. . . without leaving it behind.
We hear a lot from spiritual mentors about quieting the “monkey mind” to connect with our true inner selves, rather than relying so much on our brains to keep us calm and centered. There is value in practices to “empty” the mind, no doubt, but I don’t think we should leave it entirely!
Brains do get a bit tired as time goes on. So much to keep track of, mostly in the past and future—regrets/fond memories, and worry/excited anticipation. Our brains and their mind software are designed around alert, protection, and chasing biological desires. They learn from past experiences and apply those lessons to how they think about the future.
These skills are incredibly useful in processing anything coming in to our senses, and for applying rational thought to problem solving. They do stay rather tied to the past and future, though. This makes experiencing joy difficult since it only happens in the present.
So, let’s keep our brains/minds doing the things they are good at, but maybe add another facet to create calm and joy.
Be Here Now . . . and Know It All
We’ve also been gifted with a time-space awareness that is part of our “always on” connection with All That Is. Yes, you have access to this. Everyone does! It’s always on, but we mostly don’t pick up our end of the connection and “listen.” Besides, it’s kind of scary. We might fear losing our “sanity.” Maybe this sort of awareness is only for psychics and mediums, you might think. But all of us can benefit from opening up a more holistic\channel to universal knowing. To me, it feels like being inside the fabric of the universe, not just thinking about parts of it.
When we allow our brains to calm themselves into SMR (calm and alert) or Alpha (relaxed, calm, not thinking ) and Theta (meditation) frequencies, rather than the Beta frequencies we use for everyday consciousness, we can access this “bigger” knowing. My experience with meditation has shown me that retraining my brain is not an analytical or disciplinary thing. Maybe “training” isn’t a good word for it.
Maybe the way to “retrain” the brain is to just open a connection to the soul.
Rest Your Mind to Open Your Soul
I do think some folks avoid the peace and joy approach just because it doesn’t have enough contrast. The play of opposites in our relative universe will always “reward” us in a way with that feeling of excitement, whether or not it includes a threat to our existence. I’m not sure we can escape this duality entirely, just because . . . humans, and the relative universe.
But we can take a break from it, we really can. It only takes a few seconds, if we allow it. And informing our actions in the world from this place of calm in the present increases our intuitive use of compassionate response rather than fearful reaction.
So, try this, ideally in the morning after you get out of bed and have some water. Before everyone else in your household comes looking for you to do rather than be, sit, stand, lie down, whatever is most comfortable.
Breathe, in through your nose, out through your mouth.
Once, twice, maybe three times.
As you do this, picture yourself:
floating in space above the Earth; you can hug it if you like.
Or inside the Earth if that is more calming.
Stretch your arms and fingers out to touch the soil or stars.
Feel the Now, feel the unity, feel the stars,
touch the waving gravity fabric of the universe.
That is All There Is.
Feel the brain resting.
Be in the silence.
For just a moment.
Be renewed.