The mind could be seen as a sophisticated Computer, where numberless programs are listed. These can either be downloaded at will, or they might flash by, unwillingly, at any time. The processing of these programs is what is called Mental activity. Among the various thought-programs, some can be understood from a logical point of view. Others require a deeper insight into the thinking world, because they proceed in attunement with the feeling heart.
Reasoning, which requires wisdom as well as the knowledge of facts, could be explained as being an evaluating process regarding decisions or actions to be taken. However, reasoning does require the ability to concentrate and to co-ordinate the thinking, there where the mind is confronted with the need of evaluating multiple facts.
Concentration could be understood as being a process where the thought is held under control when fixing it upon a chosen shape, color, sound or an association of these, such as a symbol or a Scenery. This specific discipline also requires the ability of de-concentrating, in order to secure the power of freeing the mind from undesirable thoughts.
Imagination, which is the secret of creative accomplishments, can be developed by visualizing made-up sceneries with closed eyes. One can either visualize oneself within those sceneries, or they can be seen at various distances. Details such as colors, sounds and moving object visualized within the scenery can be largely considered, thereby intensifying the creative nature of this process.
Observation is the process of receiving impressions through the five senses, which are like windows through which the consciousness is fully aware of all experiences. Observation is consequently the door opener to all worldly knowledge and accomplishments, either material or spiritual. Obviously, all decisions and actions taken were originally motivated by concentrated and coordinated reasoning, together with visualized imagination.
Memory is like a storehouse, where past impressions are preserved along various periods of time, according to the intensity of the experience registered at the time. When grabbing impressions out of the storehouse of the memory they suddenly re-appear in the mind.
Past impressions can also spontaneously flash by at any time, without having been called on. Furthermore, long forgotten impressions - since many years - can also suddenly re-appear on the screen of the mind for no logical reason, other than resulting indirectly from an automatic association with similar circumstances.
Love, human and Divine, is experienced at a level, where the thinking mind and the feeling heart are harmoniously attuned within the consciousness, leaving no space for self-identification.
Meditation cannot be called “Thought conditions”, but rather a sublimated condition, where the mind-world and the feeling heart are replaced by an all-pervading consciousness.
Hidayat Inayat-Khan
