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Meditation Technique

Control the Mind and Thoughts 

Mindfulness, choice-less awareness, being in the moment, attention, observation, listening, seeing, etc, are all just part of the Art of Meditation, and at the heart of meditation lies the mind.  Specifically thoughts, and meditation can be seen as an art which brings about the necessary insight for the cessation or quieting of thoughts.  This stillness within, then allows our vast nature to be encountered and appreciated.

I titled this article as "control of the mind" and am sure there are many who would object to the use of the term "mind control" when it comes to the field of meditation, so let me explain what I mean by it before going into the technique itself.  By "control of the mind" here, I am indicating an action that helps in the quietening of the thinking process and thus, allowing for the deeper observation of our consciousness.  So, although we are not imposing control on the mind and thoughts via force, we are creating a scenario whereby the mind is being affection (in this case stilled).

Who better to explain this meditation technique and it’s benefits and importance, than the great spiritual teacher Jiddu Krishnamurti.  So here is a quote from him that explains this simple technique, which assists in "controlling" the mind and quieting the brain.

Meditation Technique to Control the Mind 

Title:       The Wholeness of Life

Author:    J Krishnamurti

Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco

Ch/Page:  Chapter XIV / Page 194

In enquiring, can one observe without any movement of the eye?  Because the eye has an effect on the brain.  When one keeps the eyeballs completely still, observation becomes very clear because the brain is quietened.  So, can one observe without any movement of thought interfering with one’s observation?  It is only possible when the observer realizes that he and that which he is observing are one – the observer is the observed.  Anger is not different from me – I am anger, I am jealousy.  There is no division between the observer and the observed; this is the basic reality one must capture.  Then the whole of consciousness begins to reveal itself without the making of any effort.  In that total observation there is the emptying of, or the going beyond, all the things that thought has put together – which is one’s consciousness.

Analysis and Discussion:

So the meditation technique being suggested here is to keep the eyeballs absolutely still, when you are bringing your attention and energy to the observation of the thinking process.   In meditation, specially Zazen (Zen Meditation Technique) or other seated meditations, stillness of body is demanded, but here it is being taken one step further, and the suggestion is that the eyeballs be kept absolutely still as well and that this will extend control over the mind and thoughts – this will help silence the brain.

When it comes to meditation, the only way to really understand is to dive in and explore.  Reading, talking, discussing, etc, although useful, will only help you go so far on the path to Self-Realization, so go ahead and experiment with the technique indicated above and see for yourself the truth of it. 

If you are new to meditation and would like, you are welcome to sign up for the Free Online Classes offered here on Mastery of Meditation & Yoga as well.  Here is the link to the beginner’s meditation class, Learn to Meditate | Beginner’s Meditation Class.

Be Mindful!

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