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Thoughtless awareness meditation FAQ

on basic concepts
Posted by Gopal on December 29, 2007

14 Votes
Q. What is mind?
Q. What are the divisions of mind?
Q. What are the attributes of mind?
Q. How does food influence mind?
Q. How are breath and mind inter-related?
Q. What is awareness?
Q. What is thoughtless awareness?
Q. What is the meaning of consciousness level? What is the primary advantage of increasing our
consciousness level and what is the primary disadvantage of decreasing our consciousness level?
Q. Why should one practise thoughtless awareness meditation?
Q. Who can practise thoughtless awareness meditation?
Q. How much and when should one practise thoughtless awareness meditation?
Q. What are the various techniques of thoughtless awareness meditation?
Q. Which breathing exercises are most helpful for experiencing thoughtless awareness?
Q. Which is the sequence of breathing and thoughtless awareness exercises that your recommend?
Q. How many types of breath-retention are there? What are their importance?
Q. What is auto-suggestion? How is it practised? When should it be practised? What are its
benefits?
Q. I want a good technique to remove anger/depression/negative attitude/lustful thoughts without feeling
repressed. Can you tell me any such technique?
Q. I want a good technique to remove untimely sleep or unwanted drowsiness effectively so that I
may stay awake late at night or work as per my original plan. Can you tell me any such technique?
Q. I want a good technique to help me in waking up in early morning. Can you tell me any such
technique?
Q. Why did you share these knowledge and techniques?
Readers Comments

******* Answer begins: ********


Q. What is mind?
Ans. Roughly speaking, mind is a bundle of thoughts, feelings and their impressions in the memory.
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Q. What are the divisions of mind?
Ans. The division of mind as per modern psychology (and also yoga psychology) is:
1.

Conscious Mind: that part of mind which is used in the waking state to think, will and receive sense
perceptions from various sense organs. Will and will-power are the function of conscious mind.

2.

Unconscious Mind: that part of mind which is not in the field of our waking consciousness. Ninety
per cent of the mental activities take place in the unconscious mind. Mind in its unconscious realm
contains our basic urges, instincts, memory impressions and rational aspects. Whatever data our
conscious mind receives from sense organs, is analyzed, sorted and retained by unconscious mind. All
our habit-patterns are governed by unconscious mind. To change the old, harmful habit
patterns and to cultivate new, positive habit patterns, we have to influence our
unconscious mind through daily practice of thoughtless awareness meditation, breathing
exercises and positive auto-suggestions.

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Q. What are the attributes of mind?


Ans. According to science of yoga, the mind (both thoughts and impressions/habits in unconscious mind) has been divided into
three modes/states/quality(guna):
1.

Mode of Goodness (also known as Sattva Quality/Guna or Sattwic State in yoga): joy, bliss, goodness,
compassion, love, selflessness, calmness, equanimity, non-attachment, humility, patience, truthfulness, sweetness,
brightness, intuition, intelligence, discrimination, courage, faith, confidence, optimism, cheerfulness, will power,
firmness

2.

Mode of Passion (also known as Rajo Quality/Guna or Rajasic State in yoga): impatience, pride, jealously,
attachment, greed, , anger, deceit, lying, harshness, passion, possessiveness, acquisitiveness, fickleness,
restlessness, uncontrollable thinking

3.

Mode of Ignorance (also known as Tamo Quality/Guna or Tamasic State in yoga): laziness, sloth, carelessness,
drowsiness, dullness, ignorance, injuring others through thoughts, words and deeds, cowardice, fear, confusion,
depression, frustration, diffidence, pessimism, inertia, hatred

100% goodness (pure Sattva or 100 % Sattva) is the state of thoughtless awareness (the interval between any two
consecutive thoughts). It is the
state of the highest possible relaxation and peace.

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Q. How does food influence mind?

Ans. Food has a direct and intimate connection with the mind and plays a vital part in the make-up of the mind. Food has been
classified into 3 categories: good (sattwic), passionate (rajasic) and ignorant (tamasic), based on whether it induces good
(sattwic), passionate (rajasic) or ignorant (tamasic) states of mind.
1.

Good diet (also known as sattwic diet in yoga): milk, cream, cheese, butter, curd, ghee, fruits, figs, vegetables,
cereals like wheat, rice, barley, etc., peas, sugar-candy, gram, pulse, ginger, myrobalan, lemon, honey.

2.

Passionate diet (also known as rajasic diet in yoga): fish, eggs, meat, salt, chillies, chutney, asafetida, pickles,
tamarind, mustard, sour things, hot, pungent things, tea, coffee, cocoa, ovaltine, white sugar, carrots, turnips, spices.

3.

Ignorant diet (also known as tamasic diet): garlic, tobacco, rotten things, stale things, unclean things, twice
cooked things, all intoxicants, all liquors, all drugs.

Good diet (sattwic diet) calms the mind. Passionate diet (rajasic diet) excites the mind. Ignorant diet (tamasic diet) makes the
mind dull and lethargic. Mark the difference in nature between a tiger which lives on flesh and a cow which lives on grass. Food
exercises important influence on the mind. One should try ones best to eat good diet (sattwic diet) only. Also, even good diet
(sattwic diet) becomes passionate diet (rajasic diet) if it is eaten too quickly, without chewing it properly. And even
good and passionate diets (sattwic and rajasic diets) become ignorant diets (tamasic diet) if they are taken in excess
quantity.

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Q. How are breath and mind inter-related?
Ans.
1.

A fast breathing rate is associated with tension, anger, worry, fear and other negative emotions, which leads to bad
health, unhappiness, fickleness and a shorter life.

2.

A person who breathes slowly, is relaxed, calm, concentrated and happy, which is conducive to long lifespan.

3.

A person who breathes quickly, tends to inhale small volumes of air and exhale the same small volumes; this tends to
allow germs to accumulate in the lower areas of the lungs.Conversely, a person who breathes slowly tends to also
breathe deeply and thereby fill the lungs to a greater depth. This helps to remove stagnant air from the lower reaches
of the lungs and to destroy the breeding ground of germs and the germs themselves.

4.

Also, deep breathing imparts a good massage to abdominal organs via the diaphragm. The massage of the liver,
stomach, etc. keeps them in good working order by expelling old, impure blood and allowing pure, oxygenated blood
to replace it. Shallow breathing connected with fast breathing does not give the internal organs the massage they
require, leading to their malfunctioning in long run.

5.

Shallow breathing also leads to insufficient oxygen in the body. This causes functional disturbance and illnesses
connected with circulatory, digestive and nervous systems, since the efficiency of these systems is entirely
dependent on healthy, well-nourished nerves and organs, which depend completely on oxygen for survival.
Thus, slow and deep breathing is the correct pattern of breathing and shallow and fast breathing is the
wrong pattern (leading to diseases like asthma, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis etc.). The deep breathing allows
maximum intake for each respiration and slow breathing allows optimum exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide by
giving more time to lungs for exchange of gases.

6.

Modern man has got conditioned to take quick, shallow breath due to fear, competition and hatred. So, few minutes
of breathing exercise will help him/her a lot. 1 minute of slow, deep breathing retains its effect on our body and mind
for 60 minutes.

7.

The process of inhalation is linked to gain of energy whereas the process of exhalation is linked to relaxation.

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Q. What is awareness?
Ans. Awareness is the faculty of conscious attention. This is present only in humans. For example, a cow
may eat grass, but her attention to grass is unconscious/mechanical. But, a human can think or do something
and can be consciously attentive of the fact that he is thinking or doing it. For example, you are reading this
post and you can be simultaneously conscious of this fact that you are reading it. This means, you are reading
this post with conscious attention or awareness.

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Q. What is thoughtless awareness meditation?
Ans. When there is no thought in mind, that is the state of thoughtlessness or void (shoonya). One can be in
thoughtless state without awareness, for example when one is in a dreamless sleep or in a coma. When the
state of thoughtlessness or void (shoonya) is coupled with conscious attention/awareness of this state, it is
called thoughtless awareness. Thus, thoughtless awareness is the combination of a thoughtless mind and
awareness (conscious attention) of this thoughtless state. As per yoga, this is considered to be the highest
stage of meditation. Adi Guru Shankaracharya proclaimed, Achintaiva parama dhyana to be in thoughtless
awareness is the highest stage of meditation. Jesus says, Be still and know that I am God. This state is
considered to be 100% or pure sattva/goodness as per yoga and sankhya philosophy.

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Q. What is the meaning of consciousness level? What is the primary advantage of increasing our
consciousness level and what is the primary disadvantage of decreasing our consciousness level?
Ans. Consciousness level means the percentage of conscious mind. Normally, 10% of mind is conscious
and rest 90% is unconscious. But, the percentage of conscious mind increases when mind is in the state of
goodness (sattva quality/guna) because in the state of goodness(sattva quality/guna), conscious mind
expands cuasing us lots of peace and relaxation. Similarly, the percentage of conscious mind
decreases when mind is in the state of passion or ignorance (rajo and tamo quality/guna) because
in such state, conscious mind shrinks causing us lots of mental pain and suffocation.
The primary advantage of increasing consciousness level by increasing the degree of goodness(sattva
quality/guna) in mind (both conscious and unconscious minds) is unruffled peace, inner joy and
relaxation. Likewise, the primary disadvantage of decreasing consciousness level by increasing the degree
of passion or ignorance (rajo and tamo quality/guna) in mind (both conscious and unconscious
minds) is mental pain, suffocation and mental self-torture.

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Q. Why should one practise thoughtless awareness meditation?

Ans. There are multiple reasons to motivate us to practise thoughtless awareness meditation. Let us look at
them one-by-one:
1.

Thoughtless awareness is the mode of 100% goodness (known as 100% sattva guna or shuddha/pure
sattva). The more one practises thoughtless awareness meditation, the more one acquires all attributes of
goodness (sattva guna/quality).

2.

Thoughtless awareness meditation removes mode of ignorance and passion (tamo and rajo gunas/qualities)
from both conscious and unconscious minds. Thus, though thoughtless awareness meditation, we become
more pure, compassionate, peaceful, strong-willed and one-pointed.

3.

Thoughtless awareness is the state of the highest possible peace and relaxation that our mind can
experience. All our stress, frustration, anxiety, restlessness, anger, hatred, mental pain and depression are due to
negative thoughts the lesser the number of thoughts in mind, the more peacefulness and relaxation mind has and
when there is no thought in mind just like in thoughtless awareness, mind experiences the highest possible peace
and relaxation. Thinking is the activity of mind so, to give rest to the mind, the process of thinking needs to be
stopped. This is what exactly happens in thoughtless awareness meditation.

4.

Thoughtless awareness meditation completely heals old wounds present in our memory (or unconscious
mind). Most of us, unfortunately, have experienced some undesirable/painful events in the past, which have left
wounds in our memory (or unconscious mind), which now and then resurfaces to our conscious mind and brings pain
and suffering to us. Thus, a few negative events of our past becomes fully successful in poisoning our whole lifes
peace and happiness. During the state of thoughtless awareness, our awareness or conscious mind expands,
which , in turn, brings negative memories hidden in unconscious mind to surface. Due to the peace and relaxation of
thoughtless awareness, we remain detached towards these memories and that ,in turn, neutralized the pain and
negativity of these memories. In this process, we also develop a forgiving and broad outlook towards life, in general,
and towards negative events of past, in particular. Thus, through daily practice of thoughtless awareness meditation,
a complete healing of old wounds present in memory (unconscious mind) happens.

5.

Thoughtless awareness meditation helps in physical health also. Modern medical science says that more than
90% of our physical diseases are directly or indirectly caused by tension/stress (negative thoughts) and restlessness
in mind. Common examples include heart disease, chronic fatigue, insomnia, high blood pressure, constipation,
peptic ulcers, poor immune function, migraines, diarrhea, skin breakouts (hives, eczema), frequent colds. Thus,
through thoughtless awareness practice one gains enormous physical health also.

6.

Thoughtless awareness meditation is the key to concentration or one-pointedness of mind. This is because,
by developing capacity to remove thoughts from mind through thoughtless awareness meditation, we can use the
same technique to remove all distracting thoughts during our work and develop concentration or one-pointedness of
mind, which, in turn, will enhance our productivity and success in our work.

7.

Thoughtless awareness meditation increases our consciousness level or percentage of conscious mind,
because it is the state of pure goodness (100% or pure/shuddha sattva quality/guna).

8.

Thoughtless awareness meditation leads to experience of oneness of consciousness in every


being. Through thoughtless awareness meditation, one realizes that though thoughts are different in everyone, but
the consciousness in everyone is same. This makes one develop a great amount of empathy, broad-mindedness,
goodwill and nobility towards ones fellow humans (and even animals).

9.

Thoughtless awareness meditation increases the faculty of independent, objective and critical
thinking. Through thoughtless awareness meditation, one starts viewing ones and others thoughts from a distance
this enables the practitioners to develop the faculty of independent, objective and critical thinking, which, in turn,
helps in intellectual growth of the individual and society and helps in removing irrational and harmful beliefs and
dogmas from society, leading to more maturity, broadness, peace and harmony in individuals, families and society.

10. Thoughtless awareness meditation increases coordination between left and right brains during thinking
process and makes the thinking more powerful and effective. During thoughtless awareness meditation, breath
flow in both nostrils becomes balanced/equal. It is a fact accepted by medical science that when breath flows
predominantly in left nostril, right hemisphere of our brain, which is responsible for understanding, emotion and
intuition, becomes more active and when breath flows predominantly in right nostril, left hemisphere of our
brain, which is responsible for analysis, argument and intellectual thinking, becomes more active and when breath
flows in both nostrils together, both hemispheres of brains work together. This is the period when our mind is the
most relaxed, calm, concentrated and creative.
11. Thoughtless awareness meditation enhances the faculty of intuition. All intuitive flashes of scientists, artists,
musician, sculptor and leaders come from the realm of unconscious mind. Our unconscious mind has vast reservoir
of power and intelligence.Through thoughtless awareness meditation, we expand our awareness or conscious mind,
which, in turn, brings portions of unconscious mind into field of consciousness and unleash these creative energies in

our brain. Intuition can function only when mind is totally relaxed . Thoughtless awareness meditation, by producing
the highest possible relaxation in our mind, enhances the faculty of intuition greatly, which, in turn, helps us in being
original and creative in our chosen fields of endeavours.
12. Thoughtless awareness meditation enhances the quality of sleep and rest acquired from the sleep. If after
going to bed and just before sleep, one practises thoughtless awareness meditation before falling asleep, one will
enter the sleep state with a relaxed mind and will have a sound, dreamless sleep.

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Q. Who can practise thoughtless awareness meditation?

Ans. Thoughtless awareness meditation is devoid of all sectarian connotations. It imposes no restriction or
constraints on its practitioner. It is meant for entire humanity, belonging to all nations, religions and cultures.
There is no gender or age-restriction at all.

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Q. How much and when should one practise thoughtless awareness meditation?

Ans. How much:


1.

One should practice thoughtless awareness meditation daily for 30 minutes (more will also do 30 minutes is
minimum recommended time) in sitting position with eyes closed and spine, neck and head all in a straight line. One
can choose any sitting position (even use a chair) for this practice. One can also practice in any of traditional sitting
asanas (like sukhasana, siddhasana, padmasana and as well as in a new asana, Sidhasana.

2.

Apart from this, one should practise it in free-time like during travels, meals, bathroom etc. when thinking is not
needed. This way, the practitioner will keep his mind peaceful and relaxed in the coolness of thoughtless awareness
whole day rather than just during 30 min of sitting practice.

3.

One should practice it also to remove distracting thoughts during work/studies so that one can work/study with a onepointed mind and achieve optimum success in professional/academic life.

When:
1.

For practice in sitting position with close eyes, the best period is in the morning, just after waking up. This helps
in keeping mind cool throughout whole day, because the current of peace created by thoughtless awareness
meditation in the beginning of day, is carried out whole day in our mind.

2.

One should practice in different times only if it is simply impossible to manage time for practising it in the morning,
just after waking up. But, with a little self-discipline and time-management, all of us can find 30 min. in the morning,
just after waking up, for thoughtless awareness meditation.

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Q. What are the various techniques of thoughtless awareness meditation?

Ans. All techniques of thoughtless awareness meditation, that are known to me, have been explained in a
series of posts on my blog. But, please learn few more crucial points about thoughtless awareness meditation:

1.

Daily practice (preferably just after waking up) for 30 minutes in sitting position is minimum sitting practice needed for
satisfactory level of inner peace and purity.

2.

Unless one practice present-moment awareness in entire waking hours using thoughtless awareness meditation to
remove all thoughts from mind during free-time like bath/meals/travels etc., the thoughtless awareness meditation in
sitting position will not have maximum benefits. Many thoughtless awareness techniques can be quite effectively
used to curb the minds wanderings into past or future, bringing it back to the present moment activity. This will lead
not only to very high degree of concentration but also a relaxed and calm mind whole day.

3.

Many negative thoughts may rush into the mind during thoughtless awareness meditation. These thoughts are
impressions of unconscious mind and since the awareness (or conscious mind) expands during the state of
thoughtless awareness, these impressions surface in the conscious mind. But, it is a purgatory process of selfpurification, in which negative impressions of unconscious mind are eliminated and one becomes more and more
sattvic. So, one should not feel emotionally disturbed by the negativity of these thoughts. Rather, one should feel glad
that these negative impressions of unconscious mind are getting removed and one is becoming purer (sattwic).

Links to 9 thoughtless awareness techniques are given below:


1.

Observe the breath technique

2.

Observe the origin of I-thought technique

3.

Observe the origin of thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound technique

4.

Observe the thought/desire/fantasy/image technique

5.

Surrender every desire technique

6.

Next thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound technique

7.

Observe the observer technique

8.

Come to present technique

9.

Listen to this thought/sound technique: Every thought creates a sound in mind. Just listen to the sound produced by
thoughts in the mind without bothering about thoughts. As a result of this, you will experience thoughtless awareness.

10. Develop your own technique: Various insights into the nature of thought and thinking process have been given
clearly in above 9 techniques. You are most welcome to develop your own thoughtless awareness technique by
modifying any of above 9 techniques or by combining some parts of one technique with those of some other
technique or developing a new technique by using some of the insights in above 9 techniques.
11. A complete compilation with few additional techniques given in this doc here.

Kindly try to experiment with all 9 techniques or develop your own technique and pick the one which suits you
the most and practise that daily for 30 minutes in sitting position and in remaining free-time. It may be
possible that you will find more than 1 techniques suiting you. In that case, kindly use any of them depending
on which leads you to the state of thoughtless awareness quickly and deeply at a given point of time.
If you know any more techniques, kindly share with me at gopalkrishna.mission@gmail.com and I will put that
on my blog with due credit given to you on the post.

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Q. Which breathing exercises are most helpful for experiencing thoughtless awareness?

Ans. 3 breathing exercises (also known as pranayama in yoga) are most useful for experiencing thoughtless
awareness:
1.

Nerve-purification breathing exercise (also known as Nadi Shodhana Pranayama in yoga): It helps in making
breath-flow equal in both nostrils and that in turn, helps in making mind thoughtless during thoughtless awareness
meditation.

2.

Great lock exercise (also known as Maha Bandha in yoga): same reason as above.

3.

Abdominal exhalation (also known as Kapalbhati in yoga): same reason as above.

All of these exercises have strong effects on balancing harmonal system in our body, improve
function of nervous, circulatory and digestive systems and help in developing deep and slow
breathing pattern, which in turn, frees us from many diseases of body and mind.

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Q. Which is the sequence of breathing and thoughtless awareness exercises that your recommend?
Ans. The recommended practice would be:
If one can give only 35 minutes every day, then
1.

Abdominal exhalation (also known as Kapalbhati in yoga): 3-5 minute

2.

Thoughtless awareness meditation: 30 minute

If one can give only 45 minutes every day, then


1.

Nerve-purification breathing exercise (also known as Nadi Shodhana Pranayama): 5 minute

2.

Abdominal exhalation (also known as Kapalbhati in yoga): 3-5 minute

3.

Thoughtless awareness meditation: 30 minute

4.

Nerve-purification breathing exercise: 5 minute

One can spend more time also, but 35 or 45 minutes of daily yoga-practice with 30 min for
thoughtless awareness meditation and rest for breathing exercises is what we recommend to
everyone.

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Q. How many types of breath-retention are there? What are their importance?

Ans. There are 3 types of breath-retention (known as kumbhak in yoga):


1.

Internal breath-retention (known as antarik kumbhak in yoga): Inhale deeply filling lungs completely and hold
breath in the lungs.

2.

External breath-retention (known as bahya kumbhak in yoga): Exhale deeply emptying lungs completely and
keep the breath stopped after exhalation.

3.

Spontaneous breath-retention (known as keval kumbhak in yoga): When during thoughtless awareness
meditation, the breathing process stops by itself, this is calledspontaneous breath-retention(keval kumbhak).
When this happens, one should remain breathless as long as breathing process does not resume on its own. This
state happens because the air-pressure in lungs become equal to atmospheric pressure due to deep states of
relaxation and hence, lungs cant inhale (inhalation is possible only when air-pressure in lungs is less than
atmospheric pressure because air moves from high pressure to low pressure region) and breath stops. Thus, this
state occurs due to good progress in thoughtless awareness meditation.

Importance of breath-retention exercises:


1.

Better exchange of gases in lungs due to more time for lungs operation, leading to health of entire nervous and
circulatory system.

2.

Purges the body of various toxins and poisons, giving us a vigorous physical health.

3.

Once we practice breath-retention for few minutes, the breath starts flowing equally in both nostrils, leading
to spontaneous occurrence of thoughtless awareness.

4.

A decrease and even cessation of thoughts. The period of each thought is lengthened, giving more time to fully
comprehend and analyze it.

5.

The physical body becomes very strong and energetic. One may note that while lifting a heavy luggage, one holds
the breath; this is in order to gain necessary energy to lift the luggage. During fasting, practice of breathretention makes one free from hunger and rather makes us more energetic than even a normal day, when we eat
food. This energy comes from inhaled air.

6.

The mind becomes calm, concentrated and energetic. So, it is highly recommended for those, who are
engaged in a lot of mental work.

7.

Thinking becomes very sharp and clear with repeated practice.

8.

Need for excess sleep is reduced. While feeling drowsiness or lethargy, instead of taking passionate diet
(rajasic diet) like coffee, tea etc., one should practice breath-retention for 10-15 minutes. It will be more
effective than the former in removing drowsiness and lethargy and will also give us more calmness and
concentration which stimulating diet like coffee, tea etc. often reduces even if they can ward off drowsiness
and lethargy.

9.

External breath-retention produces deep relaxation and helps us in removing anger, tension, and other
passions from the unconscious as well as conscious mind.

10. Breath-retention is the crux of all advanced breathing (pranayama) techniques like great lock
exercise (Mahabandha) and nerve-purification breathing exercise (Nadi Shodhana Pranayama).

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Q. What is auto-suggestion? How is it practised? When should it be practised? What are its
benefits?

Ans. What is auto-suggestion?


Auto-suggestion is a technique to influence ones mind in order to change negative thoughts, negative thoughtpatterns and habits and to develop a new thought-pattern, will-power, self-confidence and positive habits. It is
an essential part of life which most of us consciously/unconsciously use.

How should one practise auto-suggestion:

1.

Develop statements in simple present tense rather than in future tense. For example, if one has to wake up at 4
am in the morning daily to do yoga-practice, one should use auto-suggestion in simple present I daily wake up at 4
am to do yoga-practice. rather than in future Tomorrow, I will wake up at 4 am to do yoga-practice.. This is because
it helps in emphasizing to our unconscious mind (unconscious mind is the reservoir of all our habits) that the
desirable habit is already part of us rather than far from us.

2.

Combine picturization process with auto-suggestion to make it more powerful. This is because our unconscious mind
(which stores all our habits) understands the language of picture more than words. For example, all our dreams
(dream is unconscious minds activity) are more like a video/movie full of pictures rather than only words like an
audio. This also explains why we are taught using pictures when we are a child. Because, a childs conscious mind is
less developed and hence, his mind (whose major part is unconscious) can understand pictures more than words. All
alphabets are taught with pictures and even alphabet are drawn so big as to resemble a picture. For example, A is
drawn big in childrens book and is associated with apple with apples picture given. For a normal mind also,
an events impression in memory (memory is also part of unconscious mind) is stronger and more lasting in
mind if one sees the pictures rather than by just hearing about that. Hence, there is so much effect of
pictures and videos used by print and electronic media on minds of their readers/viewers.

3.

Combine auto-suggestion with internal or external breath-retention. In state of internal or external breathretention, mind becomes very powerful and one-pointed, so auto-suggestion makes stronger impact on unconscious
mind. Use internal breath-retention when you are in a positive state and use external breath-retention, when you are
not in positive state, because external breath-retention helps in relaxing the nervous system and mind and helps in
removing negative state of mind.

4.

Try your best to use positives rather than negatives. For example, instead of saying, I do not become angry
when others criticize me. use I remain peaceful even when others criticize me.. This is because unconscious mind
listens longer/more frequently used words with more emphasis. So, in above example, unconscious mind will find
angry word more emphasized rather than not word, which will make the auto-suggestion negative rather than
positive.

5.

Give it with full confidence and optimism. The more confidence and optimism we have during auto-suggestion,
the more impact it produces on our unconscious mind.

One example: If one has to wake up at 4 am in the morning to do yoga-practice daily, one should use all 4
traits to give auto-suggestion multiple times just before sleep:

Inhale deeply. Hold the breath in lungs and while holding breath, give auto-suggestion, I daily wake up at 4 am and
continuously chanting/singing mantra/song, will stop the alarm and go to bathroom. and simultaneously make a
movie (a sequence of pictures in mind) imagining that you wake up at 4 am and continuously chanting/singing
mantra/song, will stop the alarm and go to bathroom.

When should it be practised?


The best periods are just before sleep, just after waking up, just before thoughtless awareness
meditation in sitting position and just after thoughtless awareness meditation in sitting
position. This is because during these periods our mind is one-pointed and relaxed (relatively free from
thoughts) to a great extent and hence, our auto-suggestions enters unconscious mind more deeply and
strongly.

What are its benefits?


1.

It can be used to remove negative thoughts from mind. There are times when our mind is in negative mood
(mode of passion/ignorance in rajo/tamo quality) of anxiety, anger, hate, restlessness, pessimism and despair.
Since at one time, only one type of thought can remain in mind, so if we give positive auto-suggestions at times when
our mind is in negative mood, those negative thoughts will get removed. For example, if we feel hate for someone,
we can give auto-suggestions based on universal love to remove thought of hate. If we feel despair, we can give
auto-suggestions based on optimism. Thus, auto-suggestion can be used to counter negative thoughts present at a
given point of time in our mind.

2.

It can be used to remove negative thought or habit patterns from mind. If we find that a particular type of
negative thoughts occur to us too often, this means our unconscious mind has strong impressions in memory about
various events/persons associated with that negative thought-pattern. So, in such case, we will need to give

ourselves auto-suggestion daily for a number of days (even months/years) to remove that negative thought-patterns
from mind. The same applies also to the case when we become victim to a particular negative habit too often.
3.

It can be used to develop a new, positive thought and habit.

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Q. I want a good technique to remove anger/depression/negative attitude/lustful thoughts
without feeling repressed. Can you tell me any such technique?

Ans.
1.

First negativity in mind are due to presence of passionate (rajasic) or ignorant (tamasic) impressions in our
unconscious mind and such thoughts in our conscious mind. So, take responsibility for all negativity on your shoulder
rather than trying to throw it on others or on events and environment. This is the essential, unavoidable step to
remove the negativity from our mind.

2.

Second the process of making the mind free from passionate (rajasic) and ignorant (tamasic) tendencies take some
time. So, keep patience and practise thoughtless awareness meditation (it is the most effective technique for selfpurification because thoughtless awareness is 100% goodness/sattva) for 30 min daily for fast self-purification and
for controlling anger/depression/negative attitude/lustful thoughts without feeling repressed.

3.

Great lock exercise is very suited for controlling lustful thoughts without feeling repressed. It is a must-do
for this purpose never forget this point.

4.

Abdominal exhalation and nerve-purification breathing exercise are awesome in long run for removing all kinds
of negativity.

5.

Positive auto-suggestion is another powerful method for removing anger/depression/negative attitude/ without
feeling repressed.

6.

Use only good diets (sattwic diets) food also plays a great role in determining how much
goodness/passion/ignorance (sattva/rajo/tamo quality) one possess.

7.

For further suggestions for practice of celibacy/brahmacharya, please read this


post: https://gopal4mission.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/greatly-inspiring-brahmacharya-quotes/

return to top

Q. I want a good technique to remove untimely sleep or unwanted drowsiness effectively so that I
may stay awake late at night or work as per my original plan. Can you tell me any such technique?
Ans. Drowsiness happens when brain lacks sufficient oxygen. For example, after taking meals, our
digestive system draws lots of blood from all other parts of the body, because blood is the medium to transmit
various nutrients from digestive system to other parts of the body, so blood amount in brain decrease, which in
turn, decreases oxygen amount also (because oxygen is trasmitted through blood to brain cells), which , in
turn, produce drowsiness after we take meals. So, if any technique can help in increasing the quantity of
oxygen in brain, that will help in removing untimely sleep or drowsiness.
1.

The best possible technique for this purpose is 5-15 minutes continuous practice of advanced stage of nervepurification exercise, which uses internal breath-retention. It is much better than coffee/tea because it removes
drowsiness by inhaling more oxygen in the body using internal breath-retention (lungs are in contact with inhaled air
for a longer duration, so more oxygen is absorbed by lung cells from inhaled air), but it does not stimulates our
nerves like coffee/tea do, so our relaxation and concentration level of mind are not harmed. But,it can be used only

by people who dont suffer from from cervical spondylosis, high intracranial pressure, vertigo, high blood
pressure or heart disease.
2.

If one suffers from cervical spondylosis, high intracranial pressure, vertigo, high blood pressure or heart disease, in
that case, I suggest another technique as substitute for above one: For 5-15 minutes continuously repeat either of
words Aum (for Hindus)/Amin (for Muslims)/Amen (for Christians)/any of them (for broad-minded people), as fast and
vigorously as possible. If no one is around to feel disturbed by the sound, repeat in sound, otherwise repeat mentally,
but in both cases repeat continuously and as fast and vigorously as possible for 5-15 minutes continuously. During
repetition of the word, feel that the sound-vibration is vibrating in whole body.

These two techniques are the most effective techniques for removing unwanted sleep the first one is more
powerful than the second one, and one should use first one unless one suffers from spondylosis, high intracranial
pressure, vertigo, high blood pressure or heart disease.

Thoughtless awareness observe the


breath technique
Posted by Gopal on January 5, 2008

3 Votes
Thoughtless awareness observe the breath technique. This can also be called will suit all technique because it
will suit everyone who knows how to count :).

Variation 1.
1.

Sit in Sidhasana or any other sitting posture or even on a chair and make the spine and head erect in a relaxed
manner.

2.

Place the palms on the knees and close the eyes.

3.

The breathing should be natural throughout the entire practice. No attempt should be made to regulate either
inhalation or exhalation during the practice.

4.

Now, focus your awareness gently on breath.

5.

Start reverse counting with each incoming breath (and no counting with outgoing breath). One may do reverse
counting from 50 to 1, decreasing the count by one with each incoming breath. In case, you forget the count or reach
1, go back to 50 and again repeat the process. <<<Why reverse counting because it makes the mind one-pointed
faster as mind is not habituated to reverse counting>>> <<<Why reverse counting with only each
inhalation/incoming breath because with exhalation, our nervous system relaxes and with inhalation, our
nervous system gets energized. So, it is easier to experience moments of thoughtless awareness during exhalation.
So, we leave the counting during exhalation for the experience of thoughtless awareness to happen>>>

6.

Repeat step 5 few more times till the mind becomes free from all thoughts except the thought of counting. When it is
attained, go to next step.

7.

Now, stop the counting and focus on the incoming and outgoing breath without any counting. If any thought comes to
the mind, neglect it as if it is a complete stranger and keep on focusing the awareness on the incoming and outgoing
breath. If thoughts are disturbing too much, go to step 5 again.

Note: If someone doesnt know counting, then he can instead say AUM/AMEN/AMIN
with every inhalation (and say nothing with every exhalation for the experience of
thoughtless awareness to happen during the moments of exhalation).
Variation 2.
1-3. Steps 1 to 3 are same as above.
4. Now, focus your awareness gently on breath.
5. Keep on focus of awareness on breath. If any thought/fantasy/mental talk/desire
disturbs the focus, say few times (2-5 times should be enough) Every/This
thought/fantasy/mental talk/desire is going out with breath. while simultaneously
imagining that during exhalation, every/this thought/fantasy/mental talk/desire get
removed with outgoing breath. Continue doing this as many times as required to
make the mind free from that thought/fantasy/mental talk/desire. When the mind
becomes thoughtless, continue the gentle focus of awareness on breath.
Benefits:
1.

Both variations 1 and 2 are very simple technique and can be done by even children.

2.

Note: please practise 3-5 minutes of Abdominal exhalation (also known as Kapalbhati
pranayama in yoga) just before practising any thoughtless awareness technique in sitting
position. This increases the quality of thoughtless awareness practice to the extent which
one cant even imagine without trying it first. Never miss it.

3.

It equalizes the flow of breath in both nostrils, so it lead to calmness of the mind, which in turn
induces the state of thoughtless awareness.

4.

When his disciples asked the question, How can one control the ever wandering mind?,
Lord Buddha replied, Do reverse counting with breath keeping the awareness focused on
breathing and keeping the breathing completely natural.. His advice is used in step 6 of
variation 1 to induce one-pointedness of the mind. So, one can use this method to concentrate the
mind.

5.

Note: please practise this technique for 30 minutes (more is always welcome) in sitting
position for satisfactory result. Less than that will be too little practice and will not give
satisfactory result.

Thoughtless awareness observe the origin


of I-thought technique
Posted by Gopal on January 5, 2008

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Thoughtless awareness observe the origin of I-thought technique.

Theory:

We can easily notice that all thoughts originate from I thought. Only after the rise of first
person (I, my), second and third persons (He, they, my brother, my school, etc) rise. e.g.
When I pass my exam, I will throw a party to my friends., My parents came tomorrow to
my school., My brother wants to be a doctor., etc.
So, I thought is the root thought. I thought is the origin of all other thoughts and the origin
of I is thought is the state of thoughtless awareness. So, if we focus our attention on the
origin or source of I thought, we naturally become thoughtless.
Note: All questions and answers must be done in ones mother tongue, although for
the sake of communication, they are given here in English.
Variation 1.
1.

Sit in Sidhasana or any other sitting posture or even on a chair and make the spine and head erect in a relaxed
manner.

2.

Place the palms on the knees and close the eyes.

3.

The breathing should be natural throughout the entire practice. No attempt should be made to regulate either
inhalation or exhalation during the practice.

4.

Pay attention to the present thought/image/desire/mental talk in the mind. Now, ask either of the following
questions: i) Who is thinking/desiring? or, ii) Who is imagining or fantasizing? or, iii) Who is talking? (if the thought is a
type of mental talk imagination of conversation with anyone). Answer I. Repeat the process of asking the question
and then, answering I as many times as needed for removal of present thought/image/desire/mental talk in mind.
Now, go to next step.

5.

Now, ask either of the following questions (all questions have same meaning): i) From where does this I originate or,
ii) Who am I or, iii) What is the source of this I, few times (2-5 times are enough), and focus all your attention in
seeking the origin of I thought. If it is done correctly, it results into the state of thoughtless awareness (meditation). If
thoughtless awareness doesnt happen, again repeat step 5.

6.

Be in this state of thoughtless awareness as long as no thought disturbs this state. If any thought disturbs this state,
repeat steps 4 and 5.

Note 1. In step 5, one can focus attention in seeking the origin of I thought directly and
wordlessly also without using any question. Do step 5 using questions or without questions depending
upon what suits you more.

Variation 2.

1-4. Steps 1 to 4 are same as in variation 1.


5. Chant (Repeat) I-I as long as required to make mind free from all thoughts except the chant of I-I.
When mind becomes thoughtless, drop the chanting of I-I. Then, the mind becomes completely thoughtless.
6. Be in this state of thoughtless awareness as long as no thought disturbs this state. If any thought disturbs
this state, repeat steps 4 and 5.

Variation 3.
1-4. Steps 1 to 4 are same as in variation 1.
5. Now, say , Observe/Look at this I and make an effort to observer/look at the I. When one tries to
observe/look at I, the mind becomes completely thoughtless.
6. Be in this state of thoughtless awareness as long as no thought disturbs this state. If any thought disturbs
this state, repeat steps 4 and 5.

Note 2. Variation 2 will suit even children or illiterates. But, variations 1 & 2 should be considered
the main technique and variation 2 should be used only if variations 1 & 2 are not grasped by an
individual or are not proving effective at a given point of time.

Benefits:
1.

This is one of the most powerful and fastest technique for experience of thoughtless awareness.

2.

Note: please practise 3-5 minutes of Abdominal exhalation (also known as Kapalbhati pranayama in yoga) just
before practising any thoughtless awareness technique in sitting position. This increases the quality of
thoughtless awareness practice to the extent which one cant even imagine without trying it first. Never miss
it.

3.

This can be and must be practised even with open eyes to keep the mind free from thoughts during free time
like bath/meals/travels etc and thus, to enjoy peace and relaxation of thoughtless awareness whole day. The
practice of this technique during free-time apart from in sitting position for 30 min, is indispensable to gain
maximum possible amount of peace and relaxation whole day.

4.

Note: please practise this technique for 30 minutes (more is always welcome) in sitting position for
satisfactory result. Less than that will be too little practice and will not give satisfactory result.

Thoughtless awareness observe the origin


of thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound
technique
Posted by Gopal on January 5, 2008

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Thoughtless awareness observe the origin of thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound


technique.

Theory: There is a gap between any two consecutive thoughts/images/desires/fantasy/sound (mental talk or imagination of
conversation creates a sound in mind. Sound can be present due to other kind of thoughts also.). This gap is thoughtless
awareness. When the mind is relaxed and calm, the gap is of order of few seconds and when the mind is tense or excited, the
gap is of order of a fraction of second. This means, one thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound is present in mind and then there
is gap of few seconds or a fraction of second and after that gap of thoughtless awareness, another
thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound comes to the mind.

This implies that all thoughts/images/desires/fantasy/sound in mind arise from the state of thoughtless awareness. Thus, if we
focus our attention on origin of present thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound in mind, we will

experience thoughtless awareness

Note: All questions and answers must be done in ones mother tongue, although for the sake of
communication, they are given here in English.

Technique:
1.

Sit in Sidhasana or any other sitting posture or even on a chair and make the spine and head erect in a relaxed
manner.

2.

Place the palms on the knees and close the eyes.

3.

The breathing should be natural throughout the entire practice. No attempt should be made to regulate either
inhalation or exhalation during the practice.

4.

Pay attention to the thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound in the mind keenly and say to yourself few times (2-5 times
are enough), This thought/fantasy/mental talk/desire is fully acceptable to me.

5.

Then, ask either of the questions: i) What is the origin of this thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound or , ii) From where is
this thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound originating, and focus all your attention in seeking the origin of present
thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound in the mind. If it is done correctly, it results into the state of thoughtless
awareness. Repeat this step till the present thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound gets removed from the mind and
thoughtless awareness is experienced.

6.

Be in this state of thoughtless awareness as long as no thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound disturbs this state. If any
thoughts disturb this state, repeat step 4 again.

Note 1. In step 5, one can focus attention in seeking the origin of present
thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound in the mind directly and wordlessly also without using any
question. Do step 5 using questions or without questions depending upon what suits you more.

Benefits:
1.

This is one of the most powerful and fastest technique for experience of thoughtless
awareness.

2.

Note: please practise 3-5 minutes of Abdominal exhalation (also known as Kapalbhati
pranayama in yoga) just before practising any thoughtless awareness technique in sitting
position. This increases the quality of thoughtless awareness practice to the extent which
one cant even imagine without trying it first. Never miss it.

3.

This can be and must be practised even with open eyes to keep the mind free from thoughts
during free time like bath/meals/travels etc and thus, to enjoy peace and relaxation of
thoughtless awareness whole day. The practice of this technique during free-time apart
from in sitting position for 30 min, is indispensable to gain maximum possible amount of
peace and relaxation whole day.

4.

Note: please practise this technique for 30 minutes (more is always welcome) in sitting
position for satisfactory result. Less than that will be too little practice and will not give
satisfactory result.

Thoughtless awareness observe the


thought/desire/fantasy/image technique
Posted by Gopal on January 5, 2008

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Thoughtless awareness observe the thought/desire/fantasy/image technique.

Technique:
1.

Sit in Sidhasana or any other sitting posture or even on a chair and make the spine and head erect in a relaxed
manner.

2.

Place the palms on the knees and close the eyes.

3.

The breathing should be natural throughout the entire practice. No attempt should be made to regulate either
inhalation or exhalation during the practice.

4.

Now, watch the thoughts/desires/fantasies/images of the mind with complete neutrality (neither judge them as good
or as bad, neither feel attachment nor aversion to them). Imagine that the mind is a screen and
thoughts/desires/fantasies/images are pictures on this screen and you are an observer of these pictures. Observe
each and every thought/desire/fantasy/image with full awareness and say to yourself, I am not this
thought/desire/fantasy/image. I am only its observer/witness.

5.

After practice of step 5, a time comes when the mind becomes thoughtless (this is the state of thoughtless
awareness). Simply be in it till this state is disturbed by any thought/desire/fantasy/image, in which case repeat the
process of step 4.

Benefits:
1.

This is a technique which is very effective if ones mind is already relaxed to a good extent.
But, if ones mind is not relaxed to a good extent, this technique may not work. In such a
case also, observe the breath, observe the origin of I-thought and observe the origin
of thought/image/sound techniques will work with a high probability. Hence, those who
are able to successfully practise latter 3 techniques need not bother about this technique.
But, if one is not able to experience good state of thoughtless awareness in latter 3
techniques, there is no harm in experimenting with observe the thought/image
technique.

2.

Note: please practise 3-5 minutes of Abdominal exhalation (also known as Kapalbhati
pranayama in yoga) just before practising any thoughtless awareness technique in sitting
position. This increases the quality of thoughtless awareness practice to the extent which
one cant even imagine without trying it first. Never miss it.

3.

This can be and must be practised even with open eyes to keep the mind free from thoughts
during free time like bath/meals/travels etc and thus, to enjoy peace and relaxation of
thoughtless awareness whole day. The practice of this technique during free-time apart
from in sitting position for 30 min, is indispensable to gain maximum possible amount of
peace and relaxation whole day.

4.

Note: please practise this technique for 30 minutes (more is always welcome) in sitting
position for satisfactory result. Less than that will be too little practice and will not give
satisfactory result.

Thoughtless awareness surrender every


desire technique
Posted by Gopal on January 5, 2008

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Thoughtless awareness -surrender every desire technique: this will suit those who have genuine devotion and spirit
of self-surrender to God/Allah/Guru or any name of God, be it Rama/Jesus etc.

Theory: Every thought is born out of some gross or subtle desire. If we keenly observe our thought, we can verify this fact. For
example, when someone sits for thoughtless awareness practice, a thought may come, I have to do this work. now, this is
clearly a desire to do some work. Similarly, a thought may come in which one talks with a beloved friend in imagination this
again, is a desire to talk to some beloved friend.

Thus, one can say that thoughtless awareness is same as desireless awareness and desireless awareness is same as
thoughtless awareness.

If one has genuine devotion and spirit of self-surrender to God/Allah/Guru or any name of God, be it Rama/Jesus etc.,
one can surrender the desire manifested in form of present thought/fantasy/image/sound and that desire will vanish
and corresponding thought/fantasy/image/sound will also vanish, leading to experience of thoughtless awareness.

Technique:
1.

Sit in Sidhasana or any other sitting posture or even on a chair and make the spine and head erect in a relaxed
manner.

2.

Place the palms on the knees and close the eyes.

3.

The breathing should be natural throughout the entire practice. No attempt should be made to regulate either
inhalation or exhalation during the practice.

4.

Now, observe the thought/fantasy/image/sound of the mind keenly and ask yourself the question, Which desire is
giving birth to this thought/fantasy/image/sound? few times (2-5 times are enough). If one questions so and then
observes keenly, one will find that the present thought/fantasy/image/sound is manifestation of some gross or subtle
desire. Pay attention to that desire and say to yourself, I surrender this desire fully to God/Allah/Guru/Rama/Jesus
etc. (depending on who is the object of your genuine devotion) as many times as needed for that
thought/fantasy/image/sound to vanish from the mind. If ones devotion and spirit of self-surrender is genuine, the
desire and its corresponding thought/fantasy/image/sound will vanish and thoughtless awareness will be
experienced.

5.

Simply be in it till this state is disturbed by any thought/fantasy/image/sound, in which case repeat the process of step
4.

Benefits:
1.

This technique will suit those who have genuine devotion and spirit of self-surrender to
God/Allah/Guru or any name of God, be it Rama/Jesus etc. One should use only one object
of devotion during the practice.

2.

Note: please practise 3-5 minutes of Abdominal exhalation (also known as Kapalbhati
pranayama in yoga) just before practising any thoughtless awareness technique in sitting
position. This increases the quality of thoughtless awareness practice to the extent which
one cant even imagine without trying it first. Never miss it.

3.

This can be and must be practised even with open eyes to keep the mind free from thoughts
during free time like bath/meals/travels etc and thus, to enjoy peace and relaxation of
thoughtless awareness whole day. The practice of this technique during free-time apart
from in sitting position for 30 min, is indispensable to gain maximum possible amount of
peace and relaxation whole day.

4.

Note: please practise this technique for 30 minutes (more is always welcome) in sitting
position for satisfactory result. Less than that will be too little practice and will not give
satisfactory result

Thoughtless awareness next


thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound
technique
Posted by Gopal on January 5, 2008

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Thoughtless awareness next thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound technique.

Theory: The thinking process stops when it encounters an unknown state which our conscious mind cannot
comprehend. It results into the state of thoughtless awareness.

When we have a thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound in mind, our conscious mind cannot be sure about the next
thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound in mind. Hence, if we ask the question to ourselves, What will be the next
thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound in my mind?, the thinking process will stop and we will experience thoughtless
awareness.

Technique:
1.

Sit in Sidhasana or any other sitting posture or even on a chair and make the spine and head erect in a relaxed
manner.

2.

Place the palms on the knees and close the eyes.

3.

The breathing should be natural throughout the entire practice. No attempt should be made to regulate either
inhalation or exhalation during the practice.

4.

Now, observe the thought/image/desire/sound of the mind keenly, say to yourself few times (2-5 times are enough),
This thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound is fully acceptable to me. and then, ask yourself the question: What will
be next thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound in my mind? as many times as needed to experience thoughtless
awareness.

5.

Simply be in it till this state is disturbed by any thought/image/desire/fantasy/sound, in which case repeat the process
of step 4.

Benefits:
1.

This technique may suit some people. Find out if it suits you or not.

2.

Note: please practise 3-5 minutes of Abdominal exhalation (also known as Kapalbhati pranayama in yoga) just
before practising any thoughtless awareness technique in sitting position. This increases the quality of
thoughtless awareness practice to the extent which one cant even imagine without trying it first. Never miss
it.

3.

This can be and must be practised even with open eyes to keep the mind free from thoughts during free time
like bath/meals/travels etc and thus, to enjoy peace and relaxation of thoughtless awareness whole day. The
practice of this technique during free-time apart from in sitting position for 30 min, is indispensable to gain
maximum possible amount of peace and relaxation whole day.

4.

Note: please practise this technique for 30 minutes (more is always welcome) in sitting position for
satisfactory result. Less than that will be too little practice and will not give satisfactory result.

Thoughtless awareness observe the


observer technique
Posted by Gopal on January 5, 2008

Thoughtless awareness observe the observer technique.

Theory: When one sees a dream, one finds ones body and mind acting in dreams. Body may act through
various movements of body and mind may act through various thoughts in the dream. But, who sees the
dream? The ONE who sees the dream, is not those dream-images, those dream-thoughts and dreammovements of the dream-body. The ONE who sees the dream cannot be mind also because it sees the mind
and minds activities in dream.

Thus, the ONE who sees the dream can be called witnessing awareness/witness/observer/seer and it is
separate from our mind. This ONE is our real individual self, which is a state of silent awareness.

If one tries to watch this witness/observe this observer/see this seer, the thought/desire/fantasy/image
dissolve into this witness/observer/seer and the state of thoughtless awareness will happen. One can
legitimately raise question here, Who is the one who tries to watch this witness/observe this observer/see
this seer', then the reply would be, the ONE who tries to watch this witness/observe this observer/see this
seer is none but the witness/observer/seer itself. How surprising! But, this is so. The seer can see itself/The
witness can watch itself/ The observer can observe itself because the awareness can be aware of itself
(awareness, seer, observer and witness all mean same here.). If this phenomenon of The seer seeing
itself/The witness watching itself/The observer observing/The awareness being aware of itself happens
to 100% extent, it results into something more than thoughtless awareness, which can be called the state of

pure awareness (awareness being aware only of itself). But, in almost all of us this phenomenon will happen
only to some extent, and hence, will lead us only upto the state of thoughtless awareness.

It is very difficult to understand all this intellectually, but it is hoped that a few will be able to understand and
gain from this technique. In fact, I was thinking not to give this technique, but then I thought, who knows
some people can really understand this technique. Hence, I am including this technique for sake of
completeness.

Technique:
1.

Sit in Sidhasana or any other sitting posture or even on a chair and make the spine and head erect in a relaxed
manner.

2.

Place the palms on the knees and close the eyes.

3.

The breathing should be natural throughout the entire practice. No attempt should be made to regulate either
inhalation or exhalation during the practice.

4.

Now, observe the thought/image/desire/fantasy of the mind with full attention and complete neutrality (neither judge
them as good or as bad, neither feel attachment nor aversion to them). Imagine that the mind is a screen and
thoughts/desires/fantasies/images are pictures on this screen and you are an observer of these pictures. Observe
each and every thought/desire/fantasy/image with full awareness and say to yourself, I am not this
thought/desire/fantasy/image. I am only its observer/witness.. Do it 2-5 times.

5.

Now, be aware that the one who is observing the thought/image/desire/fantasy, must be different from that
thought/image/desire/fantasy. Ask yourself now few times (2-5 times are enough), Who is observing/seeing/watching
this thought/image/desire/fantasy. and then, turn the attention on the one who is observing this
thought/image/desire/fantasy. If it is done correctly, it results into the state of thoughtless awareness. Repeat this step
till thoughtless awareness is experienced.

6.

Simply be in it till this state is disturbed by any thought/image/desire/fantasy, in which case repeat the process of step
4.

Benefits:
1.

This technique may suit some people. Find out if it suits you or not.

2.

Note: please practise 3-5 minutes of Abdominal exhalation (also known as Kapalbhati pranayama in yoga) just
before practising any thoughtless awareness technique in sitting position. This increases the quality of
thoughtless awareness practice to the extent which one cant even imagine without trying it first. Never miss
it.

3.

This can be and must be practised even with open eyes to keep the mind free from thoughts during free time
like bath/meals/travels etc and thus, to enjoy peace and relaxation of thoughtless awareness whole day. The
practice of this technique during free-time apart from in sitting position for 30 min, is indispensable to gain
maximum possible amount of peace and relaxation whole day.

4.

Note: please practise this technique for 30 minutes (more is always welcome) in sitting position for
satisfactory result. Less than that will be too little practice and will not give satisfactory result.

Thoughtless awareness come to


present technique
Posted by Gopal on January 7, 2008

1 Votes

Thoughtless awareness come to present technique

Theory all past moments came as present moment and all future moments will also come as present
moment. Every yesterday came as today and every tomorrow will also come as today. Present is the more solid
reality of life, because past is memory and future is uncertain dreams and in reality, past was also experienced
as present and future will also be experienced as present only. So, living in present is the real essence of life.
Every thought/desire/fantasy/image belongs to either past or future. When one is fully in present, one is in
thoughtless awareness and likewise, when one is in thoughtless awareness, one is fully in present.

Technique:
1.

Sit in Sidhasana or any other sitting posture or even on a chair and make the spine and head erect in a relaxed
manner.

2.

Place the palms on the knees and close the eyes.

3.

The breathing should be natural throughout the entire practice. No attempt should be made to regulate either
inhalation or exhalation during the practice.

4.

Watch the present thought/desire/fantasy/image in mind. Observe if it belongs to past or future. If it belongs to past,
say to yourself, This thought/desire/fantasy/image belongs to past. Come to present now. few times (2-5 times
should be enough) and focus the mind on dark space before yourself (when one closes ones eyes, there is a dark
space before the mind.). Similarly, if present thought/desire/fantasy/image belongs to future, say to yourself, This
thought/desire/fantasy/image belongs to future. Come to present now. few times (2-5 times should be enough) and
bring the attention to dark space before yourself (when one closes ones eyes, there is a dark space before the us.).
If it is done correctly, one will experience thoughtless awareness.

5.

Simply be in it till this state is disturbed by any thought/desire/fantasy/image, in which case repeat the process of step
4.

Benefits:
1.

This technique may suit some people. Find out if it suits you or not. I am including it because it suited my
elder sister very much, so I thought, who knows some more people may find it suitable to them. And second
reason is, it has a good philosophy of live in present. So, even if one practises other thoughtless
awareness techniques, just reading this technique will give them a positive approach of life.

2.

Note: please practise 3-5 minutes of Abdominal exhalation (also known as Kapalbhati pranayama in yoga) just
before practising any thoughtless awareness technique in sitting position. This increases the quality of
thoughtless awareness practice to the extent which one cant even imagine without trying it first. Never miss
it.

3.

This can be and must be practised even with open eyes to keep the mind free from thoughts during free time
like bath/meals/travels etc and thus, to enjoy peace and relaxation of thoughtless awareness whole day. The
practice of this technique during free-time apart from in sitting position for 30 min, is indispensable to gain
maximum possible amount of peace and relaxation whole day.

4.

Note: please practise this technique for 30 minutes (more is always welcome) in sitting position for
satisfactory result. Less than that will be too little practice and will not give satisfactory result.

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