The making of a Sarvodaya Sannyasin

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 can’t 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.