Copyright © k.b.mann, from date of original creation: 16th September, 1998
One of the most effective safety measures against suffering, here and hereafter, is to periodically gather and draw the consciousness more inwards, that is, away from the constant random activity of the conscious mind. When this is stilled, the consciousness draws toward the deeper, more inward layers of the mind. Then outer mental activities of a useless and disturbing nature drop away. As a result, objectivity, discernment and, consequently, wisdom, all increase. Through this process, the spirit gradually begins detaching and freeing itself from even the turbulence in the deeper layers of the mind, which are the roots of much of the troubling conditions of the outer layers. Increasing peace and joy then begin to be experienced.
The consciousness of most people is strongly attached to the outer layers of their mind and, therefore, they are lost in the follies of an entirely physical and material existence, and remain quite troubled by even minor things, e.g., having to wait a few moments for something they want or being interrupted while doing something they are enjoying or engaged in. The outermost shell of the mind is the most changeable, selfish, shortsighted and, therefore, the most foolish. Even the thought of disconnecting from this outer layer makes people feel they are losing their life, since, owing to this outer shell of the mind, life seems to be mostly a set of relationships to the external environment. This connection is like a rope fraying into many little strands, each attached to different points in that outer layer. Each strand is some wish, desire or infatuation concerning some worldly matter, condition, object or being. Sorrows and tragedies, now and then, cut or loosen some strands here or there, while more wealth, more success, new additions to the family, etc., keep adding more and more such strands. The wisdom and realizations arising from woe, grief or disappointments last only a short time, then more strands are added.
The nature of the outermost layer of the mind is most obvious and visible in children. In them can be seen a relatively quick succession of changes in the outer layer as they grow and develop. At different stages, they leave behind or disconnect from various toys and interests, and replace these with others. Some connections grow deeper and more accentuated, while new ones arise. At a previous stage what would have troubled them deeply affects them not the least at a later one, and vice-versa. Grown people are not different, except that their changes are not as frequent, rapid or distinct. In adults, their views, interests and traits reach a more solidified or rigid state. That is why it is more difficult for adults than children to change their course.
From the preceding it should be evident that it is not even the external environment but the kind of choices and the nature of the connections one makes with it which determine the extent of one’s happiness or suffering. It should be considered that if everyone desired the same object, then the destruction of that one object would make the whole world unhappy. Then arises the question, if no one in the world had any deep connection with any object in the world, would everyone be miserable or happy? It can be undeniably said that to not be happy is to be unhappy. Next could be asked, why would everyone not be happy? The obvious answer would be that if no one had any real desire for anything in this world, they would not be able to enjoy anything either. This is a mistaken assumption. It indicates a misunderstanding or confusion concerning the true nature of desirelessness. Desirelessness is not much different from detachment, which is also not understood. In one sense, they should be considered identical. Neither of them reduces enjoyment but, in fact, increases it. This because enjoyment depends on appreciation, not craving. A beautiful painting can be enjoyed by any aesthete without any wish to own it. It is important to realize that the more detached one becomes from worldly objects and pursuits, the greater is the degree of enjoyment one derives from them.
The more one draws one’s consciousness inward, worldly cravings begin to drop away, and the more fulfilled, peaceful and joyous one begins to feel. At the very core of consciousness, there is perfect fulfillment, peace and bliss. The path to it begins with frequent, if not regular, meditation. As one proceeds on this path, many subtler aspects of a devotional nature become comprehensible.
That is all for now.
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