No Worries

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Would you like to brighten your mood, have FEWER worries, increase your energy level, keep your emotions in check when you want to, and be happier and healthier in general for the rest of your life?

Learn mind control – it’s literally as easy as “A,B,C”.

Index:

  • Raja Yoga, or Mind Control
  • Identifying Conscious Mind
  • Identifying Sub-Conscious Mind
  • Experiencing Both
  • Identifying Consciousness
  • Meditating

Raja Yoga, or Mind Control

Raja Yoga is the science of mind control or meditation. It enhances one’s sense of wellbeing and intuition, and fosters one’s faith in the existence of God. The practice entails:

  • Thinking and acting in accordance with the Serenity Prayer;
  • Following the Golden Rule;
  • Physical exercise (stretching and breathing); and
  • Mental exercise (focusing and concentrating – our mind has to “sit” before it can “stay”!)

Raja Yoga is the original holistic practice. It addresses our health and wellbeing from outside-in and inside-out. The practice or discipline begins with a code of conduct, and physical and mental exercises for our outer, densest physical aspects, and concludes with meditation for our inner, subtlest, non-physical aspect: the mental energy that stimulates and colors our thoughts: our emotions!

The purpose of Raja Yoga is to reduce human suffering so that we literally smile more than we frown!

Understanding how our mind works and learning to control it is essential to living a happy and healthy life since our mind constantly generates thoughts, which precipitate our actions, which cause of most of our distress!

Raja Yoga is primarily a discipline in remaining aware of the difference between conscious mind, sub-conscious mind, and consciousness.

Identifying Conscious Mind

We’re aware of our conscious mind

This is the aspect of our mind evidenced by our thoughts.

We make decisions with it

This is our control mechanism; it’s the part of our mind that we use to decide what to wear, what to eat, how to do our job – all day long.

We recall memories with it

This part of our mind can recall memories that are stored in our sub-conscious mind.

We listen to it

Because it’s our “conscious” mind, we “hear” it. Thus, it’s also evidenced by the voice in our head that some people call their “monkey mind”; a friend refers to hers as her “crazy roommate”!

Our conscious mind communicates with words

We interact directly with this part of our mind. This is the part of our mind that we use when we talk to ourselves, whether out-loud or silently.

Our conscious mind can only do one thing at a time!

Try simultaneously counting and reciting the alphabet. Right; this part of our mind functions the same way our heart beats and our lungs breathe: single, consecutive, and hopefully constant beats, breaths and thoughts! So please don’t text and drive because we can’t CONSCIOUSLY do both simultaneously!!!

Our conscious mind has a neutral gear

Our conscious mind has a pause, observation, meditation or mindfulness “mode” or “gear” in which this part of our mind quietly (though often impatiently!) observes or witnesses – rather than “speaks over” – our sub-conscious mind. When we hear words in our head, we’re not in neutral! When there are no words and we’re ONLY aware of sensations and images, we’re in the realm of our sub-conscious mind.

Our conscious mind thinks 3 types of original thought

There are only three types of original thought: correct, incorrect and imagined.

Our thoughts are affected by 4 “emotions”

Aside from “ignorance” – which in this context means not realizing the distinction between mind and consciousness – our thoughts may be influenced by up to four types of mental stimulation, energy or “emotion”; specifically, ego, attraction, aversion and fear. Those four energetic emotions range from virtually non-existent to very strong.

Identifying Sub-Conscious Mind

While our conscious mind controls our thoughts or what we “think”, our sub-conscious mind controls our actions or what we “do”.

We’re unaware of our sub-conscious mind – other than by watching it in action

This is the aspect of our mind we’re generally unaware of; it’s only evidenced by our senses, movement and memory storage. We don’t hear the internal commands issued by our sub-conscious mind to move our fingers, walk, talk or chew – and thankfully, we’re not conscious of ALL of our memories ALL the time!!

We don’t hear our sub-conscious mind – we feel it!

Our sub-conscious mind communicates in sensations and images. We “feel” or sense – rather than “think” – when we’re anxious, nervous, hungry, tired, aroused, or have to go to the bathroom!

Our sub-conscious mind stores our memories

Our sub-conscious mind stores a mental image of EVERY thought and sensation we’ve ever had! In short, our sub-conscious mind is the source of the info that – under pressure – percolates up into our conscious mind as images and sensations, giving rise to our then-conscious fears and desires, consciously manifesting as the voice in our head.

Our sub-conscious mind is not the problem!

As long as our CONSCIOUS mind is free of emotion and thinking correctly, our SUB-CONSCIOUS mind performs it’s storage and execution functions optimally – regardless of what it knows. However, when sub-conscious mind becomes overworked, it vents its most immediate concerns to its counterpart, our conscious mind – which then becomes nervous, distracted, etc.

Our sub-conscious mind executes bodily functioning

This part of our mind processes information retrieved by internal and external sensations, and instructs corresponding body parts to perform their specific tasks (e.g., to process movements like walking, talking, chewing, gripping, waving).

Our sub-conscious mind houses our sense of “I am”

This part of our mind is the source of our deeply rooted, instinctive sense of self-preservation; it’s our uber-subtle sense of being, of wanting and needing; it’s the awareness that we are unique, living beings requiring sustenance and care.

Our sub-conscious mind is trainable!

Unlike our conscious mind which can literally only process one cognitive thought at a time, we can train our sub-conscious mind to perform multiple actions simultaneously by repeating those actions until they become habits that no longer require our conscious attention.

Experiencing Both

Since your conscious mind can only perform one function at a time, to get a sense of the distinction between your conscious and sub-conscious mind, the next time you’re showering, folding laundry, washing dishes, walking down the street, or any other routine task, try not to “think” while you’re doing it; specifically, try not to hear words in your head; rather, just watch your fingers, hands, arms, legs and feet move – seemingly on their own! Every move you make is evidence of your sub-conscious mind functioning.

Or try dancing (slowly!) while reading something aloud. Literally everything you’re doing in that moment other than reading is evidence of your sub-conscious mind directing your actions.

Discovering that you don’t directly control your own movements – realizing that there’s no direct connection between your conscious mind and actions – can be a bit unsettling at first, but in order to override the otherwise involuntary way your mind works you must first learn to recognize, and then re-train the aspect you CAN control directly: your conscious mind.

The next time you eat, be mindful and thankful(!) that there’s no voice in your head telling you to loosen and contract the four muscles in your face that move your lower jaw up and down!

Identifying Consciousness

Consciousness is the awareness OF our thoughts

Consciousness is intangible. We can’t physically or mentally experience it (and thus, we can’t adequately describe it!!); however, without it, we wouldn’t know we were alive, let alone reading this!

Consciousness is “ethereal”

  • This aspect of us is neither physical nor mental;
  • It’s literally of a different dimension than everything else! THAT is the scientific premise (“Sankya”) upon which the personal, experiential discipline of Raja Yoga (mind control) is based: that only two things exist: consciousness and everything else; further, consciousness doesn’t “do” anything per se; yet it somehow supports, nurtures and sustains everything else – simply by its nature.

Consciousness is “eternal”

  • It never changes; it’s literally immutable;
  • It’s not subject to the natural laws of time and space;
  • It isn’t born, and doesn’t exist or die in a material sense;
  • Our awareness OF our thoughts is exactly the same this moment as it was the first time we opened our eyes (though obviously, WHAT we’re aware of changes all the time).

Consciousness is “universal”

Yours is exactly like mine – and everyone else’s!

Consciousness also evidences itself as bliss & truth

Although intangible, consciousness clearly affects and influences us. As we draw closer to it in meditation – descending deeper into our sub-conscious mind –we experience a deepened sense of intuition and calm.

Meditating

Meditation settles our sub-conscious mind

Unlike concentration, a preparatory Raja Yoga exercise which focuses our conscious mind, meditation settles our sub-conscious mind.

Calm your inner child

Our sub-conscious mind acts like a demanding child, relentlessly pestering until it feels heard. By learning to control our CONSCIOUS mind, we can keep the monkey locked in our sub-conscious mind when we need to, as long as we let it have its say the next time we meditate – at a time and place of our choosing (the most practical benefit of meditation is learning to control our chattering mind)!

Think about what comes up later

Our sub-conscious mind communicates in images and sensations that we can consciously analyze after we meditate if the meanings aren’t readily intuited at the time they arise.

Meditation calms the source of our emotions

As we train and learn to hold our conscious mind in “observation mode” for longer periods (i.e., without hearing words in our head; simply experiencing the images and sensations that percolate up from our sub-conscious mind), we relieve the pressure on – and stress it causes – our conscious mind.

Meditation engenders compassion

The more we meditate the more we experience an oddly-subtle yet comforting sense of connectivity, union, inclusion, acceptance and belonging with – and compassion for – our self, others and the world in general: the state of yoga.

Listen to your inner voice

Your sub-conscious mind is a BIG part of who you are, and – particularly because it IS literally part of your mind – its understandably very concerned about you, and naturally wants to share its concerns – though it has a limited capacity to do so (via sensations and images) – with the one person who really cares and is in a position to do something about its concerns: YOU!

Off the mat

Like training our physical muscles at the gym, the affects of training our mind outlast the time we spend on the mat. Since meditation opens our sub-conscious mind, we literally begin to perceive things differently, somehow more intuitively, off the mat. We begin to sense the nature or essence of our self and the world around us – rather than taking things at face value – as we start to see things from our heart (our sub-conscious mind) instead of our head (our conscious mind).

Think correctly and without emotion and you will hear your inner voice. Consciousness reveals itself as awareness, intuition and bliss. If you meditate, you’ll experience all three.

 

Allan A. Dowds 9-5-17

September class schedule

Favorite Teacher Quotes

Swamij.com:

“Consciousness is the supporting reality of existence.”

Swami Turiyamritananda Puri (Amma devotee):

“Divinity is the essence of our consciousness, infilling everything, pervading everywhere, impelling all, revealing itself as truth (“sat”), awareness (“chi”), and bliss (“dananda”).”

Sri Swami Satchidananda (He addressed the crowd at Woodstock! – and authored the introductory textbook used by The Marblehead School of Raja Yoga!):

“It is not only saints but everything in nature – trees, birds, animals – they all live for the sake of others. Why does a candle burn and melt away? To give light. Why does an incense stick burn to ash? To give fragrance. Why does a tree grow? To give fruit and flowers. Is there anything, sentient or insentient, in this world that lives for its own sake? No. When all of nature sacrifices, why should we human beings alone lead selfish lives? We are here to give and give and give. What is due to us will come without our worrying about it.

Of course, even here we can wonder, “If I am to lead a sacrificial life, how can I eat, how can I clothe myself or have a house of my own?” You can have all these things to equip yourself to serve others. You must eat to have enough energy to serve others. So you do everything with the idea that you are preparing yourself to serve others. Even the practice of meditation is not done just for your own sake but is done because with a peaceful mind you can go out into the world and serve well. With that very idea you can meditate. So even your Yogic meditation becomes a selfless action. That is what is meant by “Even with God do not have attachment.” Non-attachment alone is enough to change your entire life into a joyful one.”

Edwin F. Bryant, Rutgers University Professor, Religions of India

“It’s been argued that the purpose of Raja Yoga is to engender faith.”

September group class schedule

 

Complex Made Simple

yoga sutras

This morning’s lesson:  Sutras 3.50 to 3.52 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

[Tip: keep in mind the context of the specific sutras being studied. Chapters 1 to 3 are about the science of mind control, preparing to meditate, and meditation, respectively.]

Sutras 3.50 – 3.52 are toward the end of chapter 3, which began with a description of the three progressively-subtle states of sub-consciousness experienced by adept meditators, and what’s revealed to them – and then listed some 30 mystical powers attained by advanced yogis (invisibility is my favorite) – and now toward the end of the chapter….[here’s the loose translation we discussed today:]

3.50 – Any or all of these [previously listed] mystical capabilities may manifest as side effects of meditating.

3.51 – Letting go of these super-human powers in the pursuit of consciousness leads to KAIVALYA (aka enlightenment) or liberation from the otherwise endless cycle of birth and death (i.e., eternal life – just not in our present form!)

3.52 – The biggest temptations to let go of in the pursuit of consciousness are “appeals from spirits” that exist in the dimensions BETWEEN our sub-conscious mind and consciousness!

Yikes!!

This is “classical”, “Sankya” or “Raja” yoga – a belief system and discipline that’s survived thousands of years and millions of determined devotees’, spiritual leaders’, and scientists’ rigorous debunking!

It’s crazy powerful and fascinating! It’s influenced virtually every modern religion – it’s the source of the Serenity Prayer!

While the practice lasts a lifetime, you WILL smile more often than you frown!! Patanjali and I promise! The only advice he gives in chapter 1: “never give up; always let go”.

May we all know KAIVALYA in this lifetime (sounds like the Viking’s “Valhalla”)!

Allan

September class schedule

Yogi Bear’s Tip-o-the-Day

If you live in 01945, step outside for a minute.

Feel the warm sun and cool breeze on your skin and note the other more subtle sensations that tell you instinctively that apple-picking season is right around the corner.

Express appreciation for the awesomeness of the moment – and then send prayers and positive energy to those of us who are suffering – the folks in Texas come readily to mind today – realizing that not everyone is as fortunate as you are.

We’re all in this together.

Group class schedule

PROFESSOR YOGI BEAR’S WEEKLY APPEAL FOR NEW STUDENTS

Meditating isn’t easy, but neither is suffering.
 
What makes The Marblehead School of Raja Yoga unique? That’s a loaded question to ask a yogi!
 
What makes me, the school’s founder, standout is my passion for and dedication to this discipline.
 
I literally believe it’s my purpose – the way a knife’s purpose is to cut – to spread awareness of consciousness.
 
Send me the people you love who seem lost or disconnected. I can help.
 
Thank you, Allan Dowds

The Irony is Palpable

The irony is palpable: using private equity capital call skills to “call out” for new students! The universe has a crazy sense of humor!!
 
If you receive a snail-mail letter from me with an insert and a couple business cards, it’s simply to ask you to consider meditation when treating your clients or congregants.
 
If you didn’t get an autographed snail-mail appeal with color pictures and would like to receive them in the future……..I just realized that NO ONE wants to receive extra junk mail! Sorry…….but on the off chance you would, please send your contact info to:
 
 
It’s not as much fun stuffing the envelopes as it is when there are a couple other people sitting around signing and stuffing and chatting – but I’m happy to do it, especially from the comfort of our home with an adult beverage nearby!!
 
Because a friend insists the “spam monsters” are out to get me, from now on, I’m going to include the following notation in all such “student calls”:
 
“I sent you an email the day I posted this snail-mail. If you didn’t receive the email, either your email above is incorrect, or my email below is being blocked by a spam filter that can’t tell the difference between yoga and yogurt – which is what my grandmother used to call it!”
 
Pause, breathe in cool air, breathe out warm, and be deeply grateful for the ability to do so!! Hugs. ❤️😎

Mr. Consciousness

I’m the Johnny Appleseed of consciousness. I introduce people to an aspect of themselves they rarely pay attention to: the difference between their thoughts and the awareness OF their thoughts – the latter being their consciousness.

Consciousness is as distinct from our thoughts as our thoughts are from our bodies!

We have 4 Moving Parts…..

Three that perform a single function in sequence:

We all have four perpetually moving “parts”: two physical and two mental. The energetically densest three: our heartbeats, breaths, and thoughts all “function” similarly: singly, consecutively and hopefully constantly!

And one that does a myriad of things simultaneously:

Our second mental part is our sub-conscious mind: it runs silently in the background; it’s the part that runs the ship, and is responsible for sensory processing, bodily function, memory and the root or “I am” level of our ego. It takes care of the walking, talking, and chewing so that we don’t have to! Be thankful we can’t “hear” our sub-conscious mind because it’s doing countless things simultaneously – the cacophony of mental commands would literally dive us insane!

Recognizing the difference between Conscious and Sub-Conscious mind:

The initial phase of practicing mindfulness or Raja Yoga is learning to recognize – and experience – conscious and sub-conscious mind separately. The former we interact with; the latter is only verifiable by its actions. In other words, everything other than the thought in our head is evidence of our sub-conscious mind functioning.

For example, we know our sub-conscious mind is functioning when we see our fingers move as we type: our conscious mind thinks a word, and our subconscious mind – the silent part responsible for bodily function – receives and relays the message to our fingers. That energetic communication and processing is generally done largely without our awareness!

….And One Intangible Part

Consciousness is the awareness OF what we’re thinking – period.

Consciousness NEVER changes, though obviously, WHAT we’re aware of changes constantly. For all intents and purposes our individual consciousness is eternal (it’s the origin of what’s commonly referred to as our spirit or soul; however, the existence of consciousness is readily verifiable: without it, you wouldn’t know that you’re alive, let alone reading this!)

Raja Yoga – an Alternative View of Sacrifice

Raja Yoga predates religion as we know it. It developed at a point in human history when it was common to sacrifice living things to appease a litany of gods. We eventually we figured out that such “external” sacrifice only works 50% of the time (think flipping a penny). However, true “internal” sacrifice or literally giving of ourselves: our time, effort, blood, sweat and tears – is rewarding in a deeply meaningful way 100% of the time. Selfless givers gain.

At the end of the day, the biggest benefit to practicing Raja Yoga – living mindfully or consciously – is that with time, we begin to see ourselves differently. Accepting the reality of the distinction between thoughts and the awareness OF thoughts literally changes our paradigm of life: we realize the existence of another dimension – and that it’s a part of us!! Life seems more miraculous and deeply spiritual. As we meditate, we draw closer to our immutable essence experiencing a deepened sense of contentment, understanding and acceptance.

A New Way of Seeing Ourselves

As consciousness becomes a bigger part of our self-image, the reflection in the mirror and voice in our head occupy less of our attention – dropping stress levels precipitously!

Perhaps most importantly, realizing the intangible nature of our own consciousness engenders faith its source, and faith begets serenity, courage and wisdom!

Meditating isn’t easy, but neither is suffering.

Blessings, Allan

Raja Yoga = Self-Awareness + Self-Control

I’m aware that since my mom died three months ago I haven’t been practicing what I preach: peace of mind.

I AM quicker to anger. I AM drinking and smoking more – moderated somewhat by more exercise and meditation. Worse, I have to remind myself more often what’s really important.

Well-intended friends have offered hugs, practical advice, pseudo-counseling – even hypnosis – to help nullify my recent moodiness and impatience.

Here’s the thing: we ALL suffer, and clearly sometimes more than others. Suffering is a natural consequence of our ever-changing universe and body/mind.

No matter how enlightened we like to think we are, we all experience physical and mental pain and pleasure in equal measure. One of my teacher’s teachers – a Master Raja Yogi (think Buddha meets Hercules) physically collapsed when he received news that his daughter was missing and presumed dead in an earthquake.

At times it does take Herculean or godlike effort to subdue desire and emotion – which ignite thoughts – which trigger actions. But the fight is worth it because our behavior is what worries us most!

After 60 years of often desperate searching, I attest that NOTHING I’ve encountered comes close to relieving stress better than the combination of Raja Yoga and time.

If I live long enough, mom’s passing won’t be my last life-altering blow. My current short temper will subside and my already broken heart will mend again. In the meantime, to anyone I’ve been less than kind to of late, I’m sorry.

Namaste, Allan

August class schedule

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