Theos-Talk Archives (April 2003 Message tt00099)

In a message dated 04/18/03 10:28:21 AM, mail@katinkahesselink.net writes:

>> As WQJ said, in "Letters That Have Helped Me," we must never stop 
>> thinking... Even in the deepest meditation. 
>
>Could you quote a bit more precisely? This is mind staggering to me. 
>I mean, I do believe that thought is necessary, but to never stop 
>thinking... That is like saying the body should never sit still. 
>
>Katinka

The comparison is invalid... Since the body (even of the Buddha) can never 
"sit still"... As everything in it is in constant motion. Including the mind 
-- as a coenergetic and, thus, material field (or subtle body) of 
consciousness surrounding our zero-point center of awareness. The latter is 
the only aspect of universal reality which remains forever still -- as the 
receptor, detector, and comparator of all motion or action... And, although 
its position in 3D physical space can be changed, it always maintains its 
fixed position relative to Absolute space... Since, it IS coadunate with the 
"laya-point" or "center" of Absolute space itself -- which is everywhere.

The mind, as an ever changing field of consciousness, that is one of the 
seven fold aspects of our nature, and is an integral part of every eternal 
triune Monad -- has only one function. And, that is "thought" -- as both the 
instrument and the guidance of our awareness and will. Whenever we are 
awake, and consciously aware of ourselves and its relationship to our 
environment, the mind is filled with a single thought of one sort or another 
from one moment to the next (and can never be empty). These thoughts can be 
either conscious (attended), or unconscious (unattended). Thus the mind, so 
filled with thoughts, must never be allowed to go off on its own and create 
thoughts that we are unaware of and which might unconsciously or consciously 
govern our physical actions against the will of our spiritual self. 

The idea put forth by Judge (with reference to the Yoga Aphorisms of 
Patanjali) was that such thoughts must always be under our control... So that 
they not only would not run away wildly and distract our attention with 
fantasy and dangerous ideas (not in accord with nature) that could lead to 
harmful action... But also, that such "wrong thoughts" should be replaced 
with positive or "right thoughts" that relate directly to the conscious 
control of all our activities... Whether in mind when thinking, or of body 
when acting, or reacting in accord with our will or intent 

This practice of consciously controlled thought (that is always within our 
scope of awareness) -- if engaged in continuously -- prevents evil or wrong 
thoughts from entering our memory, and thereby governing our unconscious or 
impulsive actions or reactions, or feeding our prejudices and biases. 

Thus, individual freedom of self, or "enlightenment" and self determination, 
requires constant attention to and conscious control of all our thoughts -- 
including the thought of emptiness ("0") or the "ultimate division of time." 
(The Zen koan of the "Ten Bulls" allegorically pictures and explains this 
process of attaining mastery of one's mind.) See:
http://www.cs.sfu.ca/people/ResearchStaff/jamie/personal/10_Bulls/
Title_Page.html
Patanjali's Yoga Aphorisms, gives us the practical application of this 
process. As, the Voice of the silence metaphorically describes the different 
stages of our development along the path.

This practice is the only way that one can achieve "perfection in the 
performance of action" (The nature of an Adept) -- even when in the deepest 
meditation while thinking about the true reality of either "something" (with 
a seed) or "nothing" (without a seed). Remember, to be thinking of nothing, 
or "emptiness," does not mean to "still our thoughts." Because directed 
thinking is a willed action, thinking of nothing is essentially no different 
from thinking of something. Their only difference, catagorically, is that 
one is "full" of forms and the other is "empty" of form. Thus, thinking 
always requires thoughts, and thoughts always require willful and mindful 
attention... That is, if one is to be fully in control of oneself or, as the 
Buddha said of himself, become "One who is perpetually awake." 

Ordinarily, the only time we usually have no capability of consciously willed 
thinking, is when we are in deep sleep or dead. However, this applies solely 
to those who are not yet fully enlightened and, thereby, not yet of the 
nature of an Adept... Who, it is said, is never asleep, but is always awake 
in the higher (Buddhi) mind -- even when the body sleeps -- or after death. 

Therefore, to arrive at such a state of total wakefulness requires one to be 
always aware of what one is thinking, and, concurrently, what one is doing as 
a result of such thinking. This is the essence of free will. Thus, one must 
never stop thought. Meaning, to be "eternally vigilant" (as the eternal 
"witness") both within and without -- as the Buddha, WQJ, and HPB (as well as 
myself and some others :-) advise. 

This practice, if engaged in diligently, will eventually open our mind to our 
constant attention -- so that, when we are dreaming or in deep sleep, we will 
still be consciously (lucidly) aware of its actions. And thus, able to 
intentionally change our thoughts and our self determined actions, at will, 
on any plane of consciousness we focus our attention on. This expansion of 
our awareness results in the ultimate alignment or centering of all our inner 
natures (that is the goal of enlightenment) -- and makes us "The master of 
our fate" (or karma). It is also the condition of the state of pure 
creativity -- since all of natures hidden (or occult) secrets, and subtle 
harmonies, are thus opened for inspection and reflection. 

LHM