What if you could learn to access that level of wisdom from within your own mind? This indeed is the potential, the very real possibility that comes with learning and practising very specific techniques relating to meditation and the inner journey.
Ruth and I have taught these techniques during a range of programs over many years and in June will share them as the focal point of a 5 day retreat in the Yarra Valley at the Gawler Foundation’s Living Centre - Meditation and the Inner Journey - winter being an ideal time of year to venture inwards.
So this week, an introduction to how to engage with this technique, but first
Thought for the day
Realization of Truth is higher than all else.
Higher still is truthful living
Guru Nanak - Founder of Sikhism
Clearly our mind has different aspects. We speak of the intellect, and we speak of wisdom. We know these are two ways in which our minds can function.
We know that intelligence used without wisdom is commonplace and often dangerous. We know that wisdom is often harder to come by than intellectual learning.
Who would not like to be thought of as wise? Who would not like to have more access to their own wisdom?
Well, in theory at least, accessing more of our own inner wisdom is fairly straight forward – once we know where to look, and what to look for.
Wisdom comes in two most obvious forms, the first of which is through our own accumulated life experience. We experience life events, we learn from them, we remember the lessons and with age and maturity we become wiser. Simple enough.
But how to access this stored wisdom more directly? Knowing something of the mind makes it possible.
Our memories, along with our accumulated wisdom, are stored in the unconscious aspect of our mind. This being so, to access our wisdom we need to access our unconscious. We need to connect the conscious, thinking aspect of our mind with the unconscious in a way that makes it possible for the two to communicate. We need an interface; a “language” both the conscious and the unconscious mind can understand.
This is where it gets easy. The natural “language” of the unconscious is imagery, and the conscious can work with images quite readily. Imagery is the common language.
If we enter a meditative state and begin to use imagery, we are already in the territory of the unconscious. In that state, we can then invite our inner wisdom to be represented by an intermediary, an image, that we can communicate with through an inner dialogue.
But there is even more to this possibility.
Karl Jung was a champion for the notion of the collective unconscious.
Unlike the wisdom that springs from our own accumulated life experience, Jung claimed this aspect of the unconscious was common to all people.
This aspect of the unconscious does not develop individually but is inherited. It is collective, universal, and impersonal. It is identical in all individuals.
And the collective unconscious, because it also resides in the domain of the unconscious; it too is also accessible via guided imagery!
So meditation and the inner journey involves learning how to enter into an inner state where we can generate an image for our own inner wisdom and dialogue with it. For years I have observed people derive great benefit from this technique, obtaining answers to often vexing questions they might have been pondering for years or needed answers to in an immediate sense.
People often ask how do you know if the answer you get from your inner wisdom through such a technique can be trusted. Ever experienced doubt? Ever just known deep in your being that something was true? When this inner wisdom exercise works, the answer comes with conviction. It is that simple.
If there is doubt, then you doubt the supposed wisdom. If there is conviction, then you can trust it. You will know the answer to this from your own inner experience.
The mechanics of this exercise are detailed in my book The Mind that Changes Everything, however, to be direct, while many have learnt it for themselves, to do it with guidance and support makes it easier to learn and more effective, hence this year’s retreat.
Feedback or questions welcome via the Comments section
RESOURCES
SPECIFIC RETREAT
Meditation and the Inner Journey
This retreat brings together 2 powerful experiences - the deep natural peace of meditation, and a gentle process of introspection that will help you reconnect with your own inner wisdom.
For thousands of years, people have removed themselves from the busyness of daily life and entered into a retreat situation to meditate. Come, join like-minded people, be inspired, be renewed. Immerse yourself in meditation. Be guided, be nurtured. Take the opportunity to reconnect with your own inner wisdom and the essence of who you really are.
DETAILS Click here
BOOK
The Mind that Changes Everything
CD and DOWNLOAD
Inner Peace, Inner Wisdom
NOTICEBOARD
SPECIFIC CANCER PROGRAMS for 2015
This year, Ruth and I will be presenting two follow-up 5 day residential cancer programs for the Gawler Foundation plus another in New Zealand for Canlive.
We will also present one comprehensive 8 day program (also in New Zealand for Canlive) that will be well suited to anyone who has not done a program with us before - Cancer, Healing and Wellbeing. Australians are welcome in NZ and vice-versa!
CANCER, HEALING and WELLBEING
Eight day residential program in New Zealand May 15th – 22nd , 2015
All welcome; attendance with a partner/ support person is ideal but not essential.
This program will lead you through all the self-healing options:
. Therapeutic nutrition
. Practical positive thinking
. Therapeutic meditation, plus the healing power of imagery and contemplation
. Accelerated healing
. Healthy, healing emotions
. How to get the most out of mainstream treatments and minimize side-effects
. How to be most effective as a support person/carer, and to look after yourself in the process.
I actually lead most of the main sessions, with support from Ruth and 2 exceptional New Zealanders. We live in for the full program so there is plenty of time for questions and personal interaction.
This program is organized and supported by Canlive New Zealand.
FULL DETAILS Click here
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