What Moving to the Depths (Concentration) Is

Untitled
We have a deeper nature in the depth of our being. We mostly live on the surface of life. If we learn to live more in the depths, which is closer to our own spiritual essence, we move away from our limitations, our limited view of life.

Inner Orientation of the Spiritual-oriented Individual

The ordinary orientation of the individual is outward. However, for the spiritual person it is inward. He finds his purpose there, acts from there, and changes the world from there.

What Does It Mean to Live in the Depths?

A reader asks: what does it mean to live in the depths?

When we live on the surface, we are fixated on that which comes into our mind through our senses. The visual and auditory streaming in overwhelms and clouds our judgments. It is faulty because the Mind has little time and wherewithal to think rationally, logically, and judiciously. Therefore, right understanding that comes through rationality, a calm mind, light or illumination, and intuition and revelation of knowledge are unlikely occur. We are simply too caught up in the surface of things.

However, when we move to a deeper poise within, we are able to understand the unfoldings of life with more penetrating insight, and from a deeper and wider perspective. We not only think more, rather than react to the sense data streaming into our mind, but we consider more possibilities, examining the conditions from several sides.

The deeper we move within, the more truth perceiving we engage in. We even begin to sense the subtle unfoldings of life around us, which leads to right conclusions and judgments that precipitate decisions and actions that have the very best outcomes.

As we move deeper still, not just sense, but our Minds and thought itself begins to recede from our consciousness, and we are able to Silently look out on the world through a Witness consciousness, mirroring the spirit Being that looks out silently on Its Creation.

In the deepest depths one reaches the subliminal and psychic parts (the evolving soul) where one experiences a profound oneness with all things and others; where one communes with the Inner Guide whose voice gently intimates to us what to do and what to avoid. Also, there we are more likely to feel the presence of the Supreme, and feel the urgency to surrender to the divine Mother.

Sri Karmayogi says that the more we consecrate our action, circumstance, and personal limitations, offering our actions to the divine, the more we forge a path to these deeper parts within. From this poise, our mind begins to expands to infinity -- through experiences of intuition, revelation, and supramental perception, which is the capacity to know the object directly, it its integral totality and unity.

Sri Karmayogi says that the more we consecrate our action, circumstance, and personal limitations, the more we forge a path to these deeper parts within. From this poise, our mind expands to infinity -- through experiences of intuition, revelation, and supramental perception, which is the view that knows the object directly, it its totality and unity.

Inner Life that Enables True Individuality that Casts Aside Taints and Temptations

When we create an Inner Life, we see the world differently, and are thereby able to express our True Individuality. As a result, we are less encumbered by the superficial lures and pressures, including obsession with money, materialism, status, and power.

When we connect with our inner being, and ultimately with our evolving Soul, we tend to create harmonious relationships with those around us, and with life itself. As a result, we tend to shy away from behaviors that stokes our ego. Instead, there is an inner urge to reach out to others and to the world, in a movement of Oneness. Also, through this process, we discover our true identity and own individual voice, which compels us to rise along our Own Path, guided by our deepest values, while shunning the limits of the surface and the pressures of society.

Absorbed in an Inner Life, we still however engage the world, and at every point intuitively do the right thing, as that knowledge constantly pours into our minds from above and rises from below through subliminal guidance.

Karmayogi indicates that developing an Inner Life on one's own is very difficult, let alone discover our Evolving Soul within. He therefore offers a method of creating a deep link to our inner being: constant consecration. That effort of self-offering all acts, problems, and situations to the spiritual Force forges an inner life and a "witness consciousness" that silently but keenly looks out on the world. As a result, we tend to turn away from the taints and temptations of society, thinking deeply and acting wisely for ourselves. The end result is that we become True, Spiritual Individuals.

Perceiving the Deeper Causalities

We only see the surface cause of events, missing the deeper causality of vital and mental forces, energies, intentions, etc. that evoke positive, neutral, and negative conditions and response from life. 

Opening to, Embracing, and Manifesting Our Life's Infinite Possibilities

We can break through the barriers of limitation, and see that this Life is one of infinite possibility. The problem is that our limited consciousness crusts us over, placing blinders over us, preventing us from seeing our vast potential.

However, when we draw back from the surface of life; from our senses and surface mentality that tells us what the "facts" are; from the givens that society dictates; from the fetters of the environment we are raised in -- our eyes open up and we begin to see the shoreline of our infinite potential.

More positively, we can develop an inner orientation and come in contact with our True Selves. When we do, not only do we become true individuals guided by our soul's aspiration, but our hearts and minds expand to the widest vistas of Existence. As our consciousness grows, we realize that we are not limited beings, but infinite beings capable of becoming all that we choose to be.

The only question then is whether we are willing to make the effort to discover our deepest, highest, and widest Selves, so we can truly perceive, embrace, and manifest life's infinite possibilities.

Overcoming Finite, Time, and Externals in Work

We live on the surface of life; therefore we are ruled by the limits of time, by limitation (finiteness of possibility), and by externals. For example, if we are in business and live on the surface of things, we feel that it will take such and such duration for something to unfold, that there is a finite quantity of sales that we can achieve, and that it can only be accomplished within the constraints of current market conditions.

However, if we shift from the outer, surface view of the senses, and instead move to a deeper poise within, we see beyond limits of time, finiteness, and the externals. Moreover, from that higher poise and consciousness, we tend to attract those very things in a flash.

This is the revolution in consciousness and accomplishment that awaits us in the next stage of our evolution.

Truth of Life from Deeper Consciousness

Behind the surface consciousness is a deeper one that sees life for what it truly is.

Perceiving Subtle Unfoldings from the Depths

The deeper our center of awareness, the more we are able to perceive the subtle unfoldings of life around us.

Results from Moving from Space of Wanting to Space of Being

As soon as you move from the space of wanting something to the space of Being, the thing desired quickly moves in your direction.

Depend on the Inner Consciousness, Not Outer Environment

You cannot look for, depend on the outer environment for satisfaction. That only comes from within; by maintaining an inner poise and calm, deeply centered consciousness.

Keeping Connection with True Self, the Field of Life, and Spiritual Force

Moment to moment try not to lose connection with-

• your true, deeper Self within

• the field of Life unfolding around you

• the Infinite Divine, the spiritual Force in the atmosphere.

Power of Going Within, Being Still

Going within, being still --even amidst the tumult of life -- is very relaxing, connecting you with all that is important, to infinite-like possibilities, attracting unexpected positive conditions.

Living Our Lives on the Surface or the Depths

It all comes down to where you want to live your life: on the superficial surface or in the deepest depths where you are highly open to and aware of life’s infinite-like possibilities.

Methods of Overcoming Anger

Anger often comes from a sense of weakness; whether lack of knowledge, lack of power or authority, etc. The nerves are weakened, and thus one readily reacts; sometimes as irritation, but it can also turn to anger.

The consciousness is not calm; there is no inner poise; no silent witness to dispassionately observe life. The nerves are receiving their cues from outward circumstance that are being internalized and twisted through that sense of weakness.

Lost on the surface instead of the depths, creates a sense of separateness, dividing us from the world, giving strength to the Ego, causing one to lash out and blame others, blame life; rather than take responsibility as Garry Sir says.

One has lost harmonious connection with existence.

Finding the way back to calm is essential. Remembering to practice Non-reaction to life's intensities is a great first step. Going deeper within is another.

When we reach that calm, we can call Mother and ask her to permanently rid us of the virulence of anger, while also asking that we are not bothered by any of life's conditions.

Putting one's self in a stronger position, whether of knowledge or of work position, etc, can also if necessary be done over time. It is another aspect of taking responsibility.

The strongest position of all is moving to serenity and calm, while putting our Faith in Her -- offering all matters, all our troubles to Her divine Wisdom and Love.

Controlling Negative Expressions from the Yogic and Human Perspective

For the yogi (who practices conscious evolution) the control of negative expressions such as anger of fear goes from the outer surface to the inner, psychological, i.e. attitude, peace, calm, and then penetrates to the subconscious, which avoids even the sudden, gush of negative emotion that can rise from the unconscious. Most humans are lucky if the outer surface is consciously controlled. So the question is at what level we want to control the wanting qualities? There is a range from the surface to the deepest depths. It is our choice.

Move to Deeper Poise to Resolve Contradiction

When you are in contradiction or conflict with another party, move to a deeper poise within where you will discover a higher level of awareness. From there you will perceive a new, higher harmony that resolves the issue. Often it will come as an intuition of knowledge, with a clear path of action.

Shift from Limitation to Infinite Possibilities that Attract Boundless Success

The infinite Possibilities are there to begin with in the universe. However, our consciousness is imperfect, crusted over, and firmly set in an essential Ignorance, preventing us from seeing that infinite potential. As a result, we are firmly ensconced in a view of Limitation.

And yet we have the ability to overcome that view of the Impossibilities, and know the infinite Possibilities. It requires a great inner effort in which we establish a deeper poise and a higher consciousness, which gives us the wider view of existence and its unlimited potential.

Now when we plan and act, we do so in Truth, which attracts the very best conditions from life. Energy and deep joy invariably follow and complete our boundless success.

How to Develop a Continuous Positive Attitude

We know that a positive state of mind will always evoke positive conditions from life. But how can we continually be in that state?

We can foster a state of continuous positive attitude by developing an Inner Life; by seeing things from a deeper poise; from the Being, the "Witness Consciousness."  But how do we get there?

An inner life can be developed by constant opening to the spiritual Force, to the Divine Mother, which forces us inward, creating a clearer pipeline to the influences of the positive guidance of the subliminal within and intuition of truth above.  That fosters positive attitude, a confidence that circumstance will work out, a deep faith that we are being led in the right direction, etc.

The result is that negative thoughts are constantly kept at bay; we are constantly releasing positive energies, and a corresponding continuous stream of good fortune follows.

I would add one other method: we can also develop an Aspiration to always be in a positive state. We can aspire to always be cheerful, to always be confident, to always be positive, optimistic, and filled with faith. Once we formulate that aspiration, feel it deeply, and offer it to the Force, our nature will surely change to the positive, and life will continually blossom all around us.

Overcoming Sense and Concentration
Withdrawing from the world of senses, the external world. This is the first stage of concentration. It means the Mind withdraws from hearing outer sounds, seeing outer sights, etc. (MSS)

Definition of (Inner) Concentration
Mind in meditation turning off the senses, seeing and hearing for itself is concentration. (MSS, slightly modified)

Man's Stages of Inner Growth (away from the outer) & Mind
Man's stages of inner growth are:

• [The five] Senses dominate the mind, a pure vital status.

• Mind sifts the senses from facts and acts on pure facts--intellectuality.

• Mind understands, not the senses.

• Mind in meditation can turn off the senses, see, and hear for itself - This is concentration.

• This opens the Mind to insight and intuition.

• Intuition shifting inside from outside becomes supramental intuition (MSS, slightly modified)

Problems Created by Living on the Surface of Life
We live on the surface of life. We are too outer, reacting to everything around us. From such a poise we are constantly reacting, rather than being rooted in calm and silence and peace. When we live on the surface of life, our bodily ego is constantly asserting itself. When we live on the surface of life, our bodily ego is constantly asserting itself. That sense of I of me is out front, creating a separateness that disengages us from the totality and wholeness of what is happening around us. When we live too close to the surface of life we see things through a haze of our own needs, our own wants, our own prejudices and inclinations; not the full, moment-to-moment emerging true truths, multi-sided truths around us.

The Miraculous Power of the Inner Life Over the Outer Life
There is a continuum that ranges from living on the surface of life, i.e. on the outside, to living in the deepest depths within oneself, centered in our personal evolving soul. When one is centered on what on outside, the surface, one is stuck in ego and separateness, limited to the slow moments of time, to the finite possibilities, to suffering, to Ignorance of the merging truths unfolding in life, leading to lack of accomplishment and results. As one moves within, to the inside, there is a movement away from ego, toward unity with the environment and others, toward the greater possibilities and truths that are emerging, to timelessness, and the movement of the past, present and future into the Now, all of which enables infinite possibilities, vast understanding, insight, and action, which enables infinite accomplishment and results. It is the secret of how we can instantaneously and abundantly effect the outer existence from within ourselves.

Moving to the Depths Within (i.e. Concentration)
It is one thing to comprehend inner-outer correspondence as a principle of life; it is another to consistently live it. What can we do then to keep it uppermost in our minds, so that when a problem arises, we are able to first relate the outer to the inner, and then make the necessary inner adjustment to overcome the obstacle? In other words, how can we easily recall this approach when we are caught up in the daily details of life? 

We can begin to accomplish this by moving the focus of our consciousness away from the surface of life, from the bubblings and churnings of the outer existence, to a deeper poise within. Stationed in this deeper poise inside ourselves, we are able to shift our consciousness from preoccupation with the sense data streaming into our minds from the outside through our five senses, to a clearer and more rational state of mindfulness. As we move our concentration from the surface to the depths, not only do we withdraw our consciousness from the bombardment of surface visual and audible sense inputs to the clear rationality and logic of thought, but we move away from our ego sense, of our sense of separateness from others and the environment. As a result, we develop a wider view; and we are able to embrace the multiplicity and right relation of life unfolding around us, enabling perceptions of the true truth of the life before us. This in turn leads us to perceptions of the possibilities before us, which provides choices, out of which we can make the right decisions, resulting in actions that end in perfect success.

Let's take an example. An individual who is living in his surface consciousness is listening to a conversation that others are having. He picks up on one point that is particularly striking to him, which is to make sure that he downloads the latest updates to his virus protection software. The rest of the crowd responds loudly in agreement. This information is very helpful. However, had he truly listened to other aspects of the  conversation; had he had the inner wherewithal to sense the deeper meaning between the words, he would have perceived other critical issues being addressed; issues so important that it could have changed the course of his career. If, through meditation, inner concentration, or other means, he had established that deeper inner poise, he would have had the mindfulness to perceive issues critical to his life. Thus, we see that establishing an inner mindfulness enables a greater fluidity and connectedness between our inner consciousness and the world outside ourselves. 

Inner and Spiritual Concentration
When someone is doing a work like writing, we find he does not notice our coming and standing by his side for some time. He may not respond to a few words of ours calling his attention.

Later we are surprised at his surprise when we mention how oblivious he was of our visit. That is concentration. In yoga, concentration is defined as Being dwelling on itself. The index of dwelling on itself is to be oblivious or forgetful of the outside.

At the time of such a concentration, Mind cannot think of the future. Thinking of the future is expectation. Nor can it think of the past, which is the source of worry. We call it brooding over the past.

Withdrawing from the past and future, one concentrates on the Present. That way, the present becomes the Ever Present.

Yogic concentration demands the yogi withdraw from the world of senses, the external world. This is the first stage of concentration. It means the Mind withdraws from hearing outer sounds, seeing outer sights, etc.

Having withdrawn from the outer world, the Mind is in its own inner world. Mind can see now without opening the eyes. It can hear, smell, touch, taste all by itself. Dhyana becomes a success at this stage. Few householders can reach this state.

As one withdrew from the external consciousness, he must now withdraw from the inner consciousness. The Truth of the Spirit lies in the inner consciousness. The Truth of the one is behind the inner consciousness where the yogi expands inwardly into the consciousness of the Idea. (MSS, extracted)

Results of Concentration (Living, Focused in the Depths)

Living in Depths and Knowledge
Living in the depths enables clear thinking, insight, and ultimately reveals the final truths or the whole truth that we are seeking.

Moving Within and Its Benefits
Only when you have begun to break the never-ending link of our consciousness to the surface of life can we move within.  Only when we are able to move the focus of our thoughts away from the constant input of the five senses to rational thought, or even beyond that to silence in the mind, can we break the connection with the surface. 

We begin this process of bringing the spiritual Being into the Becomings of our lives by first moving into the depths of our being, away from the surface of life. We move from mind preoccupied with sense data to mind centered in the silence of the depths. Then we can move further within to the deepest depths where we discover the Inner Being, the personal evolving soul.

We move into the depths within, develop an inner poise, discover the silence there. Then, if we are lucky, we go further within and find our evolving souls, and bring in this spiritual power into our daily lives, changing ordinary life into infinite life.

Living within you are more in harmony and unity with the environment, with others, with the emerging truths in the atmosphere.

Connecting within will enable you to have a deeper sense of what is unfolding around you at any moment in time. From that inner poise you will be far more in tune with others, with the environment, to the moment to moment unfoldings of life. This will enable you to have better ongoing understanding and knowledge, which will enable you to develop keener insights into what is happening around you. As a result, you will make better decision; you will take actions that are based on truth, which means they are far more likely to end in success and achievement. In other words, you will have the inner poise that can enable vast knowledge, accomplishment, and happiness in your daily life.

Moving to Deeper Consciousness Enabling Multi-Sided View and Insight
By going deeper within, into our deeper consciousness will enable can help us move from our sense-based mind -- rooted in our feelings, emotions, judgments, and prejudices -- to the higher part of mind proper, where we see things objectively and rationally; where we engage in pure rational thought, rather than emotional thought. From that inner poise and status we can see the abundant myriad of facts around us, which in their multiplicity and variety lend themselves to insights. And from insights we can have integral insights and illuminations and intuitions that lead to ever greater conclusions, until we reach what we call the "integral knowledge and understanding" that Holmes seemed to have had at the end of every case.

From Ignorance to Integral Knowledge through the Path of the Within
-Living on the surface causes us to be exclusive and hence more Ignorant, while living in the depths enables inclusiveness, hence more integral is our Knowledge.

-Sri Aurobindo's path for overcoming our fundamental Ignorance born of the exclusive nature of Mind, begins with a movement within, away from the surface, which enables a corresponding opening to the higher planes of spiritual mind from which we develop the inclusive, many-sided, integral full Knowledge.

Results of Living in the Depths
By living in the depths, within, rather than on the surface of life you will be -- calmer, more observant of your limiting capacities, more observant of life around you, less inclined to act from one's ego sense and sense of separateness, more likely to find more harmony with the environment, enable more perfection and possibilities to occur in life. 

When we are centered, stationed within, we are open to greater forces beyond ourselves, universal forces that enable us to have a greater perspective, understanding, awareness, and effectivity in the world. 

Benefits of Inner Poise
When you are poised inside, you are less likely to make hasty, wrong assumptions about the object of inquiry or concern; of circumstances on the outside.

Benefits of Living in Depths
Living in the depths sustains optimism, cheerfulness, patience, and general positive attitude, which are the foundation of a life of evolutionary development.

More Benefits of Living Within
When you live within you tend to be less reactive, impulsive; less likely to needlessly jump off course, yet more open to change when it is objectively necessary.

Developing our Power of Creation from the Depths
The process of creation for the individual is the same process by which the Divine manifest the known universe. The more we perceive this, the greater the power we can harness its power, and thereby enabling life to suddenly and abundantly respond. When we move to the depths, culminating in the evolving soul, we develop the greatest capacity to perceive the similarities between the process of Divine Creation and the process of individual creation. We can then develop the ultimate knowledge and wherewithal to become Masters of Life.

Concentration Enabling Consecration and Surrender
Though one can consecrate an event before one has learned to concentrate, a decided attempt at an ongoing all-inclusive concentration will enable the greatest capacities of consecration to blossom, and open up the further possibility of one's Surrender to Spirit in life.

Concentration & Running Thoughts
Concentration means dwelling on itself. What disturbs concentration is lack of mental discipline which is unable to control running thoughts. (MSS)

Recognition of Subliminal
When you move within you are more likely to recognize the positive thoughts and forms of subtle guidance rising from the subliminal.

Living in Depths Enables Experiences of Spiritual Mind
The deeper we live within the more we enable such descents from the various levels of spiritual mind. Also, as we use conceptual mind to analyze gathered thoughts, we gain a greater understanding. If there is a multi-sided perception of those facts, then insight comes about. If we are centered within, then those insights will attract even greater insights as the illuminations, intuitions, and revelations of spiritual mind.

ARTICLE: The Power of Living in the Depths
A series of short essays on how living an inner life, in the depths of one's being, enables one to achieve infinite knowledge, skill, accomplishment, success, and joy in life.

Also See Overcoming Mind's Ignorance by Moving to the Depths

All-Inclusive Concentration

All-Inclusive Concentration
There are various methods to begin the practice of yoga -- i.e. conscious evolution. We can consecrate acts, surrender to the Divine, etc. We can also move our concentration inward.

If we focus all of our being inward to a single point, it is all inclusive. How is this done? E.g. in our minds we can to concentrate exclusively on a single aspiration we have in life so that it might be accomplished. It then gathers a power and tends to manifest. (If we also consecrate it to the Mother, it has added causal power). We can also focus on a point behind the heart, and other locales.

There is a more ultimate purpose of all inclusive concentration. It is a method that will enable our full surrender and self-consecration to the Divine. As Sri Aurobindo puts it in The Synthesis of Yoga:

"The effective fullness of our concentration on the one thing needful to the exclusion of all else will be the measure of our self- consecration to the One who is alone desirable."

All-Inclusive Concentration
All-inclusive concentration is to focus on a single point. It can be used to achieve a purpose, such focusing our aspiration so that it may be quickly achieved through that gathering of energy within. It can also be used to focus ourselves on the Divine exclusively.

All-inclusive concentration is somewhat different than concentration, i.e. the going within away from the surface of things.

Also See Consecration (Opening to the Spiritual Force Within)

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