 Free Online Articles Directory |
|||||||
Home Page  Writing Non-Fiction Understanding Meditation through Models - part 3 |
|||||||
 |
Understanding Meditation through Models - part 3 THE MIND IS LIKE A PLASTIC BAG As in the previous example, the mind has no reality of its own. Its reality is formed by its contents. It is like a plastic bag or cellophane that takes the shape of whatever you put into it. If you wrap up something long and slim then it takes that shape. If you wrap up something sound, it assumes that shape. It obtains the shape of its contents. Thus the mind takes the shape of the thoughts, feelings, desires, needs, habits, expectations which occupy it. When specific thoughts, emotions or desires occupy the mind frequently, or for long periods of time or, in some cases, incessantly, the mind begins to crystallize around those thought forms. It looses its flexibility and becomes almost permanently obsessed, or associated, with a particular subject or concept. In such a case the mind is not free to experience the present. It is not free to think of subjects other than the one with which it is obsessed. It cannot derive joy from what is offered to it because it is stuck in that particular thought-form, which limits its ability to connect with other realities from which it could learn and receive joy. In many cases, these thought forms around which the mind has crystallized, are negative thoughts and beliefs, such as that we are weak, that we need someone else or something else for our happiness, or fear for ourselves or loved ones. In such cases, these negative thought forms often actually create the negative realities upon which our mind is dwelling. Meditation is the process through which we temporarily (and, eventually throughout the years, more permanently) empty the mind of these various thought-forms, which have crystallized, and give this inflexible form to the mind. The mind becomes softer but stronger, more responsive to the present moment, experiencing greater unity with all. CLIMBING FOR THE COCONUT We can imagine that a coconut, which is high in the palm tree, is like our spiritual reality, and that its shadow on the ground is the physical reality. Our physical reality with all of its physical objects is actually simply a shadow of the spiritual reality from which this material reality is manifested. We see the shadow on the ground and seek to grab it, just as we seek to accumulate riches, objects, relationships etc. But the shadow passes through our hands and we are left with the sand on which it was projected. In the same way we are left with nothing after all our efforts to find happiness through the material world. After a number of years of vainly trying to find happiness, seeking after shadows of these coconuts on the sand, one day it occurs to us to look upward and we notice perhaps for the first time the coconut high up in the tree. We begin to realize that the shadow is the result of the coconut and that, if we can get the coconut, we will also have its shadow. It is not so easy, however, to climb the palm tree. It takes strength, stamina, perseverance and much practice until we are able to reach that height. This is the process of meditation and all spiritual effort. Once we realize that we will have both worlds - spiritual and material - when we obtain the spiritual, then we begin to direct our energies in that direction, withdraw our attention from the shadows and start directing it towards the spiritual realities from which those shadows are created. MOVING UP THE INNER STAIR CASE Our mind, with its various centers of consciousness, is like an apartment building with seven stories. The view from each story is different. The higher up you are, the more you see, and the clearer you see. You can see the same events and external realities but you see them completely differently, because you have a higher viewpoint. The higher up you are, the more objectively and in their proper perspective you see things. Meditation is the process of moving up that inner staircase to the higher stories, where all is much clearer and more in perspective. At first you can only temporarily visit these higher stories. Eventually, after many years of meditation, and other spiritual practices, you can begin to reside there permanently.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Tags: Meditation, Self-help, Evolution, Examples Parables Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/understanding-meditation-through-models-part-3-36605.html About the Author:
Robert E. Najemy, author of 25 books and life coach with 30 years of experience, has trained over 300 life coaches and now does so over the Internet. Become a life coach. Over 600 free article and lectures at http://www.HolisticHarmony.com/
Related ArticlesUnderstanding Meditation through Models - part 2 Your Bananas Our Five Bodies The Hierarchy of Needs Seven Steps to Making a Difference in an Indifferent World Our Energy System Self Help Your Self To The Top Law of Attraction Classics: How the Law of Attraction Works Through the Subjective Mind (part 1) Got a Question? Ask.Ask the community a question about this article:Frequently Asked Questions Chest x-ray/non-healing wounds My husband has been told he has asbestosis caused ... Best Blood Pressure Monitor Skin tags Westlake, Daly City, houses What was the dark chamber with water for ... Q&A Powered by:
 Latest Non-Fiction ArticlesBook Marketing: the Day That is Different for Your Career Strategy In the Lap of the Gods 22 A Week in the Life of the Single Working Mother Why You Should Write for Free Why You Should Write for Free Becoming a Reporter is Easy Writing it Down The Modern Lily Tomlin More from Robert Elias NajemyThe Trapped Bird Magnetize your Mind A Fire in the Basement Our Spiritual Light Accepting Ourselves and Others Self-Acceptance and Self-Improvement Create Happiness with a Positive Life Outlook The Power of Wisdom |
|
|||||
|
Article Categories
|
|||||||
 Sign up for our email newsletterReceive updates, enter your email below
Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.31, 17) |
|||||||
