Today we will embark on a quest to awaken the higher mind. In a world driven by logic and emotions, we often overlook a deeper form of knowledge that can only be accessed through meditation.
Our intellects analyze and rationalize every action, attempting to find absolute meaning in our experiences. Yet, this reliance on relative knowledge and personal theories can lead to stress, anxiety, and a decline in our overall well-being.
While our rational mind continuously seeks answers in science, technology, and philosophy, there exists another realm of knowledge beyond emotions and reasoning. This realm can only be accessed through meditation, where actual intuitive understanding resides.
True intuitive knowledge possesses a unique characteristic: the ability to see the totality of a situation. Unlike the rational mind, which perceives only fragments, intuitive knowledge comprehends the entirety of what is being experienced.
Let’s understand this with one example. Imagine a seasoned detective, let's call her Detective Sarah, investigating a complex case. She has gathered a lot of information, clues, and witness statements related to the case. Now, she needs to make sense of all this information to solve the crime.
Using her rational mind, Detective Sarah analyzes each piece of evidence individually. She looks at the witness statements, forensic reports, and security camera footage separately. Her rational mind processes each fragment of information independently, focusing on specific details without considering the whole picture. This approach can lead to a fragmented understanding of the case.
On the other hand, Detective Sarah also relies on her intuition, which allows her to see the totality of the situation. Intuitive knowledge enables her to grasp the interconnectedness of all the evidence. It helps her see patterns, make connections between seemingly unrelated pieces of information, and understand the motives and actions of the people involved. In this holistic understanding, intuitive knowledge provides her with insights that go beyond the fragmented analysis of the rational mind.
In this example, Detective Sarah's intuitive knowledge allows her to comprehend the entirety of the situation by synthesizing all the available information. Unlike the rational mind, which perceives only fragments, her intuition gives her a deeper understanding of the case as a whole.
Similarly, A Sufi seeker, who is on a spiritual journey to attain a higher level of consciousness and closeness to the divine, has been practicing various Sufi rituals, including meditation, dhikr (remembrance of God), and contemplation under the guidance of his Sufi teacher.
At the beginning of his journey, the seeker's rational mind perceives spirituality in a fragmented manner. He may understand individual rituals and teachings but struggles to grasp the deeper, interconnected spiritual realities. His rational mind provides him with a limited understanding of the spiritual path.
As the seeker progresses in his Sufi practices, he begins to develop intuitive knowledge. Through his spiritual experiences and deep contemplation, he starts to perceive the totality of his spiritual journey. His intuition allows him to comprehend the interconnectedness of various aspects of Sufi teachings – the importance of love, humility, and surrender, and how they all contribute to the realization of divine unity. The seeker's intuition helps him understand that spirituality is not just a collection of rituals but a holistic and transformative journey that encompasses every aspect of his being.
In this example, intuitive knowledge represents the seeker's ability to grasp the totality of his spiritual experiences and teachings. Through his intuition, he gains a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of his practices, emotions, and thoughts, leading him toward spiritual enlightenment and a profound closeness to the divine.
Throughout history, great Sufis have shared the wisdom that we can attain the higher mind and gain absolute clarity. By cultivating a skilful observation through passive meditation, we prepare ourselves for the flow of this expanded consciousness in active meditation.
The mind's true nature is revealed when we observe the object while remaining acutely aware of the subject. As we recognize that our experiences are objective and do not belong to the external world, the dawn of meditation begins. We understand that experiences lie within us, serving as triggers for something that has already taken shape within.
Let’s understand this with one example. Imagine a person, let's call him Abdullah, who is experiencing a strong feeling of anger.
The object in this scenario is the feeling of anger that Abdullah is experiencing. It's the emotion itself, the thing that Abdullah is aware of and wants to understand or control.
The subject here is Abdullah himself, the one experiencing the feeling of anger. The subject is the observer, the consciousness that is aware of the emotion.
Abdullah observes the feeling of anger. He is fully aware of the emotion, acknowledging its presence and intensity.
Simultaneously, Abdullah is aware of himself as the one experiencing anger. He is not just feeling anger; He is aware of the feeling, creating a separation between the emotion and his identity.
Abdullah understands that the feeling of anger is an internal experience. It's a reaction within him, not something external causing it. This realization separates the internal emotional response from external events.
Abdullah recognizes that the feeling of anger is triggered by something – perhaps a specific situation or memory. This recognition implies that the emotion is a response to something internal, a mental or emotional pattern that has already formed within Abdullah.
In this example, the process of understanding anger involves observing the emotion (the object) while being aware of oneself as the experiencer (the subject). This self-awareness and realization that emotions are internal responses, not imposed by the external world, align with the concept described earlier.
Transcendence occurs when this profound knowledge becomes firmly established within us. Like a pristine lake reflecting the sun, our mind shine in their pure beauty, revealing the depths of wisdom that lie within.
Thank you for joining us on this transformative journey of awakening the higher mind. Embrace the power of meditation, delve into the realm of intuitive knowledge, and unlock the radiant beauty of transcendence. May your mind shine as a beacon of wisdom and serenity.