Mental tiredness comes from thoughts of the past and future. Most of our thoughts are about the past or the future. When we dwell on the past, we are in fact projecting the past into the future and creating a future, based on the past. The greatest wealth you can earn in this life is mental peace. We can find mental peace when we stop thinking of the past and the future.
If you examine your thoughts, as you think them, you are at the doorway to freedom. Most people are absorbed in their thoughts almost all the time and worst still, actually believe their thoughts! This preoccupation with thoughts can never lead to peace. It can only lead to turmoil and restlessness. Understanding how you think, and taking a little space from your thoughts, is a very healthy practice and will lead to better physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
When we are constantly living in the past or the future, we are constantly escaping reality. In our day-to-day life, we are mostly unaware that we are functioning this way. In our lifestyle, it has become normal to constantly think ‘what’s next, what’s next?’ It has become normal to strive for our next entertainment, next drama, next relationship, next job, and so on. We can also become unhappy because we are so attached to others with an attitude of expectation. We have expectations for a lot of things from the people in our lives. We dream and fantasise about objects, fulfilment and people, which further escapes reality.
In astanga yoga we call this line of thinking, horizontal thinking. Our thoughts move along a horizontal plane, always striving, fulfilling desires, driven by fear, projecting to the next moment until the end of our lives.
In astanga yoga we call this line of thinking, horizontal thinking. Our thoughts move along a horizontal plane, always striving, fulfilling desires, driven by fear, projecting to the next moment until the end of our lives.
When we observe or witness what is going on in the present, this process of escape stops. When we become aware that our mind rarely stays where our body stays, we open to the possibility of living in the present. When we start observing, and then directing our thought patterns in the vertical direction, then we open up to a bigger aspect of existence. We are reaching deep into the present moment and our inner selves.
By closing the gap between our body and mind we are able to live in the present and to enjoy what is already there. Most of the time, our body, mind and actions are now doing the same thing. We are split into pieces, rather than feeling peaceful. Peace begins with our body, mind and actions being in sync.
Mental peace comes with total surrender to your soul – the eternal witness. When you start living in the present, you start functioning from your conscience or soul level. This requires a total surrender of your mind to the pure soul that you are.
Sitting for meditation and becoming meditative throughout the day, involves a deep connection to the present. In deep and intense awareness of the present moment you can experience profound fulfilment.
Sitting for meditation and becoming meditative throughout the day, involves a deep connection to the present. In deep and intense awareness of the present moment you can experience profound fulfilment.
Most people do not expect to be merged in samadhi when they sit for meditation. This samadhi, or mergence, is when the pure soul merges into the three bodies – physical, pranic (life force) and mental bodies. When this happens you will be in bliss all the time.
The more meditation you will do, the more you will connect with your inner pure soul and the happier you will be. When you feel the presence of the divine pure soul and meditate upon the pure soul living in the body, naturally, the mind will be at ease and in peace. You can experience this right now, in this moment.
