The making of a Sarvodaya Sannyasin

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 one’s 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 doesn’t 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 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.