October 11, 2009 Teleclass: How to still your mind
Why would we want to still our minds? The reason is actually quite self-serving. Our mind is a tool but we usually identify with this tool and confuse this tool with the hand that holds and controls the tool. This confusion leads us to being lost -- in our own mind.
Who controls this tool, this mind? It is the Real in us. When we quiet the mind we develop the ability to perceive messages that our real self is giving us. These messages are two-fold. They are always about making our life wonderful -- full of joy, fun and wellness. Yet, they also contain specific and essential information about getting to that joy, fun and wellness. Yes, such as "turn at this corner" if you wish to meet your destiny (a friend, business partner, spouse, a hidden treasure).
A person with a chatty, loud mind does not hear these messages. He or she does not know what he or she wants because of the noise. Such person feels lost -- disconnected from the Source, from his or her true self. An unpleasant place to me. A depressing place. A dark side of life. A place to be avoided...
The key to stilling the mind is changing the food we feed it. Calm, calming, positive, uplifting, open food diet helps. Restless, disturbing, negative, depressing, closed grub does not. A gradual change in the diet will lead to gradual change in the mental noise -- the reduction of it. What diet is your mind on? Is your TV on right now? Do you appreciate your neighbors?
What would be an easy way, positive way to change how you nurture your mind? Standard recommendations are: Meditate, pray, seek a company of truth seekers (satsang). Set your mind on a diet that restricts useless, nutritionally deficient grub. Listen to good, deep music. Read great books by deep authors whose experience is valuable. Be loving to yourself and seek out people who respect and love you in return.
And do hug a tree and gaze at the rising sun -- they may teach you a thing or two about stillness.
Copyright (c) Dr. Anatole Ruslanov
