The highest state of mind is to experientially realize our oneness with all of the universe.
But our problems are here and how and very real whereas mystical experiences are very far away. How then can we use these teachings to guide our day to day life?
The first thing I would advise you to do is to print out the articles from this site that resonate with you. In order to closely study any topic it is helpful to have printed material you can touch and take with you.
The second thing I would recommend is to write your observations and thoughts on the margins as you read. Through exploring your own thoughts, you will grasp the essence of this site and will not need to re-read the whole if you want to revisit some concepts.
The third point I would make is to keep a diary or a journal handy in order to write your thoughts and observations – not just about this site but about anything and everything as you go through life. Albert Einstein had this habit of maintaining a journal.
In fact a study was done which concluded that people who keep a journal to write their thoughts as they go through the day belong to the top 1% of achievers in society. You will have more space for writing your thoughts if you have a journal rather than just making notes in the margin of your printed pages.
The fourth point relates to thinking. As you go through this site, critically examine each paragraph and each concept. Ask yourself if you agree or disagree with what you have read. If you agree then write down the reasons why. If you disagree write down why as well. This will impress the material more deeply inside you.
Also as you are thinking ask yourself what are the implications of such and such concept. What difference will it make in your life, in the way you see yourself and your relationship with the world. Maintain your habit of writing those down as well in your journal.
Bertrand Russell – in his book The Conquest of Happiness – speaks of the method to alter or influence the contents of the subconscious mind. He says that we can use stray moments of time to remind ourselves of some basic truths that we have examined and accepted as true.
If you are feeling stressed or angry for example you can take a moment to remind yourself of the fact of no-self in the body and mind, and of impermanence. Such directions should be emphatically given to the subconscious mind at stray moments during the day. In time the contents of the unconscious will be altered and will influence your thoughts and actions.
In the day of the world wide web getting in touch with people with like minded interests is easy. Leave comments on the articles you find on this site and interact with me and other readers. It is essential that you become part of a group that shares those interests and with whom you can share your thoughts.
Becoming part of a like-minded group will help you to maintain you efforts and your progress on the spiritual path. If you are all alone then you may find that you enthusiasm flags after some time.
But the main practice is that of meditation. Within a short period of 3 to 4 month I found that I had grasped and was applying the concept of impermanence in my day to day life. It changed my thinking, my habitual reaction to events. In some ways it is like waking up them a dream. I also found that – after using impermanence in my life – it is easier to understand the concept of the body and the mind not being the Self.
Paul Brunton teaches a meditation method he learned from Ramana Maharishi – one of the most venerated sages of modern India. In the 3-part meditation process you – in the first part – examine in detail whether in fact you are your body or your mind or your feelings. You will use your intellect to examine and question and finally accept and impress on your mind certain important concepts.
The second and third part of Paul Brunton’s meditation method allow for the awakening of intuition and the goal is to find out for ourselves – through direct experience – “Who am I?” If I am not the body, mind, intellect or feelings then who really am I? Paul Brunton also explains how we can use this method to calm ourselves in a crisis and in our day to day life.
This method can be learned from a book although in advanced stages you may require the guidance of a master. Further information can be found about
Paul Brunton – Paul Brunton website
Ramana Maharshi – The Ramana Maharshi Website
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