More On Contemplation

2008-5-13 05:16:00

I have said that contemplation is the highest form of meditation and some have disagreed with this. The reason for the disagreement is because of a narrow view of the range in which contemplation can be used.

Contemplation is used on many more levels than staring at a flame or putting attention on a key phrase. If one sees contemplation as something to be used in a narrow spectrum then yes, it would seem right to question my statement. But, on the contrary, there are many facets, levels and octaves of contemplation.

In the past, teachers have given students various assignments to contemplate. It may be something simple such as contemplating flowers and bees or something in nature, to one's breath to a key phrase of some kind.

All these are well and good and have their benefits but they are merely steps to jump start the seeker into the habit of contemplation so he can learn to initiate on his own and move ahead to higher levels.

The highest thing a teacher can do for a student, as far as contemplation goes, is to give him or her seed thoughts and encourage them to be planted in the highest levels of his consciousness with the idea of sprouting forth new and useful knowledge. Success requires planting contemplating and focussed attention. "Hold your mind steady in the light" is a good seed thought to insure success in dealing with this principle.

So what then are the higher levels of contemplation to which the student should aspire?

He is to contemplate the formless from which creation and form will come. The next step is to move beyond the black-and-white words planted in the mind and seek to understand the principles behind the words. He is to contemplate ideas and principles followed by the form they will take when manifested.

Where does an idea come from and how is it grasped? An idea itself has no form, but as soon as it enters the mind of the seeker many forms spring forth before the inner mind and if the contemplation continues the principles involved in the idea will come to the understanding and creation will be the end result.

The creation of the universe began with an idea that was contemplated by Divine Intelligence. When thought was sustained through contemplation the principles involved in creation became understood and the result was manifestation -- the creation of the world you and I inhabit.

Contemplation of the higher principles in the formless worlds causes many a seeker to be absent-minded, as the world calls the term. Many great thinkers in our history have had this problem and did not realize that the only cure was to stop contemplating in their waking hours. Fortunately Einstein, Tesla, Edison and other greats were not bothered with a little absentmindedness and gave out many gifts to the world.

Through contemplation all can become a giver of good gifts.

  

"Give me a place to stand, and I will move the Earth."
  -- Archimedes (287 BC - 212 BC), (ca. 235 BC)

  

Word of the Day

Segue -- Pronounced "seg-way." To proceed smoothly without interruption; in music or talk. (Example: "He segued into another discourse.")