Level One
Try retaining your breath at the top of the inhalation for two seconds, and then slowly, with a relaxed mind, exhale through the nose for an equal amount of time, or even a bit longer—perhaps two seconds more. Aim to complete 10 cycles of this without getting distracted by thoughts.
You may use deliberate distractions to help you focus on your breath. For example, you can stare at a candle while breathing or listen to relaxing, high-vibrational positive music. Close your eyes and let the music sweep you away as you follow these cycles of breath.
When you have mastered this practice, which is quite challenging, you will be ready for the next packet of knowledge.
*To understand how the mind works, it is important to first recognize its different parts. We can classify emotions as negative and positive. It seems clear that there is a subconscious mind and a conscious mind, and there appears to be a higher self and a lower self as well. As we develop deeper concepts of the mind and ultimately of all creation, these opposites merge into Oneness. Positive and negative, high and low, are two sides of the same coin. They are connected and cannot be separated.
This is true according to the Mind. In actuality, and this is hard to fathom, there is a state of mind we can reach where all separate things are unified in harmony and peace. However, even these terms—unity, harmony, and peace—are just separate names that create misconceptions about the nature of reality. Reflect on this for 20 years.
Level Two
Once we have mastered completing 10 cycles of breath, the first thing we must observe—and even write about—is how our minds wander when left unchecked. It's remarkable how, despite our best intentions and greatest focus, a thought will inevitably pop up and we will follow it. We are drawn to our thoughts like moths to a flame, irresistibly tempted to explore them, especially if they revolve around a problem we are trying to solve.
If the problem is significant and we are naturally anxious, combined with learned addictive behaviors, we may obsess over performing an addictive behavior to escape the mental stress caused by overthinking. In the next section of your work, focus on writing deeply, breathing in the same cycles, and staying concentrated on documenting whatever patterns you know about yourself that you engage in addictively, even down to your thoughts. Addiction is any behavior pattern that we repeatedly do and find difficult to stop, especially when there are negative consequences. If there is no potential for negative consequences, it is not an addiction but a positive behavior pattern. Behaviors that may damage our psyche, body, environment, other people, or creatures have the potential to cause great suffering in our minds, and we must learn about these things. We must let our breath guide us.
When we spend a good amount of time writing, thinking, and contemplating our personalities and behavior patterns—from our teenage years to adulthood—we become self-aware. Many people get stuck in this process because they don't want to see themselves in the mirror. They avoid confronting their flaws because doing so might require significant effort, or it might hurt their self-esteem, much like discovering a pimple. This is a mistake. We will always have flaws in our personalities for the rest of our lives. Perfection is unattainable; it isn't part of the plan. There are too many imperfections in the world, in our parents, in the schools we attended, and in the philosophies that shaped them. Our "software" is programmed with many imperfections.
It is wise to understand that we cannot escape our imperfections; we can only work to overcome them. As soon as we conquer one flaw, another will surface because the deeper we delve into our minds, the more opportunities we have to uncover ignorance, fear, and other negative states that hold us back. As we make these discoveries about ourselves, it is essential to be compassionate and capable of dealing with pain.
This is where the value of journaling comes in. Write about whatever arises in your mind, but focus on helping others, not just obsessively on yourself. Mix in your problems with your solutions and discoveries. Even if you are young and inexperienced, you possess valuable insights to teach yourself at this moment. This is also how you tap into your higher self—by searching, looking deeply, and writing. Don't worry if your writing isn't perfect; the value lies in your willingness to do it.
Once your skepticism about writing diminishes because you recognize its value and you write frequently enough to establish it as a pattern in your life, you will be ready for the next level.
Level Three
Once you have mastered breathing exercises and learned to bring your focus back to the breath amidst disruptions, you are ready to advance to the next level. This involves understanding the value of writing down your discoveries about yourself and delving beneath the surface to uncover your flaws and the true nature of your problems. Through writing, you will uncover your true self. The next phase of writing will involve developing step-by-step solutions to the problems you identify over time.
This process requires significant effort and commitment, but once you start writing and establish a routine, you will begin to see its benefits, and any initial skepticism will fade away. Don’t spend 20 years contemplating when to start this practice. Begin now, especially if you're experiencing suffering. Trust in this methodology and take action. You don’t need to write 500 pages a day; even two sentences or a single word on a Sunday can make a difference. Once this practice is ingrained in your behavior, you will be ready for the third level.
The third level involves the practice of meditation. It's important to understand that meditation is not something you switch on and off. It's not about planning to be reckless or harmful in your everyday consciousness and then seeking a quiet place to relax and attempt to achieve enlightenment, only to return to your previous behavior afterward. This approach would be paradoxical.
The true goal is to recognize that your entire life, moment by moment, is a continuous meditation. It involves focusing on the sanctity of life and your survival. Meditation is about gratitude, understanding the nature of our suffering, and finding solutions to alleviate it. It's about being present even during mundane tasks like cleaning, eating, homework, working, exercising, farming, and taking care of our children. Engaging with members of our society, and performing these everyday activities, should be an integral part of our meditation, focus, and breathing.
Our most sacred space is when we are in the presence of wild nature, the helpless such as children, and the weak such as the sick and the elderly.
We must also begin to closely observe nature and cultivate a deep reverence for the mysteries and beauty it holds. The complexities and wonders of creation beg our attention. While science provides explanations for much, we are far from comprehending all aspects of the Cosmos and our world. Therefore, let us gaze at nature in awe and seek to unravel its workings. The subject of nature offers a vast expanse of knowledge to explore. Make it your passion to delve into biology, anatomy, and chemistry as deeply as you can. Remember that book knowledge, though academic, holds significant value. It is as important as passing down wisdom through generations, preserving customs and beliefs.
Book knowledge is invaluable as it represents the accumulated wisdom of humanity, akin to learning directly from a knowledgeable individual in person. Therefore, do not underestimate the power of book knowledge. Challenge yourself to read as many books as you can over the next 25 years. With the convenience of online platforms, listening to books has become just as accessible and enriching as reading them. Remember, both reading and listening to quality content offer similar benefits.
While focusing on scientific studies is crucial, broaden your horizons. Dedicate yourself to mathematics, delve into physics, and explore various crafts. Embrace calligraphy, learn to play a musical instrument, study astronomy, and even immerse yourself in radical physics theories that seek to explain the nature of the tiniest particles we have discovered.
Additionally, explore the realms of nutrition, psychology, food preparation, clothing-making, and wilderness shelter construction. Embrace these diverse skills and knowledge areas as you have ample time to absorb them voraciously. Let your mind expand both metaphorically and intellectually.
At this juncture, let us delve into the intricacies of human psychology. Understanding what drives us is crucial. Begin by studying basic psychology, which although theoretical in essence, aligns with common sense in today's context.
The mind mirrors the structure of the universe, functioning through a chain of causes and effects. Within the human mind exist both a conscious layer and a subconscious layer. The conscious mind shapes the subconscious, which in turn influences and can even direct how the conscious mind interprets and interacts with the world. As we act, we perceive; as we perceive, we shape the subconscious. This dynamic interplay between the subconscious and conscious mind fosters a continuous exchange of influence and feedback.
The conscious mind is the aspect of your mind that you are aware of and can comprehend. It allows you to reflect on your thoughts, identify problems, and recognize positives. Your conscious mind is responsible for sensing each experience and making judgments, yet it is influenced by the unseen layer known as the subconscious.
Distinguishing between the subconscious and conscious minds is a modern method of categorizing brain functions, but in reality, they are interconnected and form a unified entity. It is more accurate to view them as one entity. Additionally, there is the sleeping mind, or the subconscious mind, which lacks full awareness of the universe it inhabits.
The subconscious mind can be likened to a frozen entity in time, akin to a child living in a fantasy world reminiscent of its youth. Often, it remains fixated on past traumas and disruptions that occurred during our developmental stages. Perceiving negative emotions as traumatic, the subconscious swiftly triggers alerts throughout the body when such emotions arise, feeling threatened and under attack by the external environment. In response,