Dear Readers,
In another entry I made a reference to "softening the mind" and in this entry we are going to explore the ways that this yogi knows are practices of softening the mind and thoughts. So sit back, relax, and soften your mind. Also let go of your thoughts, you don't need those and most of the time they aren't yours anyways. Besides your mind and your thoughts are usually just borrowed anyways.
Amanaska (Suspended operation of the mind)
As far as I understand it is vital for yogis to practice softening of the the mind or Amanaska through a process of gradual progress. At first a student must choose a path or method of mediation and learn (logically) its techniques for concentration. Meditation is vast in its methods of concentratory techniques.
Once having learned a style of meditation a student will then begin a practice of concentration. This regular if not daily practice of concentration is to be done with a focus or object of concentration. (IE if you have ever been to one of my yoga classes I almost always open each class with a dialogue or teaching based on concentration. Each time I open class it gets easier and easier for a student to control and discipline the mind in a way that allows him or her the visualizations or at least attention upon whatever the subject matter of my teaching dialogue might be.) As a product of focus and training the mind upon on thing (like breath), an student of yoga can easily move from a state of thought based bombardment to softness or rather judo-like dancing with spray thoughts that may pass through during the period of time for meditation.
One piece of advance that was given to me, rather early in my meditation career (and keep in mind that I have had some strict teachers and a good deal of my training has been solo), was to simply sit and wait for the "thought gaps" or the space and time between thinking or arriving at a place in my awareness in which I realize "I am having a thought." It is also preferable to sit in observance of the thought gaps during or after a period of great calm or peace (externally or environmentally speaking).
This is the essence of softening the mind. When an individual comes to a space where he or she can in essence observe the thought gaps, then he or she has reached a state of understanding of how to apply the practice of Amanaska to the rest of life in its entirety. Such that a yogi or anyone who is softening the mind, can further couple learning and reading such articles as this with the soft mind technique.
It is my understanding of the application of a soft mind to intellectual learning processes leads to an open mind, a light spirit, and considerably less bodily stress.
Thomas Dewar said: "Minds are like parachutes; they work best when open."
Trevahr
Waking Within
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