Meditation Is a State of Concentrated Attention

By Remez Sasson

MeditationMeditation is a state of concentrated attention on a thought, idea, quote, an object, or on nothing at all. It is a mental/spiritual technique for relaxing the restlessness of the mind and freeing it from anxiety and stress. In its higher forms, it aims for the attaining of peace of mind, inner silence and spiritual awakening.

Here are a few paragraphs from the article “Meditation Advice, Guidance and Tips – Information and Instructions”:

Meditation is more than a method for relaxing the body, as some people think. It is a way for gaining freedom from incessant, nagging thoughts and worries, quieting the chatter of the mind, and attaining inner peace and happiness. In its higher levels it leads to spiritual awakening, enlightenment, and to realizing who and what you are.

Though it plays an important role in various religions and spiritual practices, it is actually a practice that is free from all religious connotations, and has always been practiced everywhere, from ancient times until the present day. There has always been the desire to go within, to find what is beyond the physical form, and to find the real spirit and the relation between mankind, the world and the creator.

There are many forms, techniques and traditions of meditation, which are practiced and followed for various reasons and aims, for relaxation and health, for mental mastery and inner peace, and of course for attaining spiritual awakening – enlightenment, and for discovering who you really are.

Meditation calms down the body and the mind, reduces stress and anxiety, normalizes the blood pressure and has a healing effect on the body. It improves the power of concentration, sharpens the mind and strengthens the intuition. Its constant practice reduces the number of restless thoughts in the mind and brings inner peace, happiness and bliss.

Read the complete article:
Meditation Advice, Guidance and Tips – Information and Instructions

Story About a Yogi and His Disciple

By Remez Sasson

I have written a short story several years ago, titled “The Power of Thoughts”. It is a story about a yogi and his disciple, who arrived to the big city with no money, but they needed food and a place to stay. The story is about the importance of concentration and visualization.

“One day, a yogi and his disciple arrived to the big city. They had no money with them, but they needed food and a place to stay. The disciple was sure that they were going to beg for their food, and sleep in the park at night.

“There is a big park not far from here. We can sleep there at night”, said the disciple.
“In the open air?” Asked the yogi.
“Yes”, responded the student.

The yogi smiled and said: “No, tonight we are going to sleep in a hotel and eat there too”.

The student was amazed. “How?”
“Come and sit down”, said the yogi.

They both sat down on the ground and the yogi said:
“When you focus your mind intently on any subject, it comes to pass.”

The yogi closed his eyes and started to meditate with full concentration. After about ten minutes he got up and started to walk, with his disciple following him. They walked through several streets and alleys, until they arrived to a hotel.”

Read the whole story

How to Overcome Disturbing and Distracting Thoughts

By Remez Sasson

Here is a question somebody asked me, which is relevant to a great number of people:

“I cannot concentrate on things, and I get some things in my mind which really come again and again while doing things, and this makes me very sad. Please help.”

What you focus on grows. If you keep focusing on worries, you only encourage those disturbing and distracting thoughts.

Acknowledge, without letting this worry or discourage you, that you have a problem with concentration, and resolve to do your best to solve it.

Tips on how to overcome disturbing and distracting thoughts:

1. Get enough sleep at night. Some say that one needs 8 hours of sleep, but this is an individual matter, as some people require only 5-6 hours of sleep, and wake up energetic and refreshed.

2. Whenever possible, without avoiding your duties and responsibilities, stay away from what stresses and worries you.

3. Believe that you can change the situation. It is just a matter of dedication, desire, inner work and time.

4. Read the article about concentration at:
www.successconsciousness.com/index_000004.htm,
and then start practicing the first concentration exercise at:
www.successconsciousness.com/index_000005.htm

5. When you can perform the first exercise as required, move to the next exercise.

6. When thoughts disturb or distract your mind, try focusing on what you are doing more attentively. Don’t use force or fight the thoughts, just pay more attention to what you are doing at the moment.  If these thoughts persist, analyze them, see what they are, and acknowledge that they are just thoughts, and there is no reason in the world to be controlled by them. If you can treat them with disinterest and detachment they will go away.

7. Keep positive, and don’t get discouraged if you fail to practice these instructions or if the disturbing and distracting thoughts persist.


Peace of MindPeace of Mind in Daily Life
A guide to inner peace and freedom from restless thoughts You can find advice, guidance and instructions on making the mind quiet, obedient and focused, and on gaining inner peace and happiness, in the book Peace of Mind in Daily Life.

Peace of Mind in Daily Life


How to Clear the Mind of Thoughts

By Remez Sasson

A visitor to the website has asked the following question:
“So you are saying once our mind is cleared, we start experienceing inner peace, but what is the most important thing to do to clear your mind? I have read a lot at many websites, but still can’t understand the subject.”

Here is the reply:

Concentration, meditation and the development of inner detachment help clear the mind of thoughts, making room for inner peace.

There is no instant inner peace. In order to attain and enjoy inner peace, work and effort are required, but not everyone is willing to invest the necessary time and energy into this project.

Concentration
The practice of special concentration exercise improve the ability to focus the mind on one single thought or subject and reject unrelated thoughts. This ability helps you gain the skill of opening or closing the mind at will to the constant flow of thoughts.
Information on Concentration
Concentration exercises

Meditation
In meditation you use the skills gained through the development of the power of concentration, in order to free your mind of thoughts. There are may forms of meditation, which all help clear the mind of thoughts, and which ultimately lead to the ability to meditate without thoughts.
More on Meditation

Detachment
Without some inner detachment there is no inner peace. You need to learn not to be affected easily by what people say or do, and not let your emotions rule your life. I am not talking about being indifferent and uncaring. It might seem a paradox, but you can be compassionate, helpful and full of love, and at the same time display inner detachment. It is a mental attitude which leads to common sense, better judgement, more understanding and inner peace.
More on Detachment

You can find in-depth information, instructions and exercises for developing the skills leading to inner peace in my book Peace of Mind in Daily Life.

Higher Consciousness Focuses and Silences the Mind

By Remez Sasson

How is it possible to focus the mind when it is so restless?

When you try to stop thinking, do really stop thinking, or do you just hold to the thought that you are not thinking, which is itself a thought?

Who and what it is that orders the mind to concentrate or get silent?

Can the mind concentrate itself, or is there something higher than the mind that focuses or silences it?

Concentration exercises and meditation eventually awaken something inside, some kind of silent consciousness, and it is this consciousness that focuses the mind on any chosen subject or object, and it is this consciousness that is able to cleanse the mind of thoughts and silence the mind.

This Consciousness-Awareness, Higher Consciousness is the Inner Self, and is beyond and above the mind. It is always here, but sort of hidden behind the thinking mind. There is too much focus on thoughts and sense impressions coming through the five senses, so that this Consciousness, “forgets” itself, and tend to “get involved” with the mind and the impressions coming through five senses. This is what makes it so difficult to focus the mind.

In time, as concentration gets stronger, one is able to cleanse the mind of thoughts, but this takes time and a lot of work. At this point you don’t say to yourself, “I am silencing my mind”, because this is itself a thought. You just stop thinking, but something else is there that stops the thinking. At this stage, when you stop thinking, there is no vacuum or the thought that “you are trying to stop thinking”. There is just Pure Consciousness, joy and inner peace.

From this perspective, concentration becomes simple and easy, and you are able to focus your mind easily on anything, a thought, a point on the wall, a flower, an inspiring quote, prayer, or on your work, studies, reading book or any other activity, or just enjoy being conscious, but without thoughts.

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