~~~~~~~THE ART OF SELF SURRENDER~~~~~~~

Have invested many years studying and practicing ways to quieten the 'monkey mind' , "The mischievous mind", "The sly man", " The restless, wandering mind " . There are so many expressions for this phenomena, so many technics available to help accomplish more tranquility and understanding about it's nature. Three areas come to mind, in fact I have and
continue to try to get more clarity on how and why they are so dynamic when practiced and integrated together throughout the day. So what are these Three areas ?

MINDFULNESS.- Being aware of the moment throughout the day , Bringing the attention of your mind to the NOW instead of the regurgitated thoughts and feelings of the past and conjecturing about the future, which is the wheel we get stuck in most of the time

MEDITATION- Finding a place where one can't be disturbed and a posture that allows you to calm the mind and let go into the moment -" Using the senses to go beyond the senses" Is a good phrase to ponder on and basically means using your five senses to move into the present moment. Many meditation technics use breathing as the focal point. Relaxing and
becoming aware of the feelings in your body . Focusing on listening to the sounds around you. Sensations in the body, pleasant or unpleasant, are perfect focal points for 'letting go'
into deep relaxation. Meditation is about healing the body and mind and self discovery.

VISUALIZATION- Using your imagination to create your reality. Becoming clear about how you want your life to be materially and spiritually and visualize with feeling your ideal reality manifesting now. Having a growing understanding of the law of attraction and how it works in your life. Seemingly very difficult to do but with practice becomes great fun and an extraordinary way to become aware of your feelings and change moods quickly from lower to higher.

'Surrender' is a term used that means to let go completely in your meditations. The goal of more and more people is the desire to create greater joy on Earth . The more people surrender to visions of joy and abundance the more it will manifest into our world. This I feel is starting to happen more and more and is certainly something to feel optimistic about.
The launching platform is the NOW.

HOW TO CONTROL OUR THOUGHTS?

“THINKING?”
Having spent a fair percentage of my life discontented, wondering why and looking for relief, I’ve become increasingly aware that one of my main problems is the thinking process or simply “THINKING”.
The never ending preoccupation with digging up the past and projecting into the future and the huge web of fantasy and confusion this creates in every day life.
The ability to turn off the mind or even turn it down seems an impossible task - as one thought goes away another immediately takes it’s place.
” We are caught in a traffic jam of discursive thought” Chogyam Tungpa.
” A mans worst enemy can’t wish on him what he can think up himself” Yiddish proverb
The great Buddha said that to study the true way is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves. So ……… What does it mean ” to forget ourselves” ?
It mean to forget our “worldly selves” or realize our true selves. A seemingly impossible considering
most of us can’t stop thinking about the past or future for even a couple of seconds.

we are living in a unique age where multitudes of techniques are available to try in the privacy of your own home or where ever you can afford to go, from New age book shops to Himalayan monasteries. There are so many choices available that offer ‘peace of mind’ that it can completely baffle the mind. It’s clear that many of these processes ( meditation, affirmation, visualization, mantras, prayers, chants, dances, songs….. ) work for an ever growing number of people in these troubled times, But also clear that the highs of the experience inevitably dissolve into the inconsistencies of daily life.
Are there ways to switch into states of stress-less tranquility? YES THERE DEFINITELY ARE!
So lets investigate and try a few.
****************************************************
THE SOUND OF RAIN. Video.

DEAP RELAXATION - THE BODY.

These simple techniques of deep relaxation and awareness are some of the easiest and most natural ways to profound relaxation and self discovery I have found.
After spending many years practicing a wide variety of meditation techniques in the East and the West, I discovered these techniques in Java and found them to be the easiest way to experience and activate deeper energy processes that we are all custodians of.
There are a variety of ways to start these inner journeys to experience and activate a process that is going on inside us all the time but the vast majority of us are unaware of.]
The first is reminiscent to to common relaxation practices. Start by getting yourself into a comfortable position in a place where you won't be disturbed. Sitting on a comfortable chair or sofa, cross legged on a mat. My favorite is lying on my back on the floor or a firm bed.
When you've found your right place and position you start by relaxing and becoming aware of the feelings in your feet.
Whatever sensations are there ........ The temperature, hot? warm? cool? cold? ....... Relaxed or tense? ....... the breeze blowing on the surface of the skin? ......
Whatever are the most prominent sensations happening in that moment? FOCUS ON THEM!
You may be aware that in life feelings are changing and transforming all the time. This certainly is the case with this practice and when you become aware of mundane sensations dissolving into finer sensations of energy, realize that your awareness is starting to activate and go deeper.
Don't worry about strange or unusual feelings, FEEL PLEASED AND EVEN EXCITED! Thing are happening the way they should, the inner voyage is opening up and with it your natural self healing.

Aware of the FEET and in your own time move up the body.
LEGS to MID SECTION to TORSO to ARMS to HANDS to FINGERS to NECK to HEAD.
Let go of any tensions and impatience by continuing to relax as you experience whatever feelings arrive in the moment.
Remember you are on an extraordinary liberating journey.
NOW FEEL THE WHOLE BODY.
Become aware of your whole body. Feel how the force of gravity magnetically and securely holds you on the ground.
NOW LET GO!
There are an infinite number of ways to let go and 'BE' and you will discover you will discover the best ways to do this.
One very effective way is to put yourself in the state where you are at the point of falling asleep, forget the relaxation process and focus on the sensation of moving into slumber.
This tricks the mind and moves it into COMPLETE SURRENDER.
We are on a journey of self discovery and with practice the essence of letting go or surrender will become clearer.
By practicing regularly you can activate this healing energy and move into states of deep relaxation and beyond.
***********************************************
++++++++++++ ENLIGHTENMENT?+++++++++++++
VIDEO: ELKHART TOLLE. " An intensity that drives you into the NOW."

RELAXATION AND AWARENESS

OUR FIVE SENCES ................. "Using the senses to go beyond the senses."
Simple yet extraordinary technique that will lead you into deep states of relaxation that most people have never experienced.
But simple doesn't mean it's easy, you have to practice and give it time. Never-the-less many get instant results.
- NO SET TIME - NO SET PLACE - IN ANY POSITION - IN ANY SITUATION -
You may find it best to introduce yourself to this simple but powerful process in the tranquility of your own room or somewhere quiet and private. But the main purpose is to use it anywhere and anytime, alone or with other people (nobody will know what you are doing, or ask any questions unless you tell them!)
All can be done with eyes open and behaving normally.
PURE LISTENING
Commend the attention of your wandering mind to listening without analyzing. Become aware of the sounds close to you and then those far away.
WHATEVER THE SOUND, LOUD OR SOFT, LISTEN TO THEM. RELAX AND LET IT HAPPEN NATURALLY.
When the mind wanders gently bring it back to pure listening.
PURE TASTING
Redirect your awareness to your mouth and taste buds. Explore the inside of your mouth, the saliva, whatever subtle ( or unsubtle ) tastes are there experience them as they are.
PURE SKIN
Whatever sensations are there in the moment rest in the awareness of them. The heat, the cold, warm, cool, the sensation of the wind, a breeze blowing on your skin, tingling sensations, good feelings or not so good. Whatever is there? BE WITH IT.
PURE SMELL
BREATH: INHALE AND EXHALE
Become aware of the qualities of your breath as you breath in and out. Surrender to the process and when the mind wanders bring it back to the breath.
PURE SEEING
Eyes open or closed.
Look at your surroundings with new eyes, not judging or labeling what you see just looking with a clear mind.
Look at your surroundings with a 180 degrees span vision, relaxed and unfocused - we have been taught from a very early age to define objects focusing in a pinpointed laser fashion. A simple way to start to practice 180 degrees vision is to raise your fingers holding them up either side of your head, seeing each finger in the corners of your eyes while gazing straight ahead.
DON'T STRAIN YOUR EYES. RELAXED VISION ONLY!
NEXT
Become aware of your whole body ...................... and finally LET GO into the awareness of your body and stay relaxed for however long you feel like.