Concentration and meditation require the ability to focus the mind, otherwise you will be constantly distracted and your mind will move from one thought to another, and that is neither cocentration nor meditation.

By practicing concentration exercises and learning to direct the mind according to your own will, you prove to yourself that you are not the mind. You realize that you are separate from the mind, otherwise how can you master it? It is you, the real you that is directing the mind. The ability to focus the mind or stop its activities in accordance with your will, awakens the understanding that you are not your mind, and this understanding helps both concentration and meditation, and is a great step toward self-realization.

Here is an excerpt from the book ‘Meditation – An Outline for Practical Study by Mouni Sadhu, where he speaks about this subject:

You Are Not The Mind

‘Meditation, as you may see, needs an attitude that is deeply reasonable and full of common sense. Do you want to have it summarized in a few words? Then accept the truth, that you and your mind are not one and the same thing, that your mind can lead you well astray, and that it is not interested either in the development of your self-knowledge, or your abilities to dominate it.

Know, that if you can stop its activities for even a short time, or direct them according to your own will, it is a proof that you are not your mind, just as the car you drive is not identical with the driver himself. This, if you like the term, is one of the most important initiations man can pass through during his first steps to the eternal life in pure consciousness.’

Copyright © 2008 Remez Sasson Remez Sasson Blog. | Permalink | 2 comments

Related Articles

• The Mental Noise
• Restless Thoughts Are Like Restless Fish
• Story About a Yogi and His Disciple
• How to Overcome Disturbing and Distracting Thoughts

The great Rishi, Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi – unlike most yogis and many saints of the present day, does not recommend yogic practices as a condition for the highest and perennial spiritual achievement, called by him ‘Self-realisation’. He dismisses from that aim, all the cumbersome postures, breathing exercises, control of the pranic-currents (currents of the Prana in the human body and so of Nature itself), and so on. In fact, he seldom even mentioned them in his talks.

So the Direct Path to spiritual attainment, as shown by the Maharshi, does not require any unnatural body postures, often so difficult to perform for the majority of people; none of the efforts of Hatha Yoga, which can be dangerous unless practised under the direct supervision of a competent teacher, and no artificial mental practices of concentration. All such things lead nowhere unless accompanied by the elements of spiritual enlightenment, a fact which is firmly underlined by Sri Shankaracharya in his ‘Viveka Chudamani’.

Now I see clearly that these things belong to a closed and bewitched circle. For years, I and some of my closest occult friends practised many kinds of ‘outer-yogas’ but without any results worthy of our efforts. Of course, some of these exercises were good for our physical health, especially for stilling the nerves, cultivating a beautiful voice, and so forth. But these advantages only remained with us as long as we continued regularly to perform the exercises. A pause for even a few weeks deprived us of all the hard earned benefits we had gained at the cost of such effort and waste of time. No true and permanent peace of mind could be obtained, although for that purpose I made intense use of Japa (repetition) with the best mantras.

Read the complete article!

Copyright © 2008 Remez Sasson Remez Sasson Blog. | Permalink | No comment

Related Articles

• Consciousness, Life Force, Universal Consciousness
• Self Realization Removes Alienation and Fear
• Ramana Maharshi About The Mind
• You Are Not The Mind

Mouni Sadhu studied and practiced occultism and magic for years, but after reading Paul Brunton’s book, “A search in Secret India”, his focus in life changed. He was fascinated by Paul Brunton’s account about his meeting and conversation with the Indian sage Sri Ramana Maharshi, and from then on, he developed a strong interest in the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi, aiming to self-realization.

Mouni Sadhu discovered Sri Ramana maharshi’s teaching at the time he was living in Paris, but after some time, in 1946 he moved to Brazil, finally settling in Australia in 1948.

In 1949 Mouni Sadhu visited Sri Ramana Maharshi at his ashram in Tiruvannamalai, where his spiritual quest reached its heights. He later narrated his experiences at the ashram in his book “In Days of Peace”.

Mouni Sadhu’s Books

Mouni Sadhu wrote seven books, all of them very practical and full of useful information and advice, written from his rich experience. His books cover subjects such as concentration, meditation, spiritual growth, the higher consciousness Theurgy and the Tarot.

If you are a spiritual seeker desiring to gain control over your mind, to understand what the mind is, and to find who you really are, then Mouni Sadhu books have much to offer you.

One of his books is called “In Days of peace”. This is a diary of a spiritual seeker, and is a captivating inspirational, and lucid account of his spiritual experiences. I have read this book many times, the mere reading of a few paragraph was enough to bring a great sense of inner peace and bliss.

Another book is “Concentration – a guide to mental mastery”, which is in my opinion the best book about developing the power of concentration. The exercises are a not easy to perform, and not everyone might be able to practice them all, but even practicing only the first ones, would improve the concentration and the ability to calm down the mind.

Another one of his books is “Samadhi – the superconsciousness of the future”. It is a sequel to his other two books, and was written from his personal experience. It is a must for anyone wishing to raise his consciousness to high spiritual levels. It is rare to find such lucid descriptions, instructions and guidance about the higher consciousness. Just reading it can transform your consciousness and bring it to a higher dimension.

It is difficult to describe spiritual experiences in words, because the mind, which is responsible for talking and writing, has to be silent during these experiences. Yet, Mouni Sadhu had the talent of expressing clearly and logically these experiences, so as to make it easier for others to walk on the same path.

His book “Ways to self-realization” examines the paths leading to self-realization. Its subtitle, explains clearly what the book is about: “A modern evaluation of occultism and spiritual paths”.

“Meditation” is a practical book about meditation, leading the seeker through various stages of meditation to self-realization. This does not mean that by reading the book one gains self-realization. To gain it one needs inner work and persistence. In this book the author brought a wealth of information about concentration, meditation, the mind and what lies beyond it. It is an extensive and useful guide to meditation.

Another one of his books is “The Tarot”. This book is not about divination, and does not teach how to read the Tarot cards. The book analyzes each card from the standpoint of psychology, occultism and magic. In this book. the author speaks from his rich personal experience about the inner powers symbolized by each card, and points to practical ways of using the powers of the mind and of magic.

His last book, “Theurgy – The art of effective worship”, Mouni Sadhu teaches about the power of prayers, with explanations, instructions and examples.

Mouni Sadhu’s books offer the reader real, practical information and instructions, not mere theories. Few books describe the spiritual consciousness and the steps to self-realization, as lucidly as he does, and offer the reader practical tools and guidance to pass from theory to real experience.

I have come across Mouni Sadhu’s books many years ago. One day, while walking by a certain bookstore, I stopped by and entered inside to see if there was anything interesting. A certain book immediately caught my attention. It was Mouni Sadhu’s book, “Meditation”. I picked it up and browsed through it, and was immediately fascinated by it. I bought it, took it home and started reading it.

It was through this book that I came to know about Mouni Sadhu, and became acquainted with his other books, all of which I have purchased and read many times. It was also through his books that I first read about the Indian sage Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Before reading his books, I was aware of the importance of the power of concentration, but after reading “Concentration – A guide to mental mastery”, I came to realize how important concentration is, not just for spiritual growth, but also for using the powers of the mind, for success, and for handling the affairs of everyday life. This led me to follow and practice the exercises in this book, which took time and required effort, but were also very rewarding.

Mouni Sadhu’s books

More information about Mouni Sadhu is available at:
www.mounisadhu.com.

Copyright © 2007 Remez Sasson Remez Sasson Blog. | Permalink | 2 comments

Related Articles

• Books on the Law of Attraction
• Pleasure, Attachment and Spiritual Growth
• Do You Really Wish to Achieve Success?
• You Are Not The Mind