How to learn the material

The best state of mind is to experientially realize our oneness with all of existence. In other words if we were to have a mystical experience it would solve all our problems.

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 advice you to do is to print out this book. I am quite comfortable with computers but I find myself skimming instead of reading when I am sitting in front of a monitor. In order to closely study any topic I need a written book, which I can study closely pen in hand.

The second thing is to write your observations and thoughts on the margins as you read. You will then grasp the essence of this book and then will not need to re-read the whole if you want to revise 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 book 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 the book.

The fourth point relates to thinking. As you go through this book 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 truth 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.

I have given a list of important books that have shaped my thinking in the Appendix to this book. Pick up any or all of them and read and think and write your thoughts as you read.

In the day of the world wide web getting in touch with people with like minded interests is easy. Join some forum or discussion board regarding Eastern philosophy and meditation. It is essential that you become part of a group that shares those interests and with whom you can share your thoughts. You will be able 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. I recommend either Vipassana meditation – as taught by S. N. Goenka – or a meditation based on the Vedanta that has been explained by Paul Brunton in two excellent books – The Secret Path and The Quest of the Overself Vipassana is quite demanding in that you have to first do a strenuous 10-day course and then meditate for 2 hours daily. But it is very effective. I myself did the course some years back but only started meditating regularly about 6 months ago. 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. I recommend Vipassana highly but only if you are motivated, have sufficient time and are in sound physical and mental health.

For those of you who cannot commit to Vipassana there is another excellent meditation technique taught by Paul Brunton. Please refer the books mentioned above. Paul Brunton learned this method from Ramana Maharishi – one of the most venerated sages of modern India. It requires half an hour per day, is completely safe to practice, and can be done – without any formal instruction. In the 3-part meditation process you will – in the first part – examine in detail and with help from the book whether in fact you are the Body or the Mind or the Feelings. You will use your intellect to examine and question and finally accept and impress on your mind certain important concepts mentioned in this book.

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

On to the next chapter on Mindfully caring for anger:

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