HOW TO STOP THINKING

People here are only discussing words, as usual.

Not easy but very simple teaching of mastery

Yes, you want to have right perceptions (nonjudgmental thoughts) and, of course, you need to contemplate at certain times. We still have to make decisions. But, you would be amazed at all you would learn about yourself, others, and God through meditation.

The ego always wants to think - doesn't like to give up control.

If you think you know more than God, how will be able to listen to spirit? God is pure consciousness and so, will communicate with you through the mind. It's called Knowing.

There is a vast realm, wide enough to engulf the three worlds. In it there are no lakes, no oceans, no mountains, no forests, no rivers, no earth, no sky, no winds, no moon, no gods, no demons, no demi-gods, no vegetation, no heaven, no high and low, no words; not me, nor the gods like Visnu. Only one is there and that is the supreme light. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, he is all—and he remains silent, as if inactive. Prompted by him, the king, his minister does everything—what has not been he brings about and what is, he alters. This minister is incapable of enjoying anything, nor does he know anything: though ignorant and insentient he does everything for the sake of his master, the king. The king remains alone, established in peace.

All the gods and demons put together and even a force many times their strength can not even challenge the minister. He is not Indra the king of the gods, nor the god of death, nor the god of wealth, nor a god nor a demon whom you can easily conquer. Though it is believed that the god Visnu killed the demons, it was indeed this minister who destroyed them. In fact, even the gods like Visnu were overpowered by him and made to take birth here. Cupid derives his power from this minister. Anger derives its power from him, too. It is because of his wish that there is unceasing conflict between good and evil here.

This minister can only be defeated by his own master, the king; by no one else. When in due course of time there arises such a wish in the heart of the king, this minister can be easily defeated.

Though this minister is almost invincible, I shall tell you how to conquer him. He is overcome in a moment if one grasps him by means of intelligent action; in the absence of such intelligent action, he burns everything like a venomous snake. One who approaches him intelligently, plays with him as one plays with a child and playfully subdues him; such a one beholds the king and is established in the supreme state. For, once the king is seen, the minister comes completely under one’s control; and when the minister is under one’s control, the king is seen clearly. Until the king is seen, the minister is not really conquered; and until the minister is conquered, the king is not seen! When the king is not seen, the minister plays havoc and spreads sorrow; then the minister is not conquered, the king remains unseen. Therefore, one’s intelligent practice has to be simultaneously twofold: to behold the king and to subdue the minister. By intense self-effort and by steady practice, you can gain both these and then you will enter that region and never again experience sorrow. That is the region inhabited by holy men who are forever established in peace.

I shall now make all this explicit to you! The region I have referred to is the state of liberation, which is the end of all sorrow. The king there is the self who transcends all other realms and states of consciousness. The minister is the mind. It is the mind that has made all this world, like a pot from clay. When the mind is conquered, everything is conquered. Remember that the mind is almost invincible, except through intelligent practice.

The very best intelligent means by which the mind can be subdued is complete freedom from desire, hope or expectation in regard to all objects at all times. It is by this means that this powerful elephant (the mind) can be subdued. This means is both very easy and extremely difficult, my son: it is very difficult for one who does not engage himself in serious practice, but very easy for one who is earnest in his effort. There is no harvest without sowing: the mind is not subdued without persistent practice. Until one turns away from sense-pleasure here, one will continue to roam in this world of sorrow. Even a strong man will not reach his destination if he does not move towards it. No one can reach the state of total dispassion without persistent practice.

Last Edited by Reshi on 04/06/2021 01:36 AM

The general idea is: don't try to stop thinking, because to be doing so is to be thinking about not thinking, so still thinking!

In meditative practice, if you just let the thoughts go without focusing on them, they will pop up, then fade away on their own, like waves coming into shore, and the more you practice, the slower the waves get, all on their own. Note that there is a period where it might seem like there is even more thoughts than normal, but this is just you becoming more aware of what is already there, as your perceptions get deeper.