohimselfcomesoutclearlyandtruthfullyintheend.

181Hewillfindthatundoinghispastmistakeswillbehamperedorhelpedbyhiscapacitytorecognizethemforwhattheyreallyare.

182Bysearchinghimselfandstudyinghispast,hemaybeabletodetermineatwhatpointhedeviatedfromthecorrectpathoflivingorrightthinking.

183Whentheimpactofthetruthabouthisownunderlyingmotivesisfirstfelt,heislikelytosinkintogravediscouragement.

184Itmaybedishearteningtoreviewfromtimetotimethepresentstateofhisownfailingsbutitisbetterthanpretendingtheyarenotthereandgettingtrippedbytheminconsequence.

185Heshouldnotrefusetorecognizehisowndeficiencies,butheneednoteitherexaggerateorminimizethemwhiledoingso.

186Hemustexplorehisownpastandgleanthelessonsfromit.Hemustanalysethepersonalandenvironmentalfactorswhichcomposedeachsituationorinfluencedthem,andhemustdoallthisasadequatelyandthoroughlyaspossible.

187Heshouldstudyhisbrilliantsuccessesandsorryfailuresforthedifferentlessonswhichbothcanteachhim.



188When,atlonglast,heisabletoburrowbeneaththeveryfoundationofhisego,themeditationapproachesitsbestvalue.

189Hehastostandasidefromhimselfandobservethechiefeventsofhislifewithphilosophicdetachment.Someofthemmayfillhimwithemotionsofregretorshame,otherswithprideandsatisfaction,butallshouldbeconsideredwiththeleastpossibleegoismandthegreatestpossibleimpartiality.Inthiswayexperienceisconvertedintowisdomandfaultsareextractedfromcharacter.

190Itisoutofsuchreflectionsthatwenowlearnwhatfoolswemadeofourselvesjustwhenwebelievedweweredoingsomethingclever,whatfallaciousideasweheldjustwhenwebelievedthetruthwithinourgrasp.

191Eachseparaterecollectionofthesepasterrorsisinitselfarepeatedpunishment.

192Lethimthrowallhisexperiencesintothisscrupulousanalysis.Itdoesnotmatterwhether,onthesurface,theyareimportantornot.Solongasthereissomeinstructivesignificancetobedistilledfromthem,somemorallesson,philosophicprinciple,practicalguidance,ormetaphysicaltruth,theyaregristforhismill.Mosteventsandepisodesthathecanremember,thetrivialaswellasthetragic,aretobereconsideredfromthisstrictlyimpersonalpointofviewandmadetoservehisspiritualdevelopment.

193Tomakethemindacquaintedwithitselfbywatchingitsthoughtwhileinastateofdetachment,isamainpurposeofsuchspiritualexercises.

194Itisinsuchrelaxedperiods,whenthepanoramaofhisownpersonalhistoryfiltersthroughhismind,lettingtheeventspassbutkeepingbacktheirlessons,thathecanpractiseanimpersonalitywhichprofitshisfuturelives.

195Atechniqueofremembranceisnecessarytodiscoverwhatlessonsarestillneededbyconstantlyanalysingone'swholepastlife,judgingallmajordecisionsandactionsinthelightoftheresultstowhichtheyled,andoftheeffectswhichtheyhadbothuponhimselfanduponothers.Suchreflectionshouldbedonenotonlyintheformofmeditation,butalsoatoddtimeswhenthemoodcomesuponhim,nomatterwhatheisdoing.

196Itisanexperiencewhennotonlyknownmistakes,moralorworldly,standoutsharplybeforehismind'seyebutothers,hithertounrecognizedassuch,areseenforthefirsttime.

197Everyaspirantknowsthatwhenthisselfexaminationrevealsthepresenceofwrongattitudeshemustfightthem.

Moralselfbettermentexercises

198



Inearlyperiodsofdevelopment,itisnecessarytoincludeinthemeditationperiodexercisesfortheconstructivebuildingofcharacter.Theywillthenbepreparatorytotheexercisesformindstilling.

199Theimaginationwhichsportswithpersonalfanciesandplayswithegotisticfictionsmaybeharmfultophilosophicpursuitoftruth,buttheimaginationwhichcreativelysetsouttopicturethefurtherstepsindevelopmentishelpfultoit.

200Thephilosophicaluseofmeditationnotonlydiffersfromitsmysticaluseinsomewaysbutalsoextendsbeyondit.Amostimportantpartofthestudent'smeditationsmustbedevotedtomoralselfimprovement.Whenhehasmadesomeprogressintheartofmeditation,hehasacquiredapowerfulweapontouseinthewaragainsthisownbaserattributesandpersonalweaknesses.Hemustreflectuponhisownmistakenconductofthepastandthepresent,repentitsoccurrence,andresolvetoridhimselfoftheweaknesseswhichledhimintoit.Hemustcontemplatethepossibilityofsimilarsituationsdevelopinginthefutureandpicturehimselfactinginthemashisbetterselfwouldhavehimact.If,insteadofusingmeditationperiodsonlyforlollingnegativelyintheemotionalpeacewhichtheyyield,hewillreserveapartofthoseperiodsforpositiveendeavourtowielddominionoverthoseattributesandweaknesses,hewillfindthatthefortifiedwillandintensifiedimaginationofsuchmomentsbecometrulycreative.Fortheywilltendtoreproducethemselvessuccessfullyinhissubsequentexternalconduct.Thatwhichhehaspicturedtohimselfandabouthimselfduringmeditationwillsuddenlycomebacktohisconsciousnessduringthepostmeditativeperiods,oritwillevenexpressitselfdirectlyinexternaldeedswhentheirmeditativestimulihavebeenquiteforgotten.

201CreativeThought:Thisexercisemakesuseofoneofman'smostvaluablepowersspiritualizedimagination.Everyonepossessestheimagemakingfacultytosomedegreeandartiststoanextraordinarydegree.Thestudentmuststrivetogetsomethingoftheartist'simaginativecapacityandthenallyitwiththeilluminatinganddynamizingpowerofhishigherself.Butthiscanonlybesuccessfullyandperfectlyachievedif,first,theimagesareharmoniouswiththedivinewillforhimandif,second,hehasdevelopedtotheseconddegreeofmeditation.Butnotmanycanfulfiltheseconditions.Nevertheless,allmayattemptandbenefitbytheexercise,eventhoughtheirattemptwillbehalting,theirbenefitpartial,andtheresultsimperfect.Foreventhenitwillbegreatlyworthwhile.Thisistherightwaytomakeimaginationservehim,insteadoflettingitevaporateinuselessfantasiesorharmfuldaydreams.

202Thisexerciseacceptsandutilizesthepowerofimagery,thefacultyofvisualization,whichisoneofthefeaturesdistinguishingthemanfromtheanimal.Itplacesdesirablepatternsinthemindandplacesthemthereregularlyandpersistently,untiltheybegintoinfluenceboththewayweapproachfortuneandthefortunewhichapproachesus.Thesepatternsconcerntheself'scharacterandtheself'sfuture,portraytheidealandpredictthemorrow.

203Meditationdirectedtowardsthereformandimprovementofcharactershouldhaveatwofoldapproach.Ontheonehand,itshouldbeanalyticandlogicalselfcriticism,exposingthefaultsandweaknesses,theunpleasantresultstowhichtheyleadbothforoneselfandforothers.Ontheotherhand,itshouldbecreativeandimaginativepicturingofthevirtuesandqualitieswhicharethecontraryoppositesofthefaultsandshortcomingsexposedbytheotherapproach.Themeditatorshouldpicturehimself



expressingthesetraitsinaction.

204Inthemeditationalworkuponeradicatingthefault,hemaybeginbytryingtorememberasmanyoccasionsashecanwhereheshowedit,andexpressrepentanceforthem.

205Theactreproducesthepicturehehadpaintedofitinhisimagination.Hisidealcharacter,hisperfectpatternofconductneednolongerremainunrealizableorfrustrating.

206Thelabouronhimselfdoesnotmeanamorallabouronly:althoughthatwillbeincluded,itisonlypreparatory.Itmeansalso,andmuchmore,givingattentiontohisattention,notingwherehisthoughtsaregoing,trainingthemtocomebackintohimselfandthus,attheend,tocometorestattheirsourceundisturbedConsciousness.

207Heisabletoriseabovehisownlimitedexperiencebyimaginativelyabsorbingotherpeople'sexperience.

208Theevilconsequencesofyieldingtocertaindesiresformsafitthemeforthiskindofmeditationexercise.

209Wemustbringourquestionsandproblemstothesilenthourwiththedesiretoknowwhatisreallyforourowngood,ratherthanforourpersonalgratification.

210Hewhodevelopsalongtheselinesthroughthecreativepowerofmeditation,willeventuallyfindthathisinstinctwillspontaneouslyrejectthepromptingsofhislowerselfandimmediatelyaccepttheintuitionsofhishigherself.

211Therearetwofactorswhichretardoraccelerate,preventorconsummatetheresultheseekstoachievebythecreativeuseofthought.Thefirstishisindividualdestiny,preordainedfrombirth.ThesecondistheharmonyordisharmonybetweenhispersonalwishandtheOverself'simpersonalwillforhisownevolution.Themorehecantakeadetachedviewofhislife,separatinghisneedsfromhisdesires,themoreishiswishlikelytobefulfilledbytheuseofthismethod.

212Fromthesesessionshecandrawattractivequalitiesstronginwillpower,relaxedinnerves,andeversmilinginface.Fromthem,too,heislikelytorenewmorecourageouslythanbeforehispersonalcommitmenttotheQuest.

213Heshouldanalyticallystudy,warmlyadmire,andimaginativelypossessthecharacteristicqualitiesofSagehood.Theyformanexcellenttopicfordwellingonduringthemeditationperiod.

214Theserarenatureswhodispensegoodwillandradiatetolerance,whorisecalmlyandwithoutapparenteffortaboveangerprovokingsituationsandhighlyirritatingpersons,representanideal.Itisnotanimpossibleoneandmayberealizedlittlebylittleifhefaithfullypractisesconstructivemeditationuponthebenefitsofcalmnessaswellasupon



thedisadvantagesofanger.

215Theexercisedealswithpersons,things,situations,andproblemswhichexistonlyinimaginarycircumstancesinsidehisownmind.Butotherwiseheistogiveitalltherealityhecan,tosee,hear,touch,andsmellinternallyasvividlyasifhewereusingthesesamesensesexternally.Exceptforanyspecialmodificationwhichthephilosophicdisciplinemaycallfor,everyactistobedonementallyjustashewoulddoitinreallife.

216Heistopicturetohimselftheexactqualityheseekstogain,justasitfeelswithinhimselfandexpressesthroughhisactions.

217Ausefulmeditationexerciseistocreateinadvancethroughimagination,anymeetingwithotherslikelytohappeninthenearfutureorwiththoseheliveswith,workswith,orisassociatedwith,whichmayresultinprovocation,irritability,oranger.Thestudentshouldseetheincidentinhismind'seyebeforeitactuallyhappensonthephysicalplane,andconstructivelypicturehimselfgoingthroughitcalmly,serenely,andselfcontrolledjustashewouldlikehimselftobe,oroughttobe,atthetime.

218Meditationismorefruitfulifpartofitisdevotedtoreflectiononideals,qualities,andtruthsneededbythestudentatthetime.

219Meditationshouldbebegunwithashort,silentprayertotheOverself,humblybeseechingguidanceandGrace.ThismaybedoneeitherbykneelingintheWesternfashionorbysittingintheOrientalfashion.Afterofferinghisprayer,theaspirantshouldsitdowninthepositionhecustomarilyusesinmeditation,closehiseyes,andtrytoforgeteverythingelse.Hemaythenformamentalpictureofhisownfaceandshoulders,asthoughhewerelookingathimselffromanimpersonalpointofview.Heshouldthinkofthepersoninthepictureasastranger.Lethimfirstconsidertheother'sfaultsandweaknesses,but,later,asachangedperson,endowedwithidealqualities,suchascalmness,aspiration,selfmastery,spirituality,andwisdom.Inthisway,hewillopenadoorfortheHigherSelftomakeitsmessagesknowntohimintheformofintuitions.Heshouldbepreparedtodevoteyearstointenseeffortsinselfexaminationandselfimprovement.Thisisthefoundationforthelaterwork.Oncethecharacterhasbeenennobled,thewaytoreceivingguidanceandGracewillbeunobstructed.

220Thestudentmustearnestlytrytolearnthelessonsofhisownexperiencebyconsideringsituationsasimpersonallyandunemotionallyashecan.Bymeditatingontheminacool,analyticalwayferretingoutpastblundersandnotsparinghimselfhemayuncoversomeoftheweaknessesimpedinghisprogress.Heshouldthenmakeeveryefforttocorrectthem.

221Theproblemoftryingtocontroltemperisonethatisfrequentlypresented.Itcanonlybesolvedslowlyunderordinarycircumstances.Duringmeditation,heshouldpicturehimselfinatemperandthendeliberatelyconstructanimaginativescenewhereinheexercisesmoreandmoredisciplineoverhimself.Thesementalpictureswhensufficientlyrepeatedandwithsufficientintensitywilltendtoreappearbeforehismind'seyeatthemomentwhenhedoesactuallyfallintoatemper.

222



Themethodofvisualizingwhatyouwishtomaterializemayonlyservetofattentheegoandblockspiritualadvancement,whichiswhathappenswithmostofitspractisers.Butifitisresortedtoonlywhenthemindhasbeenharmonized,evenforafewmoments,withtheOverself,itwillnotonlybeharmlessbutalsosuccessful.Foratsuchatimeandinsuchacondition,nothingwillbewishedforthatwillnotbeconformabletothehigherwelfareoftheindividual.

223Althoughanuninformed,unchecked,andunguidedimaginationcancarryhimintodangerousplacesoronuselessjourneys,canboghimdowninutterselfdeceptionorinfluencehimtodeludeothers,neverthelesswhenithastherightqualitiestheimaginativefacultycancarryhimfaralongthespiritualpath.Itcanhelphimtocreatefromwithinhimselfgoodqualitiesandbetteredattitudeswhich,ordinarily,thedisciplineofpainfuleventswouldhavecreatedfromwithout.ItisneededforvisualizingtheIdeal,foracquiringvirtues,andforholdingtheSymbolinmeditation.HencetheoldRosicrucianadept,Mejnour,whoisoneoftheleadingcharactersinthatinterestingoccultnovel,Zanoni,says:"Youngman,ifthyimaginationisvivid...Iwillaccepttheeasmypupil."AndBulwerLytton,theauthor,himselfanexperiencedoccultist,remarks:"ItwastothisstatethatMejnourevidentlysoughttobringtheNeophyte....Forhewhoseekstodiscover,mustfirstreducehimselfintoakindofabstractidealism,andberenderedup,insolemnandsweetbondage,tothefacultieswhichcontemplateandimagine."

224Analyse,understand,andconfessthesinexpressremorse,resolvetoactrightlyinthefutureandfinallythrowyourselfonGod'smercy.

225Thereisnopsychicdangerfortheworthyintheprevisioningexercises,buttherewouldbeforpeopledominatedbylowmotivesandexpressingunpurifiedemotions.

226Itispossiblebythepowerofsuchmeditations,creativelytoshapethecharacteranddeepentheconsciousnessofoneself.

227Itisnotenoughtovisualizeoneselflivingtheidealonemustalsolearntoretainthepicture.

228CreativeThoughtExercise:Hevisualizespossibleevents,preexamineshisbehavioronmeetingthem,andreshapestheseanticipatedthoughtsanddeedsonhigherprinciples.

229CreativeMeditationExercise:Hemaythinkofprobablemeetingsduringthenextday,ifheispractisingatnight,orofthecomingdayifatmorn,ofeventsthatarelikelytohappenthen,andofplaceswherehemayhavetogo.Alongsideofthathemayimaginehowheoughttoconducthimself,howtothinkandtalkunderthosecircumstances.Andalways,iftheexerciseistoproveitsworth,heshouldtakethestandpointofhisbetter,nobler,wiserself,oftheOverself.

230Hemusttrainhimselfduringsolitaryhoursinthequalitiesheseekstoexpressduringactiveones.Creativeimaginationandconcentratedthinkingarethemeansforthisselftraining.

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Alldominanttendenciesandrulingideaswhichareofanundesirablecharacterconstitutefruitfulsourcesoffutureaction.If,bysuchcreativemeditation,weeradicatethemwealsoeradicatethepossibilityofundesirableactioninthefuture.

232Outofthesequietmomentstherewillemergeintoactivedaytodaylifethosecontrolsofcharacter,thosedisciplinesofemotion,whichelevatethehumanentity.

233Whenyouhaveclimbedthepeakofthismeditation,youhaveenteredintoyourmostpowerfulcreativemoments.Itiswellthereforeatsuchatimetomakeyourfirststepindescenttoordinaryconsciousnessastepinselfimprovement.Takesomedefectincharacterthatneedstobeovercomeandimaginativelytreatyourselfforitlikeadoctortreatingapatient.

234Everyhelpfulselfsuggestiongivenatthispointofcontemplationwillgerminatelikeaseedandproduceitsvisiblefruitinduetime.

235ThemeditationpracticesoftheJesuitswerebasedonthesameprinciple.Theirexercisestransformedmen'scharacter.Thestudenthadtoexperienceimaginativelywhathehopedtorealizeonedayphysically.Thedualitywhichisaffirmedandpicturedintenselyinmeditationbecomesmaterializedintime.

236Suchconstructivemeditationonpositivequalitieswillhelptoeliminatewrongfearsfromaman'slifeandincreasehisstrengthtoendurethevicissitudesofmodernexistence.

237ByconstantlymeditatingupontheIdeal,thecreativepowerofimaginationgraduallyimplantsthelikenessofitsqualities,attributes,andvirtuesinhim.Itbecomes,indeed,asecondselfwithwhichheincreasinglyidentifieshimself.

238Theworkofmeditationmayeventuallybecomeatransformingone.Ifthemeditator,whilerestinginthiscreativequietude,earnestlystrivestoreeducatehischaracter,impersonalizehisattitude,andstrengthenhisspirituality,hecandevelopaninnerlifethatmustinevitablybringmarkedanddeepchangesinhisouterlife.

239Anditisthroughsuchpersistentreflectionsuponexperiencethathischaracterslowlyalters,thusconfirmingSocrates'saying:"Virtuecanbelearned."Theidealpicturesforhimthesortofmanhewantstobe.

240Rightreflectionaboutpastexperiences,togetherwithdeterminationtotakehimselfinhand,willleadthestudenttoamoreworthwhilefutureandsmooththepathahead.

241Itisausefulexercisetospendtimerecollectingthepreviousday'sactions,situations,andhappeningsinthesameorderinwhichtheymanifested.Thosepersonswhoappearinthemshouldberecalledasvividlyastheywerethenseen,andtheirvoicesheardasclearly.

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Thisexerciserequireshimtoreviewthedayjustpastfromthehourofwakingoutofsleeptothehourofgoingbacktobedatnight.

243Thevalueoftakingthiskindofabackwardlookatthedayjustfinishedisfarmorethanitseems.Foreverythinginhimwillbenefithischaracter,hisdestiny,andevenhisafterdeathexperience.

244Theexerciseispractisedwhenheretiresforthenightandislyinginthedark.Hegoesbackwardintimeandrecallsallthathashappenedduringthedaythepersonshehasmet,theplaceshehasvisited,andwhathehasdone.Thepictureshouldbemadeasfullydetailedaspossibleandcovertheentirefieldfromthemomentheawokeinthemorninguntilthemomenthelaydowntobegintheexercise.Ifhehastalkedwithothers,henotestheparticulartoneandaccentoftheirvoices,aswellashearingthesentencesthemselves.Hetriestoinsertasmanylittleitemsintohisvisualizationaswillrenderitsharp,realistic,andconvincing.Outofthisbackgroundheselectsthoseofhisactionsandwords,aswellasthoseofhisfeelingsandthoughts,whichcallforamendmentorcorrectionordiscipline.Heistoculloutoftheday'sepisodesandhappeningsnotonlywhathisconscienceorjudgementtellhimcallforcorrectiveworkinmeditationbutalsowhatismostsignificantforhisspiritualpurposeandwhatislikelytoprovemostfruitfulforhiscreativeworkinmeditation.

245Allwillcomeunderreviewperiodicallythemanagementofhisrelationshipswithothers,hispersonal,social,andprofessionalactivities,themanagementofhislife.Butallthisscrutinyistobedonefromastandpointhigherthantheordinaryone,lessegogovernedandmoreimpersonal.Thereforeitshouldbedoneonlyandpreferablyatsuchtimesasthismoodisuponhim,ifitistobeeffectivelydone.

246Heshould,forthepurposesofthisexerciselookbackanumberofyearstothepointsinhispersonalhistorywhereopportunitywasmissedordecisionwaswrongoractioncouldhavebeenbetter.Then,usinghisimaginativefaculty,heshouldreconstructthesituationsandmentally,correctinghispasterrors,dowhatheoughtthentohavedone.Fromthere,heshouldproceedtotracetheprobableconsequencesdownthroughtheyears.

TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.

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4-Meditative Thinking - Notebooks of Paul Brunton