Right now, as mentioned in an earlier article, we are slaves to the mind – mind is the only reality with us. One has to take to some spiritual practices to uncover the Self and put the mind in its place as a utility – as a servant.
As Sadguru Jaggi Vasudeva humorously puts it, as of now we all exist as ghosts – roaming somewhere away from our bodies – lost in thoughts of persons and things outside. We are seldom found in our bodies. It is abandoned and consequently looses its sensitivity to such an extent that most of the people cannot feel the presence of the limbs of their bodies except when there is pain in a limb. If they are asked to feel, they only visualise / imagine.
In processes like massage, affectionate touch of someone one loves etc., awareness shifts from the mind to the body and consequently one is relaxed and feels the pleasure – body comes alive and mind gets a break. In these moments the mind is no more in command – a humble beginning for removal of mental curtain!
One of the very important processes of spiritual evolution thus involves shifting one’s awareness to the body. It is here that small steps like consciously bringing one’s breathing process to normal like that of a child [breathing from the belly – the stomach (and not the chest) should expand and contract], enjoying the touch of any animate or inanimate object particularly touch of limbs of one’s own body and that of one’s spouse etc. bring one back to life – one descends from the mind to the body – inhabits the body. For this process to be more effective, the touch should be accompanied by whole hearted acceptance, respect and love for such animate and inanimate objects as also for one’s own body.
One can then clearly feel the presence of limbs of one’s body. When one develops this sensitivity in the body, one is ready for the next step – to observe sensations in the body.
It is felt by all of us that when a strong desire or emotional reaction like fear or anger arises in us, some sensation like impulses, vibrations [sometimes we even feel weak kneed (danger of an imminent accident while driving the car and pressing the break) or feel trembling (extreme anger)] etc. caused by release of some chemicals and hormones run through various limbs of the body. With acquired sensitivity, as aforesaid, one can now observe the effect of one’s desires and reactions in the body and be free of them.
What actually happens in this process is that when the mind interprets an action of another person to be wrong or bad (value judgement of an action), a negative emotional reaction is triggered. An object one likes similarly evokes a desire. The thought process is the trigger and it connects the emotional reaction or desire to life energy. This connection makes the reaction or desire stronger and stronger so long as the thought process and value judgement continues. As soon as one observes the effects of such reaction or desire on one’s body and mind, the chain of thought giving rise one’s value judgement is broken, emotion or desire is disconnected from the life energy and, in absence of life energy, gets dissolved. Initially one becomes conscious of one’s reaction or desire only after it has gained sufficient strength. With regular practice in live situations, one starts becoming aware of reaction or desire a little earlier and consequently it does not gather that much of strength. With further practice, one becomes aware of the thought process at the time of value judgement (good or bad or right or wrong) itself before the reaction or desire is triggered. The thoughts or external stimuli thus loose their power to trigger reaction and desire and one can then objectively respond to a given situation.
Now a few practical aspects related to this method of meditation – initially one may not be in position to observe sensations in one’s body in live situations while dealing with the outsiders where immediate response is necessary.
One should, therefore, start with situations where one knows it for sure that there is no body who is consciously trying to create a problem. For example, when one is in a queue for some work and queue is not moving fast enough, one is stranded in a traffic jam etc. It is easier in such a situation to de-link from the situation and observe effect of one’s reaction on the body and mind – even otherwise, there is nothing better to do in a situation like this!
When one succeeds in situations like these, one should start trying it with one’s family members. In the case of a family member even when one does not immediately respond to a situation and instead observes oneself, the family member may only think for a while that one was in the wrong and that is why he did not respond. The situation is not irretrievable. One can always discuss the matter later with a cool mind and better results.
When one starts succeeding with family members as well, slowly and effortlessly, one acquires the ability to use the method in live situations with the outsiders, acquires the ability to respond objectively and experience freedom.
It is a well known fact that many a people fail to get freedom from anger and anxiety and do not attain peace even after sustained efforts by way of yoga, pranayam and meditations. One of the important reasons for that is that their efforts are not accompanied by the practice of being conscious of one’s reactions and desires in real life. Life becomes compartmentalized – one hour of spiritual practice and 23 hours of worldly existence.
This method can be practiced while doing routine things in life with awareness (not requiring exclusive time). While walking, lying down in the bed, swimming, bathing, eating etc., if one is aware (conscious) of one’s limbs – the tension, contraction and expansion experienced in them; the feeling of touch, coolness or warmness of water drops slipping on the body; the taste of food in the mouth etc. – the consciousness shifts from the mind to the limb or point of contact / taste and one is relaxed and is in peace with oneself. The awareness of the body is known as Kaya Smriti, Bhagwan Buddha speaks of. This is a powerful method of meditation.
To make it a little more clear, I would narrate two anecdotes.
One day I was sitting with one of my colleagues and mentioning about the process of observing sensations, as above, and he said that whenever any untoward incident takes place, he instinctively observes its effect on the body and the provocation subsides. On being asked he said that he never meditated. On being further asked he said that he was a regular swimmer and while swimming his attention was on movement of limbs and not on speed or number of lengths or breadths of the swimming pool he has done. He was thus actually meditating by being aware of the body while swimming and it worked so well for him. Same result will be achieved by being aware of the movement of limbs while walking, jogging or running. I told him the following story.
A person went to a Chinese master. Looking at him the master said that he was a great meditator. The person did not accept and said he never meditated in his life. Master insisted on his statement and added that he has never failed in his assessment. The person said that this time he (the master) has certainly failed as he never meditated in his life. Master asked him about his occupation. With embarrassment he disclosed that he was a thief. The master said that he was again proved right. A thief has to be absolutely aware of his movement so as not push anything which may fall and cause noise, his breath has to be controlled, he has to have control even over involuntary actions like sneezing and coughing and find things from unknown premises in relative darkness. This calls for total body awareness which is nothing but meditation.
Another anecdote relates to my brother-in-law and his wife. At the time and before marriage the wife was quite aggressive. After marriage they usually sat close to each other (bodies intimately touching / hugging) even in the presence of family members and others. Within two years she became quite normal (aggression reduced) and she told me so. I said this is because both of you are serious meditators. She said “nahi jijaji we never meditate”. I told her enjoying affectionate touch (without passion) was their meditation which has powerful transforming effect and has worked for them.
Osho referring to Kaya Smriti says that the thieves (like anger, fear etc) do not enter a house where there is light and owner is awake (one is aware of one's body).
Inhabit the body and relax into it.
As Sadguru Jaggi Vasudeva humorously puts it, as of now we all exist as ghosts – roaming somewhere away from our bodies – lost in thoughts of persons and things outside. We are seldom found in our bodies. It is abandoned and consequently looses its sensitivity to such an extent that most of the people cannot feel the presence of the limbs of their bodies except when there is pain in a limb. If they are asked to feel, they only visualise / imagine.
In processes like massage, affectionate touch of someone one loves etc., awareness shifts from the mind to the body and consequently one is relaxed and feels the pleasure – body comes alive and mind gets a break. In these moments the mind is no more in command – a humble beginning for removal of mental curtain!
One of the very important processes of spiritual evolution thus involves shifting one’s awareness to the body. It is here that small steps like consciously bringing one’s breathing process to normal like that of a child [breathing from the belly – the stomach (and not the chest) should expand and contract], enjoying the touch of any animate or inanimate object particularly touch of limbs of one’s own body and that of one’s spouse etc. bring one back to life – one descends from the mind to the body – inhabits the body. For this process to be more effective, the touch should be accompanied by whole hearted acceptance, respect and love for such animate and inanimate objects as also for one’s own body.
One can then clearly feel the presence of limbs of one’s body. When one develops this sensitivity in the body, one is ready for the next step – to observe sensations in the body.
It is felt by all of us that when a strong desire or emotional reaction like fear or anger arises in us, some sensation like impulses, vibrations [sometimes we even feel weak kneed (danger of an imminent accident while driving the car and pressing the break) or feel trembling (extreme anger)] etc. caused by release of some chemicals and hormones run through various limbs of the body. With acquired sensitivity, as aforesaid, one can now observe the effect of one’s desires and reactions in the body and be free of them.
What actually happens in this process is that when the mind interprets an action of another person to be wrong or bad (value judgement of an action), a negative emotional reaction is triggered. An object one likes similarly evokes a desire. The thought process is the trigger and it connects the emotional reaction or desire to life energy. This connection makes the reaction or desire stronger and stronger so long as the thought process and value judgement continues. As soon as one observes the effects of such reaction or desire on one’s body and mind, the chain of thought giving rise one’s value judgement is broken, emotion or desire is disconnected from the life energy and, in absence of life energy, gets dissolved. Initially one becomes conscious of one’s reaction or desire only after it has gained sufficient strength. With regular practice in live situations, one starts becoming aware of reaction or desire a little earlier and consequently it does not gather that much of strength. With further practice, one becomes aware of the thought process at the time of value judgement (good or bad or right or wrong) itself before the reaction or desire is triggered. The thoughts or external stimuli thus loose their power to trigger reaction and desire and one can then objectively respond to a given situation.
Now a few practical aspects related to this method of meditation – initially one may not be in position to observe sensations in one’s body in live situations while dealing with the outsiders where immediate response is necessary.
One should, therefore, start with situations where one knows it for sure that there is no body who is consciously trying to create a problem. For example, when one is in a queue for some work and queue is not moving fast enough, one is stranded in a traffic jam etc. It is easier in such a situation to de-link from the situation and observe effect of one’s reaction on the body and mind – even otherwise, there is nothing better to do in a situation like this!
When one succeeds in situations like these, one should start trying it with one’s family members. In the case of a family member even when one does not immediately respond to a situation and instead observes oneself, the family member may only think for a while that one was in the wrong and that is why he did not respond. The situation is not irretrievable. One can always discuss the matter later with a cool mind and better results.
When one starts succeeding with family members as well, slowly and effortlessly, one acquires the ability to use the method in live situations with the outsiders, acquires the ability to respond objectively and experience freedom.
It is a well known fact that many a people fail to get freedom from anger and anxiety and do not attain peace even after sustained efforts by way of yoga, pranayam and meditations. One of the important reasons for that is that their efforts are not accompanied by the practice of being conscious of one’s reactions and desires in real life. Life becomes compartmentalized – one hour of spiritual practice and 23 hours of worldly existence.
This method can be practiced while doing routine things in life with awareness (not requiring exclusive time). While walking, lying down in the bed, swimming, bathing, eating etc., if one is aware (conscious) of one’s limbs – the tension, contraction and expansion experienced in them; the feeling of touch, coolness or warmness of water drops slipping on the body; the taste of food in the mouth etc. – the consciousness shifts from the mind to the limb or point of contact / taste and one is relaxed and is in peace with oneself. The awareness of the body is known as Kaya Smriti, Bhagwan Buddha speaks of. This is a powerful method of meditation.
To make it a little more clear, I would narrate two anecdotes.
One day I was sitting with one of my colleagues and mentioning about the process of observing sensations, as above, and he said that whenever any untoward incident takes place, he instinctively observes its effect on the body and the provocation subsides. On being asked he said that he never meditated. On being further asked he said that he was a regular swimmer and while swimming his attention was on movement of limbs and not on speed or number of lengths or breadths of the swimming pool he has done. He was thus actually meditating by being aware of the body while swimming and it worked so well for him. Same result will be achieved by being aware of the movement of limbs while walking, jogging or running. I told him the following story.
A person went to a Chinese master. Looking at him the master said that he was a great meditator. The person did not accept and said he never meditated in his life. Master insisted on his statement and added that he has never failed in his assessment. The person said that this time he (the master) has certainly failed as he never meditated in his life. Master asked him about his occupation. With embarrassment he disclosed that he was a thief. The master said that he was again proved right. A thief has to be absolutely aware of his movement so as not push anything which may fall and cause noise, his breath has to be controlled, he has to have control even over involuntary actions like sneezing and coughing and find things from unknown premises in relative darkness. This calls for total body awareness which is nothing but meditation.
Another anecdote relates to my brother-in-law and his wife. At the time and before marriage the wife was quite aggressive. After marriage they usually sat close to each other (bodies intimately touching / hugging) even in the presence of family members and others. Within two years she became quite normal (aggression reduced) and she told me so. I said this is because both of you are serious meditators. She said “nahi jijaji we never meditate”. I told her enjoying affectionate touch (without passion) was their meditation which has powerful transforming effect and has worked for them.
Osho referring to Kaya Smriti says that the thieves (like anger, fear etc) do not enter a house where there is light and owner is awake (one is aware of one's body).
Inhabit the body and relax into it.
Hi,
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