Re: [BardonPraxis] "thought control" exercise question

["Sarah Thee Campagna" <ArtOfHands@...>]

Thanks once again Rawn. I did read your info in the FB companion and it is 
helpful. I feel I have a better handle on this now.

In the past I have practiced an exercise where I was to observe my breathing as 
if it was the breathing of someone else - without being involved or attached to 
the breathing. I understand that breathing and thoughts are not the same thing, 
but at least I have some experience at detaching from and observing something 
that is going on "inside" myself. 

Again, thank you for your time.

Sarah 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Rawn Clark 
To: BardonPraxis@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 8:18 PM
Subject: Re: [BardonPraxis] "thought control" exercise question


>> I need to make certain that I understand the object of the exercise.
As I understand it, the aim is that during successive days, fewer and
fewer thoughts will appear and the mind will be generally less chaotic.
<<

No. The aim is to *attentively observe*, without participating in any
way, *whatever* occurs in your mind. Even though the exercise is called
thought "control", it's *not* about controlling the mind, slowing the
thoughts, etc.. See http://www.ABardonCompanion.com/Control.html The
only real exercising of "control" is in the area of maintaining your
attention to what is going on while controlling your natural urge to
participate in the thoughts that do arise.

>> I certainly know that I have not mastered this exercise yet, because
little has changed from day to day. However, how DO I know when I have
mastered it? <<

This exercise is considered "mastered" when you can attentively observe
the contents of your mind for 10 minutes, *without* in any way
participating in what you observe and without digression (i.e., loss of
attentiveness).

My best to you,
:) Rawn Clark
03 Dec 2004
rawnclark@...
rawn@...
http://www.ABardonCompanion.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BardonPraxis
http://E.webring.com/hub?ring=arionthebardonwe



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