Watch Inside - 10/7/24

There is a certain beauty in silence. It is that beauty, which one experiences, when one walks into an empty room or a hall. There is stillness, calmness. One is also very sensitive, to little movements, such as the lizard on the wall or the water dripping from the tap or that cobweb in the corner of the room. Similarly, in the state of mental emptiness or silence, one suddenly becomes aware of many sudden movements inside, instincts and reactions occurring in the mind. The ugliness, the absolutely mechanical nature of our thoughts, actions and emotions becomes apparent. There appears the scope to respond, not only to any situation outside, but primarily, to the situations inside. 

And how wonderful breath is! How wonderful concentration is! How wonderful it is that the quality of mind absolutely changes with a few steady and conscious breaths. How convenient it is that a few minutes of concentration renews our ability to engage meaningfully with the world. 

How grateful I am of the wealth, comfort and privilege that this body has experienced. How this has given the opportunity to experience silence, which is the most beautiful experience, perhaps. 

There isn't much else to say. Steady practice, steadiness in every movement, alertness at every moment. These are the eternal truths. Live every moment absolutely. Life isn't merely climbing up rocks and jumping into waters. There is a great and monumental life inside, in the brain, that is constantly alive. Zip, zap, zoom, goes our nervous system all the time, as new thoughts, old desires, new visions, old impulses keep reverberating and causing words, actions and reactions. Watch them first. Watch what's happening inside first. There is much ugliness, dirt and sterility in there. Then what so transformative and fantastic can possibly happen on the outside, when the inside is so sullied? There is a long way, to complete cleanliness. But that perhaps, isn't even necessary. As long as one if aware of what is happening in the realm of thoughts and emotions, one is better off, much better off, than ever before. There is scope, there is hope for a better condition on the outside, more happiness, more comfort on the outside, when the same are the conditions on the inside.

God may we not be perturbed, may we not be overwhelmed. Our body is temporary. Our lives indeterminate. Let nothing cause any disturbance in the silence, that is the most precious of all, more so than money, respect, friends, family and any form of stability. 

Aum.