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Mouni Sadhu
By MOUNI SADHU
Mouni Sadhu
To my unforgettable Guru And his true disciples This book is dedicated
Mouni Sadhu
This book has been written to bridge the gap between the many existing theoretical works on mental concentration and meditation, and the general application of the mind's powers to everyday life. The extensive literature on these subjects provides plenty of "commandments" as to what should and should not be done and when to develop control of the mind. But it is not easy to find the most important and essential advice which concerns the practical answers to the unavoidable questions "How?" and "Why?" More than half a century ago a gifted and experienced American—William Walker Atkinson, writing under the pen name of Yogi Ramacharaka, published a series of very useful books on Eastern philosophy and Yoga, which were wisely and purposefully based on his "Eclectic Method." His main works are Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Gnani Yoga, Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism, and his final message under the title of Philosophies and Religions of India. These are perhaps the best of their kind and are unique, filled with practical advice. He selected the best material he could find from the various known scriptures of his day, without any Corresponding effort on the part of other contemporary occultists. In the second half of this century, great advances have al ready been made in psychology in general as well as in occult psychology, and today we know far more about the human mind and its workings than did our forefathers. Today, details may alter in the methods of dealing with man's main motive power—his mind; but the fulcrum of this present study remains unchanged. The writer has impartially tried to collect in this book the best and most tested methods and exercises, plus all necessary explanations, which later may give the student a basis for his own deliberations, by revealing previously unperceived horizons. In particular, it is hoped that the exercises in Part III will serve this purpose. This work may prove useful for two types of readers: 1. The near agnostic who wants to rule his mental powers for the improvement of his status and circumstances. For him, only portions of the book will be of interest, namely the practical exercises in Part III together with the explanatory chapters of Parts I and II. He has no need to go beyond the seven double exercises—Nos 1 to 7A. 2. The seeker of things deeper than his own temporary physical appearance, who will find it necessary to study the book as a whole with special attention to the explanatory chapters in Parts I and II, and the culminating ones in Part IV treating the final conclusions of supermental achievement. This is guided intuitional knowledge, also called the wisdom of the Self, which is the ultimate aim of concentration. In the beginning, no particular creed is required of either type of student. The ability to reason soundly is the foremost condition for success. Such an ability will be developed into a higher power of cognition by using, as a base, its sharpened tool—the perfectly controlled mind, which will then begin to reflect the reality of man's ultimate essence, the immortal and illimitable spirit. This book is not limited to any particular system of philosophy and its techniques, and material has been freely drawn, according to its value, from both our Western and Eastern in heritance.
providing these men are earnest enough and endowed with the requisite abilities and qualities. throughout a lifetime of searching. 4 .Concentration Mouni Sadhu The author. has found that there are few things known to the highest circle of advanced Easterners which are not known to their Western counterparts. The outer forms of the Eastern and Western traditions may differ. and vice versa. but not their innermost initiatory contents.
The necessary psychological and technical explanations will be kept to the minimum essential to enable the student to start his exercises with a reasonably clear understanding of what he is doing and why. Why? Because a simple physical law is at work. concentrated thinking. and therefore each individual one is extremely weak. you will find it difficult until the ends of your simple implements have been properly sharpened. It refers to that which has a common center. in place of these many useless thoughts." which. comparatively large surface of the blunt instrument. there appears only one. whose ideas are now serving humanity. it is a power in itself and has a wide influence." At this point I would like to quote from the sayings of the most recent of the great Indian rishis (or sages)—Sri Ramana Maharshi. all of whom were conscious of and able to use their extraordinary powers of 5 . When and How should a study of concentration be undertaken?" and "What is to be attained if the study proves successful?" Imagine that you have an unsharpened pencil or a small stick. a blunt knife or saw does not cut well and the result is unsatisfactory since the effort is wasted by being spread over too large an area and too many points. Even considerable pressure exerted on an unsharpened pencil will not produce a neat hole. This was the case with Isaac Newton. When. In this study I will try to show. how the human mind can be concentrated in order to gain the ability of one-pointedness. It is not concentrated. Similarly. is not far from the literal sense of the Latin. and is best expressed by the term "one-pointedness. one-pointed tool. "Why. or is moving toward a center. thus providing insufficient force to separate and remove the particles of card board and form a clean hole. in a purely practical way. who was an authority on occult psychology and all questions pertaining to the human mind: "An average man's mind is filled with countless thoughts. But sharpen your tools and there will be no difficulty in piercing a hole or cutting a straight line. If you have to use either of them to pierce a piece of cardboard." We know that many great scientists and inventors. etymologically.Concentration Mouni Sadhu I Foreword and Definitions The Latin origin of the English word "concentration" has a clear and definite meaning. The proper employment of the mind is our first aim—the mysterious power and attainment which can be gained only by use of a well-sharpened. if any? Merely in the fact that force applied through a single point acts more effectively and seems far greater than the same force simultaneously exerted on many points. often ascribed their unique discoveries to just this capacity for strong. This elementary law should be clearly and strongly established in the mind of anyone studying concentration. It is the justification for all the exercises that follow in Part III of this book. Thomas Alva Edison. Your power has been dissipated over the whole. Here we are not seeking to perfect a physical tool. Where then lies the secret. With regard to the human mind we may call this the "thinking principle. Louis Pasteur and many others.
since it has definite means and aims which can be thoroughly investigated. applied and reached. In Latin America. The idea of sharpening or concentrating our minds is neither new nor illogical. i. the ability to think solely about the object of their investigation to the exclusion of all else. 6 . but rather scientific. people who are unable to control their minds and forever wander from one thought to another are jokingly.Concentration Mouni Sadhu concentration..e. but very appropriately referred to as having "quinhentos pensamentos" — "five hundred thoughts"—at one time.
while others were taken years ago from sources now no longer available. until all the preceding ones have been mastered. What we are fighting for in this work is our inner freedom and balance. The method adopted here is based on a strict grading of sequence of the student's steps. because the success of the endeavor depends upon the exactness of their application. Some of them may already be familiar to occultists who have long been engaged in the study of concentration. and this is the only thing which a man can take with him into 7 . And there are quite enough obstacles to overcome and troubles to avoid without adding to them. inner. "Which of you is boss?" Instead of concentrating the mind. is no attainment and no results. That would be ridiculous and is not at all what I mean. for concentration is not the final target. reading in advance will only create additional burdens to distract an earnest student who is working for really positive results. The exercises themselves have been limited in number to the absolutely indispensable minimum. as the authors are long since dead and their books have disappeared. but most real knowledge. This will undoubtedly be the lot of anyone who attempts to reap the fruits of concentration purely for his own egoistic and material aims. and this should be avoided as far as possible. otherwise unattainable by laymen in this particular subdivision of occult training. in this book. The beginner may know nothing at all about the method facing him and he is strongly advised not to read in advance any of the chapters beyond those on which he is working. and the inescapable—but how welcome—mysterious. It is only a necessary ability and tool which allows a man a higher and better level of lifeconsciousness. These latter exercises are the work of the most authoritative and competent exponents. which is only harmful and destructive. The worst that can happen to a student lacking the will power to fulfill exactly all the instructions as prescribed. This is very important.Concentration Mouni Sadhu II The Method Any secondhand treatment of this subject will be of little use to students who really want to get positive results from their efforts. There are very many instances where people have spoiled their work and extinguished their enthusiasm by unnecessary curiosity. as every change gives rise to some fluctuations within the mind. It is the fulcrum on which will rest your whole inner world. Why not ask your mind here and now. I have systematically gathered together a number of practical exercises. Some have been developed by the writer himself. especially the advanced ones (Chapter XVIII and XIX). Curiosity is the true creator of problems and by yielding to that vice how can we expect to acquire the opposite virtue. So. This will be your first small showdown with the rebellious and selfish mind. But not even the smallest detail should be omitted from the exercises. more or less developed minds. which is peace of mind? This does not mean that we should completely abandon thinking with our present. but nevertheless they have all been chosen according to one standard-tested proof of their usefulness and safety. all of which have been used and tested as regards their effectiveness.
once gained. may end all the deeper questions of your life.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Eternity. It is essential that you curb the excessive curiosity of your mind for at least the short periods when you are working for perennial instead of mortal and ephemeral things. no matter in what forms or worlds he may continue to manifest himself. 8 . Do you not agree that these half-hours or so should be free from the slavery in which you are at present held by your uncontrolled and unruly mind? Its conquest will yield you something which.
he does not even think about it and works without worrying whether or not his hands will do just what he wants at a given moment. and to test the results of that training in concentration. but also of causes. a pinhead. Why some thoughts come to him. So it would seem that the average man is not a good craftsman. P. then I would like him to explain to me. And if he can foretell what things he will be thinking about a few minutes hence. then we have to recognize that we are not masters of our minds. It does not need any proof or special explanation. Indeed. This is just what is required of a disciplined mind. For example. A craftsman feels sure that his hands will obey him and execute the exact movements he requires. True concentration is not merely an ability to direct and maintain our full and exclusive attention for some minutes on. Can he really of his own will close his mind to an annoying or obsessing thought? Where do his thoughts actually come from? If these questions remain unanswered. say. To put an end to this far from desirable condition is one of the first and foremost aims of this study of concentration. no matter whether or not he "invited" them. modify its speed and finally to stop it when needed. An amazing example illustrating the direct influence of concentrated human will power on matter is that of a needle turning in a glass of water. Can you affirm with utter certainty that you always think only when and about what you really want to. The practical study of concentration opens to us the world not only of results. Mme. Now look closely at the functions of your mind-brain. Under such conditions hands and other human organs. instead of pouring a glass of water when you are thirsty. your hand lights a cigarette or even refuses to move at all. But the average man does not use even a fraction of that power properly. if he knows why he is thinking in a particular way and not in another. capable of functioning in their own particular sphere of action. constitute a harmonious unit. H. His life is spent in using and accepting something which originates outside his reach and understanding. your honest answer will be in the negative. and lifts us beyond the slavery of uncontrolled feelings and thoughts. Annie Besant. 9 . when working properly.Concentration Mouni Sadhu III The Use of Concentration The power of concentrated thinking as applied to everyday life is very well known and widely recognized. and that therefore you know from where your thoughts and feelings come into the light of your consciousness? Can you withhold the entry or limit the duration of thoughts in your mind for as long as you wish? If you are able to analyze your thinking processes. Imagine now that some part of your body refuses to obey the impulses issued from the control center of your brain. If the reader disagrees with this. but rather it is the ability to stop the thinking machine and look at it when it has ceased revolving. Mrs. or better to himself. because he cannot control his chief tool—the mind and its thoughts. Control of a machine means that we are able to put it into action. Surely you will consider that such a hand is of little use. Blavatsky used this to train her disciple.
it could be used in conjunction with No. Sit facing the glass with your chin cupped in your palms.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Place a small needle in a glass of water and to prevent it sinking. gaze at it intently with a strong desire to turn it by the sheer force of your will. Moreover. Do not discuss your project with anyone. According to every rule of concentration. If your concentration has been strong enough. cover with a thin layer of grease by smearing your fingers with a little oil or butter and passing the needle between them. the process may become much faster. For example. Perhaps it would be better to try this exercise after some closer acquaintance with others described in Part III. It will be enough if you know this and observe silence. it may give the student much self-confidence and faith in his powers. Then when the needle is lying quietly on the surface. However. except perhaps those who are known to you to be following the same line of work. concentrating on it as if imaginary beams were issuing from both your eyes. Then you will be more likely to succeed. in this course I wish to speak plainly about things without adding unnecessary trimmings. Later on. 10 . apart from incontestable proof of the possibility of influencing matter by the direct concentration of the human will. with all its possible consequences. Do not blink. The exercise has its value because it is relatively easy to understand and perform and is a visible test of acquired ability. But absolute silence is still preferable. the curious thoughts of those who know about your efforts will persecute you and only add to the burden of unwanted thoughts you are trying to destroy. as your experience grows and with it your will power. especially those of Tibet. thereby avoiding disappointment. If well performed. In some occult schools. the needle will gradually start to turn as desired. and this applies to all the techniques given in this book. no other thought should be permitted to enter your mind and all your attention must be focused on compelling the needle to change its position by about 45 to 90 degrees. 4A in Chapter XIX. Breathe slowly and rhythmically as this may accelerate the result. Talking only wastes your will power and greatly impedes the success of the exercises. elbows supporting them and resting on top of a table. The student must not talk about his exercises. there is much importance attached to this exercise. which the student can investigate and realize for himself. It should then be lowered carefully and slowly onto the surface of the water so that it floats freely in the middle without touching the sides of the glass.
Unfortunately. hints and advice are being given to the Almighty on how He should act.Concentration Mouni Sadhu IV The Role of Concentration in a Spiritual Search In the West. If we carefully analyze their lives and methods of attainment. "Meditation". thoughts. When one of them is immersed in his prayers and pious meditations. and so often is. while in the East they are termed yogis. and not of a helmless boat tossed in all direction by the waves of the Unconquered mind and its children. His only tool is his power of concentration. and what He may bestow on the worshiper. we usually refer to those who are performing such a search as saints. for it implies that when someone prays about anything. We will now try to show the depth of ignorance hidden be hind this misnamed "scientific" point of view. 11 . we will undoubtedly recognize that the one thing which distinguishes them from average men is their conscious. things will be spoken of from a nonsectarian and impartial point of view. that is usually not the case. also based on the one-pointedness of the mind. deeply concentrated man. sadhus and samyasins. Such a man. is a living proof of the fact that concentration is essential to yogic practices. With a yogi. Now we should turn our attention to another very important factor in a spiritual search. because as a rule he is fairly conscious of his tools. although under different names. wholly dedicated to an idea. It is the power of concentration which can be. What is true prayer? Nowadays the word itself is often misused and misinterpreted The so-called "elite" circles of a number of occult and mystical organization are far too quick at comparing and identifying prayer with different forms of their favorite modern term. Such a conception deprives God of His most sublime absolute goodness and love of humanity. the yogi will do the same with his mantras. used in the form of what we call prayer. mystics and spiritually minded seekers. pranic currents or mental images. as the reader may recognize. Often such a man may even be unconscious of the name which we are using here to define his ability. too many people of mediocre intelligence readily accept such treacherous and senseless statements. Some people who are negatively disposed toward prayer often attempt to justify their attitude by offering the following sort of reason to the general public: The Conception of prayer is ridiculous to every serious thinker. Saints and yogis gain control of themselves by steady practice. The particular ways in which an Eastern seeker applies his power of concentration do not matter as far as this study is concerned. he has achieved that state only because he possesses a certain degree of domination over his mind and feelings. In this book. which they believe to be their highest. and often possesses an elaborate set of theories which he uses to follow his particular path. The tool always remains the same. one-pointed and intensely concentrated lives. For those who have been fortunate enough to see a man belonging to one of these types of "seekers" there must be the recognition that their first impression of him was that of an inwardly. which does not involve the student in accepting or rejecting any particular creed. although it may still be far from perfect. While the saint repeats his prayers day and night.
prayer may have some advantage over the corresponding type of meditation.e. since we can never exist apart from Him. which is just this living consciousness. which asks of its source and not of some cruel deity. That which prays is not a foreign and separate entity worshiping some far-off lord of the world. Analyzing the process of prayer. and which pays homage to the same central infinite Light. Our consciousness is a fragment of His consciousness. There were no requests for earthly benefits.. And that we live only in Him. no thoughts and. Every true philosophy teaches. for it supports the greatest of all fallacies: that God is a person and is something separate from the life created by Him. One person may pray about material advantages.. we usually find that an utterly different kind of prayer was used by these great saints of both the East and West. that our relationship to Him is like that of opposite poles or the two sides of a coin. no matter how infinitesimal it may appear to us at first sight. etc. No! It is a ray of the light of the same Absolute. the highest manifestation of consciousness in the average man as we know it. proceeding directly from the central consciousness. does surely participate (although perhaps unconsciously) in the creation and perpetuation of the manifestation of the unmanifested Absolute. It is apparently (but only apparently) a temporary and finite being. for there is no place in the universe from which He is absent. another about the welfare of his closest relatives or for the relief of sickness and so on. i. 12 . two things which are forever different. but primitive types of "meditation" in some occult schools and similar organization Such meditations have as aims.. that He is omnipresent. And such a being has every right to worship with the hope that its prayers may be heard and fulfilled. On this level. more or less perfect and pure.. These facts change things completely. but who lack this vital quality. If it were true that God and His creatures possessed such characteristics. the cardinal error in such a judgment will be easily seen. perhaps. Such a being. elevated or ecstatic ideas. is a reflection of His life as the Whole. then these quasiphilosophers might be right. and great religions reveal to us. The heart of one capable of feeling it is always nobler than that of those who are considerably more mentally developed. In the chronicles (diaries and biographies) of exceptionally advanced human beings. This level corresponds to the more commonly known. we will find that there are different kinds and degrees of it. which is often lacking in the "meditations" so beloved by occultists and similar people. and therefore more or less effective.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Such an opinion is based on a childish concept which has long since been rejected by all enlightened seekers of Truth. for in it appears an important factor—a degree of devotion to the Highest Being. all of which belong to the realm of the mind. Man's consciousness is able to merge into and become one with the consciousness of the Whole. God. The thinking process linked with the emotions is the common basis of such prayers and meditations and is just what we may see around us every day. There is no power on this level more purifying than devotion. visualizations development of definite virtues. We are not something separated from the Whole which we call God. Our life.e. but if the matter is carefully studied. i. i.e.
for he was fortunate enough to be able to practice such worship. substituting for the word "God" his own term "self" tells us that "there is nothing apart from or beyond that self. and who could impose them? If God is the only possible. the great Teacher defines our relation to the Highest as that of children to their parent. As there is no "personal decision of God" there cannot be any irrevocable "decisions" at all. the primordial light which once created life as we know it is reached. Therefore there cannot be any so-called unavoidable fate or destiny. mysterious spiritual prayer so well known to the first Fathers of the Christian faith and to the later great followers of the Teacher Himself. inflexible and inexorable. and worship is attainment." Giving us the idea of the fatherhood of God. Francis of Assisi. as shown by the great Rishi Ramana Maharshi when he says: Attainment is simply worship. In explaining the question of the so-called unchangeable destiny of man. The living consciousness – God ." Christ spoke even more definitely when He stated: "I said you are God's. Seraphim of Sarov in East Russia (eighteenth century). St. penetrating the wholeness of manifestation like the ether of the ancient philosophers. When we are able to approach such a sublime form of prayer. the late Paul Sédir of France who died in 1926. for who would make them? The manifestation of the universal life is like the ever-moving currents of a river. existence. The waves are constantly changing shape and even the river itself may alter the lay of its bed. his master once told him: The imminent future can be modified by the conscious efforts of enlightened people. we may find many scientific descriptions of this exalted form of prayer. words and emotions. like St. embracing all and everything. but just this mute. and hence self-contained. every action. Jean de Vianney of France (who lived only a century ago) and many others unknown to the general public. The Maharshi. and is very close to the ideal prayer-meditation. St. And so the power of prayer coming from His devotees is part of His own illimitable powers." And Sankaracharya says: "In truth. is only a working of the One Life (God). and not as "things" created for the temporary pleasure of a cruel deity. and nothing more remains to be attained. 13 . You should worship the Highest by giving up your whole self to Him and showing that every thought. In the works of that great contemporary mystic and disciple of a true master. So the prayer of a child is a different matter from that of a creature begging from a far-off dispenser of good and evil. H. Instructions to F. then we may be able to understand why the highest type of meditation by far transcends those appearing in books. In it. as some would-be philosophers like to imagine.Concentration Mouni Sadhu no emotions in the everyday meaning. Vincent. this whole universe is only Spirit. Humphreys What an example of concentration! This highest form is beyond all thoughts mental images. like St.cannot be subjected to such limitations. which take the form of prayer. then His reflections and rays must of necessity participate in Him. and so on.
the two latter being his "soul" according to accepted theory. And it is the surrender . And this is undoubtedly progress for a man. Perhaps they may meet in that mystical land of attainment.to the Highest.. it will be seen that yogis do not possess a monopoly of the state of Samadhi. will also find what they are seeking. so each will lose his separate existence and be absorbed into the motionless sea of Perfection. For them." In true prayer there is another factor which is lacking in the lower forms of popular meditation. his triple manifestation. There are infinitely more people who are better able to pray than to meditate. as well as instinctively far more natural. The Maharshi said: "What is not natural is not permanent and what is not permanent is not worth striving after. but frequently proves to have been well known long ago in our own countries under different names and forms. the great saint who reached Wisdom through love. We can find many striking examples in contemporary literature where prayer has helped in situations which quite logically . 14 . for instance. If the famous Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis is studied. What is really meant by even a modest and imperfect surrender to the Lord? It is the surrender of what one believes to be himself. as. a man already .recognizes the existence of the higher principle in himself. Just as a falling drop merges into the ocean.have appeared to be hopeless. emotions and thoughts.even for a short time . and the great sage who attained perfect Love through his wisdom. Knowledge derived from countries of differing culture and traditions often has an exotic appeal which excites our curiosity." Those who are acquainted with the higher aspects of meditation always prefer its snowy peaks and the magnificent. there is absolutely nothing new in this world. devoid of egoism and greed.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Now we can better understand from whence comes the enormous power of prayer. so often noted. The higher forms of meditation lead on to the super-consciousness of Samadhi the ecstasies of Western saints who used prayer are akin to these same states of consciousness. not only by saints but also by many average men. And those who approach the Infinite Lord by their devotion.even if un consciously . in comparable view of Infinity seen from those heights.e.from the standpoint of human foresight and Possibilities . mortal and finite body. Is this wrong? By no means! For even by a temporary surrender of the unreal part of him. i. The wise old Ben-Akiba stated truly when he said: "All this was before and long ago. prayer is something much closer and understandable.
while the fool merely tries to free himself from the circle. Then you are not the one directing your life. because the result will be contrary to what he expects. to acquire peace of mind. 15 . The wise person uses this knowledge as his guide. to profit materially from the exhibition of his powers. All of the aforesaid should be well considered and thoroughly realized if you wish to qualify for an earnest study of the subject of this book. such as: the ambition to develop some psychic abilities for the performance of so-called occult tricks in order to influence and puzzle others. Among the many I would like to mention only a few examples: The desire to shape one's life into a reasonable and logical pattern. the student must have a definite aim. but a considerable weakening of his powers will be the ultimate attainment in such a case. fears. Not a strengthening. and for its attainment he must realize that the foremost condition is the ability to concentrate.Concentration Mouni Sadhu V Who Is Qualified to Study Concentration? Usually the first answer to suggest itself is "he who knows what he wants. despite that karma which affects the three lower worlds of the physical. These two are opposite poles—weakness and strength. and so on—then it would be better for him not to try at all. but all of them should be soundly based and not impracticable. uncertainty and hypocrisy. To succumb to all these things indicates an extremely weak will power in a man. If the student has only petty aims. For without this will factor no study of concentration and successful achievement of the target is ever possible. and independent and free from any outer compulsion. or a circle. Aims may differ. lower desires. passions. curiosity or other petty motives can never be factors leading to success. to develop the art of avoiding outer suggestions as regards one's way of thought. Concentration cannot be a refuge for weaklings. then factors foreign to your true self are at work in you." In other words. In religious terminology they are referred to as temptations. Mere interest. to get the utmost from one's abilities. But concentration is in itself proof of a more developed will power. but are rather a slave of powers which are not exactly known to you. from which there can be no escape. and often as sins. the astral and the mental. or an escape from well-earned karma. or as a means of gaining something. Everything which is unreasonable and unjustified by strict logic should be avoided if you are to reap the best results from the exercises you will find in the following chapters. (See Part III. the development of a strong will to enable one to steer one's life into any chosen channel. Now you may see the sequence and interdependence of things which seem to form a closed curve. unless one is engaged in a true spiritual search.) If you commit something which you know—through cold and impartial analysis—to be unreasonable and unnecessary. and by a will well armed against passions. Chapters XV—XX. It is a psychological law in man that the greatest inner strength can be generated only by pure and sound inspiration. to suggest to others that they do something against their convictions and will.
Although many normal men and women are capable of satisfactorily completing a degree course. Having read this chapter. not every one of them could have become a Raphael or a Rembrandt. obey its voice. if not nonsensical. It would be illogical. The idea of inner control and its performances is true and fruitful. Now the answer to the question expressed in the title of this chapter—"Who Is Qualified…?"—should come more easily to you.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Another explanation may be even better: to pass successfully all tests on the complete techniques of concentration and the accompanying practical philosophy may be far harder than gaining a university degree. I am not attempting to present concentration as a panacea for everything and everyone. But do not forget the other side of the coin: if your heart tells you to do it. the ability to concentrate instead of just acquiring a load of mental baggage. There must be an inner attraction to the art of concentration and not just the expectancy of repulsive work. you are in a position to analyze and decide for yourself whether or not you are ripe enough. 16 . as in the case of the innumerable painters throughout history. namely. but only for those who are able to see it. Of course. not all of these same people are able to create in themselves something which was not present before. for.
P. I will mention just a few of these conditions. and as he is still weak (the very fact of hesitancy is proof of this) he cannot resist the whisperings of his own mind. Blavatsky: "Mind is a good servant. for there cannot be any compulsion in a study as subtle as this. it is true. 3. intuitional and firm conviction that work of this kind will actually open for the individual the gateway to a new and better life. As a rule. the student does not easily. but they do not affect the general rule. For such a person a weekend's concentration with all its exercises will be almost useless. if you completely agree with what you have read in Chapter III ("The Use of Concentration") and if you are able to arrange the few preliminaries given as preparation in Part III. and which affects your will power. but one must be able to hear and see through these organs. This has been beautifully expressed by H. This is because this subtle form of 17 . It is the entering into a new state of consciousness about which you cannot possibly know or anticipate anything until you achieve the twofold realization just mentioned. you should know that the way of concentration leads much further than to the mere capacity for one-pointedness of mind. resulting from disease or an ailment. once disappointed. On the other hand. but a cruel master. 2." Such a person cannot have much hope of following our way. is a clear obstacle to any inner effort by a beginner. for. It will be well if you accept even in theory—what is for many of us a fact—that the mind is inimical to every effort on the part of man to subdue it. if ever. but my physical limitations are hindering me from beginning what I recognize to be very useful. Lack of inner. which should be your servant and not your master. there are usually exceptional cases in everything. which is not possible for everyone. Christ told us plainly that there are people who have ears and eyes. which leave no time or energy for systematic and continuous practice. and the simultaneous transcending of both these factors." Also. The right psychological condition is that of recognition that you are not your mind. "I realize the necessity of perfecting my thinking apparatus and will power. Under such conditions a man should abandon the whole enterprise as being too premature. There must also be a firm decision in these matters. but yet who hear not and see not. Too many heavy engagements in everyday life. return to the same studies. which tell him to abandon the whole idea. Actual success means nothing less than the understanding of the mind's nature and source. One has ears and eyes. Doubts arise in him.Concentration Mouni Sadhu VI Conditions for Success There are some physical conditions which to a certain extent might influence the success or failure of your efforts to study this book. An extreme physical weakness. the conditions for a fruitful study spontaneously arise for those ripe enough for the purpose. Of course. It is worth mentioning that the idea will not present itself if the possibility does not exist for the enlargement of consciousness in this way. 1. then you may act with reasonable hope of full success. For example: a man may say.
Concentration Mouni Sadhu energy has its own dimmed consciousness which is not always identical with that of a man's. in addition to the fact that his spiritual master had affirmed that such a division is useful and corresponds closely to the actual truth. anxiety. was helped greatly by developing the idea of separateness between man and his mind. lack of time. The writer. etc. Too often the interests of both—man and his mind—are opposed. You can observe the following simple example for yourself: Often when you need to use your mind-brain. 18 . it refuses to co-operate and finds many excuses such as fatigue. at any rate.
will give you the key to the new consciousness which opens the mysterious gate from which you can see your life as it really is. Then you will recognize that even the unchanged karma belonging to your petty personality is something really apart from you. So he usually passes through life. The effort to master concentration is a long-distance journey. The average man is usually born without this ability.Concentration Mouni Sadhu VII Advice to the Student Some people have a wrong idea about the methods and out come of a study of concentration. is the root of all the higher abilities in a man . Surely. You may become a doctor. which they imagine will fall into their hands without too much effort on their part. the results of which may be quickly forgotten or submerged in our busy daily round. the complete domination of the mind. 19 . In the first place.is quite serious and strenuous work. Everything will go well if you begin the exercises in Part III with pleasure and keen interest. But you make your choice because you feel that one particular profession and its studies and no other is best suited to you. Some will say. you will easily obtain practical benefits like those mentioned in the previous paragraph. I myself have seen gentlemen performing different exercises taken from books of a purely theoretical character. Similarly with ladies knitting away peacefully. at least to a degree worthy of mention. professor. It will not be of much use trying to perform them if they are an annoying and unpleasant task. as I mentioned previously. Yes! But will you then care about titles and visible honors? Concentration will not necessarily cure your physical diseases or change your personal karma. It is much harder than earning a degree. while reclining in easy chairs and puffing smoke rings from their cigarettes. they are still as far from their misty aims as they were at the beginning of their strivings.which considered practically. And often some of them cherish the belief that the very fact of belonging to different occult and initiatory organizations puts them in a better position to grasp the ripe fruit of success. if the study is successfully conducted to the end. But in this line of study you have to change your former nature and create something which was not present before. This should be well understood before a start is made. It is quite a different problem from that of learning the formal concepts of. clergyman or what you will. lawyer. say. So somewhere deep inside you there must be something which inspires you to such an apparently abstruse study. and it is not a matter of filling one's mind with the thoughts of others from books and trying to solve and answer problems and questions already solved and answered long ago. philosophy from books and lectures. its final aim. that if and when success does come. of course. it will give you no tangible advantage or gain. Some simply say that they love their chosen work. An example may be helpful: When you matriculate. perhaps at underwear for their grandchildren. Concentration is very different from that. many professional courses are open to you. I do not know how far this type of person can advance. We should realize that the ability to concentrate . calling for the whole of our attention and not just a few minutes each day. On the other hand. and no degrees or honors. Exactly the same thing must happen to you when you decide to study concentration.
As you will see for yourself. you may find its real meaning. you will see that your best progress was made when you quietly performed the exercises without worrying about the mistakes made or how many steps ahead yet remained. but a label means less than. It is not advisable to give anyone a "ready-made" truth. Later you will also see that the greatest enlightenment. what of a full bottle without any label…? 20 .Concentration Mouni Sadhu If you think deeply about what you have just read. say. This has been done deliberately in order to help the earnest student first to lay a solid basis for his work and to understand why. is a great hindrance to concentration. But then. It is essential to create your own clear. When you have attained some advanced degree of domination of your mind by the newly gained ability of one-pointedness. the first two parts of this book are really an introduction. So why continue to do now something which you know to be an obstacle that must be removed before success can come? A religious man will say that this is a state of affairs which involves a certain kind of "faith. continuous self-examination (which is a consequence of the anxiety and restlessness of the mind) as to whether or not you are progressing quickly enough. explanation and preparation for Part III. Realize that the essential thing in concentration is your actual work along the line chosen and not just the empty deliberations of your mind. Things must be discovered and tried personally. On psychological grounds. It robs you of quiet self-confidence which is a vital condition for success. how and under which conditions he may study concentration and what he may expect from it. just as no one else can eat and digest food for you in order to give you the necessary strength to live. inner peace and joy come to you when your feverish thinking is reduced to a minimum." This may be so. individual conception about the foregoing remarks so that knowledge may take the place of your former uncertainty and anxiety. which is composed of the actual exercises and techniques. the really good contents of a wine bottle.
Concentration Mouni Sadhu Part II Psychological preliminaries and keys 21 .
. From the start we hear little about feelings and emotions. We may find a perfect parallel to our own study in the mental Yoga called Raja Yoga (i. when certain thoughts occur. in Raja Yoga the mind and its functions are put before another power in man which is often called the heart.e. But as Raja Yoga insists. the deepest concentration) is the regulation and even 22 . This happens because of an assumption that if the mind. do you know why there sometimes arises in you a particular feeling which has a stream of thoughts as a direct consequence? Or why. For example. we should start with the mind first. the breath becomes slower and more rhythmical. The proof? Yes! we have it. This is quite a logical statement. This is a fact which need not be contested. Here a very accurate conception is put forward—you and your mind are not identical. as the crown of them all. however. Royal Yoga) Its object is to attain perfect control of the mind which then sometimes acquires what to laymen are wonderful qualities and powers. Later you are given the reverse of this. And this side of things is often overlooked by second-class teachers of Yoga. when the consciousness begins to rise above the usual level of thoughts and excludes them for a while. This may be so at times.. From the many existing branches of Yoga we will examine only those which use concentration as their motive power.Concentration Mouni Sadhu VIII Eastern Methods or Yoga (Mind before Heart) Nowadays. On these are based all the tricks and phenomena of the lowest type of Indian occultists such as fakirs and others. many of whom are not even occultists but are merely more or less able showmen. how could a teacher of Yoga train you to dominate your mind if both you and he were the same as your minds? You will also hear another important statement. they bring with them particular emotions and remembrances of feelings? It is very hard for an untrained beginner to penetrate into the origin of the currents in his Consciousness. as superior to the emotional counterpart in man. an advanced occultist or a saint. for if a result of Samadhi (i.e. for in due time the breath will stop completely without any harm to the body of the student. has been subdued. But the process can go much deeper. the astral body (feelings) and mental body (thoughts) in your everyday Consciousness are practically indivisible. the realization of man's true being or self) have their followers in countries outside of India and other exotic Eastern lands. The West possesses its own particular methods and exercises which lead ultimately to the same unique goal. But the methods of inner progress and acquisition of subtle powers (and. when we speak about concentration and other occult practices. Anyway. the Eastern tradition or Yoga often comes involuntarily to mind. Before you become a yogi. It has been observed that during the time of effective concentration. I am not in full agreement. but not always. apart from constant admonitions that both must be dominated and removed from the field of Consciousness of a Raja yogi. with which. the lower one—also called the "astral body"—will automatically be controlled. Otherwise.
when fighting the battle for supremacy of my mind. and when next you assume that position and method of breathing. as their name is truly legion..e. Many years ago. In my opinion (a) is true and can easily be proved. such as an icy-cold bath. or were they only temporary stimulants and conditionings of outer circumstances? The student had best decide this for himself. the reverse of this. In this course. If the student then wishes to engage in a wider and higher search. when in due course you learn more about how to use pure will power to achieve your aim. or even bring you to Samadhi. not cumbersome. which will eventually disappear of themselves. for then you show who is boss. the whole mental exercise will proceed fairly well. and this is the beginning of further and better things. and by the same fact the vital energy of the body.e.Concentration Mouni Sadhu stoppage of breath then: (a) rhythmical breathing should facilitate or (b) produce onepointedness of the mind. the more advanced degree of his development must be aided by the grace of a true spiritual master. and every occultist is entitled to modify the existing ones and invent 23 . I found that suppression of persistent thoughts is easily achieved when the body is subjected to a sudden and unexpected shock. but stimulation of the will power was one of the most important. When you place your body in unusual and slightly dangerous conditions (for a certain element of danger always exists in such experiences). We are aware of the power of habit in concentration. Also. or prana. There is no harm in such imaginings. the student will be given some reasonable. let alone Samadhi. artificial methods for breathing and sitting (i. So if you have the conviction that a certain way of sitting or breathing has contributed greatly to a well-performed exercise (see Part III). that some special asanas (or postures) and certain ways of breathing may create onepointedness in your mind. the subtle sense of separation from the body may appear. i. It is not my intention to expound the innumerable techniques of yogic practices. but (b) is not quite correct and if firmly believed can bring the danger of disappointment to the student. there is no doubt that a suitable position of the body may contribute to more balanced thinking and so help considerably in concentration. but who were still far from any worthwhile mental concentration and the ruling of thoughts by their will. There were also other things achieved by this simple practice. as many Indians believe. as his own will power exclusively is the major one. Did these exercises of physical endurance bring any real ability.. I developed the habit of swimming for a few minutes in a nearby half-frozen river with its dark swollen waters flowing between snow-cover banks. pranayamas and asanas) which may be useful to him as a being still coping with physical conditions. is highly doubtful and experience speaks rather directly against this theory. but the winter months provide a quite sufficiently low temperature in the sea water of the wide bay near my home. then you will probably believe that there is some connection between the two. I have known Hatha yogis who have perfected the domination of their breath. There are no icy rivers where I live now. But he should firmly remember that all of them are by no means decisive factors. Many people have studied and attained great ability in per forming asanas and the artificial methods of rhythmical breathing and retention of breath. and despite this have died without reaching any worthwhile mind control. and it should not prove difficult if he has been attentively reading this chapter. However. As a result of this discovery.
like "Aum" or "Om. Here we use the mantras or holy names. Some of these are renowned and used in many Western circles because of their simplicity and rich inner content. man can and should reach the full achievement of his spiritual struggles. in addition to the explanatory sections (which are by no means less decisive for final success than the exercises). from the elementary stages up to the most advanced and hence difficult ones. by excluding everything from his consciousness as being unreal except the bare essence of being (rays of which are manifested in himself). or parallel to. Quite a few of the latter would be very suitable for our Eastern brothers who are trying to follow the same way. those which were known to me many years ago. This type of useful exercise will be found in Part III. and sometimes just mere words which have nothing in common with religion. since it is far beyond any of them). He points out that there are two ways to attainment. which is very helpful. through first using the power of visualization. which can break through the thick veils of ignorance in which we usually spend our lives. Perhaps the conception of the great Rishi Ramana Maharshi. This excludes the opinions held by the many sectarian yogis and swamis who are still in the school of Yoga and therefore are not authorities on it. To resume. about which you will hear more in Part IV when you have already mastered the other three parts. Some of the exercises." "Hari. A contemporary master of the modern version of the highest Jnana gave his disciples a mighty weapon. Sankara Charya and Sri Ramana Maharshi (the master of the Direct Path. are the same as. and many others. which he evidently supports: 24 . the Eastern methods of concentration are based firstly on the mind's domination and secondly on the purification of the heart. The mind cannot be occupied with anything else but the mantra. There is another variety of Yoga which also uses concentration. The writer agrees with this opinion. Some people believe that it is impossible to practice Jnana before some degrees of Raja and Hatha Yogas have been mastered. who died only a few years ago. especially in the first and second series.Concentration Mouni Sadhu others. The central idea of the Jnana Yoga is that by incessantly directing one's dynamic attention to any problem a man can arrive at the right solution. They are all based on the training of the attention. It is the Yoga of wisdom or Jnana Yoga. a complete series of practical activities. The attention must be directed to the pronunciation of the words. when I personally found them quite adequate and reliable for the average student of concentration. They have been arranged in order. Another sort of exercise concerns sound instead of sight. names of Christ and Siva. which is not a Yoga. In it the meticulous exercises of the Raja Yoga and efforts to control the physical body are banned." the famous Gayatri. some of which are apparently very similar to yogic ones. by fixing it on one simple object of thought. is more explicit. which should then be said many thousands of times daily. as they are considered nonessential. In this course you will find. but in a different way. I speak here of the views of the eminent classical representatives of Indian Yoga like Patanjali. So. and eventually with the counting of the number of repetitions. The student is supposed to be sufficiently advanced to be able to use his powers of concentration for the only worthy aim—self-knowledge or self-realization. It is the Vichara. But the degree of concentration needed for such a lofty goal is infinitely greater than that required for Raja or Mantra Yoga.
will you know the great Self or God and His relationship to the illusory universe. So.e. from this point of view. In this short résumé we can grasp the idea of the Eastern classical attainment and the way to it. if you are unable to work successfully with self. If you persevere the solution will come of itself as in the first instance. Quite logically. 25 . true wisdom is the first and cardinal remedy against errors and suffering.. sense of duality). surrender yourself together with all your problems to the Supreme Being. when you know your true self. and attainment is always the same. only then. Men desire and strive after many things believing that the possession of them will bring happiness. which is the root of every trouble. Secondly. try to discover the truth within yourself by means of Vichara (self-inquiry).inquiry. avoids all trouble as he is seeking for real and not temporal things. The wise person who knows who he is and what be really needs.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Firstly. This inevitably leads to disappointment with its attendant suffering. Sri Maharshi ascribes every evil and all misery to the primary ignorance (i.
The best exponents. None of his contemporaries were able to stand the burden of aggressive evil. But in the Western spiritual tradition this is reversed. the caves of Anatolia. so I will mention only a few of the most interesting and striking ones. the catacombs of Rome. Their practices were very different from those of the average faithful Christian. My interest has been directed to the places where men's inner work has always produced the greatest results. devotional sense. "did not come from God. He began to lead the life of an ascetic as a young man and died well over the age of a hundred years. although no inscriptions revealed their names. no matter what their bodies were engaged in at the time. When I studied the lives of the first and later Christian saints of the Egyptian desert. fix attention first and foremost on the moral purification of man and his religious. Many of them had visions which were not always pleasant and. to give many examples to prove these facts. Sometimes hordes of lions tried to frighten the defenseless 26 . if not more about the value of a one-pointed mind in spiritual achievement than their Eastern brothers. so the mind takes precedence over the heart. which tested the saints' morale and strength of character. they could seldom even visit a church to hear the services because of the difficulty in walking long distances in that climate. At night. most of which were and still are occupied with aims which have practically nothing in common with the great task of transformation and purification of the human mind." Sometimes these took the form of terrible temptations. They had fled from the pagan and decadent cities which were full of immorality. as they said. visions as realistic as anything seen by day followed one after the other. The early Christian saints spent years in constant prayer without the complicated rituals of the sacred books. it was said. and so his cave was a lonely place in the desert. such as this. in order to pursue their own way unmolested. especially for men emaciated by fasting. I am not including the numerous and usually short-lived occult societies and groups. In certain old chronicles. and the monasteries of Kiev and Western Europe. During the third century of this era. I saw many similar caves in which. which are still extant. Their caves and poor cells and huts were for them places of spiritual resurrection. everyday life and burial. some great saint or yogi was buried. there is much material about the life of the well-known St. who had to face the most insidious and fierce at tacks of evil.Concentration Mouni Sadhu IX The Western Tradition (Heart before Mind) As the Eastern occult schools treat concentration as a means of achieving the highest goal. so frequently demonstrated in the saint's presence. among the hot sands and rocks of the Egyptian desert west of the Nile and also around the fertile delta of that great river were the abodes of many men of the first Christian Church—the ascetics. who were recognized as saints. often violent and of hideous appearance. I reached the firm conviction that Western adepts knew as much as. apart from a few dissentients. It is impossible within the framework of a book dedicated to a particular aspect of inner work. Living. When in India. and using only a kind of mantra which they repeated all their waking hours. so many miles from habitation. probably nearer 106. Anthony the Great. as they did.
it was believed to have the property of immediate dissipation of all evil apparitions. But. Holy and Mighty. Perhaps it would be better to use the term "awakened. 27 . and this is just the motive force which acts. But the saint knew that all these visions and visitations were only illusions arising from his own mind. as have many other saints and yogis. In Christian mysticism. Among the special prayers and exorcisms which were used to combat the attacking evil forces was one that attracted my notice by its exceptional force and depth. And the just rejoice! This is a literal translation from the old Greek. there lies hidden a deep meaning and consequent effectiveness. when He is conscious and fully active in goodness He is considered as being in a "dormant" state in the things we call evil. But our will may also be strongly stimulated by other suitable outer means. as well as sinful thoughts and moods and other inner troubles. It is still occasionally used in the Greek Orthodox Church. since it leaves the Almighty Himself to deal with offenders and aggressors. the above exorcism may be of value to students who experience serious difficulty in creating the "astral or odic armor" (see last paragraphs of Chapter XVIII). this exorcism is an impersonal one. some explanation seems to be necessary. often with the name of Christ added. When slowly spoken aloud. Before I give it." but who are we to change the tradition of almost eighteen hundred years? May God be resurrected and His foes vanish. because in such texts the exactness seems to be more important than the smooth outer form of the words. He endured and left to posterity an example of the human spirit's power and strength. Behind the somewhat dogmatic expression given to it by the Church. temptations and mental disturbances. God is considered. So the word "resurrected" in the following exorcism has a very deep meaning. inner troubles. according to the dogmas..e. shouting with a voice like thunder: "Where is that sinner Anthony? I will crush out his life with my feet and carry his soul into the depths of hell!" Poisonous snakes of monstrous size writhed their hideous bodies round the bare neck of the praying saint. Moreover. Holy and Immortal—be gracious unto me! This was and is still used in some monasteries and is repeated thousands of times daily. which greatly enhances its ethical power. Beautiful angel-like women tried to force him to look at them in the hope of inciting him to commit a sin. and great powers are ascribed to this old verse as a guard against the evil will. If used with faith and strength. as smoke is dispersed by the wind. as omnipresent i. As wax melts before fire. while scorpions tried to nest in his hair. So may all who hate the Lord flee from His sight. which helped concentration more than anything I had known previously. Of course.Concentration Mouni Sadhu man and on one occasion a giant whose head towered into the clouds threatened to slay him. effective use of the words implies strong concentration. existing in even the worst manifestation of the dark forces. I would also like to quote another mantra in the form of a short prayer which is used in both Western and Eastern Christian churches: God the Holy. thus enabling us to reach a level of concentration we never before knew.
" Many Hindu swamis firmly believe that they may reach Samadhi by practicing the rhythmical retention of breath for as long as they can. On both sides of the passages were single cells. increasing to two thousand. with thin parchment-like faces and wax-yellow hands crossed on their breasts. Seraphim of Sarov. The methods of "mental travel" used in some occult manuals as a means for onepointedness have their equivalents. will show you whether the Eastern Yogas have any monopoly in their ideas.Concentration Mouni Sadhu If you read the meditations and instructions of St. 28 . we find a record of many mysterious happenings which we call miracles. I am referring to the cures and other super-physical activities of those few "friends of God. methods and results. was one of the greatest and most interesting. There is neither room here nor purpose in enumerating many of them. providing you are acquainted with them. In 1918 when I was occasionally in Kiev. Who then actually possesses the "copyright" for such methods? While I was in India I heard of some yogis and even yoginis who were sealed up alive in caves on the slopes of a holy mountain. so I shall limit the examples to one which is the most striking because of its superb simplicity. Seraphim said: "You will feel a wonderful warmth in your heart. although perhaps more pronounced. When demonstrating this. whose subterranean galleries went deep under the River Dnieper. Ignatius Loyola written by him for the members of the order which he founded. the ancient capital of the Ukraine. who spent many years in darkness and solitude praying both day and night. I used to visit the famous old monastery of Petchersk. built about seven hundred years ago. and then later to three and more until seven thousand was reached. At the same time he advised the use of a morning and evening exercise for trying to retain the breath for fairly long periods while incessantly repeating the same prayer inwardly. I was shown some of their bodies. so typical of the Christian saints of the highest order. "Only repeating the holy name of Christ" was the answer. and who received only a little food through a small window or hole in a wall. it is certain that. and the repetition will soon become automatic and easy. He taught an almost direct combination of Raja and Mantra Yoga to his pupil-monks. They lay in open coffins in the usual modest black clothes of monks. the East Russian saint. you will immediately think of Raja and Bhakti Yogas. But there were no signs of decomposition and no smell of decay. "How did they spend their long lives?" I asked the prior. In his life and wisdom. In the earliest as well as the more recent chronicles of the lives of the saints. in the famous Loyola exercises." as Paul Sédir so beautifully styled them. all of which are described before the actual exercises. some with only a little square hole in place of a door. authenticity and modesty. The building up of mental pictures of tremendous reality by concentration and the creation (by the same means) of currents of emotion directed into certain channels of consciousness. An unrivaled example of a perfect combination of Mantra and Bhakti Yogas. I think that many famous Indian yogis of the past would have liked to have known their advanced Western brethren. He advised them to repeat the already mentioned short prayer (the second quoted above) at first one thousand times daily. It was said that at one time these cells used to house great ascetics. taken from the cells many years after their deaths. One of the monks told me that in such cases the only means of knowing whether or not the hermit was still alive was by the untouched food left for him in the window-like hole.
death was only a few weeks distant. "I think you will be better if you come for a walk. for the air in this forest of ours is very good. prostrating on the earth before the serene Seraphim. is coming to seek for God's Grace. the fame of his cures and other miraculous activities in restoring the inner human balance became widely known in the district surrounding the saint's hut. he remarked: "Now the time is also coming for Seraphim. Have pity on me. but in a different form. Sweep the clearing round the hut [was set in the forest] and prepare a place for His Excellency to sit. And the old man. Then the saint took the cured man into his hut for a few minutes as if for a chat. I hope we shall meet again where no sickness or sadness exists any more. It is God who should be praised and worshiped. but when they reappeared. All were silent. Go on! Go on! A little more practice will do you good. When the coach arrived the servants brought the helpless man before St. many miracles have occurred at the graveside of the saint." remarked the smiling Seraphim. the saint took the sick man's hand in his own meager palm and gently raised the inert body from its seat. who weighed about fifteen stone. who was approximately the same age as the Governor. do not fear for I am holding you. Probably because many of them were so indifferent toward things physical. according to the doctors. But the saint was by no means pleased with the gesture and he quickly lifted the Governor saying to him: "What are you doing. When St. as if scarcely able to credit the miracle. not His servants." said Seraphim. The following account of that strange visit is taken from the still preserved official records. a man like yourself." sadly replied the Governor. I can no longer move. inspired expression on the formerly painmarked face of the Governor. "How do you do. In the lives of the Eastern saints and yogis there have not been many similar examples of this kind of service and help given to those around them. Father? You see that I am unable to move even one step. The official took leave of his benefactor. as taught by the great Rishi Ramana. Excellency. Your Excellency!" said the smiling saint. all right. Seraphim of Sarov was middle-aged. St. The patient who could only speak with great difficulty murmured: "I am dying. began to walk around the clearing beside the saint. Seraphim and placed him in the waiting chair. can't I?" "Yes. "Yes. with every step be coming firmer." "Why do you mock me. my Father. "Now walk with me. those present saw a peculiar. but we shall try it in God's name." laughingly said Seraphim. Seraphim. His wife desperately tried the last hope by taking her husband to St. From the foregoing we can see that the laws governing inner human strength are as well known and applied in the West as in the East." "I can even run. and you walk very well. "I can walk! I can walk!" he cried. "All right. it is God's will that you will be all right now. The then governor was hopelessly bedridden with paralyzed limbs and at the time. in the Western countries the heart 29 . When the coach carrying the dying nobleman was still some two or three hours' riding distance away. also shines here. Only. outlived him by only a year or two." And so saying." Through the following centuries.Concentration Mouni Sadhu The scientific elimination of the mortal ego personality in man." The monks placed the only available chair outside the saint's humble dwelling. Excellency? I am only God's servant." "Who told you such things. Seraphim said to his disciples: "General K. When the death of his pupil was reported to him." Seraphim.
Recipes containing rare but procurable drugs were given which could—and should. There is only one form of payment for such a debt. It is then that the development of the mind's powers cannot be dangerous. there exists a safety valve which controls the activities and numbers of those eager to possess psychical powers. for in the past there has been a great deal known about the use of the fruits of concentration for illegal purposes and this is still the case. The law still does not officially recognize most occult phenomena and activities. a unique and rare volume from an edition of only a few copies. 30 . as the author advised—produce the most deplorable effects. In my youth I read a terrible book. no matter whether in this or other worlds. In this realm. as such a person is necessarily a materialist. either for their owners or for their surroundings. in the East there seems to have been a less obvious demarcation between the two poles of good and evil. which often creates so many difficulties for aspirants to spirituality. such as the ancient and modern rishis. and then order comes to dwell in the pure heart. And not everyone is able or willing to develop the dangerous ability. including death. This means that it is recognized—not without good reason—that first must come the purification and strengthening of the seat of human emotions. who are beyond all reproach and blame. which are so much discussed in occult circles. evil in occultism is always restricted to a certain degree by the weakness and lack of pure aims on the part of the prospective black magician. Its name is suffering. In the East even renowned authors like Patanjali and Sankaracharya seem to be less concerned about the question. leaving the man with a formidable account to settle for his misdeeds.Concentration Mouni Sadhu aspect predominates. Therefore. Human nature is so arranged that for petty or doubtful aspirations in inner training one usually lacks the necessary stamina for the effort. according them merely the status of superstition. Among them was a kind of necromancy as well as the exteriorization of the astral body of a living person and its projection. In spite of this the danger exists. The seat of our moral law must first be balanced. since all lower aims invariably have a body as their base. They claim that any psychic powers worth mentioning are too hard to develop without an adequate moral standard having been reached be forehand. which in India are called "siddhis. written by the once well-known occultist Stanislas de Guaita of Paris. One may or may not agree with this idea. even for such malicious deeds a considerable degree of the same ability of concentration is always needed. with the intention of influencing others for the operator's Own purposes. However. without any fear of judicial retribution. and the mind's subordination follows later. then sickness or death of that body may put an end to the mischievous career. This does not apply to the greatest spirits of the East. In this large work was explained how to perform various occult practices complete with all the techniques. Fortunately. The West still remembers with caution the misuse of powers of concentration by immoral men (black magicians). so that more bungling than real magic is the outcome." It is—endurance. if misused or wrongly applied. It may be useful for you to know something more definite about siddhis. While the black magicians of the West put themselves in opposition to good (as a manifestation of God) and to religion. as everywhere.
Perhaps in no other subdivision of human knowledge does there reign such disorder or lack of a system. Telepathy. to the siddhis acquired by definite and direct efforts.. To begin with. Listen to what the Master Sri Maharshi has to say of such people: "All siddhis need two conditions: the person who exercises them and the others who may see them. Of course. Therefore. As such types of siddhis are exempt from any logical or scientific examination we may leave them alone and pass on to another variety. We may experience them only once in our lives or many times. Men who try to acquire occult powers always do it in order to influence others or even them selves. second sight or ability to foresee past or future events— all of these and many other things could be termed psychical powers. At the same time. such as those practiced by different occult schools in both East and West. had "intuitional" knowledge of another person's thoughts. The first one is the most commonly known.e. Cases have been known where the presence of certain people has had an unquestionable influence on the health or well-being of others. only temporary and do not exist forever. when the student comes into touch with siddhis. transportation of solid objects without any physical means. As duality is only an illusion. which were later fulfilled. or laws as yet unknown but in the course of discovery." Then. use of languages never heard be fore. hypnotism. Many of us have had presentiments of events far ahead in time. they could not otherwise have learned anything about the person apart from letters or communications from others. also called occult powers or psychical forces. and even if they had wished to know. because they have nothing definite to work with. so all such siddhis invariably belong to the realm of illusion. They are. but always we are not in control of them. we may assume that siddhis. they never try to possess the occult powers by the practice of exercises in order to develop them. i. By the foregoing remarks I want to underline the involuntary character of most psychic occurrences. If such people are honest with themselves. therefore. they must freely acknowledge their ignorance about the causes and proceedings which create such phenomena. and experienced strange dreams which later proved to be a hint to one's most intimate inner world. But they can only guess and not arrive at any definite findings on the causes of the phenomena. But they cannot al ways produce their abilities at will. thought reading. Lower kinds of Indian Yoga are also occupied with the same purpose. In all such instances the phenomena can not be produced at will: they are only happenings. he sometimes feels as if he were in a dense forest of mixed and unexplained facts. consist of everything which cannot be practically or theoretically explained by known physical laws. and so they say that "some conditions are favorable or unfavorable.Concentration Mouni Sadhu As a definition. I have known people who possess an involuntary ability to cure certain diseases by the use of touch or prayer. we will define two aspects of siddhis—involuntary and voluntary. Whatever does not possess the attribute of permanence is only illusory and therefore not worth striving to obtain. according to their mentality and inclinations. Some people have seen an apparition of a distant friend or relative and then later received news of the death or of a peculiar accident affecting that person. as in occult problems. chances and nothing more. men try to find one or another explanation. miracle cures. some of them invent different theories which apparently support their guesses. One of their peculiarities is that they transcend physical laws and the results of their application cannot be explained by those laws. there is duality and not unity. in deed." 31 . apparent creation of such objects from nothing (or so it seems to our five senses).
The master takes on these powers as a form of self-sacrifice! The master becomes only the instrument of God. "…. Do not think even of the actual act of seeing or perceiving them. Their number is legion. It is actually unexplainable. but without any effort or striving on his part. when so much far greater illumination and peace of mind are possible without them than with them. No true master ever cared a rap for occult powers. clairvoyance. is absolutely false. in power all around. He is quite satisfied with the mere fact itself. In the Voice of the Silence by Madame H. The uncontrollable and accidental phenomena exhibited by some people. for he has no need of them in his daily life. and when his mouth opens it speaks God's words with out effort or forethought.Concentration Mouni Sadhu The rishi pointed out the true aim of life when he said: "The spiritual power of self-realization is infinitely greater than all the siddhis put together. "Do not fix your attention on all these changing things of life. the thought that such and such an individual who bears their name." Nevertheless those who are strong and persistent enough to achieve concentration often notice that these siddhis actually begin to manifest in them. he knows many things which remain hidden from others. who are not engaged in any particular spiritual search. Therefore. in power to deal with troubles. in peace of mind. cannot flourish in their consciousness If this were not a fact. he will again consciously renounce all of them. and when he raises a hand. clairaudience and such things are not worth having. to work a miracle. and is indifferent to the cause of it. but I believe it to be something like an invisible radiation which can reach to the deepest recesses of the disciple's soul. it is said of a disciple approaching close to the final liberation: "Acquiring the siddhis in the course of his previous path." 4. He would never exhibit such powers before anyone. for he ignores them. There is always a great danger of creating a powerful ego which could be substituted (in the eyes of such a mistaken person) for the true aim of the perennial realization the immortal Truth. As Sri Maharshi said: "The results of concentration (Vichara) will be seen in all sorts of unconscious clairvoyance. possesses the siddhis. Blavatsky. Then. yet always unconscious power. if the man is able to tune this consciousness to the vibrations of the master's spirit. to help and promote the evolution of his disciple's consciousness.Do not think too much of psychical phenomena and such things. are not worthy of our attention. 32 . 2. P. It is the ability. God flows again through that. To recapitulate we can say that: 1. considering them unworthy of mention. 3. and nothing else is of any interest." The persons who obtain these unconscious powers never feel that "they are the ones using the siddhis. then realization would still be a very distant thing for such men. "The idea that a master is simply one who has attained power over the various occult senses by long practice and prayer or anything of the kind. There is a possibility for a person who enters on the path of realization to have some occult senses and powers appear. But he does not know the way in which the light reaches him." And why? Simply because they do not believe in the old myth of their ego personality. The striving after these occult powers as an aim is wrong and does not take us closer to the spiritual realization of being. death and phenomena. but only of that which sees all these things—that which is responsible for it all [the unique self]. There exists a mysterious spiritual siddhi or power which only a perfect master can possess. because they would not as yet have transcended the illusion of the separate perishable being. unaided by any special words or deeds.
Lourdes. There does. they nearly always hurry to make full use of official medical science by taking drugs. the great saints do not usually seek a cure. help will not be forthcoming from any source. They also die much about the same age as average men de spite their assertions (in books) that by following their methods. It is possible. if the man cannot avoid his disease or death.e. or as more often happens— others." or a yogic book to follow. does not restore the health of all the thousands seeking relief. because it was no longer necessary. so-called spiritual healing. But everything is limited in this physical world. medical science. From our point of view. as it calls for an exceptional intelligence and knowledge of laws which are in accessible to the majority of us. incurable from the medical point of view. If you have understood all this. Whoever claims the opposite is deceiving himself. fully known to me. and will never madly pursue different systems and methods of occult healing. no matter what it may be. of which." And the statement made nearly two thousand years ago came to my mind: 33 . famous for its many miracle cures.. Then perhaps. etc. men may enjoy perfect health and live to an almost incredible age. without trying to avoid anything which might happen.. we hear so much and read in numerous advertisements. It is when one deliberately learns in advance the lesson which is to cause misery. Where then lies help? In the clear understanding that: A man who according to his karma has to be cured of his affliction will surely find the right doctor. which sooner or later usually happens to them as with most people. exist in the higher degrees of occult (rather than spiritual) wisdom a means which can apparently dispose of even incurable diseases. unavoidable until one has learned them in full. Western occultism as well as Eastern Yoga often claim their methods to be all-curing or disease preventives. as all such things are only relatively helpful. nowadays. When asked to explain the incredible fact. for he has nothing to learn from it. Then it becomes unnecessary. you will be reason able about the needs of your physical shell. but by comparison. physical and other afflictions are only necessary lessons. they publicize their successful cases far too much. Doctors cannot always help. there was no further reason for the disease to appear. injections and inoculations. Even Christ did not cure all the sick and disabled when He walked amongst us in Palestine. When stricken by disease. So it would be a mistake for an average man to ascribe an infallible effectiveness to any medical or occult treatment. but who was healed without any outer help or attempt to obtain it. I know of an example where a man was stricken with a disease. but if it is not meant to be. but at least they are honest enough to admit the fact. just as it would be point less to send a graduate back to an elementary school. Spiritual healers and others probably effect far less a percentage of cures than do doctors. But when the authors fall ill.Concentration Mouni Sadhu For a discriminating man there is no absolute cure for disease in any Yoga. but only in very rare cases. however. he answered simply: "I only accepted the coming test with all its consequences. but only of an infinitesimal number of the persons who pray in the miraculous grotto. for they have practical knowledge of the source of suffering and infirmity and their meaning. This is that mysterious and usually much misunderstood "burning up of past karma" by certain actions and inner work. I know of many such examples. a suitable "spiritual healer. i.
Mouni Sadhu 34 .Concentration "Not even a hair dares to fall from your head without My Father's will. . To realize this means to reach the inner peace. .
. we should be able to choose from among these vibrations just what we actually need for our everyday life and definitely refuse to occupy ourselves with them when we have better work to do. the result will be void. and all of them are obstacles to the higher degrees of concentration. from my egotistical point of view. for this study. which no one can influence beyond the narrow limits of his activities. 35 . In other words. The result is that I am unable to stop the unnecessary and persistent thoughts in order to begin work on my fifteen minutes of exercises. Fanaticism also often comes to the aid of its unholy brother—superstition. because without a sense of subtle things. In the Eastern tradition there is a handy word for these uncontrolled elements—"vasanas. A weak state of physical health can also be a serious hurdle for beginners. Another obstacle is "instinctive materialism" on the part of the prospective student. for example. at the desired moment. What results can I expect from my exercises if I am unable. to stop my anger or greed against someone near me and consequently think ceaselessly about him? Or if I am occupied with lustful thoughts and cannot break the unclean chain? I may be so unreasonably attached to my family that.Concentration Mouni Sadhu X Obstacles and Aids The chief obstacle to concentration is the uncontrolled emotional nature of the average untrained man. and being physically defective. compelled to think in a faulty way. Intolerance belongs to the same unpleasant family of handicaps. Therefore. can claim plenty of my time apart from these few minutes. both kinds are unwanted.." or innate mental and astral tendencies. To be in the power of superstition is a very serious hindrance. I imagine that I have to be continually anxious about its welfare. because of their inability to make a definite choice. A life of surrender to the Highest is as effective as that of the Direct Path and much more suited to them. and they should at least be controlled. because it is not appropriate for them. etc. plus developing an unreasonable contempt for the writer. These studies are also not for them. How could they then perform the exercises in this book? Still another barrier for many people which closes the door to success is the mania or passion for reading too many books. Usually such people tend to identify themselves with their bodies. The vasanas. At the present time there are still many individuals who are unable to believe or to feel something which they cannot touch or see. Therefore such people would do better if they abandoned their ambitions to become stronger in this way. they feel the same in their thoughts and emotions. in the astral and mental planes. How much material to condemn he would find in them! And by so doing. barring us from any success. are the first serious obstacle which must be pitilessly destroyed if we want to raise our inner status by the study of concentration. This vice is nothing less than a kind of slavery of our mind. Vasanas can be both good and evil. Imagine a fanatical and intolerant sectarian or religious bigot reading these chapters. such people would lose any trust they might have had in the matters discussed.e. or about a birthday gift for my wife. Without some inner strength no study is possible. then. forgetting that every human being has his own destiny and karma. i. Those deliberations about the clothes I have to buy for my son tomorrow.
books are usually for us only crystallized stores of borrowed thoughts created by other men. cold and clear thinking and judgment about life in general. not affected by any of the above-mentioned blemishes of character or body. and not always of use to us. This faulty attitude of the present day is based on the subconscious belief that something from outside may be added to pull us as a mother cat pulls her kitten by its neck. their limbs would soon become weak and useless. but simply feels a strong urge to do so. com pared with the higher wisdom consciousness known in Samadhi. It is wrong of course. This is also quite a good condition. Now. The study of concentration itself is not a remedy for all our faults." and as soon as that has been read. since in all fields of literature they so frequently offer only fiction or near-fiction. Another genuine help is to read inspiring books written by men who themselves have passed through many difficulties in 36 . But one thing is of overwhelming value for the prospective student: a capacity for quiet. It may happen that it is not merely an unquenchable thirst for reading which drives a man from one author to another. and do not succumb to this malady. which is devoid of thoughts. It should be successfully treated be fore an effective study can be undertaken. which they know perfectly well are harmful for them. the lack of all these vices and imperfections is the best help a man can have. speaking practically.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Getting one on a theme which interests them. without expressing itself through the mind. faults in the structure of that mind are almost an absolute barrier impossible to over come in any study. Be careful. But it may also happen that he does not. Inadequate comprehension is the same as insufficient knowledge of a foreign alphabet for someone who wants to read in that particular language. If people decided to walk only with the aid of sticks or crutches. they invariably soon seek something "new. but the fact that he is not satisfied with any so far encountered. and especially in the present one. Although the mind is only a secondary power in man. Sometimes the prospective student knows why he wants to participate in such a course. It is basically a lack of faith in man's own inner strength and value. Everyone speaks only about the things which were apparently very helpful to him and everyone is endlessly seeking for help and still more help. as there is every likelihood that the highest principle in man is driving him on. what may be most helpful for the student? In contemporary occult and psychological literature we find an excess of "aids" in all directions. where then would they find enough inner strength to overcome their mental apathy and laziness? Excessive nervousness is a sickness which may easily affect the will power of a man. In such a case there is nothing more to say then: "Seek and ye shall find. On the other hand. Next in importance is sincere interest in possessing the abilities given by concentration. and the presence of virtues is the most favorable of conditions. Their lives pass without being properly and reasonably used. they again start their interminable searching. will undoubtedly enjoy a fair reward from an earnestly undertaken study of the subject. Anyway. an average man." Addicts of drunkenness or other habit-forming vices cannot possibly hope to be students of concentration for the simple reason that their real will power is too close to zero. So what is the good of having read even half of them and dying before making any use of the things which men know only mentally? After all. which can hardly help an earnest seeker. Such men forget that books are much more numerous than the weeks and months they have yet to live through. If they cannot stop their bad habits.
for one departed only a few years ago. the encountering of a master in his physical form. If well understood. I will deliberately refrain from describing the great benefits to a student should this supreme opportunity occur—i. but who have finally experienced the Truth and landed safely on the shore whose blessed name is attainment. But actually. the light of such a revelation might easily enlighten the darkest corners of our still unknown and undiscovered inner being. Such an event could make all studies..e. unnecessary and obsolete. there is little likelihood of seeing a true master alive on this earth.Concentration Mouni Sadhu their lives. 37 . The waiting for their advent may exceed many lives and thousands of years. and they do not come too often. at the present time. I shall return to this question in Chapter XXII. It would be an exceptional privilege in this life to encounter the teachings and authentic words of a true spiritual master. including this one.
The true key to every achievement lies in the ability to look deeply into things. at the end of Chapter XXI. We obviously still do not possess self-knowledge for otherwise we would need no training in concentration. but at least they should have a positive attitude toward this work. but only an honest investigation. And therein lies the greatest chance of success. The summit of right attitude was stressed many times by those earlier spiritual brothers of present-day men. "attitude" is dual. The cause of this is now quite clear. There was too wide a gap between the elementary exercises—which could not confer any special abilities on me at that stage—and the abstract and ready-made ideas. In the invisible world where our feelings and thoughts function. but when chapters on concentration were followed by others expounding meditation. I had no definite idea what these would be. As long as I worked at my exercises. and it shall remove…" Such a faith cannot be expected or required of beginners. The Christ called it the Perfect Truth. confusion entered. borrowed from what was to me at the time an alien philosophy. then it may be a sign that this is not your path. I had almost unlimited confidence that I would succeed in performing all the exercises. Not at all! This also will be explained. even if you are unable to perform all the advance series of exercises. Brand-ler-Pracht's manual. The exercises were very difficult. But we are able to perceive. But it is one of the safest paths. everything seemed to be all right. as well as the spirit of the inner unchangeable essence. deliberation and decision about them. and there was quite a clear explanation of the means to the final goal.Concentration Mouni Sadhu XI Inner Attitude — the Key to Attainment The title of this chapter is a positive one. and often even composed of all three of these factors. As it happened. our attitude toward the outer and inner things en countered in life. "If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed. which is solely in the interest of the student himself. Our attitude is very much akin to what we really are. If you lack a positive attitude. and always contributes some inner progress. I am not suggesting that there should be "blind faith" in my statements. even to change. and I saw only a dead end confronting me. but they could give the earnest student new abilities. Today I have lost my enthusiasm for that book. 38 . and thereby obtain some wonderful results. which cannot be dangerous. as a result of which I have included among the advanced series in this volume some modified exercises taken from Dr. their sequence and their relation to our selves. No dogmatic assertion is intended that the way given in this book is the only one or even the shortest or easiest leading to the goal. when you finish your training. Then came another one. When just about thirty years ago I began my first practical course in concentration in a little book of the same title. for the booklet spoke little about the ultimate target of the study. and ascribed to it all possible powers. you shall say to this mountain: Remove from hence hither. even after your mental efforts to acquire one. It is true that the study cost me years of strenuous work. as I cannot see any real aim in it. much more serious and advanced.
That is why less than one-third of the chapters in this book have been devoted to the purely technical side of things. so the duty of the author is to help his readers.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Just as the attitude of the student is of first importance to success. Hence one of the safeguards is suitable preparation and explanation of the matter before passing to the exercises. without allowing any good approach to be spoiled by his lack of personal experience. 39 .
no matter whether these vibrations (i." The next part is clearer still. The eternal "bundle of thoughts. as in a dream. this statement also contains the unconditional solution which refers to all three subdivisions of time. Therefore. and I could not find anything better than the sage's statement: Mind is only a bundle of thoughts: stop thinking and show me." for I can think. not evil. the thoughts now in our minds. 40 . the very property of "X. the sum total of thoughts. That is already a partial elimination of the unknown "X. unaffected by the attitude of beings able to think. It would be useless to write extended definitions. we are entitled to know how to define it. What I now quote comes from the late Rishi Ramana. Simply. thereby I can experience action. whereas an unripe person might easily pass them by without any visible reaction. I would like to state that mind likes to vibrate. This makes the last part of the equation devoid of all com promise: "If you do not believe. while a man who is a prey to his vasanas would be fully influenced and would expand them by the work of his imagination and emotions. remains." as the sage tells us." This brings another important sequence to light: the mind does not have an independent existence. Here vasanas enter the picture. Again a revelation! If all this is so." Experience will show that what remains is unlike that "mind. then there cannot be any doubt that man is able to conquer the mind and to direct it according to his own will. In this way a ripe soul will immediately and intuitionally discover the greatness of a saint or a master of wisdom. He wished to eliminate any possibility of doubt in us. and the thoughts which will come into our consciousness in the future. Hence the mind is: the thoughts which have already been bad.. thoughts) are considered by beings like ourselves to be either good or bad. The mind is a finite and hence limited quantity. In essence. Predisposition is the filter which allows certain kinds of vibrations endowed with these vasanas to enter the brain's consciousness—while at the same time it drives other kinds of thoughts and feelings from the doorway of our consciousness. according to its actual functions. The mind is nothing more than a collection. therefore it can be controlled. which indicates that the power of the mind manifests itself only in the thinking process.e. not good. then stop your thinking and try to find the mind. Let us analyze the first part of it. then. because for everyday use you need something concise. or of those who will live on after our departure. Of course. the modern authority on the subject. a saint would not be impressed by the dirty astral or mental atmosphere of a hotel bar or cabaret. which contains the full practical solution in itself.Concentration Mouni Sadhu XII What is the Mind? This question is far from easy to answer properly. But as we operate with the power of mind (and you should certainly have no doubts that it is a kind of power). where is the mind? This is a perfect philosophical equation. mind is rather like a neutral sort of energy. We will attempt to gain this control in the chapters that follow.
from that mere "bundle of thoughts. The mind when stained by passion is the cause of bondage. the manifestations of that power (mind) which directly affect them. especially in Indian philosophical works of the past. lacking every trace of their former intelligence and culture. This is quite understandable. There have been cases where formerly brilliant and highly intelligent men have lost their powers because of physical changes in their brains. the human mind than in its very essence. The attitude of the true Indian masters to this power is clear and concise. These are facts. which only operates with theories and guesses. and which do you reject and repel? That is what no one else can know or do for you except yourself. without the mind's active participation. On occasions surgery is used in an attempt to rectify the deficiencies of these ailing organs. and you may see that both bondage and liberation are nowhere save within you. new currents of thought entering Western psychology are coming from the old Hindu Advaitic philosophy and these are vividly discussed and dissected in European scientific circles.Concentration Mouni Sadhu What then is the explanation of the famous verse of the Viveka-Chudamani: "Therefore the mind is the cause of the bondage of this individual and also of his liberation. the persons concerned have even become hopeless idiots. dear reader. Human beings are often confronted with. In some such unfortunate cases. and of liberation when pure. It is more interested in peculiar functions of. Now let us analyze another aspect of the mind's functions. and phenomena (often pathological) produced by. i. as does any damage inflicted on certain important centers in the brain. Now apply this finding to Sankaracharya's aphorism. essential knowledge of the mind was farthest advanced in the East. That is only natural! Mind cannot discover the mind! Something superior must supplant it before the seeker can be enlightened. due to disease or loss of a portion of their gray matter. Western psychological science with all its in numerable conceptions really has little experimental and experiential knowledge about the constitution of the human mind. scientists have discovered different abnormalities present in the structure of their brains. In mentally deficient individuals. That "something superior" is the power which enables us to know and to act rightly without thinking. the mental and astral 41 . Sapienti sat. and are usually interested in. just as the nervous system is the conductor of feelings or astral activities. Nowadays.. The true experimental knowledge will be yours as a result of the duly performed exercises of Part III. by this fact itself. devoid of passion and ignorance. Malignant tumors can also affect a man's mental abilities. Until comparatively recently. he can select his own kind of thoughts. The West still lags behind." Moreover. following accidents or unsuccessful operations. as you can perhaps see for yourself from the analysis of the Rishi Ramana's statements on the subject. in the ultimate sense. at least in its official knowledge. just as no one can take medicine in order that you may be cured.e. Which of them do you accept and invite. and in them we can find another support for the assertion that." From the Maharshi's "equation" of mind we can conclude that man IS in a position to separate himself from his mind. since the physical tool or "filter" through which we are able to establish a contact with the acting mind is our brain. But for the purpose of this study we need little more than has already been told.
provided he is average. By subduing both elements (i. 42 . But this wisdom must invariably be obtained here and now.Concentration Mouni Sadhu planes are still material (although subtle) and dependent on physical matter for their manifestation. for it is evident from the foregoing that death cannot bring us any additional knowledge. which is limited to the mind-brain's activities. Speaking practically. which has had no prior existence. spiritual) aware ness in this life. were and are so anxious to get that wisdom now.e. Therefore a man's consciousness. what happens when not only a part but the whole of the brain is destroyed.e. which makes us independent of the perishable shells we now use. This link is also permanently severed at death... as inevitably occurs with death? You may answer the question for yourself! Persons who have temporarily lost the link between their astral counterpart and physical body because of anesthesia (as in operations) often report that their conscious existence was then limited to dreaming and sometimes even to a full dimming of all awareness. and to teach us to do the same. astral and mental) while still living. That is why all our advanced brethren. instead of accepting the innumerable occult theories which cannot be tested personally. whom we call saints and sages. as the only real safeguard against the darkness of death. we logically open the gate to a new life. It is worth thinking deeply about these facts. does not yet possess any supermental (i.
The nightmare was so real that I awoke. The memory of former impressions still contained in the brain does not affect this statement. but this is not the 43 . probably because the subconscious mind working in the state of dream was instructed by its waking brother that there was no danger in my cat's habits. where the former world of Jagrat has disappeared and cannot be found. Therefore. It seems to be perfectly simple and logical. One of them is fairly well known to us. when at night I had to accept this sort of co-operation against the cold. speak. and consequently try to prove the reality of outward things on the ground of their uniformity. I see. All that we know about the waking state is reflected in our relative consciousness. which cannot be taken into consideration. One cold night I had a horrible dream in which I was trapped by a mountain landslide with great masses of earth pressing on my chest and suffocating me. present or future is not experience. I have often dreamed of being in a temple and watching puja (a kind of Hindu mass). curled up on my chest and put her paws round my neck. in which we still have the idea of "I" and "Non-I. is very different from what we experience in the waking state. act. and activities of the waking state have little effect on the dream state—although to a certain extent there is a kind of interdependence between the two states. If the latter does not impress itself on our consciousness in any way. by the only known and conceivable state of consciousness. i. We can presume that a human being who has lost all the five senses becomes insensible to the outer world. Leaving our feet uncovered during cold weather will often cause us to dream of standing in water or on ice. If we were limited to this aspect of consciousness and no other. and immediately discovered the cause of it: my pet cat had decided that it would be much warmer for her if she slipped under the blankets. On occasions when I have left sticks of Indian incense burning in my bedroom. my perception of events and activities in the world becomes the poorer by the subtraction of the affected sense. In it I am in contact with the outer world by means of my five senses. then we could speak about the unity of the world's manifestation. and it is just that factor which makes decisions about the form of the world and its manifestations. for imagination belonging to the past. If one of them fails.e. taste. and other incidents from my life in the East have also returned in my dreams. Subsequently. think and so on as others do. I am in the so-called "waking state of consciousness." or "I" and all the "other things" that constitute the physical world. and it would be if there were no other states in which we could equally live and act. Things become possible which are obviously impossible when we are awake." or Jagrat in Hindu terminology. it no longer exists as an experience for our consciousness. In Indian terminology the dream state is called Swapna. Sometimes unusual odors in our rooms can produce a particular kind of dream. we believe. feel. the nightmare did not recur. But what we experience in dreams. It is the state of dream during sleep. smell and touch. hear. It is more akin to the dream world. the physical senses and the world are interdependent. There are many other tricks known to psychologists.Concentration Mouni Sadhu XIII Different Aspects of Consciousness While writing these pages.. In Jagrat I move.
then widened by the exercises of that part of the course. Indeed. The currency for payment of our mistakes is only one. yet a lot of impressions still enter our consciousness while the senses are "switched off.. what is the aim of concentration seen from the above point of view? It is to enable you to pass consciously from the three lower states (i. so he cannot willfully raise himself into the rarefied atmosphere of Sushupti. so that the things mentioned here may be recalled before the tribunal of your consciousness. This state cannot be reached without stilling the senses and the mind.e. So. just like a school curriculum. It should be enough to know that a mutual dependence between our physical state and the resultant dreams does exist. remember this. some even speaking of forty-nine different planes. Only then can we penetrate and illuminate what is still darkness for us. the more you admire the superb simplicity of things as seen with the eye of wisdom. this course has been planned. Do not be worried by the different theories of some occult societies." The next state of consciousness or awareness—if it is possible to speak of any awareness in it—is that mysterious state of dreamless sleep. waking and dreaming. which only exist in the imagination of their authors. This is not meant to imply that all dreams are necessarily the direct results of the physical conditions of the sleeping form at the time of dreaming. in place of differences and multiplicity. Usually. and this is what the student must fully realize. From the Turiya. This fourth state (Turiya) is the final one. cannot lift himself beyond his thoughts and feelings (the mental and astral planes). we continued to exist during that gap in our memory. Now. written and explained. As an average man. which is above and beyond the others. We simply cannot accept that we ceased to be. dream and dreamless sleep) into the fourth. at the same time being independent of them. one sees through the three lower states. which is totally dissimilar to the two states known to us. If he does not. The enlightening of the dark corners of our consciousness is actually possible through the use of our expanded abilities. which means that we have to work in order to obtain abilities which we do not as yet possess and which we recognize to be very necessary.Concentration Mouni Sadhu place to quote them. the majority of dreams do not belong to this category at all. Its name is suffering! Everything mentioned in this chapter affects all "normal" cases. and consequently will have to pay for it. leading us in the end to a life without sensation or thought. Even so. which like to multiply the higher states ad infinitum. waking." though they themselves have not even had Conscious experience of Sushupti. which can be gained only by the practice of concentration. but still entertains any hope that he may "slip in through a side entrance. From the last chapters we will learn something of the circumstances under which one can immediately get the needed abilities without passing through the normal process of 44 . the peak and the goal. The more you really know. until he takes some appropriate steps in that direction." he is deceiving himself. It remains an apparently insoluble enigma. untrained in concentration. But what we have to realize is that in the sleeping state we do not use our five physical senses. To each type of thought they often ascribe a whole "new plane of existence. When you study Chapters XIX and XX. as from a high mountain. or Sushupti in Indian terms. we have no remembrance of any kind of our experiences in Sushupti. let alone Turiya. Part III gives the necessary instructions in this matter.
other factors come into play which are hard to foresee in the beginning. however. or because of carefully conducted advanced ones.Concentration Mouni Sadhu evolutive learning. But for those who have attained it and managed to live in it. although even these are not easy. This can only be welcomed. The fifth and final series cannot be mastered merely on the ground of satisfactory performance of earlier exercises. elementary exercises. and merge into the deep peace streaming from it. from the point of view of the average man. Otherwise. 9 and 9A may remain mere empty symbols. narrow and limited. for the greater our grasp of the object of this study. There are seldom cases where failure is so marked that the student is unable to perform even the first. Turiya or in other words. In some instances. You have to achieve that peace which actually surpasses all mental understanding. the student will gain another step toward the understanding of the aims and methods of concentration. given as the conclusion of this book. these cases are so rare and unpredictable that to count on them or place any hope in them would be as unreasonable as hoping to avoid earning a living in the usual way by winning a big lottery prize or making some other gambling coup. knowing something about the different states of consciousness in man. If these are mastered. then the fourth series should be performed without great hard ship. However. Usually. the less likelihood there will be of failure in Part III. The fourth state of consciousness or Turiya is. the Sahaja Nirvikalpa Samadhi (perennial formless superconsciousness or ecstasy) is a normal every day experience. The realm of intuition must be reached before you can be separated from your mortal shell. and all other lower states are for them utterly unreal. exercises Nos. 45 . the most difficulties arise with the second and third series. more time is needed for the passage from the elementary to the advanced series than from the fourth to the final group. Such men can never take the view point of Jagrat or Sushupti as the basis of their experience. Now. Think about it! It would be advisable to read the initiatory Upanishadic verse. the super-consciousness. At this point. while still alive and in full consciousness.
The proper attitude permitting success in the study should be adopted. and disappointment is the common result." This chapter must be well understood and agreed with before the exercises are started. which hinders every attempt at one-pointedness. with the aid of this book to rule your thinking processes in accordance with your will. Next. concentrated thinking about very simple objects needs first to eradicate the old bad habits. The difficulty of ruling our mind comes just from complicated thinking. which compose the mind. for without it the exercises will remain only lifeless formulas. But there is no need for a book about mathematics to be written in verse. introducing Part III— "The Techniques. There are many causes to explain this. where else can he find them? Thirdly. A student cannot derive much profit from a work which. Another cause of failure is the lack of essential explanatory material. Firstly. apart from its really necessary exercises and useful instructions. now or in the future. One must know what has to be passed through and what difficulties have to be encountered. He accepts every thing as given. to introduce the reader into another sphere where he can operate under new conditions and new techniques of thinking. which leaves as few questions unanswered as can be foreseen. then two other facts emerge: a. The reader is seldom in the position to separate easily what is essential from what can safely be omitted. which alone can bring the desired results. the nature of thought must be briefly explained. Such an arrangement is even against the very idea of concentrated and directed effort which is expected from the student. these books often contain too theoretical an exposition. written more as a kind of compilation from borrowed materials than from personal experience. only an infinitesimal number of readers and students are able to get any real profit from their work. in this chapter you will find the preliminaries and explanations. It is hoped that the earnest student will get the best that is possible from the present course. overloading of the exercises with unnecessary de tails only complicates matters and makes the student feel as if he were in a dense forest. 46 . controlling his development and leading him from the simple to the advanced exercises. If you accept and believe that you are able. 1.Concentration Mouni Sadhu XIV The Psychology of Success It is a well-known fact that in spite of the books already existing about meditation and concentration. This deprives them of their living values. The ruler and the object ruled can never be identical. If in a manual of concentration the student fails to find the right instructions. Secondly. A mind unacquainted with strong. some books have been conceived and presented in the form of written lectures suited to readers more or less familiar with the subject. does not form a harmonious whole. Hence. while the mass of theoretical material is spread through out the rest of the text. That you are not your thoughts. but not designed for practical study.
This knowledge comes only as the ultimate result of your study. all of these are suitable. All of these thoughts are of no special importance. a swarm of thoughts start to attack you. a corner of a garden. b." If you like doing them. The only condition is that these few minutes must be exempt from any outer disturbances which might upset you. so that you may temporarily forget what you meant to do in this quarter of an hour. The deadliest enemy of successful concentration which can and does annihilate all the most careful preparations is the emotional-mental habit of expectation. never before. and these should be used for our preparation. As you can see. For. a church pew. are still not enough for him! He does not agree to allow you even these paltry fifteen minutes which you try to rescue from his greedy power! As soon as you commence an exercise. But for your success in concentration. you may continue for even more than the routine fifteen minutes. which is even impossible for the mind. you are very much dependent upon and affected by your surroundings. It must be pitilessly killed and completely eradicated. for it would destroy all your hopes if you allowed it to grow and thrive. The fifteen minutes will pass without any noticeable result. the best times being morning and evening-—the "two periods of peace. Therefore you have to accept the fact that until you fully dominate your steed. If you accept this lie. All your waking hours. Now you are almost ready for the exercises. your efforts will be wasted. Of the two. What is actually needed is the basic fact of the division between you and your mind. the "vasana of expectation". Meditate at length about this until you are utterly convinced of the truth of the statement. Be careful not to start any exercises before establishing the certainty of this for yourself. practical study cannot be commenced without a suitable psychological and rational background. This should be fully realized. All the disappointments and lost years spent on unsuccessful efforts come from just that strange and deadly desire. This enemy is relentless. We have to be sincere with ourselves. And no exercise should be attempted before the fulfillment of condition (b) above. the rider and his horse—if you like this simile—the first is essential and is of foremost importance to you. a lonely hillside. An old rule tells us that sunrise and sunset are the best times for all meditations. But do not feel concerned if these two periods are inconvenient. A quiet room. you will only lose time. of belief in the necessity of continuous thinking. after all. But there still remains something which is as indispensable as (a) and (b) of 1 above. during which he usually reigns supreme. 2. seashore or river bank. you do not know and cannot clearly define that its rider is you. but the enemy whispers that they are of great interest to you. as times better suited to your circumstances will do equally well. because you and he are one. there is no necessity or urge to anticipate this solution. The deliberations should be practiced at least twice daily. you will notice that after a few seconds spent on thinking about one of the themes given in the following chapters. not one. This second statement should also be meditated on after (a) has been firmly established in your consciousness beyond any doubt. the rider and his horse are two.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Further. if you want to avoid disappointment when trying to gain practical powers of concentration. and the poison of doubt and disappointment will 47 . of a dull subconscious and false hope that something useful may come from your feverish thinking.
But better to use weeks or even months trying to make the aim (i. uncontrolled and vague faculty. The key to success in this study is just the losing of interest in uncontrolled thinking. but the idea should be the same.e. With that key you may open the golden gate. you will find that.. If developed as a result of systematic training. Later you will become rather tired of this influx of astro-mental impressions. a wonderful feeling of freedom in your everyday consciousness begins to give you a foretaste of the treasure that is true peace of mind. I am leaving every thing outside the door of my mind. in order to create the indicated currents of thought." This must conclude the preparation just described. Another result of the domination of one's mind is the ability to feel and see emotions and thoughts in the surrounding astro-mental worlds. instead of being like a rudderless boat tossed about by the waves of the mind. I have all the rest of the day left for thinking. with your only reward bitter disappointment and loss of irretrievable time. If you persist in 1 and 2 above. "No good will come from thinking during the time dedicated to exercises.Concentration Mouni Sadhu begin to undermine your decision to study the subject. This. but infinitely more subtle and far-reaching. from which you expect so much. Then will come some advanced and more difficult exercises. So I firmly resolve here and now that: I am not interested in any thoughts or emotions during this period when 1 am trying to concentrate my wayward mind. generated and harbored by my rebellious mind. which you will perform in due time with the newly won ability to impose peace on your thoughts. of course. it becomes just like the normal physical senses of seeing and hearing." Of course. I am free from all its usual vibrations. In the beginning. concentration) attainable. before it really works. Now. in time. and will stop them by the 48 . I have the inner power to ignore everything that tries to enter or arise in my mind while I am here at this time. all obstacles can be ascribed to just this "spirit of expectation. It is possible that you will have to spend weeks on it. There is no reason to obey wandering thoughts. independent of all outer things. than to spend years on unsuccessful practices. Try saying to yourself: "Apart from these fifteen or thirty minutes I wish to devote to concentration. you will only observe that in some instances you become able to forecast words about to be used by the person with whom you are conversing. A strange foretaste of things to come." I am leaving this experimental work to the student so that be can test for himself the statements I have made. all of which belongs to your automatically developing clairvoyance. which in these moments of psychical lucidity you now see as belonging to the past. is none other than clairvoyance. I am indifferent to whatever may happen. there is no purpose in even beginning the exercises. If analyzed properly. how have we to proceed in order to defeat such obstacles? Only by clear thinking and deliberation—which you may also call meditation—about the falsity of the attitude in which one feverishly expects and accepts every thought that clusters round the mind-brain like bees at their hive. the words of this meditation—which is meant to precede the exercises proper— may be changed slightly. "I am no longer interested in anything. but not any spontaneous. Every intruding thought is an enemy and I am simply NOT INTERESTED in it. Nothing of importance can happen if I allow thoughts to occupy this small portion of my time when I want to be myself. no matter how close or distant they may be. Without the key.
Concentration Mouni Sadhu well-known means of concentration. It just fades away when a man really starts to go ahead spiritually. Any advance explanation of such things may only lead to undesirable mental activity which will take us away from the line we need to adhere to. Then later. but years ago when I tried to gain clairvoyance. the same clairvoyance became a nuisance. 49 . which I cannot and should not anticipate on these pages. The understanding of these matters is possible only for those who actually possess the ability and not for those who merely talk about it. It is a curious thing. for much better things lie ahead of you. it always slipped beyond my reach. and no mention was made of this otherwise coveted ability. when the man had become much wiser. was almost never used.
Concentration Mouni Sadhu Part III Techniques 50 .
with legs crossed. he tried to raise the inner level of consciousness in his disciples and followers. the position must be carefully adopted exactly as given here. depriving them of all value. and he could not support things which have long since become obsolete and nonsensical in this modern age. as is still done in the Orient. Sit upright on your chair or stool (the latter is better). so that you will be unaware of the body. like that described in the next paragraph. When the time comes for meditation. concentration on definite nerve centers and organs. Do not give much thought to the numerous and cumbersome asanas recommended in the old and new books on Yoga. But whichever you adopt. retention of breath. This is important for your health. It is largely curiosity and the spirit of expectation which dictate such instructions and at tempts to practice them by incompetent followers. This is all that is required for our practical study. making sure no one will disturb you. This should be well remembered. Whether you are seated on furniture or the floor. without any cumbersome and unnatural positions.Concentration Mouni Sadhu XV Direct Preparation for Exercises When you have finally arranged a suitable time and place for your first exercises. for then it acquires the bad habit of sleeping through exercises. just the natural asana. the same asana can be performed seated on the floor. the whole position will allow you to sit for hours without any pain or tenseness. with the spine. and he stood as an uncontested authority for all the best yogis in India. neck and head in a straight line. and with practice you will soon get the correct feel of it. They are entirely unnecessary providing you know and practice a good one. But for Easterners. the legs should be placed perpendicular to the floor with the knees together and the hands palm downward on them. as well as for the proper flow of the subtle currents of the vital energy or "prana" in Indian terminology. The great Rishi Ramana never recommended things of this nature. On the other hand. When properly assumed. Another leading philosopher of India. 51 . Simple as it sounds. such furniture is probably more appropriate for you. who could perhaps be placed next after the Maharshi. Sit on a chair or stool that is not upholstered. but he was a man perfectly capable of clear and independent thinking. remember about the one direct line passing through your body. the body must be comfortably seated in a position which it can endure for hours if necessary. It is quite useless to expect miracles or special advantages from artificial postures. and he himself often used chairs in addition to his usual erect way of sitting. Do not lean back against the furniture. written by unqualified exponents. also never attached any great importance to the ancient "classical" yogic practices with their innumerable difficult postures. If you are a Westerner. The whole weight of the body is suspended from the ribs and every part of it should be completely relaxed. There is no doubt that the lotus position is an excellent one. for such rewards exist only in the imaginations of blind followers. the body should not be allowed to assume a lazy posture. the legs should be quite comfortable. which had nothing in common with yogic asanas. the late great Sri Aurobindo Ghose (who died about six years ago). If you sit on a chair or stool. His teachings are rather different from those of Sri Maharshi and other saints and sages. knowing that this is the only solution to the drama of human existence in matter. retire to the chosen spot. In his excellent writings. etc.
even when you do not touch the arteries of your wrist. At the same time slowly inhale air through your nostrils. which in its final development makes a man a sage. military affairs. For the next two counts transfer air from the lower chest into the upper while still inhaling additional air through the nostrils. the highest non-egoistical form. say. and that this affects your mental effort. 52 . rhythmical natural breathing. two.. like those other great ones who have already trodden the path of wisdom (the Direct Path). By this exercise you may discover and learn to know your own natural rhythm of breathing. All of them were filled with the same sublime love. Jean de Vianney of France or St. like St. sending the diaphragm downward. then hold the breath. I think you must catch my meaning! It is only sectarian ignorance which prescribes what is non essential and unnatural. rather than a mirage like. So now sit on your chair (or on the floor if you are accustomed to the lotus position) and rest your hands easily on your knees. exhale and finally hold the lungs empty. These cycles should be repeated for as long as you feel the need for them. The inhalation should be performed so that the first two counts fill the lower part of your lungs with air. It is true that for some purely occult exercises. Just do the exercise and let your routine do the work for you. So it is with the most advanced of men. when they attained the unique aim or enlightenment of all human beings. This habit of breathing should be so developed that it easily catches the rhythm of your pulse. When you need in formation about. but only retain the air in the upper part of the lungs. some special positions and breathing may be helpful. With a little practice you will appreciate the usefulness and stimulating qualities of this form of breathing. stop inhaling. your newly won powers will raise you much higher than all the occult tricks. If you find that your breathing becomes irregular and strained. This can be simplified if you wish. a perfect being. so that you can clearly feel your pulse. The weight of your torso should hang from your ribs. If you reach the final target of this course. He concentrated on love. Breathing should be natural and easy. then you may find considerable use for a basic pranayama in its dharanic form. likewise never occupied him self with unwieldy bodily exercises or occult training. and for three and four expel it through the nostrils. calculated to yield certain limited phenomenal results. Now count the beats—one. three. the chest being full of air. you would certainly prefer to discuss it with a general rather than a corporal." or if you prefer. four. But do not try to accelerate this feeling.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Another spiritual authority of the past—Sri Ramakrishna. You will discover this is the case after a few exercises. coupled with vanity and curiosity on the part of followers. When the next count recurs. a fine example of a great saint. And you will be much stronger and wiser than all the superstitious occultists and fakirs. which will then become your faithful servant in many circumstances. Then hold your left wrist with the fingers of the right hand. i.e. The best thing is not to think about it when beginning your exercises. After reaching four. but never a reasonable and quietly progressive determination to reach a definite. for one and two transfer the air back into the lower part of your lungs. The sensation of the pulse beats—which are the same as the heart's—will come much more readily than you might suppose. having little connection with an earnest fruitful study. Inhale for the count of 1—2—3—4. For the next four beats of the pulse neither inhale nor exhale. Now again count one to four with the lungs empty and then begin the next cycle on the inhale. called "pranayama. each operation to be done to the same count. aim. Seraphim of Sarov.
Imagine that you are drawing it in through your nostrils when inhaling and allowing it to emerge again when 53 . White: synthesis of all colors. stimulating inner detachment from earthly interests. They will also reach something. have a subtle stimulating influence on our astro-mental perceptions: 1. then use it freely for the same passive exercises as you did green. Green: helps relaxation. Used in all passive parts of exercises. stimulates wakefulness. Orange: stimulates and purifies. by the use of colors. except with Nos. I will not attempt to explain here their significance or theory. Nothing more complicated is needed. if the student feels a need for it. May be used as given below for all active parts of exercises from 1 to 7. The dark shade should never be used. Recommended for use with exercises 8 and 8A only. should be used only with the final exercises Nos. you feel it is effective. Instead of 1—2—3—4. 4. creates subtle rhythm in the mind and diminishes feverish curiosity and anxiety in both feelings and thinking.Concentration Mouni Sadhu The counting is by no means restricted to the described four. crystal-clear colored fluid. Rose-red: uplifts the energy.. you mentally pronounce "Om. limiting myself to their practical application. Use the same as rose-red. immediately before the dawn of Samadhi. Something like being in an immaterial. 3. 7." This easy form of the classic pranayama is also excellent for the purpose of stilling the nerves before exercises. 8 and 9. but less preferable for use with pranayama. They are well known and have been thoroughly discussed in many occult books. our Eastern friends may prefer to use the sacred syllable "Om. 5. 5. Blue: similar to green. dispels sleepiness and congestions of the subtle bodies. etc. You may even use 3. Yellow: more subtle stimulation than with orange. from experience. when pictured mentally. Then in the place of 1—2—3—4. 9 and 9A. Nevertheless if. 6." You may also do the same if you wish. 6 or even 8 if your breathing responds better to one of these than to the count of four. Om. Both colors may be interchanged in active exercises. Om.phase cycle. Violet: purifying and uplifting. How to use colors with pranayama? Sit in your usual posture and imagine the whole of surrounding space to be filled with a bright (never dark) ocean of the required color. Om. except those of Nos. except for those who do not firmly intend to reap the fruit of a successful study of concentration and who are merely curious about it. eases tension. Colors. 8 and 9. It is the last step (as you will surely realize in due course) to the abandoning of all physical and mental attributes in your consciousness. 2. We may call it frustration or disappointment. but its name will be very different. Pranayama can be strengthened.
Alcoholic drinks should definitely be excluded. which does not matter so long as it can easily and clearly be seen. do your obligatory preparation. it is better to defer your work till a time when you are more fitted for it. These preliminaries are repeated in another form in Chapter XIV. compulsorily brought about by the finish of the incarnation! And now finally. which should be performed before each exercise. If you will work for a week or two always keeping strictly to the same period. after a long period of well performed exercises. If you have trouble with strong imagination of vivid colors. Of course. The pattern of life should be balanced gradually as far as is possible. you do an exercise at 7 A. or 7 P. at least one hour should be allowed to elapse. This means that if today. Such a person may work perfectly even away from his own room. And most successful students do avail themselves of every opportunity. Also.Concentration Mouni Sadhu exhaling. the advanced student may feel that he has become truly independent of any particular hour. This hand will probably be painted red. During the exercises no glaring light should be allowed to strike the eyes. Therefore it seems best to give the maximum amount of explanation.M. as exercises on concentration performed when even in a slightly intoxicated state may lead to serious and permanent disorder of the brain. But to try to do so while you yourself were driving a vehicle could well result in the end of this study. a good watch or clock.M. I will include the color most suitable for use with the initial pranayama. try placing colored slides of the required shade before a light bulb so that the colors can be clearly memorized. gold or black. For each of the exercises that follow. and no attempt should be made on a full stomach directly after a large meal. for the human mind is so constructed that it likes to repeat the same activities at the same time. While waiting for a bus or train. except that your "tuning" for an exercise preceded by an improperly colored pranayama. and so leave the student with as few doubtful particulars as possible. to keep to the appointed time. That is all that is needed for our purpose. Such habits weaken the will power of 54 . but maintain the rhythm of your pranayama as usual. Some ask if there is any special way of life recommended for an aspirant. but for beginners they are very important. In the beginning when you are still weak at controlling your mind. position and breathing. preferably a modern one fitted with a sweep second hand. place before you on a table. Do not think of anything else. the peculiar "magnetism" of time will begin to act for you and on each occasion the exercises will become easier and more pleasant. everything which is helpful is of great value to you. they may continue to exercise their will power. and that e suitable opportunity brings him the desired concentration. There is no danger even in the erroneous use of colors. until your mind is sufficiently subdued to prevent its interference with your work through its innate curiosity. But it is of overwhelming importance. Experience has shown me that students usually have a lot of questions on the matter of techniques. for example. if you feel very sleepy or are physically too tired.. before performing the exercises proper. but I believe that any sharp change in one's habits is undesirable and unnecessary. These may be familiar to advanced people. Too little or too much sleep is not recommended and the same applies to food. or when traveling in one. the same hour will be the easiest at which to repeat it tomorrow. Excessive smoking may have the same effect. When at last you are all set with your regular time. and therefore more difficult. may be less harmonious. especially for beginners.
but not dozens of them. Instead of a group of sounds. For this purpose I will limit the astral conditioning of our consciousness to one potent factor which acts equally well on both the physical and astral levels. etc. when you feel some emotional depression. it must be a sentence or thought which you love and admire. two. meditative moods. So we seek for something more suitable for the first steps. They must be ones which you love. But. Then. have a strong influence on the human psyche. It is a well-known law that the practical way of exchanging certain undesirable moods with their feelings and thoughts for better ones. Sankaracharya and Maharshi and so on. while humming it for as long as needed in order to calm and uplift your feelings. your health may be endangered or weakened. It is sound. We do not receive any reward when we thoughtlessly harbor rubbish in our astral aura. but the weapon is as different as are the levels on which our consciousness operates. symphonies. Remember that in all kinds of concentration the most affected and involved part of the body is the brain. is never (for beginners at least) through expulsion of the unwanted occupiers from our consciousness. choose some sentences which inspire you and think about or repeat them softly.. some in duce soft. It is closer to the end of the path than to its beginning. admire and fully appreciate. especially before the start of your daily exercises quickly choose its opposite from your new "astral arsenal. Learn to reproduce them mentally. which will amply provide inspiring themes. When necessary. Everyone has favorite melodies. Freedom from thoughts is a result and not a means! Rather is it an attribute of a very highly developed consciousness born of a long. For this study you need only to select one or two of those which you really like and easily and gladly remember.. Allen & Unwin)—consists 55 . 1957. useless things for something superior. These provide you with an arsenal from which you may choose whatever weapons you actually need. songs. The Appendix of another basic book—In Days of Great Peace (2nd ed. or even one song or melody. Next hum them softly. for this only creates a vacuum. Moreover." and merge with the melody. determined and successful effort. or bound up with happy or elated experiences and feelings. With a little practice. There is one condition: only a few tunes should be used—three. such as the Gospels of Christ. recall one from your mental arsenal and use it as recommended for the substitution of feelings. for the performance and results will be seriously handicapped. We know that certain combinations of sounds in the form of melodies. I repeat again. so why not re place it with something better and less harmful? We can cleanse our mental state with the same method of substitution. often connected with his or her earliest years. you will soon experience the beneficial results derived from such a method. while others arouse sensual emotions in us. G. the teachings of Buddha. In time you will come to appreciate fully this simple method of replacing morbid and unwanted astral conditions with more desirable moods. There are inexhaustible treasures from which to choose. introduce the luminous ray of wisdom. Exchange the mean.Concentration Mouni Sadhu the person concerned and discord arises between the desired attitude and that of submission to the habits. Some melodies are stimulating. for only then will the method work and bring the richest result. some make us melancholy or excited. Therefore placing that all-important organ into a very disadvantageous position is unreasonable. and if you possess a feeble body study will be much harder. Instead of senselessly repeating in your mind themes which oppress you.
which operate on quite a different principle. this method should not be confused with the use of mantras. In spite of some apparent similarity. 56 .Concentration Mouni Sadhu of many inspiring axioms by Sankaracharya which can be used very successfully. if you like that kind of transcendental Eastern philosophy.
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XVI First Series (Elementary Exercises)
Once you have arranged everything as recommended in the preceding chapters and have finished the talks with yourself, look at the second hand of your watch or clock, fixing your sight attentively and exclusively on the tip of the colored line moving round the dial. Do not think of anything else; just dispassionately watch the end of the hand steadily and incessantly revolving. Do not look at, or think about, the watch itself, or about the figures passed over by the hand. At this moment you have no interest in the form, color, make, etc., of the whole watch or its components, only the part you are watching so intently. Your eyes dare not be distracted by anything, and nothing in the whole world exists for you now, except that moving colored line. In particular, verbalization, i.e., mental repeating of words, must cease during the exercise. First, note exactly, by the same second hand, the time when you began to follow its movements. Then check the moment when your still rebellious mind was first distracted and forced you to forget to watch, and instead substituted a thought, word or some other kind of mental distraction for the exercise. EXERCISE NO. 1 Red Pranayama For the first two or three weeks, multiply the best time achieved in concentrating on your object by the number 3. If, for example, you retained your attention on the second hand for 40 seconds, the result of multiplication would be 120 seconds or two minutes. And this will be your first target. This means that you have to try to reach two minutes of uninterrupted concentration on the second hand. Of course, there will be a fierce fight with the disobedient mind. You may slowly reach 45, 50 seconds, etc., of perfect concentration. As soon as the exercise is spoiled by an encroaching thought, you must begin again and yet again, until the period of your exercise expires. This rule is valid for all those that follow. Anyway, in this first series of your study, repeat the same exercise for ten or fifteen minutes or more as previously decided, trying to reach the two-minute target of uninterrupted contemplation of the second hand's point. Under no circumstances should another exercise be tried until you have finished with the first one. The only exception to this relates to a parallel exercise, which will now be explained. As you have probably concluded for yourself, Exercise No. 1 is a kind of attack on your as yet untrained mind by the means of concentrating your sight. EXERCISE NO. 1A Red Pranayama This is concentration on sound. It must be performed immediately after No. 1, or at your second daily session if you have arranged for two per day. Take a simple, short sound,
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unconnected with any physical form. The best result is usually obtained with the word "Om" which was mentioned in Chapter XV. Carefully note the time by your watch and begin to repeat the word "Om" mentally, or even whisper it if you prefer. Your full attention should be exclusively directed to the sound inwardly heard. Apart from it, nothing dares to exist for you just now—only "Om, Om, Om," etc. Once again, by means of the second hand, check your best effort, which is the length of time you can repeat "Om" before your mind refuses to obey you and tricks you into another thought. Multiply that time by 3, and this will be your subsequent target, as it was in exercise No. 1. You may gauge your true development in mental and will power by observing your initial efforts in sight and sound concentration. If on the first day your best uninterrupted performance is for approximately one minute, you are on very good terms with your mind, and you have the prospect of quite good results from this study. The shorter the times for your first attempts, the weaker is the control you are able to impose on your mind. But even then do not be discouraged. Some students I have known actually began from very insignificant results of only 20 seconds' duration as their best effort for the first day. Then, unexpectedly, they shot ahead, passing others whose first tests had been twice as good. But in the case of these students, they had been told beforehand all that you have read in this chapter. If it seems to be more comfortable, you may exclude one of the senses in the initial stages, the more easily to overcome possible distractions, which because of your still weak will power, may interfere with your efforts. So, when working with No. 1 you may close your ears with wax, a rubber plug and so on, and with No. 1A you may shut your eyes if preferred, for the first weeks of practice. There is an important condition to remember when engaged in this course of concentration and that is to discontinue and forget all your former interest in occultism, if there has been any. Concentration does not permit of indulgence in any duplicity. One-pointedness is its paramount rule. Also, as has already been stated, regular times for exercises are most important. Exercises Nos. 1 and 1A must be continued until you are able to perform them faultlessly for five minutes. Then you may pass on to the next and more advanced ones. What can be of most help to you at this stage? Everything that strengthens your will. What can delay success? Everything that weakens your will power. Recognizing this fully, try to adapt your life so that you will be in the best possible position while studying this course. Unnecessary and harmful habits are the factors which interfere with the growth of your will power. So, if a logically thinking and hence reasonable student possesses such things, he will declare war on these enemies and stop succumbing to them. Do you smoke? Then you have an excellent opportunity to develop your inner strength by asking this injurious habit just which of you is boss. If you do not possess this particular habit, find another and dismiss it as ruthlessly as it formerly held sway over you. I do not wish to imply that without absolute freedom from all undesirable weaknesses, such as smoking, drinking, gambling, moral impurity, etc., there can be no hope of success from your practical study according to this book. On the contrary, you can certainly reach some positive results. But even a champion runner or swimmer can only do his best under favorable conditions, i.e., unburdened by unnecessary heavy garments, and wearing only
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shorts or swimming trunks. He will never be able to perform so well if attired in full street clothes. If you do not conquer most of your negative habits, they will suck your inner strength like leeches. Think about this, and make your own decision, for no one else can do it for you. Now I wish to give you another practical hint. Since these exercises are not performed on the physical plane, we should strive to become as independent as possible from our physical counterpart. A useful little "trick" follows: a. When you commence your daily exercises, first assume your normal asanic position described in Chapter XV, i.e., sitting erect on a chair without any tension, neck and spine in one direct line. Also, remember about the use of colors. b. Take a little extra time and instead of working with your body immobile, try rhythmically bowing and raising the head, then bending it to left and to right. Finally, slowly turn it clockwise or as you wish. At the same time, continue with your concentration exercises without any change or deviation, just as if your body were immobilized. If your performance of exercises Nos. 1 and 1A has been good, you should feel only a slight difference, and they will continue undisturbed. This proves that the exercises do not belong to the physical plane, but go beyond the brain. If on the other hand you feel some uneasiness during this unaccustomed experience, then attack the obstacle, i.e., perform all exercises with the body in movement as described above, for as long as you feel the need for it, so that eventually you will feel no difference whether in movement or otherwise. Therefore, from now on, every exercise should be done along the lines of (a) and (b) above, except Nos. 9 and 9A. The final aim of the first elementary series of exercises is for ten minutes of uninterrupted concentration. When this is attained, only one should be done at any particular session. So, if you are able to follow the second hand of your watch for ten minutes, limit the time of your exercise period to just these ten minutes, and do nothing more. The tension may still be too strong and the brain and nerves should be spared and treated reasonably. Ten minutes of even this elementary concentration is already quite an achievement, and you will notice the difference for yourself. But… it is only a beginning. However, a good start is the forecast of a good finish. One of the surest signs of satisfactory progress is the fact that one begins to like doing the exercises, and does not feel compelled to perform them as an unpleasant duty. There is practically no limit to the achievement possible with love and good will.
then you may pass on to new ones. Gradually extend the time of observation to the standard ten minutes. and the exercises Nos. A match. even something still more complicated will suffice when you are ripe enough. the sign of good progress will always be the same: you will like the exercises. but it seems to be a very effective one for crushing the age-old habit of being concerned about everything. but with your eyes closed as well. then try imagining everything 60 . But now. which we call preparation. Then return to No. concentrating all your attention and sight and forgetting everything else. 1A.Concentration Mouni Sadhu XVII Second Series Once the things explained in the two preceding chapters have been fully grasped and practiced as instructed. Some people adopt a first-class attitude by way of a little self-hypnotic trick. he would still remain silent and composed. for they will become some thing very close to you. breath. are standard for every exercise. so that you can easily memorize everything about it. Again I repeat. in which they gradually persuade themselves that nothing in the world has any further interest for them. you have difficulty in "creating" a pure black background. also for two minutes. according to the time you have allotted for the purpose. posture. Exercise No. So one day. 2. Study its head from all sides with the utmost attention. it is advisable to create and to use a black background with nothing else but the simple object in its midst. EXERCISE No. Do this inspection for two minutes. and also combine this with the mental visualization of the same object for ten minutes. 1 and 1A can be performed faultlessly. giving you new abilities and fresh points of view. You may also use a magnifying glass in order to examine the tiny metallic ball in detail. Continue to alternate in this way for ten or fifteen minutes. We may be amused t this way of expressing things. instead of the watch and its second hand. take a medium-sized steel pin. do not think that as a result of your efforts. like friends. when you can honestly say that the first series no longer holds any difficulties for you. 2 Yellow Pranayama The accessories such as time. will play the role of the pinhead. and the talks with yourself. After two minutes. a coin. stop the inspection of the pinhead and again use exercise No. and even if a hydrogen bomb exploded on the tip of his nose. Any object on which you direct your thus-far trained attention and powers of concentration. 2 should be done until the mental image of the pinhead is firmly established in your mind without any interference from thoughts and other things from outside. the next more advanced group of exercises may be tried. In the case of mental visualization of the pinhead. One such person used to say that he was quite indifferent to all outer things. If in the beginning. This means that you can then see it not only when you are actually looking at it. you will be able to concentrate on observing and visualizing only a simple pinhead! Experience will prove otherwise. However.
Then a temporary obstacle may be created to prevent you clearly seeing the pin. after which the disciple was sup posed to have acquired all perfections and to be standing on the threshold of the higher state of consciousness. 61 . It is not permitted to pronounce the name mentally or to deliberate about the qualities of the ink instead of visualizing it. The first aim is to contemplate the object's exact image inwardly for two minutes. the time taken by different people studying the same object has varied so much that it would constitute a real harm if I were to give a prescribed timetable. Easy success in the first steps gives no guarantee of sub sequent success. I had to pass through many unnecessary disappointments and grief. Brand-ler-Pracht—now long since and unduly forgotten— from which some valuable exercises have been given in a modified form in this book. mental repeating of words connected or unconnected with the target of concentration. Then close the eyes again and try to see the pinhead in your mind for as long as you can. As an example I would like to give one of my own earlier experiences of more than thirty years ago. In all the cases I have personally observed. At the time I was studying an interesting book by the late German occultist. struggles now do not necessarily give a sure forecast of greater difficulties ahead.e. corresponding more or less to Chapters XVI and XVII in this volume. I am deliberately refraining from giving you any set length of time in weeks or even in months for the performance of exercises. In most cases this will suffice. remembering how it appeared when you were actually looking at the little metal ball. And accordingly. So. by forgetting the real form of the object being visualized. then. i. more difficult exercises were reached. took me much longer than the six months. When this is achieved. extend the time to five minutes and then remain at that for a while. then the last resort is to open your eyes and look intently at it for about ten seconds. It seems. that the only practicable rule is: Never begin any further exercises until the preceding ones are duly and completely mastered. and you will no doubt recognize the practical value of the method used in this course. first try to restore it by an effort of your imagination.Concentration Mouni Sadhu around you being filled with pitch-black ink or paint. there should be no verbalizing. in this case the pinhead. If this occurs it is only distorted concentration and you must commence the exercise afresh.. Your best weapon apart from sheer will power will be your constant and inflexible endurance. mentally cool about it all and strong in our endeavor. Then everything will be all right for you. Dr. And before I realized that this was a fault of the otherwise distinguished savant. If not. the whole of the very advanced and hence difficult part of the course had to be finished in only six months. So let us be reasonable. developed by true meditation and other practices of an exalted kind. There are a few people who might be able to perform the elementary series according to such a timetable. they might pass quickly from their former excessive pride to the other extremity of despair and disappointment. It is quite possible the rebellious mind will try to sabotage your exercise. Also. and who would then become too self-confident and think far too much about their imagined abilities. Similarly. But performance alone. Several exact timetables covering the exercises were listed. And when the next. if the picture of the pinhead begins to fade from your mind.
providing no one can hear and so have his curiosity excited by such an activity. Om (two). which may be per formed if you feel the need for them. this latter result applies only to fairly well-advanced people who want to go ahead quickly." If and when a compulsory interruption occurs. 1A.Concentration Mouni Sadhu The overwhelming majority of cases of unsuccessful study come just from the nonsensical habit of leaping from one unfinished exercise to another. total the number of "Oms" recorded and so get the figure you were able to reach for the day. before retiring." you should count its number. It will give you much strength and selfconfidence. The "Om" exercise will now belong exclusively to your everyday life." otherwise of concentration on "Urn. apart from your daily exercise periods in the morning and evening. have used this method with excellent results. I myself. Then. The next best occasions are pauses in your daily work and these may be filled with the gradually growing No. after each separate "Om. But there is no direct connection between these and the basic ones numbered 1 to 7. But this time. so that very harmful and destructive mental laziness or thinking to no purpose may be partially reduced or even completely eradicated. this exercise consists. as your ability and will power grow with the exercise. along with many other students. so badly needed in all inner work. 2A Orange Pranayama As a parallel to No." mentally or whispered or even aloud. for example: "Om (one). you can dispense with No. This means that you are free to use it in every moment which you consider appropriate. It would be an especially great advantage for the student all his time free from professional and other necessary thinking were occupied with the repetition of "Om. so why not by you? As a special and timely addition to this chapter. It has already been mentioned that the most suitable time for performing No. 2. the figure reached can be noted in memory or jotted down on a scrap of paper kept for the purpose. If well performed. 2A is when you have no obligatory thinking. for example. Om (three). When you note that the figure passes the five-thousand mark per day. I want to give you an extra group of exercises. 2A at your morning and evening sessions. or going somewhere. 2A. when you are waiting for something. the amount should increase each day. 2 extending it from the five-minute period to the full ten minutes. of the repetition of the syllable "Om. and devote the whole of your time to No. EXERCISE NO. ADDITION A Blue Pranayama If you want to strengthen your physical body and harmonize the astro-mental activities within it. Travel in a public conveyance is perhaps one of the best of times. making it more co-operative with your study and less likely to tire from your 62 . like No. But all this has been done by many others. Of course." and so on.
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daily exercises, then the following directions will prove helpful. Any sunny morning, dress very lightly and retire to a secluded place where you can be sure that nobody will be able to observe your activity. Otherwise unwanted currents of thought will attack you and disturb your inner peace. The best time is between 8 and 10 A.M., and the best place a corner of a quiet garden or field, or the fiat roof of a house, etc. When you have located a suitable spot, make sure that you will not be disturbed by undue pressure on some part of your body caused by tight clothing. Stand upright facing the sun so that you are bathed in its rays. Then raise your head as if looking at it, but without doing so directly, so as to avoid being blinded by the strong light. Stretch wide your arms with the palms at right angles to the sun's rays and fingers in line with each palm. When you feel the rays warming the inner side of your hands, try to imagine that the inexhaustible, subtle and life-giving energy of the sun is being collected in them, like a battery being charged. Try to feel that your hands are soaking up the rays and storing them like accumulators. Stay like this for one or two minutes, or longer if you wish. There is no danger of overcharging. Then with fingers close together and turned slightly inward, bring your arms to the front and fairly near one another, slowly drawing them downward till the fingers are at right angles to your forehead, but not touching it. They should remain distant by about one inch. Now strongly imagine that the accumulated energy in your palms is flowing through the tips of your fingers and into that part of your body directly opposite to them. The luminous current enters, magnetizing your physical, astral and mental vehicles, and as you slowly move your hands downward, it revives everything on its way. From the forehead pass slowly down until you reach the region of the solar plexus. There is no need to magnetize any thing below this important center. The distance from the fore head to the diaphragm area should be covered in about half a minute, although it can be a little longer, but not shorter. Finally, separate your arms with a broad sweeping movement, stretching them outward once more and bowing as low as you can, before resuming the original position, i.e., with your palms again directed sunward. Repeat this series of movements for seven times at each session. The process of charging your palms with solar energy may take from one to two minutes. Throughout the exercise you should think only about what has been prescribed, and not allow thoughts to wander at their own sweet will. We will call this exercise the "solar accumulator action." Psychically sensitive persons can see the whole process, especially when the collected energy is pouring into their bodies from the fingertips like currents of radiant vibrations of a golden color. The results can be meager or marvelous. Everything depends upon correct performance and concentration while doing it. Faith is also a most important factor, and together with concentration, these two powers are the invisible motors which move and direct the subtle currents of energy we so badly need. This should be thoroughly under stood. Concentration, will power and faith are but three different aspects of the one mysterious thing, called fulfillment or realization. When this is reached, the three coalesce into one and serve us faithfully. But of this crown jewel of spirituality you will hear more in the latter part of the present work, when better equipped by the exercises in concentration, and with developed will power and newly born intuition, you will be in a better position to appreciate what is actually the aim and its attainment.
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Anyway, this exercise A has a definite reviving and stimulating influence on your physical body, giving it freshness and vigor; your emotional-astral counterpart will attract positive currents of feeling in place of morbid ones, so that you be come fearless and optimistic; and finally, your mind, for a while, quenches your thirst for disorderly thinking and creates more self-confidence, deeper insight and peace. This exercise, as well as the following one (B), is a visible effort to put the student into contact with a particularly useful form of concentration known as the "I-Current," of which more has been written in the already mentioned In Days of Great Peace. Actually, it would be better to study that book before this one, as it would make your work easier, and give you a clearer grasp of things. ADDITION B Green Pranayama Another aspect of inner development parallel to the exercises on concentration and Addition A, is the next one, which I will call B. It helps to revive and develop the higher intuitional part of man's consciousness. From the purely technical point of view this exercise is very similar to A. But instead of on a sunny day, you perform your activities in a suitable place during the evening between 8 and 10 P.M., when the moon is full or close to full. It can be any phase before the full moon and on the evening of its peak, but not when it is on the wane. This should be remembered and the calendar consulted. Clear nights or ones with very little cloud and no threat of rain are best. Travel to and from the chosen spot should be done in silence. You should not speak to anyone encountered on the way, and in fact it would be best if you met no one. This can be arranged if you plan carefully enough. Silence should be yours from the moment of departure to that of return, and afterward when you are retiring, which is recommended immediately after coming back. There should be no talking until next morning. No food should be taken immediately before the exercise, or after it. Breakfast next day should be your first meal. Before starting the actual exercise you are advised to do a short pranayama. When you reach your place, stand upright, as in A, but this time facing the moon, and breathe deeply and slowly. Gaze at the silvery disc for one to two minutes, imagining it as a source of delicate vibrations, gently stretching their rays to your eyes like cool threads. Then raise and stretch wide your arms, fingers close together so that they and the palm of each hand form one flat surface. Turn the palms to the moon, as you did before to the sun. The arms should form a semicircle with your head in the middle. Now, with an effort of will, imagine your palms are collectors of the moon's subtle vibrations whose silent energy is emanating from that shining disc. The rays will then be concentrated in your palms. Do not think about anything, but just impregnate the out stretched hands with the moon's rays. Do not mentally pronounce any word. After one or two minutes, turn your palms toward your forehead and let them follow the same path as in Exercise A. But this time imagine that the subtle and still mysterious power of intuition, or "knowledge without thinking," is flowing into you from the fingertips of your charged palms, and enters as the hands move downward from the forehead to the region of the solar plexus.
Mouni Sadhu
The process you seek to set in motion by this exercise is just the development of that intuitional power about which little can be said, since it is beyond the mind's activity and hence surpasses the descriptive power of speech. You will come to know what this means as an outcome of your efforts to pursue the methods just described. This exercise requires, albeit for a short time, freedom from thoughts. But if you really look with full attention at the moon's disc, and strongly imagine the process of transmission of its subtle energy into yourself, then your mind will be unlikely to resist or to interfere with your work. However, if difficulties appear with which you cannot cope, stop the exercise until—by further training given in the following chapters—you can easily still your mind for the required time. Exercise B also usually has seven cycles, each of about two minutes' duration. Use the first minute for collecting the rays in your hands, and the second one for charging your body, just as you did in A. It is recommended to hold the fingertips for a little longer opposite the following parts of your body: 1. Over and between the eyebrows 2. Heart area 3. Solar plexus (most important) The areas in between may be passed over more quickly, as the energy collected and distributed is of an entirely different kind, use and value from that of A. During the exercise, in addition to freedom from all thought, it may be useful to create a strong desire to become more subtle or ethereal, and so able to fly on the wings of thoughtless intuition. This desire relates to the second part of each cycle, when you are magnetizing your body with charged hands. If now, in the beginning of your practical efforts to concentrate, you do not feel any special attraction to the additional exercises A and B, then do not perform them at all. They become obligatory only after Chapter XIX has been success fully studied and its methods thoroughly mastered. Then there will not be so much difficulty in their performance and you will have a greater appreciation of the value of this chapter in broadening your consciousness. During your work, which started with Chapter XV, it is advisable to keep a short diary or notes on the time spent on each exercise until it is well performed according to the given instructions. For example: "Exercise No. 1. Commenced: May 1, 19 . Performance: Halfminute until May 15. From May 16 to June 25, one minute. From August 10 to October 1, two minutes. Since October 1, three minutes." This will give you an exact picture of your progress in the work. Such a diary is very helpful for the orientation of other beginners who come after you. You yourself must be the judge of the time needed. Suppose that after some time you attain the ability to perform exercises Nos. 1 and 1A for two minutes. Steadily maintain this victory for one week, until you feel that you have actually mastered things, that no special efforts are now necessary, and that no interruptions occur to mar your two minutes of concentration.
thereby securing our hope of success in the whole enterprise. So. with its lighthearted. The lecturer spoke at length about two of the modern cities. but only simplified and therefore effective exercises and their explanations can really be of help and yield the necessary results." Such is the law of occult training and psychology. we should diligently seek it. by a well-known traveler and writer. It is similar with all occult training. After this go ahead according to the instructions in this course. If we need a firsthand testimony. since it alone can give us that something which in time will grow into our own experiences. Instead of the mysterious word "attainment.Concentration Mouni Sadhu After this probationary week. He admitted to me that he had never actually been in Brazil. The talk was quite interesting. Such purely theoretical expositions which have not been experienced down to the smallest detail are without much value for an earnest student. where was the truth? The man who had been there could immediately detect something wrong in the description given by one who had never seen that of which he spoke and who was using only secondhand data. I was listening to something like a well-composed excerpt from a schoolbook. 66 . being supported by many facts and figures and colorful slides of the country—Brazil. about a South American state where I had spent some years and with which I was consequently familiar. I was invited to attend a lecture. Then again comes the stabilization of your new power. but had visited the neighboring Latin-American republics and had drawn his material for the present lecture from several authoritative manuals and travel books. both of which I personally knew well. the more their authors have written them with their minds and not from their personal experience. Shortly after my return from India." which should be the epilogue. I approached the lecturer and asked him when he was last in the country just described. the whole thing is simple. Instead of a vivid description by someone who had seen the flamboyant beauty and charm of that vast tropical land. you may attack the two and a half and three minutes' targets until they too are achieved. As you can see. At the end of the talk. carefree life. São Paulo and Curitiba. The more complicated and numerous they are. you will find only the cold and lifeless word "disappointment.
you can create an extended field of inner vision. The next steps will be extension of this time to the required five. but from all sides simultaneously. you can write in your diary that all former exercises should be repeated morning or evening (or both) for ten minutes each. So now. In these two final weeks all use of ear plugs must unconditionally be stopped. more advanced third series. Follow the same method as before. 67 . as if it were in the midst of an extended field of vision and no longer limited to that of your two eyes. and later ten minutes. 3 Yellow Pranayama After the usual preparation.Concentration Mouni Sadhu XVIII Third Series (Advanced Exercises) By now the time limit for exercises Nos. You envelop the object with a multisided vision. 2 and 2A will be stabilized at a full ten minutes of trouble-free concentration. assuring me that in such a way an "all-sided" vision was much more readily obtained. Close the eyes (you may also close your ears with a wax ball or rubber plug) and while in complete blackness. some have made this easier for themselves by placing the imaginary pin in the center of their heads. Then again take the now well-known pin and gaze intently at its head for a minute or two. Multiply the resultant time by three and begin to work toward a clean concentration for this length of time. see the pinhead. once again checking on your maximum time of concentration or unobstructed seeing of the pinhead. purely to the realm of thought. but actually. But after you have carefully been through all the former exercises. If every day for two weeks you consistently reach this stage of training. Allegedly. if still needed because of the continuing restlessness of your mind. until you catch yourself digressing by thinking or imagining about other things. which will be completely and technically dominated when you successfully finish the last exercise of Chapter XX. this is my advice to every student of this course. Then you will know a lot of things for yourself which I am purposely omitting here because it is not good to anticipate them. for the next two weeks. Personally. I prefer to place the pinhead in total blackness as if some one and a half feet before my closed eyes and try the required sort of visual concentration. 1. sit quietly and do a little pranayama or rhythmical breathing for three or five minutes as shown in Chapter XV. Likewise. They must be found by the student himself in due time. This may seem to be a very hard task for some. it is much easier than you might imagine. and in it see the little pinhead from all sides at once. I do not see anything very stimulating in this kind of approach. until you are able to picture it clearly in your mind. EXERCISE NO. as it only testifies to the fact that one has definite difficulties in escaping from the brain. created by an effort of will. Such is our method. The exercise may then be considered as fulfilled and finished. The whole thing belongs to the mental plane. then you may now read and study the next. The usual two weeks of maximum concentration of ten minutes follows. 1 A.
or turning of the attention to the outer and inner worlds. this exercise is similar to No. Sri Ramana Maharshi (see: In Days of Great Peace). This is only one of the less known and rarer facts taken from a long series expounded by the leading Indian system of spiritual philosophy called Advaita Vedanta.e. for the mind must be silenced. Anyway. 3A must be mastered. The likely difficulties of this exercise are exaggerated. There should be no side thoughts. 68 . this exercise No. i. of course. But. as previously. The only aim is to see. from all sides at once. I am looking at my wrist watch. its color. 3A. You will find that it is now easy for you to direct your attention (mind) to anything you wish. such as those about the material of which the pinhead is made. As an additional reward for a well-performed exercise. However easy or hard to perform. Only there was no image in the mind's mirror! What is the meaning of this fact? It is a very deep. size and so forth. But do not be too pessimistic: with each mastered exercise. who taught this noble path all his life. 3A is five minutes. Again. or no duality. Writing these lines. And there is no difficulty at all. embracing it in your visualizing consciousness. wishing to see it from all possible points of view. can rightly be called a wise man. nonexistent for your physical eyes. 3. It is now called the Direct Path. imperfect and uncertain way of mind and its thoughts. The name has been coined by a contemporary sage. Everything will be all right if only you are able to rid your mind of all ugly and useless interest in the few objects you may see during No. you become a different. you will make an amazing discovery: when your attention was fully directed to the "mental" pinhead. If you realize that there exists a source of all knowledge and wisdom. Look before you into space. they could not see anything of the surrounding world even though your eyes remained open and light rays fell as usual on your retina. to contemplate. Otherwise. without any other thoughts. it means five full minutes of "seeing" the little ball from all sides simultaneously. The reward for a satisfactorily performed exercise is very great. stronger and wiser person. the picture of the world has no existence as such. I am also experiencing what I am expounding to you here. but at the same time a simple one: the world really exists only so far as our senses are turned toward it.Concentration EXERCISE NO. Sit quite prepared and imagine the pinhead as usual from all sides. but without any interest in whatever your eyes may encounter in the visible world. I cannot write and simultaneously perform this exercise. without any other movements of the mind. unattainable by the clumsy. but only by a normal and logical process of raising one's awareness to the level of that immortal source. and no movement of a writing hand is possible without the participation of some special subdivision of the same mind to direct its activity. it must be performed.. far beyond all yogas and religions. then you must become a sincere follower of that way. for otherwise one cannot advance. and dives into the source of all possible real and imperishable wisdom. but with open eyes. I deliberately say "wiser" because the enlarging of one's abilities means perfected ways of cognition. no matter how much time it may take. The temporary limit for No. 3A Orange Pranayama Mouni Sadhu Technically. He who readily knows what he wants.
It is the exceptional difficulty in repelling. of course.. (a) and (b). which contact your mind only by reason of certain affinities.Concentration Mouni Sadhu And yet there was a time when the writer was terrified when he tried to imagine such a degree of concentration as described in Nos. because they have been done by others. Logically then. and are still using. But as regards these vasanas. But by now it is well known to you from your former exercises Nos. whether wandering aimlessly through mental space. The error is that. are deliberately sent against us by some unfriendly intelligence. which is the object of this study. there is a weak point in these ways of defense against assaulting thoughts. a strong thought directed at you by a powerful mind not always 69 . holy names. These methods are very effective against all the occasional invaders from the astro-mental planes. and recall how you managed to repel the invaders from both outside and from within your mind. Sometimes less experienced students of concentration mistakenly affirm that they are able to think about two different things at the same moment. let me explain the former. the ability to control the flow of thoughts. that the method implies that you have already attained quite a considerable degree of ability.) Western saints used. or directed especially against you. which wander through space. and by that fact allow no room in your consciousness for other thoughts. In this chapter I want to explain the ways and means of self-defense against persistent and vicious assaults by thoughts of a certain type. So. Sankaracharya and also in many of the Gitas of the Indian spiritual tradition. while the vasanic background is still alive. It is impossible for any human mind to harbor two or more thoughts at exactly the same time.e. From the law of essential and primary one-pointedness of the human mind to the goal of true concentration. i. or as sometimes happen. and sees the light created by such a current as a homogeneous or continuous one. But the essence of both practices. There are plenty given by Patanjali. the natural means against all intruders would invariably be to select one thought and hold it.. is essentially the same. 3 and 3A. and even pious sentences in order to occupy their minds firmly with something which at the same time is uplifting and useful to them. there is a great distance. Remember now how you performed your earlier exercises (Nos. i. It is like an alternating electric current. 1 to 3. You see. First. and technical knowledge of concentration. The changes of the cycles and direction of the current are so fast that the human eye is normally unable to record them.) An occultist who is not too religious or a yogi may use a mantra taken from the Western or Eastern books of occult philosophy. 1 A and A). such a person allows the arrival and departure of thoughts to occur so quickly. The psychological impression is similar in the case of the two thoughts mentioned above. b. The method is actually used by men of a well-above.e. An analysis of conditions under which thoughts can enter our minds is necessary for the full understanding of this matter. There are both natural and artificial means of defense. that he believes he has had two thoughts together. a. these things can be done by him.average development. short prayers. one after another. the particular attractions of your emotions and mind along with your unfulfilled desires and passions. colorings and by the "odor" of your still not extinct vasanas. Then no unwanted thought can enter the well-defended fortress of the saint's awareness. as the student may see for himself. in reality.
Anyway. of course. from whom he received almost everything which could later be translated into words and presented in book form. which may seem to you to be more powerful and effective. What meaning would any mental assault or disturbance have for him? No matter how powerful a mental weapon might be. if used with what we call "strong faith. which cannot be troubled by life or death. and is not at the disposal of anyone less advanced.Concentration Mouni Sadhu imbued with the best of intentions. The advanced ones in the next chapters will teach you some more direct ways to the same goal. only pointing out the fact of its existence as the perfect means to inner perennial peace. only two are available to us. The second natural means of protection is an exceptional one. 70 . thoughts or vasanas. and attach itself to the corresponding vasanas in your mind. to those who may misuse the powers they possess. this hostile force will overcome the weak prayer or mantra. In such cases one might say that God Himself came to the help of His devotee. unless he is a true spiritual master or guru. All this refers. But even against such mentally strong men there are sure and infallible defenses in (a) and (b). among the natural means of defense against intruding thoughts. and the passing into that mysterious "fourth state" about which the contemporary spiritual teacher—the Maharshi—often spoke. and is able to live without thoughts and forever remain in the "paradise" of the supermental consciousness. In our elementary exercises you have already touched on some aspects of the state of being that is without thought. he adds extra force to his own. But there will be no essential difference. which we may now baptize with the apt and concise term "vasanas. it could not reach the virgin. snowy peaks of the perfect aware ness. Similarly with mantras. Such people would probably not occupy themselves with average men without a definite reason. In the next chapters they will be enlarged upon and classified into various types. I can only call it a complete abandonment of all traces of mental consciousness. except for variation in the form of the exercise." If a religious man uses prayer in the name of God when performing his pious exercises. In the first part of this book we spoke about the importance of the suppression of the curiosity of thinking. For only such a great one can use this incomparably simple and powerful means. Fortunately enough. unstained by any feelings. Let us suppose that someone has already reached this apparently distant goal. and so firmly occupy your consciousness to your detriment and loss. This ability is the privilege of a spiritual giant. Now we can pass on to the so-called artificial means against the rebellious mind's activity. and by far transcends all the powers of even the most advanced man. that force is more powerful than all the attacking missiles created by men. if one really believes in their higher origin and infallible effectiveness. In our imperfect language of the mind. According to the foregoing. which is the exclusion of thinking by deliberate and conscious effort. although he may not be fully or even partially conscious of the fact. those given as (a) and (b). and one might not be far from the truth." I was speaking about men who are able to project them. If the energy sent is much stronger than your defensive ability." Now you can see wherein the weak side of a man lies! In mentioning what may be called "mental missiles. So we shall not speak much about it. The writer has had the inestimable privilege of association with such a spiritual leader. their numbers are few.
without any intermediary on the lower plane. and even now you can see which instrument will be needed when trying to create this cloak round you. Here faith in yourself will be necessary. Its efficacy is of limited value. the only instruments for influencing and changing their currents are your will and visualization powers. or in other words. Leadbeater. But in the two subtle worlds mentioned above. which in the invisible worlds is equivalent to the muscular strength inherent in the human body on the physical plane. So. i. which surrounds your body some three to four feet from it.e. The student may note that the Indian classical term.. In the physical world the force of pure will. when directly applied to gross matter. Breathe rhythmically and with each exhalation imagine that all the unwanted (if any) astro-mental contents of your newly built shell. the insignificant results. which you have to feel is actually coming into being.Concentration Mouni Sadhu c. that no reasonable occultist would ever dream of attempting such an operation. In fact. but never in the man himself. and perform a dozen or so pranayamas in order to harmonize and quieting the body and mind-brain. we will learn just who is eligible to use it. I used it myself some thirty years ago in the beginning of my occult training. London. feelings and deeds. could also be used here. The cardinal condition is that you must have: Belief. although I have heard many enthusiastic comments on this kind of selfprotection. because human nature itself is good and strong. There is no justification for saying: "I am too weak. after all. Then intently imagine that you are sitting in the center of a transparent cape like an egg shell. who rightly said in his Occult Talks: It would be quite possible for one strong enough and sufficiently trained in the occult laws which direct human will-power to transport a glass of water from Sydney. or at least the mental conviction. before the detailed description of exercise (c). But the amount of energy wasted would be so enormous by comparison with. feelings and 71 ." Read what the Sage Maharshi had to say to his first European disciple: A man can be weak or evil in his thoughts. Those who know their true self do not need such a statement for they have experienced its eternal Truth for them selves. It was found to work reasonably well against the lower types of thoughts based on feelings. in the first place. Now we can pass on to the techniques of the exercise of creating the "cloak. But beginners do! And this quotation has been given for their benefit. that in the subtle superphysical worlds (or planes) of feelings (astral) and thoughts (mental). is an extremely hard way of reaching any results. intuitional certainty. against mental waves lined with an astral background. C.. it is the only instrument which can bring us success. i. vasanic influences. to say. I have decided to give the earnest student all possible useful explanations and thereby narrow down the gap of uncertainty in his mind. the so-termed astral or odic cloak or armor. I would like to quote a well-known occultist. adopt your usual position for concentration. W. which could lead to disappointment or even to failure." First.e. The odic cloak or armor belongs to the astro-mental realm. Nothing recommended in this book can be achieved unless the student tries his best in full belief in his own inner strength. On the astro-mental plane faith in our inner strength generates will power. Concentrate your attention and will on the following proceeding. will power finds a much more suitable field of action.) It is.
72 . earth and so on. almost as if you were blowing the dust from the inside of a glass box.. instead of for hours. world is without some trace of life. and preferred to develop the "lack of interest" in every thing apart from my study and practical exercises. A weakly constructed shell will convince them that you too are a weakling. although others favor the shell. as it is not eternal and endures for only a limited time. simply by reversing the process. But you ought to know that nothing in this manifested. but thin. Do not forget this. but these explanations are not satisfactory. cellophane-like sheath which forms the skin of the protective shell. for haste is harmful for exercises. Everything has its own form of consciousness. This would only be an additional barrier for you to overcome. if you prefer it) native to the astral plane may focus their attention on your activities in their realm. If you allow the odic cloak to fade of itself. and so be quite comfortable and at ease within it. and they are not always friendly. This explanation is close enough to the otherwise strange technique of forming an armor from the "od. which may develop the tendency to dissolve immediately after you have formed them into a shell. your will power may lose full control of its components. as the latter may work well for only about half an hour or a little more. although from the absolute point of view illusory. When you operate with certain occult means such as this protective armor. contract it back on the inhale. and so disturb you when you are expecting immunity from them. are being forcibly ejected into outer space beyond your armor. Never allow the shell to be dissipated by itself. as you should never be in a hurry over a study of concentration. forces (or beings. Special attention should be given to the exact process of imagination (which is the constructive power in the astro-mental world) of the transparent and impenetrable. Trained occultists are able to make an armor which will last a dozen times longer than one created by less experienced beginners. With every exhalation purify the inside of the cell in which you are now enclosed. but experienced students are able to create such an armor round themselves in a few seconds. I was never very eager to use this means of protection. for example. But do not forget to destroy your odic armor when no longer needed. then create another. When you have created your first odic cloak round you. protected from all outer influences. be convinced while visualizing it that nothing can penetrate inside without your permission. Then. or even in a fraction of a second. we do not need to develop our abilities to that extent. This will empty your covering of impurities. rocks. For our purposes. The technique is very well known to many occultists and has been described in a few books. Instead of expanding it with exhalation.Concentration Mouni Sadhu thoughts. plants. begin your exercise proper. although to us it sometimes seems to be nonexistent as such. Some practice is necessary to construct a good shell. because they omit too many particulars which are not clear enough for beginners. for no thought or emotion can penetrate through that amberlike transparent shell. intruders may learn to pass through the decaying odic shell." or kind of prana.e. that some intruders are managing to enter. better and more impregnable. Also. I think it is the best method." i. according to the will power and ability of its creator. Personally. That is why many eminent occultists as well as masters speak about the consciousness of such things as. If you feel that the shell has begun to "leak.
But instead of visualizing the shell and its astro-mental vacuum." All this has been mentioned in order to help you to cultivate a correct and therefore fruitful attitude toward the manifestations of the surrounding worlds.Concentration Mouni Sadhu The more evolved the outer form. the undisciplined elements begin to disintegrate and your protective covering loses its practical value. and after using it allow it to dissolve through your negligence then as a final result you might well find yourself unable to re-create this protection at all. Immediately after your exercise inside the shell is completed—instead of. guarding your mind against violent invaders.. 2. The chief rule of always aiming at one-pointedness in every effort should be followed even in the expounding of this subject. a pious 73 . But we have no time or reason to occupy our selves with things which have no direct relation to the present study. For example. In order to perform this exercise you should begin as before in the formation of the odic covering. al though still charged with your will power. The second and last artificial means of astro-mental defense is the oral one. but on the same principle as that previously de scribed for cleaning the interior—use the short." And the mysterious Monsieur Andréas went on to say: "A precious emerald here on earth might be an archangel in another kingdom of nature. In this event.e. assume the appropriate position and rhythm of breathing. I recall the enigmatic saying of Paul Sédir's master: "Every thing in the world has its corresponding counterpart on another plane of existence. and pass on to your actual exercise. But what is still worse. at the moment when you create the shell and its vacuum. sharp thought: "Now I am setting you free. So the student must be quite clear in recognizing that every instruction found in this book should be fulfilled exactly as given. visible as well as still invisible to you. thus rendering your effort almost void. This in turn diminishes your chance of successful work in the future. This is because the components of the astro mental shell. Sometimes this exercise is referred to as the "use of mantras." The theoretical basis of it is: 1. i. Perhaps an aphorism from one of the great spiritual masters of humanity. Then thoughts begin to pass through the chinks in your odic armor. It can be anything which you consider to be wise and sacred. thereby disturbing your concentration. the brighter the ray of consciousness which is operating through it. elements of my armor!" By adopting such a proceeding you expand your power to accumulate fresh particles for the formation of new protective coverings. d. slowly pronounce a short sentence which has an elevating significance for you. as it is the only guarantee of success. That vibrating energy enclosed in a rhythmical repetition of the same sequence of sounds creates a protective layer round you. if you create the odic armor. may acquire the bad habit of obeying your will only for as long as you exercise it. this occurrence robs you of your faith in the effectiveness of these instructions. Other authors attach even more importance and usefulness to the odic armor. The familiar fact that a man cannot possibly have two or more focal points for his attention. claiming it to be a good shield against many physical dangers. and the components develop the habit of obeying you and serving under your control. and creates a sense of disappointment which pulls you down once again.
and they do not call for anything above the average intelligence in a student. continually being repelled from your now well-defended fortress. Immediately catch the first intruding thought and crush it with the firm mental pronunciation of "No!" Put all your awareness behind that one little word. a noble thought. The student can find a large collection of this kind in the latest edition of In Days of Great Peace. is purposeless and therefore should not be tolerated. The intruding mental or astral "visitors" will be temporarily ejected and you may remain free of them for a little while. For this is the correct way to use this kind of mental defense. It is our troublesome and treacherous mind which tries to dictate something else. Apart from the many sayings of Christ and Buddha. but so powerful weapon must always remain sharp.Concentration Mouni Sadhu verse. still manage to slip through and occupy your mind. all of them have (for your present purpose) exactly the same value. especially for students who might not be too interested in concentration as a means for spiritual advancement. you will find that the periods of purity of your awareness between the use of your "No!" weapon gradually become longer. apart from his determination to pursue the study to a successful conclusion. This means that by throwing your "No!"-as a boxer does a punch—no other thought dares to oppose it. Both these artificial methods are not hard to use. as if seeking the most suitable one. But never under any circumstances should you switch from one sentence to another. etc. and also to their meaning. We should simply not have any interest in the in finite variety of mental currents which try to affect our consciousness. Anyway. You have full liberty in your choice. The best results will be obtained with words which find a deep echo in your heart and mind. Once it has been made. begin to repeat it aloud or to whisper it for some three to five minutes. at the same time acknowledging the futility of accepting unwanted thoughts and feeding them with your own energy while harboring them in your mind. Soon you may note that some thoughts. despite your intention to exclude them. your simple. When you are absorbed in it. Some students think of this means as being an absolute veto directed against vibrations of mental matter which are capable of being repelled. Repel them with your strong "No!" just as you might push away a small pebble or other obstacle on your path. The basis guaranteeing success is the same as before: the strong mental conviction that any yielding by us to the onslaught of thoughts which evade control and selection. until you feel yourself well acquainted and at ease with it. But then comes a new one and again your sword "No!" should cut the wings of the invading bird and not permit it to nest in your mind. When repeating the sentence listen care fully to its sound as well as to the pronunciation of the words. If you wish to know the truth. And finally here is a recently tested exercise which should prove very effective. 74 . you cannot think of anything else. sit quietly and try not to allow any thought to enter your mind. the more you practice your "No!" the more its efficacy and your power of control grow. This indicates that your strength is growing and that the intruders are losing their former vigor. the old Hindu Gayatri can also be very helpful. Even so. As the fight continues. but who principally want to achieve control of their minds for utilitarian purposes. As usual before an exercise. This is just what we are aiming at. and all thoughts simply find your mind firmly closed to their entrance.
i.. the odic shell and the mantra. An old rule which can be confirmed over and over is: "Not too many exercises. Just select tested ones that have proved effective.e. there is no need to use both of these defenses." 75 .Concentration Mouni Sadhu If one of them gives you satisfactory results.
This concept may help you to maintain y full attention on the rotating disc. do not use any of the defenses given in (a). if you feel your work is being distorted the outside world of sounds. II and III. This disc should have the appearance of being cut from very thin cardboard and apart from its size have nothing else in common with a plate. 4 Red Pranayama Be seated as usual. and do the same with all the subsequent exercises involving discs and points. for this and the following exercises. spinning rapidly against a motionless and changeless black backdrop. but not so fast that you cannot follow the revolutions when your full attention is directed on it. sit still and try to see the disc. picture a flat white disc like a plate of about ten twelve inches in diameter and situated about two feet in front of your forehead. It is assumed that the first three series—Nos. But this is still far from being sufficient.Concentration Mouni Sadhu XIX Fourth Series Now that you have mastered Series I. First. Close your eyes. The aim of the former series was to teach the student the elementary control of his mind with a target of ten minutes of absolutely uninterrupted concentration. (b) and (c) of the preceding chapter. The next step is to imagine that this disc is spinning very rapidly. EXERCISE NO. snow-white disc of about ten or twelve inches diameter (whichever is best for you in the beginning). Now imagine before your closed eyes a pitch-black curtain enveloping everything round you. whirling noiselessly at great speed against a black background in front of your closed eyes. 3. Preferably. the disc revolves and should be clearly seen as separate from background—which is the very aim of this exercise—only as long as you are looking at it. That is all you are allowed to "see. Now at this moment there is nothing else in the whole world for you except the white disc. 2A. You may also insert rubber or v plugs in your ears. the time taken should be measured according to our former method. Briefly. And this is the complete cleaning of the mind of all thoughts and emotions. without any interruptions forgetfulness. that the power which turns the disc has its source in your own eyes. Without an adequate ability for active concentration—which is the uninterrupted thinking about a very simple mental image without words and other kinds of verbalization—no one would be able to perform the much more difficult passive concentration. 2. more advanced ones are awaiting you in this chapter. as described above. 1." a flat. and feel that it is doing you good. This is only a temporary measure for the full mastery of exercises excludes the necessity for use of any artificial defensive devices. 1A. for as long as you can. Do a little pranayama if you like it. until your mind 76 . Further imagine. It must revolve without any deflections or vibrations. Against this black background. Now we will discriminate between the two main forms of concentration: (a) active and (b) passive. For a start. 3A—have already enabled to pass on to these new ones. as it is meant to be a perfectly centered disc. Both are merely different sides of the same coin and both are absolutely in dispensable.
This exercise is perhaps one of the most important in this course. as by its use the student can check his own development and future prospects. cut out one of approximately twelve inches from thin white cardboard. you will see the disc smaller by one inch. on the third by three. Using a pair of compasses draw another circle inside the first one. comparing the results. If it was satisfactory. by one inch. the size of the rotating disc from its original diameter of about twelve inches. then do the same with eyes closed. 77 . checking the exactness of the mental picture. Look at it again. Without it one will never arrive at the final aim and gain the ability which is sought: the full and unconditional ruling of all mental and emotional processes in your consciousness.Concentration Mouni Sadhu escapes your control and you catch yourself thinking about quite different things. but in this case time has only a secondary value: the essential thing is the successful outcome. As always. Then the next day reduce the size to that of a pea. Then you will have eleven concentric circles on your piece of cardboard. but must devote as many days as are actually needed for the exact and hence satisfactory performance of the whole exercise. The final aim is for ten minutes of uninterrupted practice. with a radius reduced by half an inch to give you a new disc of eleven inches in diameter. If so. Now carefully observe the original circle with which you commenced working. and so on. It is quite possible. on the first day of the modification of No. 4 is completed—which will probably take you about two weeks—pass on to its further development. It can happen that you may have some difficulties with the mental diminishing of the disc by an inch each day. until you have one of about an inch. At each daily session diminish. and there is nothing that can change it. Then visualize it with closed eyes. and therefore the picture may be confused. with a de liberate exclusion of same as a target. Months may be required to attain a faultless performance of this exercise. for it has already been done by many others. Then look quickly at your watch in order to see how long you retained your attention on the object of concentration. If this is the case he should not adhere to the period of only one day for each new size. 4. until there remains only a one-inch disc. So. cut away the first circle so that only an eleven-inch disc remains. or forgetting to watch the disc. on the second day by two inches. each of them with a diameter shorter by an inch. ten minutes remains as the target for each stage of visualization of the rotating disc. Repeat this operation ten times. and later to a white revolving point on the same pitchblack background. 4A Red Pranayama When exercise No. This is a condition. Sometimes a student cannot reach the desired results in visualization of the daily diminishing disc. so why should it be otherwise with you? EXERCISE NO. Multiply this time by three and this will be your daily target.
nameless. the observer. or contact with. the white spinning disc. the surrounding physical world? If the exercise has been performed as intended you most certainly must have utterly forgotten everything except your object of concentration—the silent. No matter how long or short the time required for a good performance of the exercise. A new ability has been born in you. but this time with open eyes. for this is the key which opens every door. gazing aimlessly into space. You cannot pass on to the next degrees until the foregoing have been successfully concluded. When you are able to watch. some two feet ahead on a level with your eyebrows. This is because development is gradual and always needs some definite length of time for its fruition. First direct your sight straight before you. without any interest in the process of seeing. 5 again. as in the former exercises of a similar kind. Inability to per form something at a given time is only proof of this. 5A Green Pranayama Now repeat No. After the usual preparation on a day when you are feeling well composed. and on it. take as long as is really needed. watch the state of your consciousness while merged in this exercise. caused by some interruption or distraction. and the object of your vision. If you are able to do it. for ten minutes. The same rule applies to all past and future exercises. until an unbroken ten minutes becomes a certainty. and no further omissions or reductions are possible. of course—your consciousness independent of all outer influences. The present course is confined to the very essential ones. EXERCISE NO. imagine only the black background. only you. without any thoughts. although not yet knowing it. Did you still have any idea about. you have already made—for a limited time. 78 . you should begin the exercise again and yet again. there is nothing else in the whole universe. then you may make the next step. 5 Green Pranayama Mouni Sadhu We have now reached the climax of this series. but this time without a white disc or point on it. So. Visualize it in the full silence of your mind. At this moment.Concentration EXERCISE NO. but deliberately and consciously in quite a different way from an average man. a twelve-inch revolving disc. You were awake. but it is only the dawn of that which should actually be reached. Have strong faith in yourself. Do not hurry! No one can be better than he is. If you cannot achieve this time on the first day. the target time is ten minutes of silent contemplation with open eyes which see nothing apart from the white disc and its black background. And this is the very aim! During the experience you were neither asleep nor in a swoon. 4. repeat as often as needed until you are able to perform it correctly. As previously. just as you did at the end of No. When you lose the clear vision of the disc. black screen before your mind's eye. the rapidly whirling little white point on the vast black backdrop for ten minutes. Then again imagine the black background.
You may feel some difficulty in the creation of the different-sized discs without the help of closed eyes. etc? What kinds of obstacles still prevent you from immediately doing the whole exercise for ten undisturbed minutes? Are there thoughts about something which may happen to you to morrow? Do you still expect something from your now ill-timed thinking? Analyze yourself. But during this course you have surely developed a certain instinctive measurement of time which you can use at this stage. from the two senses which play the most important role in one's life. 4. the thing must be done. You should already have recognized that although your senses of sight and hearing remained open as usual (hence they are separate from the real "you"). which are sight and hearing. 3A) and the six advanced ones (Nos. I say approximately. for some two or three minutes. I cannot forecast how many days. Again use any of the former exercises which you believe to be most suitable in order to eliminate the inadequacy from your inner development. 1. 5A. 6. But there is no choice. and well within the reach of many of us. without interrupting the exercise. 6. because the last exercises were much more difficult. even by means of a specially designed exercise. which may arise from still not wholly exterminated weaknesses. picture the now well-known little white point whirling on the black field. Exactness is now of secondary importance. or perhaps months you may need for the completion of this exercise. certain vibrations in the form of light and sound waves (these terms are used for simplicity and are 79 . words. 2A. 5.Concentration EXERCISE NO. there is no cause for concern. enlarge the point to a revolving disc of about one inch in diameter." for approximately two or three minutes. weeks. or perhaps even from some laziness. instinctive reactions. and if you do this part of the exercise for two and a half or three and a half minutes instead of two or three. By now you know best what improvement remains to be done. Once again. 6. No. 6A Green Pranayama The basis of this one is the last exercise. Slowly enlarge the disc again. And everything referring to it is equally valid for No. and find the cause. so that you can watch the process of its size changing from two inches to three after a minute or more. 3. 4A. and so on till twelve inches is again reached. But when accomplished it is already an achievement of which many yogis would be jealous. EXERCISE NO. but with your ears open. Then gradually. you can check on your gains in the meantime. During this period try to test yourself a little: How much remains in you now of that old compulsion and innate desire to think in forms. Contemplate it with all the senses "open. which taught you to overcome your former dependence on thinking in forms and words. It should be easy. 6A). I do not say it is easy to separate one's consciousness. 2. because by now you know that you should not interrupt an exercise in order merely to look at your watch. Having successfully mastered the six elementary exercises (Nos. 6 Green Pranayama Mouni Sadhu This is a repetition of No. 1A. sounds. and what you can consider as a hundred per cent satisfactory performance. All I can say is that the thing is possible. 5A. if only we have enough endurance and really know for what we are striving.
But in spite of all this. when you are en grossed in reading a magazine or book. is beyond and above the brain's functions. what ideas and permanent values threw light on their way? And this knowledge is just what permits and helps us to go through all the difficulties and hard work of practical study. its attainment is far from being easy." Even in normal life. 4. This of course is the chief condition. 2. The foremost factor of that control is something which we call "attention. If this is so. Most important conclusions may be drawn from this simple fact: 1. 5. These few statements are made here. 3.Concentration Mouni Sadhu not meant to convey their exact meanings) were still influencing your brain through the telegraphic system of your corresponding nerves. astral and mental. without any effort on their part. In spite of all this. on the threshold of the final exercises which lead us to the natural and unique aim of the present study. The words of our definitions are simple. and their final achievement. We shall hear more of this later when the last exercises are successfully concluded. which has the power of eliminating everything else. then the destruction of the brain cannot extinguish the light of awareness in those who have been able to contact this light now while still possessing the brain. and there is plenty of competition for it these days. but so is the "mystery" itself. which slowly emerges as a result of exercises performed as given in this book. after which the new one dawns in us. you may not hear music coming from your radio playing only a few feet away. and who have discovered the great secret sought by so many advanced men from the earliest known times. in order to show the earnest student which conclusions and experiences are possible through en durance in all these exercises. just as knowledge of elementary algebraic equations and theory is a condition for any further studies of higher mathematics. This ruling factor. And there is not and cannot be any other truth. for such statements have made the experiences possible for his predecessors on the same path. although in essence it is as simple as the ultimate Truth itself. taken in all the three planes of existence known to most of us as the physical. it takes you beyond sleep and death. 80 . Preliminary knowledge is just as necessary in psychological or metaphysical studies. which is not the case with this particular subject. being deliberately merged in another form of consciousness. you did not see or hear anything. Otherwise. When fully evolved. Despite its simplicity. for the only real and eternally existing "thing" is consciousness in its essence. simply because they have graciously consented to read such a book! Perhaps this is because the use of official knowledge on most subjects is a bread-winning one. This attention rules over our awareness or non-awareness of our surroundings. This discovery enables us to switch on or off the physical consciousness centered in the brain. many shortsighted men expect a book about these matters to give them something which will put the necessary knowledge into their heads. It has been proved that perception through the senses can be controlled by our will if sufficiently trained and strengthened.
The difference between the two lies only in the fact that now you should train yourself to work with open eyes. After another week or more. you must work longer to gain the reward. Continue this observation for a minute. turning to a medium shade. you may compare the vision to be created to a wall of perfectly pure and transparent ice. the colorless infinity of space. this too must cease. 7. until the time required for a faultless performance is finally reached. Then by an effort of will. 81 . I know of people who have been greatly helped by such meditation. depending upon the time devoted to its practice and the effort put into it by the student. This aspect of the exercise should be performed for ten-minute sessions for one or two weeks. then to a lighter one and finally becoming as clear as water. gradually lighten the color of the deep blackness. When you close your eyes. After that. then the time is appropriate for the next one. simplify the proceeding still further. And the world of true meditation will also open its gates to the persistent aspirant. remaining thoughtless and feelingless. EXERCISE NO. Once again imagine the black background before your closed eyes. For the results will be amazing. the emptiness. but as often as you can manage. so that the whole curtain before your mental sight first becomes dark gray. which we will call No. bottomless space before and round you. in order to tune your inner consciousness to this aspect of the exercise. 6. 7 Yellow or Light-Green Pranayama Return for a while to exercise No. In the beginning. This exercise has caused difficulties for a number of students of concentration.Concentration Mouni Sadhu XX Fifth Series (Final Exercises) EXERCISE NO. only the infinite. But there yet remains another still more advanced aspect of No. but in most cases it was mastered in a few weeks. and there is no longer a definite color before your eyes. My advice is: try to perform this high form of concentration not only once or twice daily. If it will help you in the first stages of this important experience. These are the two decisive factors for your success. and there will remain only space without forms or verbalized thoughts. try to see nothing. absolutely nothing. you may mentally whisper for a short while: Infinity before me: infinity always receding before my sight. no matter what your surroundings. No more trace of the ice wall or water. or sometimes months. Then you will really know and feel that something to which a deep study of concentration always leads. 7A Yellow or Light-Green Pranayama When you are able to perfect the previous exercise. If not. 7A.
I am not advising you to indulge in their practice while you are crossing a busy street or driving a car in heavy traffic. already knowing from experience. since it is the basis of it. and do not perform them merely as a heavy duty. and now more so than before. a necessary evil. you will know many things about yourself which before were not even suspected.Concentration Mouni Sadhu and not just in the quiet seclusion of your room or garden. a burden. that you and your ego— that little mortal thing limited by time and space—are not identical. And by this knowledge you will also come to a certain cognition of that which men call "the world". All this becomes possible only when you understand your exercises. At this stage of your study." if you prefer this expression. 7. everything. apart from. and yet somehow a part of. No higher progress is possible from the series beginning with Nos. working. 4. and not only as described for the early stages of the majority of them. After having duly completed all exercises. or the like. 7A. but your newly obtained wisdom will differ from that of those surrounding you. From its heights you may look dispassionately down on your personality. and especially Nos. I am referring to the ability of perfect control of your outer bodily functions such as walking. As a master said: Thou canst not travel on the Path before thou hast become that Path itself. It would be unwise to try to explain here things 82 . it would be hard to conceive of any great benefit. and even talking with others. 8 and 8A. In such a course. This should be clearly and unmistakably realized. we have little to do with the astro-mental variety of matter. Use every available moment wherever and whenever you can. while a new unbroken silent consciousness becomes permanently alive in you. When mastered they must be done under all conditions. Nothing less will do. 5 and 6 up to these final ones. the work is simply premature and cannot be successful as it is too difficult and demands too much earnestness. need not necessarily be for the standard ten or even five minutes. The rest consists of introductory and informative matter which is by no means less important than the practical side of the work. eating. We should always be reasonable in our approach to things. which is sensitive to all our emotions and thoughts. —The Voice of the Silence While reading this book you can see that the exercises are only a part of the whole. without this attitude to concentration in the various forms now known to you. and so it is only necessary and natural for us to harmonize our own emotional and thinking apparatus with the laws con trolling the limitless ocean of such subtle surroundings. transacting business. for individuals with shallow minds and primitive feelings. But even now you ought to know that steady practice under all circumstances will undoubtedly create in you another mysterious ability or kind of new "sense. Quite the contrary! Moreover. and not from mere empty theories or beliefs. That would be dangerous! The time taken for your extra practice as distinct from your regular exercise periods at home. Anyway. By now you most certainly must have developed a deep interest in this study and perhaps even a love for it. until you prefer them to every other activity. I can only emphasize the ultimate target of these most important and final exercises. And no conscientious author would try to tell you that this study is an easy thing.
Observe whether you now have any difficulties with it. Not at all! Essential and compulsory matters should be attended to conscientiously. for example. if you have them. Being almost at the end of this course. and while holding up a newspaper. or perhaps more. in fifing every available moment with that work. sooner or later one has to arrive at this conviction. does not apply when you are lucky enough to have an initiated friend who knows at least as much as you do. simply because they try. abilities cannot be forgotten. Recapitulate them and spend a few weeks on the task. but they can be dimmed if not properly cared for. and who is just as keenly engaged in the same study. Unlike the contents of a book or historical dates. No. and succeed. It is not recommended that when away from the privacy of your own room. train or bus.Concentration Mouni Sadhu which cannot be anticipated. It is quite possible for a self-disciplined person (which you are surely trying to be) to sit quietly in a train. instantly rectify them. but only because their performance was meant to create in you ability not previously possessed. which should always be done in secrecy. Not every one will be able to accept such a hard philosophy. without unnecessarily losing time. Then it is quite in order to consult him insofar as you see that he understands your position and aims. The fact that you are in such circumstances rather than others is only proof that you have need of them. So checking is essential. your destiny or karma. If your traveling time is only for five minutes. Take the "pinhead" with you. actually be engaged in a suitable exercise. you adopt your particular sitting posture and practice breath control. Nevertheless. It is unreasonable to fight against the things which cannot be changed. Take. for only a short time. in the tram. Another useful practice is offered to you. Defective or incomplete ability is your responsibility and has nothing to do with the mental storehouse of your brain. which will richly repay your labor. everywhere you possibly can. This. when walking or waiting for transport. Only certain special matters connected with the true and ultimate aim of every earnest search for higher things will be explained in the last chapter. especially where it touches his own life. Advanced students do not even bother to set aside special time for inner work. you cannot spend more than three minutes of it on your concentration. Now forget about those conditions. 7A. Calculate everything in advance. 83 . at all the previous exercises. just as we must eat and digest our own meals ourselves. and which sooner or later everyone must in variably discover for himself. The next and final control should be achieved away from the conditions which were the most appropriate you could find for all your former work. which from your present point of view is perhaps considered to be easy. If there are some defects. You should never allow people to become curious or puzzled by activities connected with your study. since they are part of your fate. for the simple reason that otherwise you will invite plenty of trouble and emotional disturbances. All the exercises which you have done were performed not because you needed them as such. and so on. It is always best that no one know about your enterprise. This does not imply that you must cancel or interfere with your bread-winning activities or other obligations. of course. you should again look. in short. from the most elementary up to No. for no one else can do it for us. 1 and do it flawlessly for the maxi mum prescribed time of ten minutes.
and look dispassionately at the under side of your eyelids. you are retiring from the physical world in full undimmed conscious ness. but the most important thing is their successful performance and nothing more. EXERCISE NO. 7 and 7A. 7A. as attention has already been withdrawn from the act of seeing and you are beyond its reach. The choice will be the test of one's inner development. Probably some time will be needed before you are able to perform this exercise in full. 8 and 8A) describe them as a method of using "inverted sight. These are necessary be cause. which serves in our transition to the as yet unknown highest experience. Aim at remaining in this state for ten minutes. The time target is the usual ten minutes. therefore we will pass on to some explanations and warnings. There is little more to add. 84 . having different attendant results and phenomena. this one being a repetition of it. as in the waking state." directed to the back of the eyes. Some Eastern yogic authorities claim that this kind of eye position involves more detachment from the outer world and everything else. By constant and habitual practice. And this is another matter. to a state other than sleep. although the eyes ad ears remain open. within our field of vision. and even on the highest plane. Sit with eyes and ears closed. In this case. But to struggle passionately for something which is inaccessible or nonessential is another matter altogether. EXERCISE NO. When concentration is sufficiently strong and deep. 8A Violet Pranayama Technically. where you are normally protected by certain natural arrangements. 8. which is a variation of No. which envelops the whole universe. 8 Violet Pranayama Its basis is the use of something allegedly well known to us. you can accept this as correct only when you are well trained in the exercise. Some people who practice these exercises (Nos. However.Concentration Mouni Sadhu To make some efforts in order better to adapt one's conditions to one's needs is not wrong. and is composed of in numerable galaxies and solar systems. as with the next one. which supports them during the unavoidable interruptions which occur in everyday life. but with the eyes and ears open. Its use is possible for those who have fully mastered Nos. You should pay no attention to the possible visual or sound impressions which may appear and reach your consciousness despite its being closed to earthly sights and sounds. There is another exercise which is good for the practical extension of consciousness. At this point I would like to give a warning. there is a little difference between this exercise and its predecessor. Experience does not contradict this description. yon cannot see or hear anything. Later it is absolutely of no importance where you direct the eyes. in withdrawing your senses from their natural field of conscious activity. as if trying to see their inner surface. it is space. men attain the continuously flowing current on the astromental level. But first return to the former exercise No. It may be helpful to turn your eyeballs upward as if observing your brows through closed lids.
The Christian saints in general agree with Seraphim in that they warn neophytes against all photisms. i. A wise man pays no attention to such things. St. The word itself is not worthy to be used by an intelligent person.natural" character of these phenomena. Otherwise you may be lost in the treacherous waves of this variation of the old enemy—Maya or illusion. They are without any significance. They are a creation of your partially subconscious mind and they are also partly reflections of the astro-mental world. who all his life was a special target for the attacks of inimical forces. Do not believe in any "super. there is a sharp divergence of opinion existing between the abovementioned representatives of Western and certain branches of Eastern mysticism. Another saint of the eighteenth century. told his disciples that all the apparently "real" phenomena which occurred around and inside his poor hut in the Egyptian desert. which a man allows to arise in himself. This is the opinion of the best representatives of humanity' most advanced sons. thereby slowing down your progress. lights and luminous auras may be noticed. I came across a statement by Vivekananda to the effect that. acting through the vasana of curiosity. being securely attached to his spiritual endeavors. Seraphim was much wiser in his attitude than his Eastern counterpart. These demons are truly power less and cannot take even a hair from your head. They cannot bring you any thing apart from disturbance during exercises. are like smoke which cannot do any real good or harm of itself.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Whistles. As you can see. Seraphim of Sarov (East Russia) also said: Know that all these apparitions which sometimes take the form of angel-like visions or vicious devils. Treat them in the same way in which you handled intruding thoughts and other obstacles to concentration. for a clear-thinking man does not recognize such a term.e. and are not a form of revelation. the student may see bright lights around and above him. Simply ignore them. The golden halos around certain ardent lecturers or persons deeply immersed in meditation were not infrequently seen. after successful pranayamas and meditations. Knowledge of this gave him the necessary power to resist all the horrors and temptations. These beings can only act through fear. This is what must be fully understood. There is no doubt for me that St. Occasionally praying monks see light surrounding them. This is also a temptation of evil which by use of phenomena tries to create pride and a sense of superiority in the careless person. When I was studying my first lesson in Yoga.. but we always dismissed a suggestion that it was something 85 . "Know that it is a sign of your rapid progress. whispers. There lies the danger! But a strong prayer dispels all such phantoms. In the past I often encountered these phenomena when working with certain occult groups. Anthony the Great. strange voices. unusual light and visions." said Vivekananda. We can easily find the reactions of some of them in the biographies of different Western saints who undoubtedly opened for themselves—although only temporarily—the gates of the other worlds and therefore suffered all the resultant consequences. contacting you when your senses are closed. These things are unreal and without any meaning. invisible to other people. although so terrible and aggressive. were as utterly unreal as a mirage.
Curé d'Ars) led an exceptionally simple. Of course. But even such authorities on magic as Eliphas Levy. Although almost an invalid. These victories were dearly won. It is also of interest that against all visions of doubtful origin there are two infallible weapons—the name of Christ and the sign of the cross. I am again referring to St. but the saint politely refused. But inside the weak frame was an iron will. because the photisms disappeared whet real progress was made. The contemporary spiritual master—the great Rishi Ramana of India—takes a definite stand against all manifestations of super-physical (not "supernatural") apparitions. Sometimes fire broke out in the rooms of the lonely old house. The most simple of people can use them. whose parish was in a poor little village in central France. Without the participation of one's thoughts no phenomena are possible. And time proved this attitude to be right. Many pilgrimages are made to this last abode of St. which has since become a small shrine to his memory. he victoriously resisted to the end. On such a night he sent his sacristan away saying that it was dangerous to be too near him that evening. Just how deluding and subjective all these occult apparitions and attacks are. they found the fearless priest in his bedroom on the first floor. the mayor suggested placing a protective patrol around and inside the haunted house. always recommended the simple Christian prayer and sign of the cross as the ultimate defense against otherwise uncontrollable dangers. and even today one can still see the charred curtains on the saint's old-fashioned French bed and the holes in the floor made by the attacking evil forces. This ascetic priest of Ars (he is often called St. On one occasion when a patrol was sent into the house during a period of particularly fearsome noises. for usually on the night before a visit from one of these erring souls. kneeling at his prayer desk while everywhere in the house raged the storm of the invisible. The foremost activity of the saint was the hearing of confessions. high degrees of occult studies may also provide some strong artificial countermeasures against unwanted phenomena. may be judged from a few facts taken from the life of a modern saint. 86 . together with many others. during which he was able to reform the most incorrigible of sinners in a few hours. Because the neighbors were terrified by the hellish disorders. He merely states that all of them have their sources in one's own mind. the modest wooden house was a witness to furious attacks against the saint. Dr. with the firm chin showing the exceptional power of will and character. Papus and Sédir. His thin body lies with uncovered face and hands in a glass coffin before the right-side altar of the church of Ars. and despite the many terrible visits of the enemy as he called the evil forces which attacked him for the whole of the second half of his long life. and horrifying sounds would be heard from inside. although the persons affected usually are utterly unconscious of the very cause of the troubles. pious and strenuous life. ominous forces. Jean de Vianney. pointing out that rifles and sabers would be useless against that kind of disturbance. as the apparitions could be unbearable. Even then he used to say that was still too good for his miserable body. From about midnight till the first cock's crow the whole house would tremble as if from an earthquake. When I visited the church I found myself admiring the rock. Jean de Vianney. who died about ninety years ago.like features. he made pews and confession boxes for his poor church with his own hands.Concentration Mouni Sadhu exceptionally important showing a high degree of advancement. For many years his meals consisted of only one or two cold potatoes and a piece of stale black bread.
which sometimes appear during the final exercises. What follows is meant for those who are. then it is best to stop at this point. Another exercise leading to the yet higher range of development now follows. You may recall that in the first chapters of this volume.Concentration Mouni Sadhu "Concentration on one's spiritual attitude is the best remedy against all such troubles. You have now completed the major part of this course—I hope. Further advancement is closely connected with deeply mystical work. with its carefully and wisely designed external form. for which you will certainly be much better equipped. and when inside. This exorcism may be useful for students who have difficulty in separating themselves from unwanted astro-mental influences. which insulates them from the deadly shocks of fear. in the so-called battle for existence. is always the best guarantee against error or misunderstanding. for which not everyone is predestined. as there would be no picture at all according to our understanding. al though they had no bearing on the early exercises. destiny and aim will be answered by your newly developed faculties. If this is so. its powers. There are also other aspects to all the ritual and paraphernalia of the old ceremonial magic. If you feel this is the case. based on certain special symbols and exorcisms known to them.. are only the visible points of protective concentration. then you have acquired some abilities which can be applied to your external life. but the term "enemies" or "God's foes" also has a deep meaning. 87 ." says the Sage Ramana. which sometimes lead to deplorable consequences. as the remainder of the book will probably hold little interest for you." The well-known "magic circles" which occultists use to defend themselves against the super-physical powers they invoke and unleash during their operations with "spirits. The picture of the manifested universe cannot be painted with only one color. These few examples may give the student some hints of what to expect in the course of his final exercises if he is confronted by certain psychical phenomena brought about by the development of new abilities and senses. If you agree. But here the foremost factor is their faith. So the "dark" colors are used to convey the idea of "enemies." etc. The supreme goal of the study of concentration is far be yond its application to everyday life and its mundane events. A reasonable and en lightened attitude. Now we may return to the centuries-old exorcism given in Chapter IX. cannot involve the ego. The conception of the "resurrected God" has already been explained. occultists consider themselves safe. devoid of any fear or superstition. The circles are usually triple and painted on the floor or earth with special materials such as powdered charcoal." being the antithesis of the lighter shades which represent goodness. There is absolutely no danger in using it since its non-personal character. there were some indications along these lines. adding that: "All these visions are unreal and do not exist any more than do the temporal things of this world. successfully. but also properly carrying out the instructions. then your questions about your own true being. not only reading everything. which have little to do with the present theme.
He seems to have come as close as is possible to the ultimate limit of speech. if we are fortunate enough to be so far advanced. but is surrounding you on every side. all-pervading space. transparent background of exercises Nos. your "I. 7 and 7A. there is only this infinite background. your faith. It is something quite different. 9 Crystal-White Pranayama Mouni Sadhu Let us try another experience." your consciousness. right into your cage of flesh. perhaps. Therefore. in expressing a very abstruse idea. otherwise you will drop back into the center. city. merge into that state where nothing is seen or heard. Sri Sankaracharya in his Viveka-Chudamani (The Crest Jewel of Wisdom). which should be accessible to you if the previous exercises have been mastered. You can please yourself. Before and behind.Concentration EXERCISE NO. i. house." This has been found to be a particularly suitable method of beginning the expansion. First. containing all possible universes. Gradually. in which there is nothing to see. that strange "sight" which can see in all directions simultaneously. the concept of the true Self or Spirit. there is no doubt that soon you will be able to perform it with all the senses open. but expand this which is just "you" in all dimensions and directions. With the senses of sight and hearing withdrawn from the outer world. The commencement of this exercise is the same as for No. starting from the "center between your eyebrows. which for the wise man are merely a play of the senses.e. above and below you. for now it is not only before your mind's eye. by use of a happy experiment. and taste the "water of life. beyond which we know nothing in this particular sphere of study. Let us be honest with ourselves. Call it what you wish. He likens the experience of our true self to that of infinite. it is presumed that your senses—with sight and hearing foremost—will probably prove to be powerful obstacles. or. compares things which actually cannot be expressed exactly in human language. Then the whole exercise must be started afresh." which is simply attainment of the pure. country and planet. we can find everything. al though some prefer to do it from the center of the skull. bottomless. If you reach the aim even by means of this auxiliary device. but with a difference. for in the beginning. Therefore be careful! 88 . And now expand yourself. may be badly shaken by the negative experience. The source of power and bliss which in variably comes to the fore after the successful performance of this exercise is too great and luminous for you to forget it or exchange it for something lower. explode into space. grow beyond your body. we can try to do No. It is not possible to give a more adequate explanation than this. are void unless we experience them for ourselves. discs and so on. like an imaginary luminous blast from the center. In it. Then imagine the infinite. This one does not call for the use of pinheads. So here I am offering a final exercise based on the foregoing statement of Sankara. So while sitting in your simple Westernized asana. colorless. while your self-confidence. But even the most profound of sayings which may come nearest to the central and ultimate Truth. right and left. Many Indian yogis would be happy if they could per form this exercise. exclude all thoughts from your mind for half a minute. 9 with the help of the physical exclusion of the affected senses.. unlimited and hence formless and deathless consciousness. Do not stop even for a moment. so limited by the mind's faculties of operation. 8. room.
" there are no visions. This is the way to the high aspect of Samadhi. in dissuading disciples from this sort of localizing of the consciousness.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Now. the "movement" stops. Do not pay any attention to the "surroundings" through which you "pass. in a realm of quickly passing dreams. unstained cons and all remembrances of earth and every outside thing are effaced. then practice them everywhere." but it is correct. who. because such concentration some times involves your sense of sight." or Kevala Nirvikalpa Samadhi. 9A Crystal-White Pranayama This exercise is another version of No. and. If your eyes were open as they will be in the next version of this exercise you might subsequently remember that you saw nothing around you either from the physical or other worlds.. In this much harder form. No human being who has not attained full perfection. EXERCISE NO." i. no better expression exists in human language). When you have duly performed all the technicalities advised in this chapter. which was undoubtedly initiated under your mind's direction at the beginning. which still exist somewhere "below. When these final exercises become habitual. It is without fear. to indulge in them in crowded streets or at busy crossings. It is not advisable. independent of all conditions and material sheaths. but preferably not in the point between the eyebrows. No one can limit your present or future flights. The right way is to fix the mind on the Self alone. 89 . Sahaja Nirvikalpa Samadhi. until the ability is reached which permits you to control the body's activity and at the same time carry on the inner exercise. always as if from the center of a sphere in all directions to the whole of its ever-receding periphery. is pushed ahead to a certain point (unfortunately. You may be puzzled by the word "temporary. For those who like Eastern expressions. as St. is able to live in the "perpetual formless superconsciousness. some help may be gained if. as the Eastern teachers of Advaita tell us. 9. and this would distract you. etc. called "temporary formless superconsciousness. Only the expansion. Proceed further and further. The experience must be lived." far-off.e. Go as far as you can. so beloved by many yogis. differing from the original only as regards its starting point. may result in fear. In this case it would not be suitable. and no words or thoughts should be allowed to form in the mind. John stated in his "Revelations. I will label this state the Samadhi super-consciousness. and then you will not require proofs from anyone else. said: Meditation with the eyes fixed on the space between the eye brows. or liberation from all the bonds of matter. There is no better conviction than one's own experience. ever faster and faster. supposing that there was no relapse or that you overcame it. as does a master. A man is then bathed in the light of pure. however. before your effort to expand. even for short periods if you cannot manage otherwise. you will experience the truth of this statement for yourself. Then you know. How far will you go? Experience shows that if the expansion." if you happen to notice anything although this should not occur. you be gin the expansion with all the senses unobstructed. Instead of having eyes closed and ears sealed with wax or rubber plugs.. you first imagine your consciousness to be centered somewhere inside the skull. beyond galaxies and new universes. It may be of interest here to quote the great Rishi Ramana. It simply all disappeared.
Therefore reading and thinking about those peaks of spiritual conception so close to the ultimate Truth is the best type of preparation for the subject matter of Chapter XXI. and the motionless Self in its bliss of realization will be unaffected by any bodily functions or movement. which may also be defined as uninterrupted meditation. this too will be achieved. so that it becomes more susceptible to spiritual flights. Through it you will find some-thing which may lift your everyday consciousness beyond its usual level. Instead of Sankara's verses. Selections given in In Days of Great Peace may be helpful for beginners and even advanced disciples of the art of meditation. 90 . Verses of wisdom by Sri Sankaracharya have the power to "rip" a man awake from his slumber in matter. The next chapter will be dedicated to the preparation for life in the true spiritual realm.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Later. Christ's Sermon on the Mount may be used with equal success by those who prefer it. and to magnetize his mind. close to the ecstasy of Samadhi.
composed of feelings. of some unfinished detail. A trained man can exclude all thoughts. You can concentrate your attention on any thing. without being disturbed. thinking becomes like the trivial functions of the average person. You already know of many things which before were for you as Himalayan peaks would be for an untrained climber from the plains. it gives us the ultimate. thoughts and physical attributes? Surely you know that this is not so! For in the advanced fourth and fifth series of exercises you went far beyond these elements. because temporary. and this only gave you a foretaste of that bliss which "surpasses all human understanding. your ego. i. who thinks ceaselessly all his life and. If this question does not arise. This can be done only by true meditation. this last one. by the onslaught of uncontrolled thoughts and emotions. and can choose or abandon emotions for himself. perennial peace." the "water of eternal life". and by the modern teacher—Ramana Maharshi "Realization of the Self in Man. Now the ultimate question arises in your mind. remains to be found. ideas. they are far from being the end of the true aim of concentration. beyond which no others are any longer possible? Once answered. by Buddha. still really amounts to nothing at his death. In which case one has to return and seek afresh for the lost pearl. 91 . called by Christ the "Kingdom of Heaven. such as eating or walking. etc. but he uses it only when needed. of a remaining imperfection. which has become refined." To that consciousness now ripened within you is posed the question: To WHOM has all this work on concentration been happening? To your mortal personality. What then is the question. No reasonable man would fill his life solely with these functions to the exclusion of everything else. In spite of all these seeming achievements. For a spiritually advanced man.e. But suppose that everything is in order." So that still mysterious "I. "Paranirvana". You are really not interested in anything which lies beyond the magic circle of your attention and visualization created by your own will and no longer by something from outside yourself..Concentration Mouni Sadhu XXI On the Threshold of Meditation The technical work lies behind you. despite possible fame and fortune. you should now be in a position to reap the fruits of that hard work. you did not even remember your triple individuality. as formerly. When you were absolutely free in exercises Nos. words and images from the screen of his mind. Quite the contrary! The wise man possesses intelligence incomparable to that of average people. 9 and 9A." to which all attributes seem to refer. and not as an untrained layman does. fortified and your good servant instead of a cruel master. the abilities. which are so unreal. It would be a great mistake to imagine that spiritual striving and ultimate attainment indicate mental dullness. They are only the perfected instruments. it is only a sign of partial failure. under any conditions. and after successfully completing the five series of exercises.
the play of words and thoughts. No matter if you are quietly sitting by the fireside of a flat in London or Melbourne.Concentration Mouni Sadhu If you read attentively. one cannot read Arabian literature. who seeks his own inner meaning. It is a point of departure for greater things. true meditation is super-consciousness. Therefore. You will no longer believe that someone who has not studied the basic knowledge of concentration. Techniques of writing and speaking which use the mind as a basis—the method commonly used by people untrained in high concentration— are similar to fishing in muddy water where you cannot even guess at the type of fish you will catch. independent and free view of everything. which is the sine qua non of true meditation. which is an art requiring much special preparation. If your hook is big enough and the bait is adequate. In just the same way. without any showmanship and fuss." You know just how much toil it takes for the classical domination of one's mind. "Samadhi alone can reveal the Truth. who by not casting their nets haphazardly. the first condition of which is stillness of the mind. or under the merciless sun of India. you know that you will probably catch a large fish. but be more advanced than an Eastern brother who has spent a lifetime studying the sacred texts. You are then comparable to the radar-fishermen of the North Sea." A learned occultist. then you have already engaged in a kind of mental meditation. slowly and with a penetrating desire to understand the logical trend of ideas from the beginning of this chapter up to this point. You may not know one word of Sanskrit. which alone gives the ultimate answer to the eternal quest. an admirer of the twenty-two sacred clues to the ancient Tarot (which Hermetists have adapted to fit the key to the lost wisdom of ancient Egypt) cannot be compared with a genuine saint or advanced yogi. And in true meditation we are indeed in Samadhi." said the Sage Maharshi. then everything assumes a different shape. The process may be more or less effective and approach the absolute one. while forgetting to "render sacred the most important.. you are expected to abandon—on the ground of your own experiences—the ridiculous and harmful belief that "everyone can meditate. When the mind is surpassed. Mind cannot be other than it always is. and the radar of your newly born consciousness allows you to see beneath the surface of the water. such as a virtue. can reach the peak itself. without studying Arabic. which usually lead nowhere. are only the mediocre activity of an unconquered mind. Why is this so? Because we then know that there is only one wisdom. or in a modest loincloth or shorts in keeping with tropical heat. visualization of holy images. In many pseudo-occult circles so-called "meditations" on themes which are given in advance. in proportion to that preparedness. The only means of finding the answer to the great inquiry is meditation. and how many logical and scientific experiences one has to undergo before the goal is reached. From the point of view of an untrained layman. which 92 . make large catches of herrings. no matter if you are attired Western style to suit the European or American climate. The complete course of concentration should give you a broad. it is only the normal state of consciousness. etc. but for those who have reached the aim of their study. and unique thing—his own life. but if both are small you can hardly expect to land a shark or groper. You are now on the threshold of true meditation.
are by no means perennial." It is the beginning of Samadhi. no one else can help him save one who has successfully traveled the whole long journey through the exercises on concentration. Anyhow. go through all the exercises again. 8A. from the beginning. as well as the ability to perform them faultlessly. for the Highest can never be seen apart from yourself. only transferred to a slightly higher level. 8. Impatience or anxiety is only a proof of the unconquered emotional nature in us. 9A. Perhaps you may be able to do so immediately. and which is ultimate peace and bliss. "If God exists. if you still need any "knowledge. And such men are very rare. that ultimate perfection. This may be contrary to what others are doing." said Yogi Vivekananda. You may gain it earlier than millions of other less developed men and women. of course. order you to recognize certain definite dogmas. Perhaps only after some additional work. It is truly a case of "seeing God." The second important thing to know is that the results of the completed exercises. and who forget that in a spiritual search laws are the conditions of success and the fulfilled conditions are the only laws governing achievement. No haste is permissible in this task. this inner untroubled point of balance. This has no relationship whatsoever to lower kinds of ecstasies belonging to the astro-mental realm. seeking for the weak point or imperfection in their performance. After the final series of exercises. which bars the way to those who are unreasonable enough to believe that they can smuggle themselves through. it is highly improbable that the student will care to ask anyone about the cause of difficulties on the "threshold. All purely theoretical advice is void. or to believe in men who founded numerous sects. then we should be able to see Him. those who. independent of anything and beyond time and space: "Perfection which needs no change" (see in Days of Great Peace. chapter entitled "On the Ocean"). enter into the stillness. because you have presumably experienced their practical application after studying the explanations and performing the exercises as described. Then. they may 93 . You know these laws. if he does. which makes you immortal. Can you be still now? Yes. there is another way to render the questions unnecessary. which is true meditation. No matter! You can only do your best! Now realize that this stillness. especially Nos. The Samadhi of which I spoke just a moment ago is the spiritual consciousness which is devoid of all visions. there is still some further advice which may prove useful for you." But. although these words cannot possibly be interpreted literally. first as you used to do them before your former exercises. then using No. which rather are confused visions in relativity (as is the outer physical world). Before we proceed to consider the reward for the achievement of concentration.Concentration Mouni Sadhu reveals itself to the mature and well-directed mind." because He is just this bliss of the final stillness. Simply—and this is the best means—analyze your achievements. but they too shall eventually reach it. if you successfully worked through Part III of this book. It is not possible for you to become conscious of God other than He is: He is the Absolute Consciousness. 9 and 9A. If forgotten. and there fore we are not afraid that our conclusions might be wrong. sit restfully and do some pranayamas. the legitimate inheritance of all human beings. Think deeply over all of this in order to build a firm foot hold from which you can safely step ahead and merge into true meditation. Any advice from an experienced per son will necessarily contain this suggestion about "checking. is all! It is the source of all true knowledge.
The greater your capacity for uninterrupted concentration. Although many people like this meditation because. Having experienced this for himself. for in such a person everything has become merged in the perennial state. each of which is independent. But they are so logical and their sense is so clear to any one who is not completely devoid of the capacity for self. It is to practice them in all possible situations. The full cycle would then take seventeen days to complete. who have practiced it for quite a long time. There is an in fallible means to ensure permanency of your conquests. Of course. if the meditation is being done by a group). In the earlier chapters of this book. as they claim. which must be thoroughly absorbed into the mind and thence into the full light of your consciousness. You are beyond it. but meditate on the first verse alone for the whole of the session. As we were told before. Consider: if you really are that "All-penetrating Infinite Life.Concentration Mouni Sadhu both begin to vanish. do the same with the second verse. one of them being intended for more advanced people. lived and not merely thought about. 94 . for the latter method will be unproductive. if in the meantime you have not firmly established yourself in the Nirvikalpa Samadhi. in addition to the already recommended verses from Sankaracharya. then accept its truth as valid for yourself. It may well prove to be sufficient for the whole day. the writer believes that such is the last touch. and it should not be attempted before this course of concentration is completed. who know what they are searching for and why. Both may grow weak if not practiced systematically. They are all statements of deeply personal significance. On the following day. when we are on the threshold of true meditation. If you are not in agreement with these verses. and so on. Focus your attention on this verse for one to three minutes. Less advanced aspirants should read as above. we have to know something more about it. although as a harmonious unit they have a definite sequence and meaning. It is composed of seventeen short. this meditation is not for untrained minds. All these sentences have to be lived. then do not forget or neglect to repeat from time to time what in your opinion and experience are the most difficult exercises. it will lead directly to the super-consciousness. if fully realized. i. often called "meditation" by the pseudo-initiatory schools and societies. launches you into the state of Samadhi.e. artificial "mental" activity. think deeply about its meaning." at the same time you cannot be in your earthly consciousness.. we were concerned with the school of controlled thinking. now. it greatly uplifts them. There are two methods of using this meditation. individual sentences or verses. yielding the highest experience possible for the man who uses it correctly. This is currently used in certain circles of spiritual seekers. that it should not be hard to study and understand them. which permits further progress. can be of no help to us. until the ultimate has been reached. not just repeated by the mind. you cannot hope to use them. I must repeat that the aim of these seventeen verses is very much greater. before passing on to the next one.analysis. The seventeenth verse. If rightly under stood and performed. I will now give a complete collection of data for meditation. That is to read the first verse very slowly (or listen to it being read. There is no great difference between the achieved inner strength and that of physical fitness. Then no exercises are needed any longer and all concern about them ceases. If such is the case. the faster the results will come.
although we prefer to perform some thing essential. I am like this space—having no end. where all the activity of my mind-brain ends. i. would it not be better to do that now. 3. This final process is the concluding part of this book. are to be rejected when the higher states are reached. or the first verse contemplated for the rest of the session. Another very elevating cycle of high-grade meditation may be used on the threshold of the silence with great advantage. body. Who am I? 6. rather than to speak about and label things which have not yet been experienced. feelings and thoughts. I Am—I Am All. Now the sky of my consciousness is pure. 11. may say that such is the visible aim of this meditation. Advanced Meditation Mouni Sadhu 1. 5." my name. this is not material just to provide food for thought. until there is identification with the Whole. There is nothing around me. 4. 14. Now I am free. This applies to all the other verses. I am the All-penetrating Infinite Life. Some readers acquainted with the conceptions of "super consciousness" or "cosmic consciousness" so popular these days. file ability to still the mind and through that fact. only infinite space. Spiritually minded and gifted people will find in them a source of unrivaled transcendental beauty. I am beyond all. thereby making the meditation closer to the final goal right from the start? Success always depends upon the same thing. My true I-self begins there.Concentration I. 95 . Therefore. because in a comparatively short time all these will cease to exist. for they were only a dream of my mind. I am above and beyond them. I have no desire to think any more. 15. 7. Now I am awakened from that dream. 12. 8. I am free from all names and forms.e. 9. 17. 13. This idea is not wrong. I am beyond my bodies and the whole planet. (Now follows a pause of one to three minutes.. the mind. to be born into the new aspect of life-consciousness. Now there is nothing which can affect me any more. Now I am creating the stillness in my mind. For that purpose I selected and adapted twelve consecutive verses from the swan-song of the late Ramacharaka. A person meditating in such a way merges deeper and deeper with every verse. I have forgotten the dream of earth. But I am forever. The words dictated by their parent. It implies the introduction of a particular state of consciousness. They do not exist any more. to become more and more ethereal. during which the meditation should be performed. 10. 16. As you can see. I am not what this world calls "me. I am the one who controls all these sheaths.) 2. with the second one treated the same way next day. There are no cloud thoughts in it.
Perhaps a simile will explain things better. no good. you may choose the verses which you like best. and the enthusiastic pupil. Fix the time for the meditation in advance. Then close your eyes and without thinking about the form of the flower. AllLove and all-Life proceed from Truth. has every chance of achieving the indescribable bliss of that sublime state—Kevala Nirvikalpa Samadhi— which comes when the full silence has been established in you. all-power. the impulse for which was hidden in the verse. set an alarm clock to go off from a quarter to half an hour later. spiritual idea. b. and outside of Truth there can be and is no creative energy or intelligence. the last step comes after (a) and (b) have been duly performed for at least fifteen minutes each. all-being. understand it. but no further word should shadow your now purified consciousness: no more verbalizing! After some practice in this new proceeding you will succeed in distilling the human language of the chosen verse into a formless. You are no longer thinking about the truth of it. no power. Truth is all-Love. c. for you are already living it. stop all thought and re main that way for the next five or ten minutes. but rather in the perfect use of some of them. Finally. Truth is all-substance. (b) and (c). Immediately after finishing (b). and outside of Truth there can be and is no substance. the all-good. It is hard to add more in words to this important experience of true meditation. just sit at ease in the appropriate place and time.Concentration Mouni Sadhu a. just inhale its sweet fragrance. repeating it mentally somewhat like a mantra until its contents become clear to your mind and remain firmly memorized. enters into a higher state. the all-wisdom. For example. elated and magnetized by the spiritual fragrance of your meditative theme. no Life. and are aspects and symbols of its ailness. 96 . 4. Cycle of Meditation—"Nirvana Verses" 1. and try to extract its inner contents as a wordless idea. 2. as advised in (a). If preferred. Know it. Slowly read one of the verses below. color and perfume. memorizing its form. You are then conscious of the flower. Compare the above process to another. The purpose does not lie in the number of themes covered. Something like this should happen with your meditation on the verses that follow. Truth is all there is—all else is untruth. Such a kind of meditation leads a man to the lower or temporary Samadhi. more familiar one: Imagine that you are looking at a beautiful flower. So do not hurry. no being. The Truth is one—men call it by many names. It is not necessary for you to try immediately to meditate upon all twelve verses of this bouquet of spiritual flowers. As recommended for all our meditative exercises. Truth is all-Life. who whole heartedly fulfills the advice given above. but without its visible appearance. What may then happen to you? The consciousness. Outside of Truth there can be no Love. Truth is the all-creative energy. This is advisable because it is not good to allow ourselves to think about time while attempting to meditate. although the strict sequence also has its value for the student. ignoring their numerical order. 3. Then stop reading and repeating the verse. May you experience it! II. And this is just what is required. 5.
97 . Truth is that which is. 8. Spirit is Truth. Rejoice and be glad. for within you is the Light of the world. Truth is ever-abiding within. 12. 11. Truth is Spirit. ever dwelleth the One that is All. TruthSpirit is all there is—all else is untruth. for everywhere abideth it. He who realizes this Truth becomes master of his life. There is but one Truth—men call it by many names. 9. and free from causation. Above time and beyond space. Spirit is that which Truth is. wisdom and bliss. 7. The Truth is to be sought everywhere. 10. The Wise ever seek that which once known all is known. In the perception of the ever-effulgent one alone is there freedom.Concentration Mouni Sadhu 6.
Concentration Mouni Sadhu Part IV Conclusion 98 .
The lack of perceptible change in an average man. At the time. gives us a different solution. no matter how ideal. The conception offered by the spiritual master. it will also have an end. was still too powerful. others.Concentration Mouni Sadhu XXII Resurrection into a New Consciousness Undoubtedly you feel a considerable difference between that which constituted "you" before you passed through the experiences resulting from this course. and later. far from all human habitation and its noise. 99 ." i. Despite the earnest effort of that endeavor. until the stillness is reached. and so progress. more or less transparent and colored. I remember how. The globe will be dimmed and not at all luminous as long as the veils hide it. of "evolution" needs some explanation. nothing can be added to us by the use of the methods described in this book. as some like to say. So what would be the use of following such an uncertain way? Definitely. the difficulty of developing good concentration disappeared forever. which is unattached and unaffected by any outer factors. Our immediate duty is to change inwardly. but it was not the same man who sat in asanas for long hours and tried day after day. Sri Maharshi. is nothing more than the morbid sign of stagnation. There are many reasons for supposing that almost every one of the students following the same path must pass through very similar experiences. when I tried to concentrate upon one particular thought or object.e. Our core. If some thing has a beginning. when I began to work seriously toward the aim of gaining full mastery of my mind. we would naturally never work up enough enthusiasm. the external impact of the malicious mind. may have veils concealing the fullness of wisdom and bliss inherent in the Spirit-Self. is something immovable and unchangeable. our consciousness. The humiliating feeling which followed the seeming impossibility of stopping the invasion was overwhelming. was still not enough to yield me the desired control. when the stillness had opened its gates and meaning to me. no effort producing only temporary achievement would be justified. persistently entered my head. who has not yet aspired to or attained the highest. Even going miles deep in a forest. like an electric light globe which is covered by different layers of veils. But gradually the change came about. No outer conditions helped. our "I" as we know it before our inner illumination. Moreover. I was making my first attempt at using the "Vichara" or self-inquiry. or conscious self. This is in accordance with the Law which directs human life. endurance and self-sacrifice just to get something which might soon be lost. uninvited. This was because. and which is filled with decaying matter. From the spiritual point of view. Then the same Atman (which is an equivalent Sanskrit term) becomes apparently limited. like the still waters of a pool which lacks any source of fresh supply. In a few years. as in a home with wide-open doors and windows. We should never accept the notion that "we. until the inner force had been forged in the fire of the inward battle. and your present state. there were some times moments of despair.. Such a false conviction would annihilate any results and all the efforts of the necessary strenuous work. which did not want to surrender. The meaning of "progress" or. We are constantly changing our inner world. the obstacles were surmounted.
The wiser and better you become. in which there is nothing but existence alone—or life. "And you shall know the Truth. in spite of his happiness. "I Am. but plenty to reject. When you come to this point in your study. in the 100 . Resurrection into the new consciousness means primarily liberation from attachments. individual souls. The intuitive knowledge reached by the domination of man's lower counterparts (i. much more reasonable meaning. Just as on a hot day one discards unnecessary heavy clothes in favor of a light sun suit. Attachment to visible things. his worries are connected with only one machine and its engine. manifesting their dimmed lights—there are differences in the colors of the veils and in the intensity of current shining through them. In the billions of separate bulbs— i. they are all doing the same. and the Truth shall make you free. Sankaracharya says simply: "Attachment to the body and to all other objects binds the individual as an animal is bound by a rope" (Viveka-Chudamani or The Crest Jewel of Wisdom)." said a great teacher in His Gospels. and consequently his slavery to dead things. In this course you reached the state where you were able to discard temporarily all your feelings and thoughts. The old tale about the only really happy man being one who was. which although external in nature are very strong and unpleasant bonds.e.. True meditation always remains as the means to the above.e. Questions concerning such things must certainly have occurred to you before you read this chapter. From the genuine Indian yogis to the Western saints. are the thickest and most light-devouring veils enveloping your AtmanSelf. the less attractions. It is possible that in this way you have found your true homeland." Only this has eternal existence beyond all time and space. of course. From this analogy progress or evolution acquires another. but our attitude toward things. as childish and illogical as they may appear to us now. 8 and 8A and actively projecting yourself into the Infinite in Nos. Life in this conception is pure consciousness. This illusion. In it you leave the lower world in order to live in a higher and real one. many troubles. So you already know something about what lies beyond your everyday world. thus allowing the inner primordial light to shine through.Concentration Mouni Sadhu But the central perfect light is always the same. There is nothing to add. the fact of possession itself which is wrong and troublesome. which is impossible for a man who has had no foretaste of the higher bliss and freedom. so does the wise man who has realized the Truth of existence reject the outer world as unreal. or to an awakening from a deathlike sleep. But if he has more than one.. dissolving them in exercises Nos. It is not. shirtless. the firm wordless assertion. They reject the mayavic veils. grows according to their number. has its own meaning. wheels. the triple ego-personality) is very similar to rebirth. And this applies to everything in life. you will then know experimentally where Truth lies. although in a less manifested state. necessities and limitations re main. A man who has many attachments has. And you know that inevitably this everyday world will also be dissolved. With this knowledge is also closely connected the experience of the rejection of some of the veils. in which case there is little left for me to say to you. If he has one car. Now you can see everything in a true light. 9 and 9A. his attachment. is called "Maya" by the Hindus. etc. this mirage of the apparently real world round us. in proportion. I have no ambition to try to put on paper something which is beyond all thought and sense perception. So if I say. Of course.
proportionally to the force of these spiritual 101 . that self-realization. and the new consciousness." ("The world wants to be deceived").consciousness. neglecting his duties or committing inconsistencies. But not the desire to discuss one's own ego qualities. so clumsily expressed by the two little words "I am. for details can easily be misunderstood and therefore misleading. The inner peace and steadiness gradually move outward. Uninterrupted 'I Am" lies the whole truth. The fact of achievement of the spiritual status in the experience of the super-consciousness in Samadhi." All these things existed before you were able to "see.Concentration Mouni Sadhu eternal. If such things happen. If a man was a writer. because even an average fool is able to find a still greater one than himself. there is not much left to say. A deeply rooted conviction about relative and real." If a man speaks too much about his "new state. "A man is as he thinks" is an old saying. he will by no means be externally changed afterward. for it cannot be separated from itself or divided into parts." it is possibly only simple mental obsession or imagination. often called "cosmic consciousness" (see exercises 9 and 9A). engineer. will be born in us together with the super-consciousness or Samadhi. the absence of your former white disc revolving against its black background. The old Roman sentence is always valid: "Mundus vult decipi. It can never be otherwise." So it is possible to do such things. The new consciousness leads to the melting away of ideas of "here and there. The more true meditation penetrates your life. then you were no longer "here or there." Such are the conditions for those who come to the end of the long human wandering in the search for the eternal life. etc. Similarly." for ten uninterrupted minutes. or spiritual resurrection. The Real alone is not bound by them." and "past and future.. in speaking about the matter. Certainly not! This is the way to resurrection. then there is something wrong with his "achievement. the more harmonious it becomes. except the bare concluding statement that relativity is all that determines the conditions and variety of the outer forms of existence. temporal and eternal. The Master Maharshi tells us." leads to the individual experience of Truth. But there is still another. The mere fact of having "disciples" means nothing. attachments. The great teacher Christ said the same in other words: "Be in the world but not of it. It is hard to say much more about it. But the inner process when you merge into the idea. A considerable extension of mental ability. it cannot be understood literally. before reaching the new state. for such a desire indicates the falseness of the alleged attainment. those who now proclaim themselves as "masters" in the West and "prophets and kings of yogis" in the East are not even worthy of mention. although it does not actually kill the man. otherwise how could we know about the methods and all the necessary particulars? The question of real and relative values now arises. very important meaning. When the colors vanished during that exercise and you were staring into nothingness with all your senses apparently unobstructed. and the next step. annihilates everything relative in him. intelligence and what we call "goodness" in a man is always connected with inner enlightenment. After what has been said about the Atman-Self. businessman. do not kill the physical man who has attained them. The con tents of our inner world or—as occultists like to express their concepts—the vibrations of our consciousness have a powerful influence on our surroundings.
as given in this volume. then they can also be morbid if the person is impure. and then only after long periods of time." although not always in physical form. The exercises were strictly performed and repeated as necessary. The master can so strongly influence the still latent abilities in his true devotees. recognizing that without the master there cannot be any Direct Path to the ultimate aim. although he first contacted his master with a somewhat skeptical attitude be cause of certain descriptions which he had encountered long ago in books as well as from certain personal accounts. the nearness of certain other people may be a blessing for us. In the rays of a spiritual sun.e. But the spiritual inheritance of each true teacher is never lost. The ability to re strain the mind in the presence of the guru may be one of the deciding factors for receiving from the master initiation in silence. But if they are only the lower emissions of astro-mental origin. that what before seemed to be very hard becomes child's play. For. but will be only a welcome help in all the opportunities for inner progress. so you become a center of peaceful and blissful radiations for your surroundings. the more profit and realization we can take from the teachings of the masters. but the effort. That is why this book has been written. The moments of full peace came in due time. the better we are prepared." Therefore. We know. but remain blind to his spiritual beauty. i. Simply because the great sages come on earth so very seldom. a perfect man. is without any comparison and beyond all admiration. but not because they were or had become unnecessary. As Christ said: "A good man out of a good treasure bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of an evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. So we may see the position of Truth. 102 . all the good seeds in a man begin to germinate and rapidly grow into mature plants. or are even hostile (as witness the story of Christ). The writer experienced this for himself. For many years the writer worked at the practical study of concentration and meditation. even without any reference to occultism. on which no reasonable person can ever count. and even the passage of thou sands of years cannot diminish the power and beauty of the Truth as taught by the Christ and Buddha. often not even the man himself who is actually producing good from his own radiant aura. again the preparation is of the utmost importance. I believe it to have been just the opposite. So at last the writer came to his master. The reality rendered all of them superfluous. "when the disciple is ripe. Here again. Further steps ahead were quite clear. The presence of a great being immediately establishes the subtle atmosphere of the silence that so eagerly and some times desperately sought silence of the full and perennial inner peace. No one can ever know about it. which have their source in a true master. No matter! The fact itself is the thing which counts.. the master appears. was still needed for the perfecting of the most advanced exercises. But to encounter a true spiritual master in his earthly life is a chance. which is the highest one. Study of this kind will never be frustrated. while on the other hand. that the mere presence of some persons may create a very unpleasant impression on us. to the measure that peace and bliss permeate your life. Therefore.Concentration Mouni Sadhu radiations. It is a well-known fact that undeveloped people cannot even recognize the presence of a true master. speaking practically. And now I know why! Spiritual truth cannot be presented adequately in words. The first day at the feet of the guru was the last for all exercises. as always in such cases. The spiritual influence of a master.
Here I cannot enter into more detail. men using certain occult powers for their egoistic (which means evil) aims." Nothing is further from the truth. Evil is not real. Therefore the evil exists and acts. which is something no average man would contest. thus delaying his exercises and reducing the time spent on them. We then lack the inner force which pushes a man through the most difficult exercises and study.Concentration Mouni Sadhu In addition to the technical studies. This help is not given to those who seem to possess little or no guarantee of pure aims and proper use of the power when obtained. jealousy. If there is not enough firm moral strength in a man. the absence. the desire for lower pleasures. the moral side (heart) cannot be underestimated. It is our own duty to decide on which side we are and want to be. Some might say: "Well. Every picture is composed of light and dark colors. This is to say that there are forces which oppose human progress. there is nothing mysterious or inexplicable. being only the negation. for it and its effects are truly permanent. leading men on wide side paths. and not relative and temporary as is all the rest of the world around us. Light or shadow! One thing is certain: there is the hope of progress. We call them evil. as it is not permanent. We cannot paint a picture with only one color." Yes! But they too have been aided. we are simply weaklings from the spiritual point of view. (Or perhaps there is some thing different?) The illusion can be mistaken for reality. etc.e. The results will be nil. sending him one temptation after another. how can you expect a weak person—who. and superfluous for those who are ripe enough to get that help and with it happily conclude the whole task of resurrection. as already mentioned in Chapter IX.) Thirdly: Everyone who begins such inner effort can do little without aid from both inside and out. Consequently. The very process of spiritual resurrection of man is as real as every other happening in the surrounding outer world. In fact." But in truth. anger. for the person affected. 103 . must also possess a considerable ability of concentration. of good. because it would be unnecessary and pre mature for unsuccessful students. I do not even wish to guess at the kind of hope and "reward" which might exist on the left. But look attentively at the present world and you can see for yourself whether or not it is living strictly in accordance with good reason. spiritualization and attainment of the final peace and bliss. i. Why? Many good reasons exist for such a statement. but the so-called black magicians. these forces will bar his way. not necessarily visible to the normal human physical eye. (Read the famous Thais by Anatole France. but only on the right side of things. is an emotional slave of the physical and astral senses—to endure throughout the whole of this course? Secondly: There are forces which resist human efforts to grow stronger and thereby become rulers of certain entities of the lower sort. Firstly: If we have evil intentions and desires. but we will mention only the most important ones. greed.. We cannot hope to get any profit from all these exercises if we are still torn by envy. Observed by a layman—which very seldom happens—the outward manifestations of these changes can really appear to such an untrained observer as something inexplicable and unusual and hence "mysterious. For him. although not by the powers of light. pride. Often the spiritualization of man is called a "mysterious process. on the contrary. that process is much more real than anything else. because he cannot dominate his most primitive passions. and for the person concerned. of Truth. or black side.
To what can spiritualization be likened? It seems that if we accept the so-called "normal" consciousness of the average man as a basis. But after a few dives. who were not lucky enough to get authoritative advice at the right time. It is recommended that he again read some of the chapters of Parts II and III of this work. From the easiest and elementary efforts a man is led to more and more difficult exercises. It is similar to the situation of an inexperienced diver." allegedly accompanying the process of "distillation. such as vaulting poles. i. But no one has ever harmed himself while performing the simple and safe. which is the only tool of cognition for so many of us. springboards. as it is not beyond mental understanding. parallel bars. and later physically. material pleasures and other egoistic qualities in man. now that he has been advised about inner difficulties and the methods of overcoming them.. cumber some and unnatural postures and unnecessary attempts to interfere with the spinal nerve centers and certain glands and organs in their bodies.Concentration Mouni Sadhu there is an immensely intensified clarity of consciousness. the fear disappears. to show that these fears are futile. unreal and hence groundless. On the other hand.e. and at the end of his study he will probably be much stronger and wiser than he was before. greed and other lower desires. and less and less attached to the former gross vasanas. Some will ask: "Is it the only way?" The honest answer will be: "No. muscles or bones. desires. not the only one. When using gymnastic equipment. pride. after leaping into the air from ground level for as high as you could. Interest in these vasanas. by which the awareness becomes more and more ethereal. May the student always be fully aware of all that has just been said. you always landed upright on your legs without harm. the process of inner resurrection into spirituality might be likened to that of distillation. It may be interesting to mention the chief inner obstacle which usually bars the way to the highest peaks in us. as they are of 104 . high ladders.. It is as if. or done irreparable harm to themselves by certain artificial methods of breathing. as can easily happen from unreasonable and unnecessary occult practices based on the human vices of curiosity. The student possibly sees that this course has the characteristic of logical gradation in exposition and attainment." What then? I would like to mention here only two of the principal paths. Accordingly. won through domination of the mind's processes. but power-giving and reasonable exercises of concentration. The process of "resurrection" to the new life. heavy weights. etc. I will make another attempt to convey in words what so easily eludes all such attempts. It is that strange fear of the "insufficient manifestation of life. thirst for power over others. who instinctively feels a fear of crushing his body by the impact of the water after a leap from a high springboard. This point is most important." Man is then simply afraid that he might "lose himself" in the rarefied atmosphere of spirit. based on his full inner freedom. And this is what our diver-student must know well if he wants to make any real progress. his powers may grow. gradually vanishes. This obstacle has barred and even closed the path to many otherwise able aspirants. There is another possibility for men who strive high. many have perished. you never have any guarantee that a leap or lifting of weights will not break the natural resistance of your organs. bring no danger to his earthly life. first morally and mentally. realization or spiritualization of man. and that there will be little or nothing left of him from his selfawareness and self-assertion.
Progress depends upon the degree of the man's surrender and the purity of his intentions. i. is not a Yoga at all. raises and —in the final stage—merges it into the ocean of the unique. Laya Yoga (ritual). as the famous and wise ascetic Thomas a Kempis used to say. cleanses it of sin. in part. that of religious denominations. which at times they perceive. Here there are no gradual steps forward with different methods and means for each degree or series of exercises. and at the end they become united with the object of their adoration.sided. concentration is rather one. The Direct Path uses nothing more than the basic self inquiry or "Vichara" ("Who am I?"). Salvation. Paradise and so on. The character of the Vichara deprives the Direct Path of any yogic aspects. all of them must come. nature and aim of existence. thought and deed to God. One thing is valid from beginning to end: the self-inquiry matures the man's consciousness. very much later. postures or mental exercises are indicated. Surrendering everything to Him. Actually.e. No special breathing. Nirvana. of name. This means a much greater chance of success. The aim of such an aspirant is God Himself. This means the experiential wisdom of one's own true being and meaning. All others have a minor meaning or are seldom used. Mantra Yoga (repetition of God's names) and. of course. nationality and race. self-realization. as it only works in one direction. But the former is only a part of the latter. which is therefore often confused with the true Maha Yoga. but it is sometimes called Maha Yoga or Great Yoga. This path was clearly indicated by the great Rishi Ramana as suitable for those who are unable to follow the Direct Path." This path has many subdivisions. no matter what his concept of the Supreme Being is. astral and mental counterparts. The first is the path of true religious devotion." not a combination of physical. although. This Direct Path has only one aim—self-knowledge. they receive every thing from Him. but something which survives all of these. For without them. The second. the highest good is that which is most lasting and represents his true nature and not merely the outer perishable sheaths. On it man also uses his powers of concentration.Concentration Mouni Sadhu great importance and usefulness. properly speaking.knowledge and the suppression of the lower ego-self in man. In this case. no true achievement is possible without this condition. The most useful knowledge for a human being is. Its beginning has much in common with the Jnani Yoga (that of Wisdom)." A man can be virtuous—which is not so uncommon—but if he does not know his own origin. or as its contemporary master—the Maharshi—used to say: the realization of the self in man. We spoke about this in Chapter IX. This can be—and is—only his real "I. which people call variously God. not any theoretical exposition or belief. "They dedicate every feeling. and some Indian Yogas also belong to it. such as Bhakti Yoga (devotion). self. Heaven. to the same ultimate point—Wisdom. which is now frequently termed the "personality" of "individuality. are his virtues then so firm and durable? It is recognized that men instinctively seek their supreme good. but at their end. In this course of concentration we saw that at the end the same eternal inquiry appears and has to be solved with the new powers gained through the study and conquest of the ego in man. In man. although the inquiry itself demands great powers of concentration.. no path can be followed. great Self. 105 .
Therefore. with no visible changes in his bodily processes. position and so on then you may get some idea of what is sought in self-inquiry. Since the whole search on this path belongs to the inner. so difficult despite its simplicity. I do not believe too much in the Hindu fakirs and yogis who pretend to stop their breath deliberately in order to enter Samadhi. being compelled to climb all the steps to the summit. So once again. providing the search is a genuine one. One simply cannot do any thing without it! Comparatively few men follow this path. As you can see. so the encountering of the master in this way is a reality and a certainty. for the spiritual one remains as intact as it was before. All effort is directed straight ahead and above. instead of controllable and permanent. 106 .Concentration Mouni Sadhu For a beginning. breath is considered to be so intimately connected with the body's life that the two are inseparable. these symptoms disappear. By "deep diving" into meditation. the inner stillness seems to overflow everything and take care of the body's new state of existence. According to medical science. It lacks all the paraphernalia connected with the lower degrees of attainment. you approach from above. but rather forgetting your outer form. the "expansion" of the mind's consciousness into a super-mental experience.e. This deep insight is impossible without certain powers of concentration and cleansing the mind of all its "compulsory" activities. On the Direct Path. The difference is that on all other paths you try to reach the goal from below. This is a very important fact. Indeed. while he is experiencing it no one can ever reply and explain exactly who he is. although I have practical knowledge of the methods of controlling the pulse to stop. which we cannot expect to be exact. But experience proves differently. At the present time. In the latter instance. if you pronounce. from high spiritual flight." "I am. then for the Direct Path this necessity for a master is an absolute condition. which is self-realization. although after his experience of the super-consciousness. No matter. i. the so-called "egoless state. According to the Maharshi's words. and no movement can disturb that peace of the silence. a man's breath stops for the period of deepest immersion in the Self-Spirit. This is only an attempt to present the invisible and intangible in graphic form. all the intermediary means. 9A from Chapter XX. as in Yoga and ordinary saintship. since we are trying to describe the indescribable. "I. the chief obstacle is "your wandering mind and perverted ways of life. spiritual (but not astro-mental) world. sex.. This happens only so far as these experiences are spontaneous and rare." You may compare this with exercise No. slow or accelerate it. neglected in the beginning. we come to the inevitable art of concentration." which means only the lack of concentration in the wider sense of the word." without thinking. The only answer which can be obtained is that it is a state of spiritual freedom from all limitations of the ego-personality. as a result. when deep meditation on the Vichara theme takes place. such a man really knows. with closed eyes. and man can enjoy full spiritual consciousness or the high form of Samadhi. become easy and can be conquered without any battle. It is resurrection again! Self-inquiry finds no answer in any kind of speech or thought. If every spiritual path needs a master or an ideal which can lead the aspirant through the darkness and uncertainty of the first steps. since the passing away of the actual master of the Direct Path—Sri Maharshi—any physical encounter is of course out of the question. and what lies below the target holds very little interest for you. the yogic practices are inverted here.
You know how much effort is needed in order even to approach the spiritual realm. which try to prevent him merging into the Real in himself. which in this case takes the form of attention. The seed had fallen on stony ground! There is another use for the power of concentration.Concentration Mouni Sadhu Many thousands of men have spent some time in the presence of the Direct Path's master. The thing being sought by these prospective benefactors of humanity is first and foremost the satisfaction of their own curiosity and the opportunity of using the new "knowledge" for their own private ends. These are the things which are so eagerly sought after by many occultists of the lower kind. can contact the subtle and usually dormant senses in man. he will pass over them just as he passed by the nuisances of the outer world. And for an advanced student. and if you learn the practical secret of excluding the senses from your Consciousness (I cannot speak more of the details. these phenomena should be avoided as carefully as were all the other intruders with which the student fought in the first series of exercises (Chapters XV—XXI). Sometimes these people try to find justification for their activities by claiming that their search for unknown powers is based on the noble desire "to help suffering humanity. but how many of them actually benefited from the contact? How many became "that seed fallen on the good soil"? The majority soon forgot the bliss and happiness they spontaneously experienced on seeing the master. a kind of subtle silence arises within. It costs them nothing. It may then happen that influence from the planes neighboring the physical. after rejection of the astro-mental chains. It is quite possible that if you do pursue the exercises of Part III right to the end. This is the plain truth. Then. etc. and they like to be praised for their wonderful (though imaginary) activities in behalf of human welfare. as well as by the lack of any firm inner strength of character. And you certainly know just who is entitled to speak about spirituality. By now you must certainly have a clear idea what meditation is." I presume that most of my readers will be astute enough to detect the old sin of hypocrisy in such a claim. the best weapon against the enemy's obstacles is to forget all about them. then you may be able to hear and to see things usually closed to the average man. later they continued their former materialistic and egoistic ways of a life full of attachments. For everything which distracts him on the path is his enemy. For when one's attention is closed to the outer world. Certainly not those who sleep or knit at "spiritual" meetings of all kinds because they have too much spare time on their hands. There are organizations whose members spend their free evenings on "meditations" in order to cure or help other people. that is. 107 . which should be discovered for yourself). and not feed them with his own energy. and by whom and at what cost it may be made. In such a case one may become conscious of certain kinds of visions and unearthly sounds and odors. and thereby become aware of the whole Reality—the One Self. who are devoured by the dangerous vice of curiosity. In our study. those of the astro-mental worlds. If some types of clairvoyance or clairaudience occur to an earnest disciple of the Direct Path. Whoever is unable to help his surroundings within the compass of his present means and abilities will be still less likely to achieve anything if he ever obtains some psychical powers and apparently gains control over some astral monsters.
Usually the process occurs differently. You will simply stop your thinking when you are in need of an especially important decision or action. and perhaps even his pictures. In the presence of the master. tried to eject all thoughts when they needed to make an important decision or step. The result was usually worse than would have been achieved by simple. for example. for it will inevitably destroy our concentration. Later. This something is beyond all mental affinities and smooth expositions. when observed from today's point of view. having listened to what you have just read. And again I am compelled to stress the weight and necessity of a strict performance of the contents of Part III. and that is all.Concentration Mouni Sadhu In order to be able to do this. honest thinking out of the whole problem. Only emptiness was the answer. It is the best proof of deep changes in a man. His words and the descriptions of those who knew such a guru. It must give us considerable service. aside from those who know about it beyond all doubt from their own experience. plus the time lost and the hope destroyed. as does every spiritual boon.e. I know of instances where people." Under the tuition of a genuine master. Often a man does not know much about the doctrine. But we should not allow any thought concerning the past to enter our consciousness. and not any expectation of getting "something for nothing. Intuition may also come as a reward for well-performed practice in the study of the one-pointedness of the mind. without passing through the unavoidable training. though 108 . Care is always needed. The Direct Path has foremost need of the master. wonderful tendency will arise in you. leading to the spiritual ecstasy of Samadhi. from the ability to establish inside of you a natural. which is dissipated by passionate retrospection. the very interest in outer things must disappear. after the advanced exercises have been duly performed and become your constant companions. The choice of the material for meditation—insofar as we have not yet arrived at the mute form of this wisdom—is very important." One of the signs of advance along the path is the disappearance of our "I" of yesterday. is the widening (i. That is "to be without thought. and many others. all with the best possible results. Then you will always be in the victor's camp. "And you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free. And we need a great deal of changing before we reach the unchangeable Reality within us. arises as if automatically. expansion) of the intuition of his devotee." to be in the silence. then you will know that it comes. But in such a case only disappointment will be in store. and the fruits of concentration can be reaped much earlier than other wise. Few would recognize this strange fact. and it will be in the form of genuine meditation. this faculty. what is that intuition? It is knowledge without thinking and action without fore thought. One simply knows. The first gift of grace of the Master Maharshi. If you reach the level of intuitional wisdom. every moment the world's demands require no further tribute from you.. whose ex ample and grace alone can help us to overcome the difficulties of its unique way. serve just as well for a ripe soul ready to accept the toil and strain ahead. Speaking practically. The master does not need to appear to his disciple in physical form. tranquil silence. all the dangers of this strenuous path are removed. For without it how can you maintain ten minutes of absolute freedom from all the intruders in your consciousness? Perhaps some readers would like to use what has just been said about the powers of intuition. when something inside him exerts an irresistible attraction. a natural.
one foot cannot be raised from the lower step until the other has found secure support of the higher step. whether we call them saints or yogis. If they belong to a Western religion. Spiritually awakened men do not consider physical destruction as the greatest evil that can befall a human being. a special Appendix has been added at the end of the book. a large number of specially selected verses from the Viveka-Chudamani by Sankaracharya have been offered to the reader and student in a suitable sequence. These people are seeking quite a different kind of happiness from that of the average man. Rather. What before was of overwhelming importance to me no longer has any meaning. these men who find true bliss and the real purpose of their existence in a realm invisible and nonexistent for us. why do I have to die here?" The aims and efforts of such people in this world have been concentrated solely on the physical life. If we could ask them what happened. one thing in common can be observed." Many inquiries occur when people hear about the state of consciousness of the future—the Samadhi. We cannot remain suspended in space. How many try with the same effort of concentration to discover the Real. having other aims to pursue. we have to find some definite basis in the higher before we can leave the lower level. He may use them in order to magnetize his mind and stimulate his intuition. Sometimes these revelations have been of such power that many men already inwardly indifferent to worldly things have become "converted" and have followed the new path. a transition to the higher and more perfect life. As stated previously. in preparation for the highest form. which could only come from a definite experience in the realm about which they speak. for 109 . From these inspired words. he can choose for himself the verses which evoke a particular response in him. For that purpose. often having a purely philosophical and abstract character. This finds its support in the following words of Sri Maharshi. the goal of the Direct Path? If we wish to achieve anything. leading to Samadhi. They live in another world. their revelations may be different. their outer teachings have as a center God. The former see things in another light and their reactions are unlike those of laymen. The supreme test for a man—his death or rather. If they are Easterners. when we transfer the conscious ness into the higher realm. more or less according to the dogmas involved. What makes the latter happy or unhappy has little or no influence on them. When we go up stairs. Is. for them it is liberation. the leaving of his physical form—holds no terror for these unique people. They are not too much concerned with the usual ways of life. the greatest of all possible achievements—the resurrection from the deadly dream of matter—to be gained cheaply? But there is always a small minority among men who are very different from their brothers.Concentration Mouni Sadhu presented in however short a form. and why they so suddenly changed their ideas and strivings in life. This is the answer to those who ask: "If there is another more real world. then. The cardinal difference between these resurrected men and others lie in the state of their consciousness. their answer would often be: "Now I see everything from another point of view. Certain of such men have given us messages of absolute authority. So. speaking to his devotees: "To read Ribhu-Gita is as good as Samadhi. But with all of them. why cannot I see it in this one? If there is no death in that one. in the second English edition and in all translations of In Days of Great Peace. we have first to make the effort.
is undoubtedly the heritage for future ages of humanity. Knowing the impossibility of achieving exactness in this. Therefore. the time has not yet come. which we so much admire in a few highly developed men. We learned to impose this stillness artificially. We have already stated that the course of concentration should always be controlled once it has been successfully completed. or at least an approximate idea of it. equality does not. Therefore. Many already know theoretically what they have to do. merely the absence of the true one." That is the key to your resurrection into the new consciousness. what is true initiation. we say that such a man became "quite another person. Although there cannot be any doubt that all men are brothers. The causes and effects are now much clearer to my inner sight and the inward dissonances and fears have disappeared forever. because of our ultimate separation from the thinking apparatus. in our clumsy language of the mind. and not certain secrets whispered in one's ear or written on paper. i. Mind is like an ocean. but finished with the elimination— _or near elimination—of it as a compulsory factor in our conscious life (see exercises 8. for ripeness is a product of time in the life of the individual being. The only way to become free is to transcend that mind. we can be sure that in some future epoch mankind will reach a higher level of development. But we might still be anxious to know. and never did." What does it mean that some of our brothers possess such a different and far wider state of consciousness. 8A. qualities. he must be good in his actions. The forerunners. the sublime level of that consciousness. 110 . emotions. we can conclude that true initiation can never be expressed in words. An analogy may be drawn to the idea of vaccination. Nevertheless. since they belong to the same form of manifested life called humanity. are a guarantee of that fact. and its relation to the Whole. But we have said that man is none other than consciousness. Different "initiations" are often spoken about. and his intentions (or heart) should become pure. The burning question for most seekers of spiritual attainment is how to enter on the path. This relation is invariably conceived of as union with the Whole. That is because we began the whole operation of practical study with our still imperfect and unconquered mind. The Maharshi added: "Now—accept in practice what you accept in theory. it can merely be said that only true initiation gives knowledge of one's own being. It is: man must become harm less to everyone and everything. those few who are already nearing the goal. It simply means the transformation of man.e. There is not space here to enumerate the details and so only the outline will be recalled.. sacred books of many old religions speak about the requisite qualities and there is no mystery about them. thoughts and fates. as from another world. exist among them. We have some authoritative revelations on that matter from a contemporary master. which others cannot even guess at? The simplest and perhaps the most appropriate answer is that for the majority. which never remains in a state of absolute stillness. However. but after what we know from the foregoing chapters. 9 and 9A).Concentration Mouni Sadhu I see men and their activities." And once again we see that it was just the state of consciousness which changed and nothing more. of those who still bear the burden of that most primitive form of self-consciousness in man— the ego. there cannot be false initiations.
the thoughts and feelings of another.. 9 and 9A. H will direct your steps and supervise from inside yourself your real growth. thereby obtaining Wisdom instead of mere knowledge. Concentration was only the first real. omnipresent omniscient cannot speak of such things to the shadows of the dream world. for they come of themselves according to the measure of your advancement along the thorny 111 . If you want to anticipate what a communion with the master. Now you can stop at this degree of attainment. whom you never met in this physical life. This book is entitled Initiations by Paul Sédir of Paris. One does not seek them. You may search for the rustless key. Phenomena like mesmerism can be produced. making it obedient to you. destined for him by Providence. silent. If you use pranayama more extensively.Concentration Mouni Sadhu As a result. For with the ability of concentration your field of activity may become very wide. direct a single chosen thought into the mind you want to influence or test. If you have a friend who has also successfully performed this course. hopes. of course. Your ego will have died long ago. Then again remember the great inquiry—the Vichara—and substitute it for all exercises. Long before your enlightenment you will enter into constant communion with the present master of that sublime path. and you—the Self. which will destroy the need for any more exercises. prolonging the tempo of your breathing beyond your normal one. many new ways have been opened to us. which will often put you far ahead of other men in your own class. No visible reward is the lot of the successful adept of self-realization. then things may have a much more serious implication. and cures practiced if you are prepared to undertake additional study in a course of personal magnetism. there will be no one left in you who could utter anything like that. From it you will learn how the impossible becomes possible. finally found his guru. First.XX). and which will lead you beyond this unreal world of changes and differences. There is nothing higher which spiritual teachers can offer to their disciples. but about which men know so little. and then in those of others. can be conducted if you take turns being transmitter and receiver. you may discover yet other possibilities of directing the pranic currents according to your will. still alive in you after Nos.e. step. It is something like matriculation. The thought will be accepted and eventually you may master that mind. by first concentrating your active attention on the person in question for a very short time. You can develop your latent abilities to see things which no ordinary human eye can observe: i. You will never be entitled to tell the world that you have reached your goal. I then read another book. then immediately entering into the passive state of mind. as the Direct Path is a secret one. by sharpening your will power through constant repetition of the advanced series of exercises (Chapters XVIII. On the Direct Path the process of acquiring virtues is reversed. But if the spirit of Sankaracharya. does attract you. not only in secluded places but under all possible conditions. In his outer aspects he apparently remains what be was before. Briefly. in order to receive the first impressions coming from the other person's mind. and how things happen which are the true cause of human history. You can. and these genuine ones. after which university training is open to us. in your body. satisfied with the results obtained. although very important. be cause of our new abilities. but always filled with the indomitable spirit of search for the Truth of life. many telepathic experiences. after a life rich in experiences. providing the latter are able to accept it. blunders. written by a man who.
only by vigorous and courageous fighting. when it happens to the person concerned. desires. from the first step." The Direct Path also agrees with the spiritual testament of the Lord Buddha himself: "You cannot destroy your illusions by creating other illusions in their place. When I try to transfer that term into the current language. which leads to the ultimate achievement. then know that it is quite possible to write. after you practiced exercise No. in which there are no contra dictions. and at the same time to be "out of this world. from which you can look down on everything with an eye of wisdom. serenity and serious ness are the only aspects of the experience which can be translated. inquiries and other attributes of the lower state of consciousness. is beyond all doubt. Then we experientially know the true value of the things belonging to the world of senses. for they are unable to appreciate the only way. in the midst of which we are still living.Concentration Mouni Sadhu path. The one expression which has perhaps more affinity with human language. while usually not known or perceptible to those around us. We all know that no true victory can be won by flight. where we are going and why. and not that of imagination or hazy dreams. I realize that many people must apparently still follow the doubtful ways. And. complicated and compulsory thinking and striving in you. For the fact of knowing what has been said in the foregoing sentence is not connected with suffering or resentment. writing. I hope that by now you may have guessed that this comes as a result of the control of one's mind. the fact of resurrection. 9A for some time. the consequence of the fourth state after our resurrection in spirit. To compel ourselves to seek virtues is practically as useless as to fly from temptations. This does not create morbid or negative currents in a man. And in that sense we can accept—to a certain degree—that "all paths lead to the same goal. so common to all our fellow men? Has this not happened to you. 112 . and not with the eyes of the world troubled by passions and their parents— ignorance and shallowness of consciousness. It means that the former troublesome states of the three-plane life are seen to be no life. speak and perform many other worldly activities. all-penetrating peace. In the thoughtless world. in which life is no longer veiled by the shrouds of matter. I repeat. a parody and an unworthy substitute for life." Have you not yet realized the wonderful condition which forms the title and subject of this final chapter? Reading." for "time itself is flowing away into eternity. that control is nothing else than the ability and the bliss of inducing the state of inner stillness. which was inspired by the spirit of Sankara? If not. so that you may read and get from it some mental approach to the idea which has dictated these lines. Our renunciation of this unreal world. It is only the Direct Path which tells us. merged in the un troubled. might be the conception of freedom. otherwise we will be on the losing side. It is absolute freedom and only one who has succeeded in winning the battle with the arch-troublemaker—mind—can appreciate this aspect of realization." The condition for this is natural simplicity and lack of all unnecessary. in our physical shells. All these things are the signs of the Resurrection. walking—have you never had some moments when you were apart from your personality. And we must know what we are fighting against. These things do not exist in the realm of the permanent light. acquires a natural and reasonable character.
Nos. many minor saints and yogis. and still are. the key to the finding and recognition of a true master (Sad-Guru) lies within each one of us. As can readily be seen. If the finding of a master is an essential condition for all spiritual attainment. Properly speaking. in which the main weapon is concentration. But some will try to go further and to extend their search. 8 and 8A and 9 and 9A develop the highest degree of the passive form and that of the expansion of the mind to the very point where we are able to transcend it. Let us make a final analysis in summarized form. And the two final groups of Nos. 4 and 4A develop actively intense concentration using the powers of visualization. 3 and 3A develop a peculiar kind of sight. Fourth Series: Nos. armed with concentration. humanity records only a few of these great personages in all its history. Nos. How can this be accomplished? And how can we recognize the master and so avoid any errors in our quest? Such questions are perfectly natural and can and should be answered. 6 and 6A develop passive Concentration. 8 and 8A and use the abilities so gained for their everyday life. In ordinary language. 5 and 5A develop a flexible imagination about chosen objects. First and Second Series: Exercises Nos. thereby losing all contact with visible and tangible manifestations. Fifth Series: Exercises Nos. i. from their invisible sources in the sun and moon. For such students. all the senses of the physical body. (a) and (b) of Chapter XVIII teach us to use the means of active defense against incoming thoughts and emotions. which extends itself beyond our three physical dimensions. 1. Some will prefer to stop their study with the completion of the exercises up to Nos. without resulting in the state of sleep or swoon. who wish to present themselves as true masters. may be of great value. beyond sight and hearing. one after another. Only then can we enjoy independence from everything which binds us in the world of relativity. In fact.. The A and B of Chapter XVII let you understand some useful manifestations of the magnetic forces and their currents in nature. Nos.Concentration Mouni Sadhu We really remain enslaved by this life until we win that battle. The term "spiritual master" has been frequently mentioned throughout this book. But there have been. the true masters. Third Series: Exercises Nos. They are perfectly free to do so. the best definition of such a master would be an ideal man. 7 and 7A deal with a combination of the active and passive forms. to the nonmaterial realm. then questions like the two that follow may arise. and it seems to me that some explanation should be given before closing this last chapter.e. as well as Unsuccessful disciples of a genuine master. When the student looks back on the course of concentration he has just completed. the concentration acting as a strong background as in all the former exercises. such men cannot be numerous or easily found. Nothing short of that can really attract the eternal element in the prospective disciple and hold him until the glorious end is reached. more information about the spiritual guides. 113 . he will see that the experiences were of the kinds which exclude. 1 A and 2 and 2A exclude your sight and hearing.
may well become a successful disciple. Christ warned us when he said: "For many shall come in my name. who is himself not yet free from all human weaknesses and ignorance cannot possibly answer the human longing for the sublime ideal. which Should be satisfied Moreover.e. 114 ." The spiritual master of the present epoch repeated the same warning. or interested in. He refuses to possess anything in this material world.Concentration Mouni Sadhu No matter how good and sincere their intentions may be.. a Sad-Guru. who is without any blemish. We may honor such advanced students of the great school of life. which manifests as soon as his childhood is over and early manhood begins. he can easily mislead those who lack the necessary discriminatory power and who consequently might wrongly attach themselves to a false teacher. after recognition of the true teacher. and who is without the slightest trace of "ego. d. He will still have plenty of work ahead of him. such a leader. present or future. saying. the light of his example. and shall deceive many. Discrimination and keen insight should be two of the cardinal Virtues of every disciple about to embark upon the path to inner progress. the number of his adherents (devotees). Now we shall examine the qualities of a true master of wisdom who has a real message for suffering mankind: a. Therefore. His karma is far from finished and he will still have to pay an enormous number of "debts. the very fact of their striving to appear what they are not speaks for itself. In the spiritual realm. which allegedly states that no one can live without attachment to earthly things. e. although he does not condemn any of them. in all directions. The guru leads an exemplary and perfectly unattached life. Therefore. The master invariably comes into this world ripe." while on the other hand a true guru or Jivanmukta is forever free. and then only in the second part becoming "converted" and living as a saint or yogi. pointing out clearly that the so-called "ordinary saints and yogis" are only slightly more advanced men. he sheds. who. with no past. The true master is far beyond and above all existing religions." b. he gives the lie to the old saying. and endowed with all spiritual perfection. i. knowing that they are the first necessary steps for less advanced human beings. He is not affected by. The true master does not spend the first part of his earthly life leading an average human existence. but we should never dare to compare them to a perfect being. I am Christ. and his unity with the cosmic Self-God. Consequently he does not favor any particular creed and is not concerned with the so-called "conversions" or changes of religion. Like a beacon. forsakes the wrong path. there is no need for a Sad-Guru to travel in order to propagate his teachings. Such behavior would be in consistent and incompatible with the greatness and wisdom of a perfect man. committing the common sins. a person only partially trained in teaching would not be engaged as a schoolmaster because he would be unable to prove full professional ability. whose Powers are still limited and who are not as yet free from the deadly "primordial sin" which is ignorance. The guru has no attachments. Any person who does so. for he knows that whoever is mature enough will eventually find his way to the m even from the farthermost corner of the earth. Even in everyday life. of his attainment. showing us how we can transcend all our limitations which so often seem insurmountable. c.
No Jivanmukta accepts any pet names. At the same time. Only ordinary men run to doctors for medicines. the great Rishi Ramana said: "This body itself is a disease!" That is an initiation and the ultimate truth about this physical existence which is so much cherished by ignorant people. and therefore he alone can stimulate it in others. because he has reached it. numerous self-styled "masters" of today still like pompous and empty titles as well as cheap adoration from undiscriminating people. which is the source of all power. although perhaps of importance to us. nor would he make any effort to retain it when it is dying. In another sign for recognition of a true master who has a spiritual message for humanity is the fact that he never has any earthly master himself. we have legions of such false and therefore highly dangerous "masters. h. Only utterly blind or decadent people could accept such "guidance" for which they have to pay in money or some other form of material goods. to whom everyone can turn for help and inspiration. All other attitudes adopted by those who like to pose as "masters" are at best only self." For a name given by men means personality. 115 . He does not accept any gifts and condescends to take only a little of the things his body needs. This leaves him more time and freedom for higher. providing we can afford to pay them. Buddha and Ramana Maharshi but lesser leaders have helpers similar to themselves. in our time. But this body is without any meaning to the illimitable spiritual consciousness of a true master. He speaks through the silence infinitely more potently than through any human language. Therefore. ego or a label. Shortly before leaving the physical form.deception or they may simply be deceiving others. Sometimes. It would be too far be low his dignity and wisdom. so how could he oppose what is inevitable? l." who are ready to "help" or "initiate" us. Only the perfect man can teach in silence. No true master talks or writes very much. his devotees. Why? Because he knows that some of his directly inspired disciples will invariably perform all the needed technical work in order to transmit his message to humanity. he does not possess any name at all. k.Concentration Mouni Sadhu f. While a genuine teacher has left his former "ego" in the far-off past. those who find such a master acquire a true and great friend. He has no personal relationships in our sense of the word. like Christ or Buddha he does not write at all. But those who are not yet Jivanmuktas naturally prefer to use speech and pen. A true master possesses all siddhis and infinitely more for he is one with the unmanifested Supreme. let us associate ourselves with the foremost. The master never argues with anyone. The master is utterly indifferent to his physical existence his body being only a shell. j. The great rishi of our own epoch told us that. "in truth. constructive and invisible work in this world. He is beyond all ties of family or society. who are still accustomed to look first on material forms. The true masters do not usually exhibit siddhis (occult powers) for they transcended them long ago when they were still on the threshold of masterhood. superfluous titles or other symbols of human emotions. purely spiritual. Their egos are still Strong and far from extinct. i. He comes ripe and ready to open for us new spiritual paths and needs no human help. The sage knows that everything happens in due course. or like the Maharshi very little. Such was the case with Christ. He is not eager to dispose of the body before the proper time. g. For.
reached by contact with the true guru. as stated above. but nevertheless they may help many sincere seekers and students to escape from the otherwise unavoidable and bitter disappointments which ensue if they do not follow a genuine master if their power of discrimination is not strong enough. we may often forget to inquire properly into the aim of that wandering. If we wish to tread the thorny path of perfection and liberation— the Direct Path. Also. having experienced the life of the phenomenal relative and mortal. having soared high in the air above the earth. Return finally unto itself. One who has abandoned untruth for Truth cannot reverse the process any more than a river can retrieve its waters from the ocean.Concentration Mouni Sadhu These are only a few points. Wandering through this earthly life. You can imagine the immense harm which might result from such a mistake. That is why all sincere devotees of a true guru refuse to accept any other guidance or to submit to any of the numerous self-styled "masters" who are so easily accepted by many other people. To them. Those who act differently are not true and perfect masters. where it can sleep beyond all desires. they may accept only a shadow substitute instead of a true guru. The taste of the eternal. being fatigued by its long flight. which we undoubtedly emit because of our imperfections—passions and foolishness—to disturb his eternal peace of unity with the Absolute Whole. Buddha. Such a path has just been opened for us by the great rishi. Wings its way back to its resting place. who has a definite mission in this world. If this book has helped some people to raise their inner standard to a higher one. listened to his words and perceived spiritual horizons which were opened for them by his light. So as an epilogue let us meditate on a beautiful excerpt from the ancient Upanishads: As the eagle of the mountains. They know that the master possesses much more than has been mentioned. There is not much left to say now apart from extending the author's sincerest wishes for success to all earnest students. His power is too great to allow our impure and disorderly vibrations. is beyond all conditions and is unaffected by the surrounding average people. We should realize that a true spiritual master. but performs his work amongst us without any grievance or difficulty. For there are still many living men who saw such a master. Maharshi) does not hide himself in inaccessible places. That is absolutely wrong. Such a master (Christ. and beyond all dreams… 116 . This shortened their experiences and immensely helped them toward spiritual awakening. the communion with the Sad-Guru means all for which they can wish and toil. Some may object that such a high standard for a guru. means every thing to many of us. we know that he passed away physically only a few years ago. that would be the best reward for both writer and student alike. So does the soul. which is the only one that can give immediate results to spiritually mature people—then we should consider only the one who has a message for his own epoch. does not really exist and has not yet been reached by any human being. And a few saints and devotees who have only partially accepted the gist of the rishi's message have since tried to found schools in their own names and based on their "own" teachings.
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