I'd like to hear some of your thoughts on this. I don't believe that God is anything external to or greater than humanity, but the very existence of consciousness itself. I think ancient passages from all over the world indirectly spoke of it, using imagery and allegory.

The one thing people fail to do with the bible to get an actual portrayal of what happened, is to read it from the context of someone reading it in the time it was written. If we apply our knowledge of our current understanding of reality, physics and hard science and use that knowledge to read ancient texts, would it not be easier to understand what it really is they were trying to describe?

Where did this "very existence of consciousness" itself come from? Why aren't there multiple planet "earths" with people else where. At least just on one other as there are millions of planets out there.

For me, I have always read the Bible having at the back of my mind, the context of the time each of the books of the Bible was written and the circumstances.

And this drives home to me, the reality and authenticity of everything that the BIBLE says. I find it to be true...accurate...God-inspired and factual; with prophecies that have been fulfilled and still being fulfilled.

I have found the Bible to be indeed the living word of God!!!

Mmm...you are saying that science will explain several phenomena in the bible....and because we have advanced understanding as a species, then God doesn't exist...
But the corollary is the argument that God also created the all things with order, and science is just one avenue of explaining such order...

cowboy just because we haven't interacted with them yet does not mean they don't exist

I'm thinking more along the lines of consciousness being something that isn't restrictive to the individual. I mean if God is in everything living thing and all people, is it not fair to say that all of the things with God "in" it are, in essence, conscious?

I'm not saying that everything in the bible happened exactly how it's told. It doesn't make it untrue, just needs to be read in the frame of mind of people who have never seen the things we've seen over the last 2000 years. Especially within out understanding of astronomy and space.

I have an interesting hypothetical pertaining to this: What if (and again, not saying this is how it happened) this colossal battle between heaven and hell, (God and Satan, whatever) was something as (relatively) explainable as describing an impact event with some sort of asteroid or comet. How would people of that time describe such an event with virtually no knowledge of science, astronomy and physics. Would it not make sense to personify these astral bodies in order to educate future generations of the event, without knowing the raw data behind it? Remember, stories, legends and history books have been edited, changed and told through a different light over time.

A scenario that they would describe as Satan "rivalling" God (celestial body becoming brighter than the sun due to its proximity) and being cast to earth (impact.) If something like this did happen in our distant past, and was written in ancient texts for all to see, than how would those people describe it?

I'm not saying by any means that that's what happened, and quite frankly, we may never really know. But what did our ancestors know that we seem unable to understand?

You seem to be trying to explain God with reference to something that is created....that would become an impossibility tho...
The concept of God in the bible is that he created it all, and you cannot liken him to anything that was created, because that would be idolatry....(im pretty sure cowboygh will try to refute this again by claiming that Jesus is God...)

My best answer is that, there was some sort of divine revelation...
If you notice the general outline of the bible...there is a period wherein God communicated directly or through angels to the patriarchs...levites..then through judges, then kings, then prophets, then jesus.
In many instances...it was through prayer, that some kind of revelation and/or instruction was received, but there had also been messages delivered by angels and phenomena/signs that came with these messages...and in other accounts, physical proof was given to doubters...so no...couldnt have been just consciousness or imagination...

As to scientific explanations behind some spiritual occurrences...i would say that it is possible for spiritual phenomenon to manifest physically. But I doubt science will be able to fully explain it, as science need to have reproducible results to be true...and the best bet that can be done is retrospective speculation based on what we know, not based on the observed/witnessed accounts. And if you notice, even if science can reproduce certain events...the timing of the phenomena with the circumstances by which it happened, along with prophecies of it happening, cannot simply be pure coincidence or luck.

Science proves the existence of God....all the hormones of the human being....the orderliness of life....none of these things can exist by accident!!! They prove the existence of the almighty God!!!

Individual ideologies and theories founded on human assumptions CAN NEVER change the existence of the CREATOR - GOD!!!

Perhaps it would be best to express your views without picking on individuals for their responses!!!

JESUS IS GOD, LORD, SAVIOUR, REDEEMER. (source: BIBLE - the Christian map through lifeway)

Worry not nor get confused about God's existence. I will attempt to discuss The book of Genesis in my next thread. Some things I will explain may be controversial, even among christian believers. I discovered why some people like you have doubts. Honestly, You are not alone. There are deep things in Genesis 1 that confuse the scientific minds. Even some christians might be ignorant of those hard facts. Be patient. I can assure you, God is real. Believe in him and His Spirit will guide you into all 'allowed' and revealed truths that you need to know.

Mmm...i'm not getting where your accusation is coming from...?
I don't "pick" on people regarding religious views....

Tilly made no attempt to individually 'attack' the OP. She offered a considered response to his query.

Too often, folks who's beliefs (and at the end of the day, that's ALL they are) are examined respond to challenges in this way. It gets in the way of rational discussion. Alternatives are not inherently blasphemous, just fodder for continued thought and rumination. It's not cause for recrimination.

It's in the Bible: Let he without sin cast the first stone.

Right?

Im not sure what you are getting at with all the exclamation points....are you agreeing or disagreeing with my sentiment...?
My consciousness is sensing a lot of angst directed against me...

Hi scrib
She might be referring to the jesus-God thingee i mentioned...?

Howdy, PT. Not sure. But the thread is worth exploring. I hope she'll be back. Dogma is a tough thing to deal with - from either side.

There are a number of Biblical descriptions of events that science might be hard pressed to account for; think the Resurrection, Lazarus, voices emanating from burning bushes, there're lots more examples. It'd be easy from a faith standpoint to attribute these to Divine influence. And, it just so happens, I believe that way, too.

But, I would certainly listen to a cogent, thoughtful, science based explanation - or even rebuttal.

I think that's what free will is. And faith, too.

haha...yeah. OP also hasn't been back
it's usually a toss up between science and God...
i won't elaborate much on what i know to be the difference between God and jesus... i think that the discussion of that doctrine is more applicable to a christians/catholics/messianic jews group. and other threads have delved into that much more deeply...no sense in repeating another cycle of that conversation...

personally, i do believe that God did create everything. the theories and laws of science that govern the tangible stuff is in essence, also set by Him. But this is only one aspect of what our can consciousness perceive.

there are many other avenues that we are unaware of... a multitude, that i think it is not even possible for us to explore everything-- God being limitless, is not something that any of creation or created can ever justify fully.

some of the biblical accounts may be explained by science...but i doubt that science can fully prove, explain, and reproduce all events, especially those of mysterious and miraculous origins. of course they will manifest in the physical, but the very essence of these events are taken on faith.

im sure many will try to refute it. but then again, that has always been the case, ever since the beginning of "modern man". so i think chalking up the entire existence of God to mere consciousness...seems unwise...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvApvRL-LCE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JUKy--nNFg

'Spiritual Growth Benefits and Tips' [by Remez Sasson]



Spiritual growth is an inner process, not only for people seeking spiritual awakening, and who live in monasteries or ashrams, but for every one.

Spiritual growth is essential for a better, happier and more harmonious life, free of tension and strain, fear and anxiety.

What is spiritual growth?

Actually, this term is not correct and is misleading. The spirit is perfect and does not need to grow. It needs to 'awaken' and know itself. The spirit is already an inseparable part of the One Spirit, which is present everywhere. This knowledge and understanding is hidden beneath thoughts, desires, feelings and habits. What you need to do is to remove everything that hides this knowledge and understanding.

Spiritual growth is the process of getting rid of wrong concepts, thoughts and beliefs about who you are and about the world in which you live. Through this process, you increase your awareness of your real essence, which is beyond the ego and the personality.

In this process you drop negative and limiting habits, erroneous thoughts and beliefs, and let the inner self within you shine out.

It is a process of looking inside you, shedding your illusions and uncovering your true essence, which is always present, but hidden beyond the ego-personality.

Seems too far-fetched? No, it isn't. I am not stating anything new or extraordinary.

Spiritual growth benefits:

1. Realization of who you really are.

2. Increased feeling of happiness and bliss.

3. Experiencing a state of inner peace.

4. Circumstances and situations do not affect your state of mind.

5. Becoming more patient and tolerant.

6. The ability to rise above frustration, disappointment and negative feelings.

7. Increased inner strength and confidence.

8. More common sense and seeing things as they really are.
Imagine a radiant bulb of light, hidden beneath layers of various materials. In order to let the light of the bulb shine out and illuminate the surroundings, you do not have to increase the light or change the bulb. All you have to do is to take away the layers that are covering it. As you remove a layer after layer, the light becomes stronger and shines more radiantly.


How do you remove the layers that are covering the light of your inner self? This requires some inner work.

You can do this inner work, without changing anything in your environment. You don't need to go and live in an ashram. All you need is a strong desire, perseverance and planning your day right, so that you find the time for this inner work.


Spiritual growth tips:

01. Learn to focus your mind and remove unnecessary thoughts.

02. Practice meditation every day.

03. Read spiritual literature and spiritual quotes.

04. Associate with people, who went through this process.

05. Developing a certain degree of emotional detachment would be very useful, so that outside conditions would have less effect on your mind and moods.

06. Acknowledge the fact that you are a spirit with a physical body, not a physical body with a spirit. If you can accept this idea, it will change your attitude toward many things in your life.

07. Look inside you, and try to find out what it is that makes you feel alive.

08. Always try to look at the bright side of life. Your inner self is stronger than your circumstances. Don’t let circumstances and situations dictate to you how to feel or think.

09. Endeavor to focus your attention on everything you do, instead of letting your attention go wherever it desires.

10. Do your best to be tolerant, patient, tactful and considerate.









'Consciousness, Awareness, and Your Real Essence' [by Remez Sasson]


Watch your consciousness closely, this sensation of being aware and alive, and observe what you feel. I do not mean that you look at the contents of your mind. I mean becoming fully aware of the sensation of being alive and existing.

This consciousness I am referring to, is not the awareness of having a body, emotions or thoughts, but of something beyond.

This consciousness is your inner being, real essence. We all experience this consciousness constantly, but never investigate it or try to be intently aware of it. This is because the mind and the attention flow outside, to the external world, and rarely inside.

You might ask: "Why do I need to be aware of this consciousness? I have never thought about it before. Why now?"

You are this consciousness, and therefore, you ought to know about it. If you own a car, don't you want to know, at least superficially, how to take care of it? If you own a TV, a mobile phone or some other electrical appliance, don't you want to know how to use it efficiently, and understand, at least a little, how it works?

The more you become aware of your consciousness, the more you become conscious and aware of its power, and can utilize its power. Calmness, peace of mind, freedom from anxiety and worry, inner strength and happiness are some of the by-products of becoming conscious and aware of your inner consciousness.

When watching a beautiful, breathtaking landscape, do you sometimes become immersed and overwhelmed by it, and for a few moments cease to be aware of your body, feelings and thoughts? For a little while you become merged in some sort of silence.

A little while later, your mind starts verbalizing about the landscape, and you become aware again of your feelings and thoughts. You return to your ordinary consciousness and awareness of your body and its sensations.

You did not lose consciousness during this experience. It was a happy and joyous experience, in which you became aware of something beyond your ordinary awareness.

This consciousness is beyond the body, feelings and thoughts. It is beyond beliefs, attitudes, names, gender, family and social or economic status. It is your inner being.

Body feelings and thoughts are changeable and impermanent. Even the cells of the body change in time. Yet, the Higher Consciousness never changes. It is immutable. It holds everything else together like a string that holds a necklace of pearls. It is constant, but all the 'things' attached to it or revolving around it always change.

When you reject every component as not your 'I', the residue that remains is something, which cannot be described, only lived. It is an impersonal 'I'. It cannot be the object of thought, because it is above and beyond thoughts and the mind.

You can know, experience and be this 'I', but you cannot think about it or analyze it, as it is not an outside object. This 'I', this consciousness is the real you.

Talking about this consciousness is like mental acrobatics, because this consciousness is beyond thoughts, and therefore, beyond words. It is fully experienced only when thoughts cease, whether unintentionally, as in the above case of watching a landscape, or intentionally when special exercises are performed to enhance it.

By teaching yourself to be aware and immersed of this consciousness, the mind and the flow of thoughts calm down, and you experience inner peace. This is usually done through meditation and proper mental attitude.

Developing the ability to focus the mind is a great help. Reading spiritual literature, or coming in contact with people who are on the same path, and who more advanced than you, practicing meditation, and trying to be aware of your Awareness, Consciousness, and Being, are the golden key that opens the door of Enlightenment.

You do not need to search for this Consciousness. It is here, and you are living in it all the time. You only forgot it. You are letting thoughts rule your life. The sky is always up there. If you don't see it, this is because of the clouds that cover it. In the same way the clouds of thoughts cover your Consciousness, but by removing them you become aware of it.

This Consciousness I am talking about, is not the everyday, ordinary awareness of your body and personality. It is not the awareness of the world around you. It is a sort of 'Higher Consciousness' that stands beyond the ordinary consciousness.

The ordinary consciousness is changeable and intermittent. At times we are aware of the outer world and at other times unaware or only partially aware. There are times of sleep and times of wakefulness. Yet, the 'Inner Consciousness' is always present. It never ceases to be and is always present. It is at the background of whatever happens in life.

This is just a short article trying to define the Consciousness – Inner awareness.







'Consciousness, Awareness and the Mind' [by Remez Sasson]



Someone wrote to me a few days ago, saying that he read one of my the articles, 'You Are not the Mind', and the article made him feel uncomfortable. He couldn't accept the idea that he is not his mind. He asked, 'What does the word mind mean? How can it be that I not my mind? Can you give me more information about 'who I am,' and what is the mind? I don’t see the difference.'

For people who have been meditating for a long time, and for people conversant with teachings of 'Sri Ramana Maharshi' and with non-duality, this is not a strange idea.

The brain is the physical vessel of the mind. The mind creates thoughts, and thoughts manifest as words. Different thoughts pass the mind all the time. Can you say that you are these passing thoughts?

The mind is composed of the thoughts you think. What happens when you stop thinking, such as when in deep sleep? Where is the mind then, and if you are the mind, where are you? Did you cease to exist?

If you examine the state of your mind when you are very happy, you will discover that there is some kind of elation and inner peace. You feel happy and alive, but your mind is not disturbed by thoughts.

When one is in deep meditation, there are no thoughts, or almost no thoughts, and yet, the one who is meditating is conscious and alive.

In all these above-mentioned situations, it is as if there is a different awareness-consciousness present, peaceful and all embracing. This awareness-consciousness is independent from the mind, always existing, and is the awareness-consciousness supervising the mind. This awareness-consciousness can tell the mind about what to think, and can also stop the thinking process, and enjoy inner peace, with no distracting thoughts.

This consciousness-awareness is you, the real you. The mind is the instrument you use to function and act in the world. If you are not aware of this consciousness-awareness, it is because you never tried to train your mind and discipline it. You never tried to look at it with detachment, and you have always allowed it to become your master, instead of your servant.

Discovering the real and unchanging component that is you, the Spirit, doesn't make you feel uncomfortable, weak or strange. On the contrary, you become more alive, strong and energetic. It doesn't make you passive. On the contrary, you become more alive, and can do more.

Concentration exercises and meditation, in time, lead to experiencing, and then living, in this 'higher consciousness' state. Experiencing this consciousness has always been the aim of many spiritual traditions. This consciousness is always present, but covered by thoughts, worries, fears and desires. It is like a radiant and strong light bulb that is covered by many layers of covers, so that the light is not seen. Your role is to uncover this bulb of light.

The mind and the ego

You are an inseparable part of the 'Spirit,' of the creative principle, but to experience the external world you need the mind.

The mind is the 'ego,' the individual, whom you think you are. This ego is composed of your thoughts, mind and feelings. This is not so easy to grasp, since people identify with this ego, and live through it. It is as if you are wearing a certain garment, and believe that this garment is part of your body, and is you, and you never realize that you can take it off, and still live and exist.

Proving to yourself that you are not the mind

By learning to focus your mind, you prove to yourself that you are not the mind, but the power that controls the mind. By being able to silence the mind, and enjoy a state of inner peace and calmness. You prove to yourself that the mind is a tool, and that it is not you. This idea is difficult to grasp for a lot of people, and the only way to prove it is by learning to focus the mind, through concentration exercises, and through meditation.

Concentration, meditation, and learning to direct the mind according to your own will, prove that you are not your mind. Can the mind control itself, or does it need some higher power to control it? This leads you to 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 willpower awakens the understanding that you are not your mind, and this is a great step toward self-realization.

I know this article doesn't explain and clarify enough what is the awareness-consciousness mentioned here, and what the mind and the ego are. These are subjects, which are not easy to explain in words. I intend to write more on this subject in the future.






'Meditation and the Spiritual Consciousness beyond the Mind' [by Remez Sasson]




A regular practice of meditation has a profound effect on the mind and on one's awareness and consciousness. Regular practice of meditation calms down the restlessness of the mind, and therefore, makes it possible to experience, and become aware something, which is beyond the scope of the mind.

Thoughts are like clouds that hide the sun, or like waves that make it impossible to see the bottom of the lake. When the mind becomes calm and there are no thoughts, you can see things that your thoughts and your constant mental activity hide. You become aware of your real essence, the consciousness that is beyond the mind.

Spiritual Consciousness

One of the main benefits of a regular practice of meditation is inner peace. In a state of inner peace, when the restlessness of your mind stops, you become aware of a different, vast sort of consciousness. A certain kind of calm, joyous, and powerful consciousness arises in you, which is different from the ordinary, everyday consciousness. This is Spiritual Consciousness.

This state is like an altered state of consciousness. It is not a state of trance, and you do not lose of awareness of the world around you. On the contrary, you become more conscious and more alive. It is an awareness that encompasses both the earthly and spiritual planes.

At first, you will experience it very briefly and sporadically, not necessarily during meditation, but in the midst of your daily activities, in your everyday life. It might suddenly, or gradually, fill your awareness for a brief moment, and then go away.

As you continue with daily meditations, the duration of this altered state of consciousness will gradually get longer. In order to experience this state of awareness more often and for longer periods, and also, to turn it into a constant state of consciousness you need to be able to quiet your mind more deeply, and for longer periods.

This is a state of spiritual consciousness. The main requirement for this spiritual consciousness to manifest is a silent mind, when the restlessness of the mind disappears. This is the way to making this experience permanent.

How can you hasten this process? There are a few things you could do.

1. Continue to meditate every day.

2. Learn to focus your mind, making it one-pointed.

3. Try to become more aware of your thoughts, and how they enter and pass through your mind. If you practice meditation regularly, it won't be too difficult to do.

4. View your thoughts with some dispassion. Learn to be little detached, so that thoughts do not agitate your mind.

5. Always try to be focused on what you are doing, not allowing thoughts, feelings and people to distract you and control your attention.

6. At different times of the day, for a few minutes, try to become aware of your consciousness, of your awareness, and of the feeling that you exist. Don't discuss or analyze your awareness, just be conscious of it, without thoughts and without words.


This state, this spiritual consciousness, is a state of light, happiness and joy, but also of inner power, focus, practicality and common sense. It is called by many names, Nirvana, Samadhi, Self Realization, Cosmic consciousness, Higher Self or Spiritual Consciousness. The name is only an outer label. The content is more important, and it is the same under all these labels.

All techniques of meditation, eventually, lead to this state of awareness, to the awakening of the spiritual consciousness.







'Asking the Question, "Who Am I"?' [by Remez Sasson]




All meditation techniques are means to the same final target, to empty the mind from thoughts, discover the real 'I', and 'awaken' a wider sort 'consciousness'.

Sounds complicated? No, not at all. You don't have to be a superman to do that. It's a natural process that everyone goes through, some more deeply, and others superficially.

The purpose of meditation is to 'unlearn' all the 'wrong' concepts we have acquired, and then, to help us discover who we really are. This realization is usually mental at first, until we really KNOW experimentally.

We are not the physical body and the ego, which is comprised of our thoughts and feelings, but something else. By delving inside ourselves, usually with the help of meditation, into our consciousness and sense of awareness, we come to know ourselves. We 'discover' our real 'I'.

This Real 'something', is like a bright bulb of light, which is hidden from sight by many covers. We have to strip away the covers. These covers are our thoughts, feelings, and mental habits. By stripping them away, we uncover the internal bright light of our true being.

We don't have to create this 'something' that is our true being. We only have to take away everything that covers it.

1. For a few moments, look inside yourself, at your awareness, trying to focus on it. Feel this awareness, this consciousness, this sense of existence and of being alive.

2. It might not be so clear to you what you actually need to do, but nevertheless try it.

This feeling of existence, of consciousness, is always with you, no matter where you are or what you are doing. It is an unchanging and continuous essence. You are not always aware of it, because your mind is usually occupied with thoughts, because of feelings that cloud your mind, and because of the sense impressions coming through your five senses.

All this is not something theoretical, metaphorical, or mystical. It is a fact. It is the common experience of everyone, but it is often ignored.

When looking at some object and thinking about it, there is 'you', and there is the object. You are not the object. You are the one looking at it or using it.

In the same way, you are the one looking at your body, taking care of it, and using it. In the same sense, you are not the body, but the one using it. Yes, this might seem weird to you, but if you think deeply about what I am saying, you will begin to accept it.
'

This also applies to your mind and thoughts.

Thoughts, feelings and beliefs change, sometimes radically, but you retain the same awareness, the same consciousness of your being. The 'I', the pure aware that is beyond thoughts remains as it is.

Everything comes and goes, but your 'I', your feeling of being alive and existing, is always the same, never changing. This 'I' is your real Self.

Asking the question, 'Who Am I'?

Try the following meditation:

1. Find the time and place to be alone and undisturbed.

2. Pay attention to your body, feelings and thoughts, while at the same time being aware that it is you, who are examining them. You, your awareness – consciousness is looking at them. This means that you are not them, but 'something' outside, looking at them.

3. One minute you might be thinking or feeling something, and the next minute another thought or feeling pops up. Ask yourself, who is it that is aware of the thoughts and the feelings? Focus on this question, trying to find the answer.

4. The answer will come not through analysis and verbal thinking, but as understanding, awareness, intuition, realization, not in words.

5. After a few minutes, start to ask yourself the question, 'who am I?'

6. Ask the question and wait for the answer, without trying to find it through thinking. Both question and answer have to be without words. The real answer doesn't come in words. It is a feeling, realization with no words or thoughts. It is an intuitive knowledge, with absolute certainty.

7. When you become aware of the answer you experience a sense of bliss. This state is called by many names by different traditions, such as Cosmic Consciousness, Samadhi, Nirvana or Self-Realization.

8. Finally, try, without forcing yourself, to stop thinking and just 'be', meaning, feeling your real being, without identifying with your thoughts or personality.


The question, 'Who am I', as a trigger for Self Realization, was a method taught by 'Sri Ramana Maharshi', the great Sage of India.

As you progress, the moments of blissful inner peace and silence will occur more often, increasing in length, and the breaks between them would get shorter.

This meditation has to be practiced with a spirit of detachment, and without tension. In time, you will become more aware of your Consciousness, your Real 'I', and act and do everything from its viewpoint, not the ego's point of view.

One day, you might find that this Consciousness has become your natural state of awareness, irrespective of where you are and what you are doing.









'Meditation Is a Pleasant Experience' [by Remez Sasson]



Imagine yourself standing on the beach, watching the waves rushing to the shore and then returning back to the ocean. Feel the cool, pleasant breeze, and breathe the intoxicating smell of the ocean.

Tune in to the feeling of calmness that you experience now.

Stay with this image and feeling for a while. It is pleasant, isn't it?

This scene is taking place in your imagination and is not real. However, you are able to create an experience that feels like being real.

For a few moments you were in a meditative state. You were practicing meditation. Was it difficult? No, I would say that it was a pleasant experience.

Even daydreaming, to a certain extent, resembles meditation. The difference is that in meditation you need to focus your mind, and not let it wander where it wants, unlike daydreaming, where the mind left free to roam where it wants.

Actually, not all meditations focus on mental images. You might also meditate on ideas, inspiring sentences, positive qualities, objects, sounds, or on nothing at all.

Meditation began gaining popularity during the second half of the twentieth century, and more and more people are becoming aware of its benefits. However, many regard meditation only as a means to relax the body and mind, when actually, it is a lot more than this.

Life in the West is full of tension and rush, and therefore, meditation is becoming recognized as an effective technique for relaxing the body and the mind. Relaxation is very important, but it is only one of the results of meditation.

After gaining some experience, you will start to like meditation. It will turn into a pleasant experience.

What Are the Benefits and Goals of Meditation?

1. Meditation relaxes the body, calms the mind, and minimizes tension.

2. After a period of practice, the racing and rushing of thoughts in the mind slow down, not only during meditation, but also in daily life.

3. Gradually, you will experience more happiness, tolerance, understanding, and a feeling of inner strength.

4. Your ability to focus your mind will get stronger

5. Your mind will become stronger and under your control

6. Your ability to enjoy the present moment would increase

7. The tendency to criticize, lack of satisfaction, and blaming others would decrease.


Nowadays, there are many books about meditation. There are lectures and workshops too, so it is quite easy to find information about meditation, or someone to guide you.








'5 Reasons Why You Need Concentration When You Meditate' [by Remez Sasson]



What happens a few minutes after you start to meditate? You suddenly discover that you stopped meditating, and were thinking about something else.

This happens due to lack of concentration and the inability to focus the mind. This happens not just with meditation, but with every other activity, be it work, study, or anything else that requires focusing the attention.

The tendency of the mind is always to move, to jump from one thought to another, never standing still. This is very unhelpful and distracting. This habit needs to be changed, if you want to progress on the path of meditation.

5 Reasons Why You Need Concentration for Better Meditation

1. You need concentration to be able to focus on the topic of your meditation

Without concentration, your mind will wander from one thought to another, and that’s not meditation.

Sitting down for ten twenty or thirty minutes, with the intention to meditate, but instead, just daydream and think about everything under the sun is not meditation.

2. Lack of concentration wastes your time

This has much to do with the previous point. When sit down to meditate, but your mind is constantly moving from one thought to another, you accomplish nothing. You just waste your time.

You need to focus, and not allow other thoughts distract your attention. To do so, you need willpower and self-discipline. You also need to teach yourself to focus. This you can do by practicing focus exercises.

If you daydream or let your mind fly from one thought to another like a butterfly, there is no meditation and no progress.

You might enjoy daydreaming and just sitting down, but the time passes, and you make no progress.

3. Focusing your mind reduces the number of thoughts in your mind

Focusing on one thought or topic prevents other thoughts from entering your mind. It is like a gatekeeper that keeps unwanted visitors away.

4. Lack of concentration allows all kinds of thoughts to arise in your mind

If you lack concentration you won't be able to stop the constant flow of thoughts in your mind. These thoughts are often negative and weakening, or about things you have read, heard or seen, and are of no importance.

These thoughts tend to occupy the mind all the time, preventing you from entering a deeper state of meditation.

5. You need concentration for inner peace

The stronger your concentration is, the more control you have over your mind. With a well-developed ability you would be able to make your mind quiet.

When the mind becomes quiet, you enter into a state of inner peace. This leads to heightened awareness, a sense of bliss and to the realization of deeper truths about life and about you.

This happens because inner peace removes the thoughts that cover your inner sight. It's like removing the clouds that hide the sun.










'7 Tips for Better Meditation' [by Remez Sasson]


There are a lot of factors that do not allow a focused, deep, and disturbance-free meditation. However, there is a lot you can do to avoid disturbances and obstacles to a better meditation.

In this short article I have collected a few tips to improve your meditation experience. If you have been learning to meditate, I am sure you are already familiar with these tips, but it is always good to be reminded again and again.

When you know something, it doesn't mean that you use this knowledge, and therefore, it is a good idea to be reminded often.

Tips for Better Meditation

1. Make peace with your mind

After sitting down to meditate, and just before you begin, tell yourself that all thoughts and all problems will have to wait until you finish meditating. Repeat these words firmly several times, so that you remember them when thoughts start to disturb your meditation. Tell your mind that however pressing a thought might be, it has to wait until you finish your meditation.

2. Avoid factors that cause interruptions and distractions

There are a lot of interruptions and distractions that attract the attention and disturb meditation. There are several things you can do to avoid them.

(a) Meditate in a place, where you are alone and undisturbed.

(b) Close the windows and doors of your room.

(c) Take the phone off the hook.

(d) Turn off the TV and the radio.

(e) Turn off your computer.

(f) Switch off your cell phone.


3. Meditate at the same time of the day

If you are a beginner, meditating at the same hour would soon become a habit. The mind will automatically remember to meditate at the same hour, and there will be less mental resistance to meditate. Early mornings or early evenings are good times for meditation, but you can choose any other convenient hour.

4. Meditate at the same place

Try to arrange a place for meditation. It could be a special room, a corner in a room, your office, or in a garden. Try to use the same place, at least in the beginning. This will make your mind associate meditation with a certain place, making it easier to meditate.

5. Don't eat before meditation

After eating, the energies of the body are directed toward the digestive processes at the expense of the mental processes. This is one of the reasons for feeling drowsy after eating a heavy meal. Meditation requires alertness and focus, and therefore, it is helpful to do it with an empty stomach.

Please note that hunger is also an obstacle, which can disturb your concentration. If you are too hungry, you may eat a fruit, a slice of bread, or drink a glass of water or juice. That's okay.


6. A comfortable posture with a straight back

Sit in a comfortable posture.

During meditation, there is a flow of energy upwards through the spinal column. It is important therefore, to hold your back straight, but without straining it.

It is important to be comfortable so that your mind is free to concentrate. You may sit on the floor, if you find it comfortable, or you may choose to sit on a chair. Do what is more comfortable and less strenuous for your body.


7. Don't tense your body

There is often, a tendency to tense the body when meditating, concentrating, or doing any mental work. This is a common habit, which you need to avoid, since it tires the body and the mind, and stands in your way to a better and deeper meditation.

It is highly recommended that you learn to relax your body. You can find relaxation techniques by searching for them on the Internet.

It is also recommended that you develop the habit of being more aware of the tensions in your body. During the day, every time you feel that you are your tensing your body, stop what you are doing and relax your muscles to undo the tension. If you often do so, this action will turn, in due time, into a habit.

These are just a few simple tips to help you have a better, more focused and useful meditation.

















'GOD' resides in 'Wisdom' And in 'Each' And 'Every' Beautiful Thing Found On 'Earth'!