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A self-guided meditation

Want to take your chattering mind offline for a few minutes? Want to take a break from dwelling on the death of democracy and the spread of the corona virus?

Here’s an easy-to-follow recipe:

Record yourself reading this post aloud – slowly and in a calm, loving, reassuring voice [or listen to the recording inserted at the bottom of this post].

 

Preparation:

  • Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit.
  • Sit upright.
  • Practice anulom vilom breathing for a few minutes [refer to the January 12 post on this page].
  • [Here’s where you might start your recording].
  • Close your eyes almost all the way.
  • Draw your attention to your relaxed, rhythmic breathing: note the sensation and duration of each inhalation and exhalation.

You’re about to take a journey deep inside yourself, through six “energetic layers” of your being to the essence of who and what you are – moving from the densest to subtlest aspect of yourself: from the outside in.

 Your outer body

Starting with key aspects of your outer body, draw your attention from one to the next – pausing briefly to feel each, to exhale, releasing any tension or stress:

  • Begin by drawing your attention to your toes.
  • Then to the soles of your feet.
  • Then to your calves.
  • Then to your knees.
  • Then to your thighs.
  • Then to your hips.
  • Then to your waist.
  • Then to your lower back.
  • Then to your mid-back.
  • Then to your upper back.
  • Then to your neck.
  • Then to your head.
  • Then to your shoulders
  • Then to your upper arms.
  • Then to your elbows.
  • Then to your forearms.
  • Then to your wrists.
  • Then to your palms.
  • And then to your fingers.

These are the energetically densest parts of you. These are the parts that protect and propel you throughout each day. In whatever way makes sense to you, express appreciation for these aspects of yourself. Thank them for doing their job and let them know that for the next several minutes they may rest.

 Your energy body

Now, leave your outer body behind and turn your attention inward to your softer, more subtle energy body – and do the same thing: draw your attention from one key internal organ system to the next – pausing briefly to “feel” each of them, and exhale, releasing any tension or stress from each:

  • Begin by drawing your attention to the area below your waist, to your reproductive and elimination organs and systems.
  • Then draw your attention upward to the area behind your navel, to your stomach and other digestive organs and systems.
  • Then draw your attention upward to your heart. Pause here and see if you can literally feel your heart beating – as it pumps blood through every cell of your body.
  • Then draw your attention upward to your throat, the source of your voice and the passageway that connects your brain with the rest of your body.
  • And then draw your attention upward to the area behind your eyes and between your ears to your brain.

These are the energetically subtler physical parts of your body that sustain you, that keep you alive. In whatever way makes sense to you, express appreciation for these aspects of yourself. Thank them for ceaselessly doing their job and let them know that for the next several minutes they needn’t work so hard.

 Your conscious mind

Now, leave your physical body behind and turn your attention to your non-physical mind – specifically, to your thoughts and the voice in your head. These are evidence of your conscious or “thinking” mind.

Pause here to contemplate the following about this miraculous, critical aspect of yourself – which you can control:

  • This is the aspect of your mind you’re most aware of; you “hear” it functioning; you use it throughout each day to judge, analyze and make decisions.

 

  • This aspect of your mind functions like your heart and lungs: single, consecutive, constant beats, breaths, and thoughts. [Skeptical? Try simultaneously solving two simple math problems – or simultaneously counting and reciting the alphabet. Similarly, you can no more stop your thoughts than you can stop your heart or lungs!]

 

  • You can control the direction and duration of your thoughts (as you were just doing when you brought your attention to the various parts of your physical body).

 

  • While you can’t stop this part of your mind from functioning, you can pause the judging, analyzing and deciding to quietly, consciously, mindfully observe your sensations and actions.

 

  • There are three types of original thought: you can perceive something correctly, incorrectly or you can imagine it. You can also use this aspect of your mind to call up memories from your sub-conscious mind.

 

  • There are five internal influences that affect your thoughts. [The key to addressing them is recognizing that you have more power over them than the external factors that trigger them.] The depth or absence of your faith in the existence of a higher power has a huge impact on your thoughts as it affects how you perceive life generally. Thereafter, the other influences on your thoughts are ego, desire, aversion, and fear.

This is the most observable aspect of your nonphysical mind. You use this part of your mind throughout each day to decide what to wear, what to eat, what to do, and how to do it. In whatever way makes sense to you, express appreciation for this part of yourself. Thank it for ceaselessly doing its job and let it know that for the next several minutes it needn’t work so hard.

 Your sub-conscious mind (level 1)

Now, step beneath your relatively noisy conscious mind into the quiet of your sub-conscious mind (i.e., the aspect you’re typically unaware of). Your sub-conscious mind is always “on”; silently “running the ship”; it multi-tasks flawlessly as long as your conscious mind isn’t distracted. Your sub-conscious mind has three primary responsibilities, each corresponding with a distinct energetic density or layer.

This outer, most energetic layer is the “doing” aspect of your mind; it’s responsible for bodily functioning; specifically, sensory processing and bodily movement.

For the next few moments you’re going to draw your attention from one of your senses to the next – pausing briefly to fully experience and appreciate each of them:

  • Begin by drawing your attention to your sense of hearing. How many distinct sounds can you hear? What’s the loudest? What’s the quietest?

 

  • Draw your attention to your sense of smell. How many things can you smell? What’s the most obvious? What’s the most subtle?

 

  • Draw your attention to your sense of taste – to your pallet. Can you still taste whatever you last had to eat or drink?

 

  • Draw your attention to your sense of touch; specifically, to the sensation of sitting; of resting your hands in your lap; of your feet on the floor; and the feeling of the clothes against your skin.

 

  • Draw your attention to what you “see” in your mind’s eye (keep your eyes almost closed). Is whatever you “see” clearly defined? Does it have color?

This aspect or layer of your mind is responsible for keeping you alive, constantly receiving and processing external data and executing all your bodily functions.

In whatever way makes sense to you, express appreciation for this part of yourself. Thank it for ceaselessly doing its job and let it know that for the next several minutes it can relax.

 Your sub-conscious mind (level 2)

Now, step down beneath your senses to the next-to-the-last layer of your tangible being: the level of your mind where your memories are stored.

You’re going to spend the next few minutes using your conscious mind to reach down into this aspect of your typically sub-conscious mind to call up specific memories and examine them.

You can do this with any memories – but for this exercise, you’ll recall two hopefully pleasant ones:

  • First, recall your most recent meal. Consider it with each of your senses. Was there a sound associated with eating it (e.g., was something crisp or crunchy)? Can you remember what it smelled like? What it tasted like? Can you remember holding the fork or spoon – or the sensation of holding whatever it was? Can you see what it looked like, it’s texture, size, shape and color?

 

  • After holding those recalled sensations in your conscious mind for a moment, let go of that memory and recall the “happiest moment of your life”. Go with whatever first pops into your conscious mind. It doesn’t matter what it is – or if indeed it was the happiest; you can always do this with other memories later. Where were you? Who was there? Can you see the moment in detail? Were there particular sounds or smells (e.g., if it happened near the shore, can you hear the ocean and smell the salt air)? Do you recall any taste associated with it? Can you recall the physical sensations associated with the experience (e.g., were you sitting, standing, laying down – how did it feel)?

Imagine life without this quieter, less energetically demanding layer of your sub-conscious mind – without the ability to recall everything you’ve learned and experienced. It would certainly make life a lot harder!

In whatever way makes sense to you, express appreciation for this part of yourself. Thank it for tirelessly doing its job and let it know that for the next several minutes it can relax.

 Your sub-conscious mind (level 3)

Now step beneath your memories and experience the quietest, most subtle vestige of your mind: your mental “root”: the vantage point from which you witness life; your elemental sense of “I am”.

This is your instinctive awareness that you are alive and unique, distinct from everyone and everything else – the “I am” perspective from which your conscious mind may occasionally egotistically think “I am smart, tall, fast, lean, happy, etc.”

One way to access this prime aspect of your mind is to imagine losing something. Loss inherently evidences and exposes this vital aspect of you. While the sensation of loss is far more powerful than one’s innate sense of self, the former may be used as a trailhead to uncover the latter.

Bring to mind one of your favorite things. It could be anything: an article of clothing, a musical instrument, a piece of jewelry, a car, your favorite ice cream. Contemplate it as you did before with each of your senses – and then imagine it’s suddenly taken away from you. Beneath any discomfort you may experience is your fundamental sense of “being”. Contemplate the distinction between the uncomfortable feeling of loss (the affect) – and the sense of “you”, who’s feeling it (the affected). The latter is evidence of this foundational aspect of your mind.

In whatever way makes sense to you, express appreciation for this primary aspect of yourself. Thank it for ceaselessly doing its job and let it know that for the next several minutes it can relax.

 Your consciousness

You can’t step down any further. Your mental “basis” is the subtlest, quietest level of your mind that you can experience; however, there is something within you that’s subtler than it: your awareness OF it – but because of its nature, you can’t literally experience that.

Your awareness or consciousness is unlike anything else known to man.

You know it exists, since without it you wouldn’t be aware of your body, sensations, thoughts and memories.

But your consciousness isn’t tangible. It doesn’t consist of atoms and energy like everything else. It can’t be measured. It has no shape or form. It can’t be altered. It can’t be destroyed. Unlike everything you’ve ever been aware OF, your awareness itself hasn’t changed since you first opened your eyes.

That said, spend a few moments consciously imagining the utter stillness and silence of the aspect of you that literally never changes. Consider its power: the indestructible, eternal, observing nature of the aspect of you that literally isn’t “born” and doesn’t “die” in an earthly sense.

In whatever way makes sense to you, express appreciation for this part of yourself – the aspect without which you wouldn’t even know you’re alive – and thank it for ceaselessly doing its job.

 

Now, whenever you’re ready, having spent some time getting to this tranquil state, take a few minutes to slowly bring yourself back to the present. Return your attention to your senses, to your breath, and then slowly open your eyes.

Namaste

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Still think yoga is principally about developing strength and flexibility?

The most famous line from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is the second one, in which Patanjali provides a succinct definition of Yoga [the first line of Patanjali’s outline merely orients the listener/reader to what’s about to follow, akin to a airline flight attendant announcing, “This flight is going to Arkansas; hop off now if that’s not where you want to go!”]

1.2 yogash chitta vritti nirodhah

 

Here’s how a handful of Patanjali’s enthusiastic students translate that Sanskrit:

Swamij.com

Yoga is the control (nirodhah, regulation, channeling, mastery, integration, coordination, stilling, quieting, setting aside) of the modifications (gross and subtle thought patterns) of the mind field.

Shyam Ranganathan

Yoga is the control of the (moral) character of thought.

BKS Iyengar

Yoga is the restraint of mental fluctuations, or suppression of the fluctuations of consciousness.

Bernard Bouanchaud

Yoga is the ability to direct and focus mental activity.

Sri Swami Satchidananda

The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.

Edwin F. Bryant

Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind.

Allan (Skip) Dowds

Yoga is mind control.

Want to learn how your mind works? How to control your thoughts, in order to live a healthier, happier, more productive life? Read – and practice – Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras!

Blessings, Allan 🙏❤️🕉

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PATANJALI’S RECIPE FOR A HAPPIER LIFE

I. Introduction

In 2016, I stepped away from a 30-year accounting career to teach meditation to people suffering from depression, anxiety, stress and addiction. This blog post introduces the source, science and methodology behind meditation.

To reduce mental angst, it helps to understand human nature and how our mind works.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras offers insights into:

  • our physical, mental and spiritual constitution;
  • the distinction between mind and consciousness;
  • the difference between conscious and sub-conscious mind;
  • the natural states of mind which color our thoughts;
  • the types of thought we think;
  • the cyclical codependency of our thoughts and behavior; and
  • physical and mental exercises to promote lasting peace of mind.

II. Five things that affect our thoughts

There are five natural states of mind or “emotions” that color our thoughts; the first is the most impactful, and gives rise to the other four:

  • Conflating our thoughts with our awareness OF them – the essence of who we are is not our tangible, functioning mind; rather, it’s our much more subtle, intangible awareness of what our mind is thinking or doing.

Thoughts are evidence of our mind; the awareness OF our thoughts is evidence of our consciousness.

Consciousness is the only thing known to man that science can’t explain. While what we’re aware of changes constantly, our awareness never does. Our awareness isn’t born, doesn’t function, age or die in a tangible sense the way everything else in life does. Our consciousness is constant, perpetual, timeless; it’s unaffected by the vagaries of time and space; it’s still, quiet, and benign. Meditation draws us closer to this deep unalterable aspect of ourselves.

  • Ego – herein ego is the belief that we are only our body and mind (the parts we see in the mirror and hear in our head); specifically, not realizing that without the most miraculous part of us – our awareness of everything we think, say and do; which never gets hungry, bored, tired, sick, old, and isn’t affected by temptation or fear – we wouldn’t even realize we’re alive! Our consciousness is literally, utterly, always, and infallibly perfect.
  • Desire and dread – these polar opposite states of mind are fueled by our bipolar (yin/yang or positive/negative) energetic constitution; to varying degrees, we’re either attracted to or repelled by literally everything tangible (people, places, things) around us.
  • Fear – herein fear is stronger than dread, and specifically refers to our natural fear of dying.

Realizing the world of difference between our mind and consciousness, and the essentially divine nature of the latter, lessens the affects of the other four natural states of mind on our thoughts.

How do we overcome ego, desire, dread and fear? Patanjali suggests that we strive to constantly a) identify with the intangible, timeless, immutable aspect of ourselves (consciousness), and b) adhere to the Serenity Prayer, practicing Faith, Acceptance, Courage, and Wisdom.

III. Our thoughts affect our actions

Most of what causes our stress and anxiety are our own (in)actions; though ironically, most of our life experiences, starting with the time, place and circumstances of our birth, are consequences of actions beyond our control: those of other people and mother nature!

When learning to distinguish between thoughts and consciousness (we can affect the former; nothing affects the latter), keep the following in mind about your incessant thoughts:

  • We effectively have two minds: our conscious ‘thinking’ mind, and our sub-conscious ‘doing’ mind; the former is home to the voice in our head while the latter silently runs-the-ship so-to-speak without our having to think about it (e.g., our sub-conscious ‘doing’ mind is responsible for breathing, walking, talking, internal organ and system functioning). Guess which one’s the troublemaker? Right.
  • Here’s the key to controlling the troublemaker, our conscious, ‘thinking’ mind (evidenced by words or the voice in our head): it functions singularly like our heart and lungs: one beat, breath, and conscious thought at a time. It’s the aspect of our mind we use throughout the day to make decisions, analyze, and solve problems.

Skeptical that we can’t multi-think? Try simultaneously solving two math problems, or simultaneously counting and reciting the alphabet. Right. At best, we jump back and forth between tasks requiring conscious mental input.

  • On the other hand, we’re typically unaware of our sub-conscious ‘doing’ mind; it runs in the background, and is perfectly capable of multi-tasking (this is the aspect of our mind responsible for walking and chewing gum at the same time). If we’re aware of it at all, this aspect of our mind is typically evidenced by actions, images and insights, rather than words.
  • Every original thought is correct, incorrect, or imagined. Obviously, we can also recall previous thoughts as memories. The object is distinguish between these broad categories of thought in order to think correctly when its advantageous to do so.

The way to reduce depression, stress and anxiety, and relieve temptation is to think clearly and correctly, which requires that we practice a) distinguishing between our thoughts and our awareness of them, b) determining when we’re using our conscious versus sub-conscious mind (often simultaneously), c) recognizing whether our conscious mind is remembering, thinking correctly, incorrectly or imagining, and d) realizing to what extent our conscious thoughts are being influenced by ego, desire, dread and/or fear.

How do we calm our thoughts?

Practice. Practice. Practice. Calming our thoughts begins with learning to concentrate: focusing our attention. Once we can hold our attention still, we can begin to meditate: to refine our focus and hold our attention longer on whatever we chose to.

Personal opinion: the key to developing better thinking habits is to make it fun: begin by focusing on your senses individually (e.g., how many things can you hear or smell? How many physical sensations are you simultaneously aware of? Focus on the flavors of what you eat and drink – these are ways to “be present”, to hold your mind on the here and now – dampening fears of the future and regrets of the past).

IV. Our actions affect our thoughts

While our thoughts precipitate our actions, our behavior has profound, lasting affects on our state of mind.

How should we behave in order to positively influence our thoughts; specifically, to quiet our emotions, thereby calming and clarifying our thoughts? Patanjali prescribes a code of conduct and a regimen of self-care; the most impactful of which to sustained mental wellbeing is a list of ten “do’s and don’ts”:

Don’t (i.e., abstain from):

  • Harm
  • Deceit
  • Theft
  • Lust
  • Greed

Do (i.e., observe):

  • Cleanliness
  • Serenity
  • Courage
  • Wisdom
  • Faith

Additionally, Patanjali prescribes physical posture and breathing exercises to balance the muscular skeletal, and internal organ, systems of our body. It’s difficult to calm and settle one’s thoughts – to think clearly and correctly – with an agitated, aggravated, or energetically out of balance body. Patanjali’s physical exercises are the parts of the practice most commonly recognized as yoga.

V. Patanjali’s advice

 Alternatively, Patanjali suggests that we can skip right to the chase and find the same degree of lasting peace of mind that eventually results from this physical/mental discipline – by turning our life over to God. Frankly, that happens naturally upon realization of the eternal nature of one’s own consciousness.

Patanjali’s most-cited, practical advice:

  • Never give up – success herein depends on constant practice over an extended period of time
  • Always let go – attachments, including regret and resentment, are impediments to reducing suffering and lasting peace of mind

In short, Patanjali offers a recipe to lessen distress by identifying – and providing remedies to address – the three aspects of the natural cycle of our behavior that result in consequences that either increase or decrease our level of distress:

Emotions > Thoughts > Actions > Consequences

Address the first three and the fourth will fall into place.

Blessings, Allan 🙏❤️🕉

Offering meditation lessons in Beverly and Marblehead, MA and online; call or text 617-599-8644 to schedule an appointment

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GOT SERENITY?

Relieve your own stress, sorrow, anxiety, desire and fear without a yoga mat!

The key is self-awareness. Learn to distinguish between YOUR three invisible parts:

Conscious mind:

  • This part of your mind functions; it’s the aspect that thinks, analyzes, calculates, determines, and judges.
  • It’s the part you use to make decisions throughout the day: what to wear, eat, how to do your job, etc.
  • It’s the aspect of your mind you’re most familiar with: it’s evidenced by your thoughts and the voice in our head.
  • Unlike your sub-conscious ‘doing’ mind which enables you to multi “task”, your conscious thinking mind can literally only think one thought at a time. Skeptical? Try doing two simple math problems in your head simultaneously – or reciting the alphabet and counting simultaneously. Right. It’s not going to happen. Unlike our sub-conscious multitasking ‘doing’ mind, this aspect of each of us functions like our heart and lungs: single, consecutive beats, breaths and thoughts.

Exercise: the next time you’re feeling anxious, impatient or stressed, recite the alphabet (preferably backwards) and experience what happens: the feeling of anxiousness dissipates!

Sub-conscious mind:

  • This part of your mind also functions; it has two primary jobs: it’s responsible for all bodily tasks (internal and external senses and movement), and it’s where all your memories are stored (imagine being conscious of all your memories all the time – yikes!)
  • Unlike our conscious mind, this aspect is generally silent; we’re typically unaware of it.
  • It’s evidenced by insight and intuition rather than less subtle conscious thoughts.

Exercise: the next time you’re doing a routine task like bathing, brushing your teeth, walking, folding laundry or washing the dishes, recite the alphabet (again, preferably backwards) in your head. EVERYTHING you’re doing other than reciting the alphabet is evidence of your sub-conscious mind at work. When it clicks, it’ll freak you out: it’s as if your body is acting ALL ON ITS OWN!

Guess which of these two invisible, functioning aspects of your mind is the troublemaker? Right, the noisy one! As long as your conscious, thinking mind is calm and undisturbed, your sub-conscious mind functions flawlessly (other than for influences beyond your control like disease or disability).

Consciousness:

  • This invisible part of each of us doesn’t function; it merely witnesses.
  • This is the awareness OF our conscious thoughts (if something is aware of something else, by definition the two are distinct from one another!)
  • Without our intangible awareness, our bodies and functioning mind would still work – WE JUST WOULDN’T KNOW IT!
  • This aspect of each of us NEVER changes; while our thoughts come and go throughout every day like breaths and heartbeats, the awareness OF our thoughts remains constant.
  • Imagine the still, quiet, calm, undisturbed nature of something that literally never changes – and it’s inside you! [Meditation draws us closer to this aspect of ourselves!]
  • Consciousness is the only “thing” known to mankind that isn’t affected by the passage of time; it’s literally eternal.
  • It’s also universal: the awareness of your thoughts is EXACTLY like mine (though obviously, our thoughts are unique to each of us).

Exercise: practice distinguishing between your tangible, ever-changing thoughts and the immutable awareness OF your thoughts. Practice until the nature of your own consciousness clicks; it’ll freak you out. Religion is right: there IS a part of each of us that never dies!

What are the practical, real-life benefits of learning to distinguish between our three invisible parts?

Perhaps the most practical benefit is learning to mute the voice in our head at will. Realizing the distinction between our conscious and sub-conscious mind (and recognizing the constant interaction between the two) enables and emboldens us to learn to control the bothersome one when we want or need to – making getting through each day easier and less stressful.

[Caveat: the voice in our head is a natural self defense mechanism: it acts like the release valve on a teapot: when too much emotional stress builds in our sub-conscious mind based on our unique fears and desires, those stressors percolate up and manifest in the voice in our head. While we can mute that voice at will, at some point we need to let it vent – preferably at a time and place of our own choosing – hence, we meditate!]

But the biggest, most life-altering and permanent changes come when we truly realize the distinction between our thoughts and our awareness of them.

Recognizing the immutable, permanent nature of our own consciousness is awakening in a whole new way. Science can’t explain it – but consciousness is “tangible” evidence – WITHIN OURSELVES – of the existence of something else, something MUCH greater: the existence of Something unearthly and divine. Realizing THAT gives birth to true faith, the most powerful force on earth.

This is Patanjali’s message. All the rest of the practice is about getting to this realization and maintaining it!

God bless, Allan Dowds

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Concentration Exercise: Mindfulness in Motion

Move between two simple yoga poses (poses 3 & 4 of the classic Sun Salutation sequence):

Urdhva Hastasana – standing with your arms extended overhead; palms touching; eyes forward

AND

Uttanasana – (standing forward bend pictured) keeping your feet stationary, lean forward from the hips; legs straight; opposite elbows clasped

BEGIN

Slowly, mindfully, relaxed, almost rhythmically move between the two poses without tension, strain or stress. Aim for a count of 24-36 going down and coming back up.

Moving from Urdhva Hastasana into Uttanasana, move and release tension as you exhale:

[pro tip: synchronize the physical, energetic and cerebral aspects of the experience: be mindful of what you’re doing, feeling and thinking]

1. Slowly, release your fingers, hands, forearms, and upper arms downward [hands pass in front of your face];

2. Keeping your legs straight, slowly curl down ONLY AS FAR AS IT’S COMFORTABLE: 😉

  • Drop the crown of your head / tuck your chin;
  • Release your neck;
  • Release your shoulders;
  • Release your upper back;
  • Release your mid-back;
  • Release your lower back;

3. Hold opposite elbows;

4. Relax and breathe!

ROLL BACK UP JUST AS MINDFULLY!!

Moving from Uttanasana back into Urdhva Hastasana:

1.  Unclasp your elbows;

2.  Bend your knees;

3.  Tuck [drop] your tailbone as you press your feet into the floor and push down to stand up;

4.  Keep tucking your tailbone! Feel the individual vertebrae in your spine move as you roll up;

5. Simultaneously, pull your navel to your spine with the same level of attention – lifting your center of gravity upward;

6. Once your torso is upright (arms hanging at your sides) extend your arms out to your sides and slowly raise them overhead – consciously lifting your ribcage off your stomach!

7. Lengthen the back of your neck as you visualize being lifted by the crown of your head;

8. Extend thru your fingertips; palms touching; eyes forward;

9. Soften and hold the pose – no impediments to energy flow – synch action, sensation, and visualization – AND SMILE!

Shake it off & repeat as desired!

When you’ve had enough, stand and twist slowly from side to side for a minute – allow the twist to gently swing your arms.

Tip: only move what needs to!

Blessings, Allan ❤️😊🕉

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Where does lasting happiness come from? From others?

Which resonates more with you: “No man is an island.” or “We’re all alone.”

The two seemingly contradicting yogic expressions are essentially two sides of a coin.

Experience both:

“No man is an island.”

Don’t want to feel like an island? Contemplate your surroundings. Let’s assume you’re sitting in a cafe waiting for a friend. How many people have contributed to this moment in your life?

The answer is millions. Doubtful? Start by contemplating the people involved in the manufacturing, distribution and sale of the clothes you’re wearing, whatever you’re sitting on, and whatever you’re reading this on – add the planning and construction of whatever building or transportation you’re in. You get the idea.

If literally everything that’s ever happened since the dawn of time hadn’t happened exactly as it did, you wouldn’t be reading this.

That’s collective karma: the breath-by-breath, second-by-second explanation of evolution: infinite cause & effect.

Bottom line: our actions affect the lives of countless others.

“We’re all alone.”

Yet, as Amma says, “We’re all alone.”

I really dislike that expression, but it’s true in the sense that no one in all of eternity will ever know our deepest most personal thoughts and emotions – even if we write them all down like it was our job!!

Consider your most intimate relationships. You can pour your heart out to your partner for days – and all they’ll ever experience is a reflection of what’s between your ears and in your heart.

True happiness? Bliss?

So where does true lasting internal peace come from?

1. From the inside-out:

Peaceful, quiet, calm, silent, inner stillness is a gift we give ourselves.

While we can’t live blissfully in a semi- or un-conscious state of mind indefinitely, we each have the ability [arguably, the responsibility] to take our bodies and minds “offline” – to rest, restore and recharge – to take care of ourselves.

2. From the outside-in:

Each of us is part of a miraculous, perpetually-evolving, living mosaic – which is playing out on a revolving, molten rock hurtling through space! Everything other than our awareness changes every second!!

Recognizing that nothing tangible can be intangibly fulfilling, and that nothing temporal is ever-lasting – and realizing our every action has perpetual consequences (ripples if you will), we guard our thoughts which form words, which precipitate actions – in hopes of mitigating negative karmic consequences for ourselves and others.

It’s ironic

It’s counterintuitive, but Rotary and BNI got it right: “Service above self” and “Givers gain”, respectively. Helping others is all the reward we need.

As Saint Francis of Assisi said, “It’s in giving that we receive.”

 

Want to experience lasting bliss? Go deep inside. Tap into your own consciousness. Observe, contemplate and meditate on the nature of your own awareness. [Hints: It never changes. Yours is exactly like mine. Without it, you have zero awareness of your thoughts, feelings or actions. Consciousness <> conscience; the latter is a sub-conscious mental function. Consciousness doesn’t “do” anything; it just “is”. It’s essentially divine.]❤️😊🕉

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A REBEL NOTION IN REDRESSING ADDICTION

I’m enthusiastic about drug prevention because I’ve been an addict my entire adult life.

Personal discipline is what keeps me alive.

Here’s a rebel proposal: maybe it’s time to raise the level of our national (global?) consciousness – for everyone’s sake.

Spirituality vs. Religion

There’s a difference between spirituality (the science of self-discovery) and religion.

Religion tends to be cultural and naturally divisive to the extent different groups of people hold different views of an external divinity.

Spirituality is universally applicable yet individually practiced; it’s a deeply personal, internal quest for true self-acceptance and bliss.

Getting the message out

Like Rotary with its broad, flexible local footprint, our national school system is ideally positioned to efficiently get the word out. Perhaps some version of the notes below could be included in school curriculums nationally.

How and by whom the information is communicated isn’t important. The important part is constant practice – which both requires and fosters personal discipline.

There’s no prohibition on government support of Yoga, QiGong and/or Tai Chi, as there is with religion. These Asian disciplines are experiential: arguing we’re not aware of our own thoughts would be pretty silly.

The Message

This is the short version of the science behind the ancient practice of meditation or mind-control. This is “Classical”, “Raja”, or “Patanjalian” yoga.

In spiritual terms, humans have the capacity to virtually experience our own essence. To do that, yogis meditate or train our minds. Obviously, there are practical physical and mental benefits achieved en route! As we’re fond of saying, “It’s about the journey.”

We’re each born with three invisible parts: our conscious mind, sub-conscious mind, and consciousness.

1. Conscious mind:

Our conscious mind is evidenced by our thoughts, including the voice in our head; thus, it’s the aspect of our mind we’re most familiar with.

Understanding how we think is critical to balancing or adjusting our thoughts.

  • Unlike our sub-conscious “doing” mind that naturally multitasks; our conscious “thinking” mind can only perform one task at a time. Skeptical? Try simultaneously counting and reciting the alphabet.

 

  • Our conscious mind thinks a perpetual stream of individual thoughts (e.g., the alphabet is a string of 26 sequential thoughts). While this aspect of our mind never stops thinking or recalling thoughts, we can pause it like putting a running car engine in neutral (i.e., to de-stress it)!

 

  • There are three types of original thought: correct, incorrect, and imaginary (i.e., we see something as it is, we see but misinterpret it, or we make it up).

 

  • There are five things that affect our thoughts. The most significant in terms of de-stressing is not realizing the distinction between our conscious mind and consciousness. Once the nature of the latter dawns, SO many then-seemingly irrelevant thoughts, fears, and desires fade away.

 

  • The other four things that directly affect our thoughts are ego, attachments, aversions, and fears.

2. Sub-conscious mind:

Our sub-conscious mind is evidenced by the things our body does without conscious input: primarily sense perception and physical movement. Anything an alligator can do, this aspect of our mind can orchestrate flawlessly – as long as our conscious mind doesn’t get in the way!

Our sub-conscious mind is task-oriented, trainable, and habitual. It “runs the ship”, and it’s where our memories are stored (“below decks”).

3. Consciousness:

Consciousness is the awareness OF what we’re thinking. The awareness OF our thoughts is as distinct from those thoughts, as our toes are from toothpaste. [If you’re holding a hammer, you’re not the hammer!]

Consciousness is a very real (yet entirely immutable and intangible) aspect of each of us. What we’re aware of changes constantly, but our awareness OF those constantly changing mental images remains static: it’s essentially eternal.

Balancing body, mind and energy

Ancient Asian disciplines like India’s yoga (where the above science comes from) and China’s medical qigong, and tai chi are personal practices which develop the body and mind in harmony with our energetic, temporal nature and universe – while recognizing and honoring our immutable, intangible essence.

Traditional Chinese martial disciplines (including qigong and tai chi) were developed and used to sustain the health and readiness of battle-weary field troops. How wonderfully ironic it would be if the same practices were used to prepare for peace rather than war thousands of years later! 😉

Spirituality

With steady practice over an extended period, the nature of one’s own consciousness dawns – fostering faith in the existence of God.

While faith doesn’t change us psychologically or physiologically, it emboldens us, providing strength, tenacity, and determination – arguably, prerequisites for success in any endeavor.

May you find something herein helpful in the battle against abusive, destructive, addictive behaviors, including drug addiction.

God bless, Allan Skip Dowds

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A TCM Yogi’s 15-Minute Morning Meditation

Kneeling yoga-style (butt on my heels) on a hardwood floor – to keep my mind from drifting. 😉

My intention is to “listen to God” [atheists can substitute “deepen my intuition”].

1st 5 mins. – focus on my “Jing” (the part of my body you could see if you were watching): my eyes are almost closed; I’m sitting upright, relaxed and still; breathing abdominally: rhythmically extending and retracting my stomach as I inhale and exhale.

2nd 5 mins. – ADD my “Chi” (my internal energy systems; specifically, what I’m “doing” to regulate the flow of energy within): as I inhale I lift my tongue to the roof of my mouth just behind my front teeth, closing an energetic circuit. As I exhale I drop my tongue, and lift my pelvic floor (subtly, with no more physical effort than it takes to wink).

3rd 5 mins. – ADD my “Shen” (mind; what I’m “thinking” – note: for the last 10 minutes I’ve focused entirely on what I was “doing”); with my eyes still almost closed, I imagine I’m sitting on a beach on a warm sunny day looking out at the horizon [the line that splits your field of vision in half: top sky, bottom water].

End with a heartfelt recitation of the The Lord’s Prayer – acknowledging, beseeching, and praising God.

Students of TCM will recognize the “4 abilities” incorporated above. 😉

Blessings, Skip

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THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

Here’s a link to a post about our three invisible parts:

“Find your three invisible parts”

This is NOT theoretical. That’s the problem: people teach it as if it were!!

Witness it for yourself. You can distinguish between your invisible parts the same way you distinguish between your elbows & knees!

Practice.  Practice.  Practice.

 

Here’s a starting exercise:

Remember, Conscious Mind (the part you hear) – for all her power, can literally only “do” one thing at a time. She “thinks” thoughts the way your lungs and heart breathe and beat: singularly! Therein lies the key to bliss.

The next time you’re doing something you’ve done a thousand times (e.g., dishes, laundry, showering) occupy your Conscious Mind by reciting the alphabet (a string of 26 individual conscious “thoughts”) – relax and observe. EVERY thing else your body is doing (other than focusing on the alphabet) is evidence of your Sub-Conscious Mind at work.

When it “clicks” it’ll freak you out. Your body will seem to be moving all by itself!!

The answers to all your questions will come once you can discern between these invisible parts of yourself – and begin to identify with the subtlest aspect of yourself: your Inborn Voice*.

That’s Patanjali’s promise – and mine, as long as you adhere to his discipline!

Continue listening for and honoring your inborn voice; it’s lead you to teach yoga! You KNOW “she” has “your” best interest in mind!!

May you see life from your unique, essential vantage point always, and may you know the distinction between your mind and your essentially divine awareness.

Thank you for listening – and inspiring this post. Hugs, Skip

 

* my teacher, Milena Origgi’s expression for our “human fingerprint”: our subtlest, tangible personally-unique human essence

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FIND YOUR THREE INVISIBLE PARTS

Meditate and experience these invisible parts of yourself!

Your Conscious Mind

  • is your noisy “thinking” mind;
  • is the part you’re aware of;
  • is the part you use to make decisions;
  • is home of the voice in your head;
  • is evidenced largely by words;
  • functions like a metronome: the same way our heart and lungs function: singular, sequential, hopefully constant: beats, breaths, and thoughts.

In terms of meditating,

This is the densest, outer or first “layer” to settle. To “meditate” in this tradition, you first need to learn how to “concentrate” or pause (to literally drop beneath) this naturally noisy, chaotic mental “layer”.

Your Sub-Conscious Mind

  • is your quiet “doing” mind;
  • is the part that ‘runs the ship’ silently in the background;
  • has three progressively-subtle energetic draws or responsibilities: (i) processing senses and movement, (ii) memory storage, and (iii) housing our most subtle human “function”: our unique sense of “being” or “I am”-ness;
  • is evidenced largely by images, sensations, insights, and intuition;
  • functions like a thousand simultaneously firing fully automatic machine guns. Be thankful you can’t hear it!!

In terms of meditating,

Descending through the three energetic layers of your sub-conscious mind requires patience and guidance. It’s like mindfully tiptoeing across a minefield – in this case, of memories and their corresponding emotive potential!

Your Awareness

Underlying your Sub-Conscious Mind is your Awareness, the aspect without which you could still read this – you just wouldn’t realize you were!!

THIS part of YOU is the holy grail of Patanjali’s personal discipline of Raja Yoga. You might think of it as “the land glimpsed by someone lost at sea for too long” – imagine the relief that might elicit!

See that part of yourself – meditate.

God bless, Skip