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Swami Beyondananda: Mental Dialogue and Road Rage |
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Written by Swami Beyondananda
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Dear Swami:
My mind never ceases its dialogue and is always asking questions. I’m wondering if you have a secret method that can end all questions? I seem to be trapped in a mental feedback loop.
Helen Teheven
Midland, Texas
Dear Helen,
First of all, you can be thankful for one thing. Your problems are all in your mind! Therefore, the solution is simple. If you want to stop the constant dialogue, you must go out of your mind and into your heart. The best way to do this is to gather all the thoughts in your head in one intense ball of tension, and then release these rapidly while breathing out: “Aaa-a-a-a-a-ah!” The “ah” sound is specifically related to the heart, and the process of sighing—particularly when there is a sizable sigh—allows maximum release. This isn’t my idea, by the way. I learned it years ago from Sigh Baba, who was also known as “The Wizard of Ahs.”
Of course, given the way the mind works you will find questions creeping back into your consciousness. No problem. Just remember that it takes two to dialogue, so don’t answer them. Before long, the questions will stop and you will begin to hear answers instead. Now you’re getting somewhere! Still, to clear the mind and transcend thought completely requires constant vigilance, especially nowadays where information seeps in from everywhere. No wonder so many of us are suffering from truth decay! That’s why four out of five transcendentists recommend mental floss. That’s what I do. Anytime I feel the effects of too much thinking, I place my thumb and forefinger about six inches from each ear and gently move it back and forth like I’m flossing. No better way to release excess flossophy, and go from the static of the head to the ecstatic of the heart.
Dear Swami:
I fear I may be one of those people susceptible to road rage. As a daily commuter, I am confronted by idiotic driving all the time—generally on the part of other drivers. I find myself screaming invectives, and being not at all peaceful. When I’m able to finally calm myself, I realize that there seems to be a disconnect between my spiritual understanding of things, and my reactive impulses. Any advice?
Berndt Hoffering
Waukegan, Illinois
Dear Berndt,
Your letter shows wise judgment. Any time an internal impulse becomes an external out-pulse, it is time to pay attention. The first step? Don’t give your power away by making someone else responsible for your well-being. Instead of shouting, “You are an inconsiderate so-and-so!” take responsibility. Instead say, “Why did I create an inconsiderate so-and-so like you in my life?”
Now granted, you are going to have strong feelings when another vehicle cuts you off. So instead of cutting yourself off, it is completely appropriate for you to express yourself fully. The trick is to keep your inner peace peaceful even when your outer peace is in pieces. You are probably already familiar with the peace mantra, to be uttered anytime any situation threatens your peace: “Ahhhh ... PEACE on it!”
If you still feel compelled to hurl invectives, that’s no problem either— as long as they are loving invectives. Given the circular nature of the universe and the law of karma—that whatever you put out in front of you will eventually come around the back and smack you in the butt—you want to make sure you send only blessings out there. So instead of throwing “f-bombs,” toss a bless bomb instead. “Hey, you blessing mother-blesser, go bless yourself! You could have blessed me over real good, you dumb bless! They shouldn’t let bless-ups like you on the road, you bless-head!”
It will be a better world indeed when angry drivers roll down their windows and shout, “Bless YOU!” and hear the other driver answer, “Well, BLESS YOU TOO!”
Dear Swami:
I notice you do your State of the Universe Address each year, and you can’t possibly use everything in this one address that you’ve thought about. What do you do with the extra material?
Tex Stedditt
Vorr, Texas
Dear Tex,
That’s easy. I serve them as laughed-overs throughout the rest of the year. u
© 2008 by Steve Bhaerman.
www.wakeuplaughing.com
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