Beginning Self Discovery - 101

As I mentioned earlier in my post on Thursday entitled "Samadhi  the Movie", the key to know oneself is through the ability to remain in silence. This is easier said then done and there is no doubt about it as a busy mind is incapable of self discovery and our mind is naturally busy all the time mostly about things that has little to do with who we truly are. It is not east to wake up early in the morning much less waking up with a clear head not filled with aches and pains and wondering what to do the rest of the day. This is where one begin to develop some form of self discipline, the most basic of which is to wake up and take notice of the body. The aches and pains from the long sleep and become aware of the whole physical form inside out. Start with the breathing, start by getting rid of all the trapped 'bad' air in the abdomen and work through the whole body as you move from one part to another like you are unwinding the whole form releasing all the aching muscles and cramps one after another; realignment. 

As you go through this motion notice how your mind resists from the effort and work with it by removing gently all the intruding thoughts that stand in your way of doing this simple exercise. By letting go of your thoughts without any effort you will be able to clear your head from migraine headaches and various other physical vexations that you often wake up with; breath is the key. Consciously breathing sooner than later you will come to understand how your mind and body function as the day begins, it is not easy but it is possible and a must if you are truly keen on self healing towards self discovery. This rewinding and realignment of the body and mind will also help to prepare you to take on the rest of the day's activities with a clear head and an able body. The Muslims are fortunate in a sens they automatically wake up at the crack of dawn and perform the morning prayer, but unfortunately for most, they jump right back into bed to continue their slumber. The more diligent ones of them will continue to sit and meditate or do the Zikr or chant of one form or another, this is what the Sufi adepts do. To add to this, some will continue to do basic stretching exercises loosening up their body and minds before leaving the prayer mat. The morning prayer is the shortest of all the five daily prayers which consist of two rakaats or prostrations but the twice recitations of the short surah or verse of the AlFatihah is crucial to the mind as it involves the sense of gratefulness towards the Creator for being alive. Being grateful towards life is one of the key principles of the 'Law of Abundance' which the western mind expounds. When performing the solat or prayer, the mind is brought to a focus or standstill in the presence of the Divine and this is what most Yogic and other forms of meditation attempts to accomplish. The basic physical movements of the body during the prayer helps to regulate the flow of energy and blood throughout the body. Imagine what it is like for those who makes it an effort to travel to the nearby mosques to perform this early morning prayer, what benefits they get  in awakening their body, mind and Spirit, everyday very early in the morning. 

In order to silence the busy mind one has to undoubtedly take on one form or practice or another and it is a must for those who find themselves lost in incessant thoughts haunting their sleep and waking state. It is emphasized by all religions and spiritual practices that it is in the silence of the mind that one gets to discover one's true nature if not God. 
#self discovery, #meditation, #prayer, #Zikr