Theos-Talk Archives (April 2003 Message tt00086)

In a message dated 04/16/03 11:36:07 AM, andra.ara@juno.com writes:

> Regarding the stillness of the mind, I understand that if one can still
>the mind that one can raise the consciousness of others just by being in
>their very presence. One also is more available to the guidance within, if
>the mind is stilled. Does this then mean that the love, harmony and beauty
>within the soul will then have an avenue to blossom and come forth through
>the personality? How does concentration play a part in controlling the mind
>to be a proper vehicle for love and light to be manifested?
> If there is so much goodness within, surely there must be a way of
>manifesting it continually using the current personality as a vehicle of
>blessing. How can concentration bring this about?

Meditating on the above questions, the following came to mind:

"Stillness of the mind" does not mean keeping the mind empty of thought. It 
simply means clearing the mind of all negative or evil thoughts -- by 
concentration on neutral or positive thoughts (with respect to the world 
around us, or to whatever we are considering at any given moment). It is a 
fact that the mind can hold only one thought at a time. Thus, this action of 
thought "reversal" is the first step in taking the mind under our control. 

As WQJ said, in "Letters That Have Helped Me," we must never stop thinking... 
Even in the deepest meditation. 

But, in our daily actions, those thoughts should always be concentrated on 
positive, yet unattached acknowledgment and correct response to whatever 
faces us from moment to moment -- while maintaining an open minded desire to 
do only good service and to recognize only the good spirit in those we are 
near to -- whether in our mind, or in our immediate presence. 

Thus, all evil thoughts that lead to evil actions are extinguished or 
"stilled," and our life becomes governed only by those good thoughts and 
ideas that take their place. (See: The Dammapada of the Buddha -- whose first 
lines are, "Everything we are is the result of what we have thought." And, 
"Everything we become will be the result of what we are thinking.")

Thus if one approaches evil, one's thoughts should only be on how to protect 
those who are threatened, and how to mitigate the evil thoughts in the minds 
of those who have posed a threat. This requires deep, thoughtful 
concentration on carefully considered words and actions designed to reverse 
such evil thoughts. Eventually, with continuous practice, this mode of 
positive thought and action will become entirely automatic. 

Thus, one should be, as the Buddha said, "Always vigilant" and thoughtful -- 
yet with a mind clear of evil or negative thoughts or ideas. He called this 
condition "mindfulness." (Thus, when asked who he was, he answered, "I am a 
man who is awake.") 

If we always maintain this equanimity of mind, while concentrating on 
whatever we are thinking and doing, our current personality will become 
transformed into the character of a Bodhisattva... One who is full of 
compassion, empty of evil thoughts and ideas, and harmless to himself and 
others. 

Therefore, if we concentrate completely on our present action, and focus our 
minds and attention entirely on whatever problem is at hand -- including the 
simple act of making a cup of tea and serving it to oneself or others -- we 
eventually becomes purified in spirit and thereby "blessed." 

This method of continuous benign concentration is the essence of Rajah Yoga 
-- that is related to every discipline one engages in -- from cooking, to 
sports, to the martial arts, to the fine and applied arts, to walking on the 
street or in the forest or park, to meditating, and to whatever business or 
job one has. Such self restraint and unbiased observation, along with 
discriminative thought and right action, leads to perfection in whatever one 
does. 

To accelerate this perfecting, It is wise action to bring up to wakeful 
consciousness, and to examine, chronologically, all the words, thoughts and 
deeds of each day before retiring. This careful consideration of (or cons
cious recall and observation) of all thoughts and actions of the lower ego or 
personality, makes clear to our higher Ego (or Buddhi-mind consciousness) the 
need for further concentration of our thoughts and actions as they are 
performed, and aids us in the future rectification of any errors made during 
each day. Upon retiring, the lessons so learned are reflected in and 
absorbed by our higher mind through our dreams. 

Thus, by daily practicing of this "Culture of Concentration" (as WQJ called 
it), our present karma will eventually become fully under our control... 
And, we will be constantly making restitution for and harmonizing our past 
negative karma. (Judge also wrote two wonderful tutorial articles [entitled 
as above] on the practice of Rajah Yoga, of which this mindfulness aspect is 
an essential part.)
See: http://www.blavatsky.net/theosophy/judge/judge-articles.htm 

This type of constant meditation "with a seed" leads to meditation "without a 
seed," and ultimately -- as taught by Patanjali in his "Yoga Aphorisms" 
(Transliterated by WQJ) -- to final mastery of the powers of mind (or higher 
siddhi's) as well as "enlightenment" or emancipation from ones karma, and the 
"isolation" of the spiritual or higher Self in the "ultimate division of 
time" (the eternal NOW, or zero-point-instant -- that is nowhere and 
everywhere at once).

This is the short road toward becoming a true "Nucleus of Universal 
Brotherhood" and fulfilling the first object of the Theosophical Movement. 

As an added bonus... Coupled, simultaneously, with a deep study of and 
meditation on the Secret Doctrine and its clarification of the occult 
mysteries, such Rajah Yoga practice and achievement of self realization, will 
result in one's becoming Adept at anything one finds it necessary to say or 
do. As the Master Lao Tse said, "Think about everything but do only what is 
necessary to do... And, if there is nothing to do, think about nothing, but 
never stop thinking." 

LHM