The silent mind, the enlightened mind
A silent mind listening to the sound of the silence of the mind itself is the first stage of meditation.
Meditation is observing one's own consciousness from one's own consciousness and also being watched by this observation from one's own consciousness.
A silent mind is a mind that is both conscious and aware. The silence of that mind becomes the state of bliss. And eventually the very existence of the self is transformed into peace and love.
A silent mind is not the absence of thoughts; rather, it is a state of being above or beyond thoughts, similar to the vast expanse of the sky containing clouds on all sides. A silent mind is not disturbed by thoughts, but is able to experience harmony with them.
It is of utmost importance to deeply discipline the mind to maintain a state of deep peace and focus on the right goals. To achieve this, it is essential to understand the true nature of life and the reality of impermanence. It is essential to learn to maintain an undistracted, positive and focused state of mind. This can be achieved through the practice of meditation, devotional faith and a simple, undistracted lifestyle, as well as through the acquisition of insight and wisdom.
The primary goal is to gain control over emotions and feelings, with the ultimate goal of living a life completely beyond the constraints of the ego. This goal can be achieved through the cultivation of concentration, which can be transformed into a deeper, subtler conscious state of unity with wisdom and compassion.
To cultivate an authentic and deep level of silent concentration, it is essential to engage in a constant practice of mental awareness, mindfulness and concentration. To practise it, one must maintain unwavering mental alertness through insight and the constant flow of mindfulness.
To cultivate an authentic and deep level of silent concentration, it is essential to engage in a constant practice of mental awareness, mindfulness and concentration. To practise it, one must maintain unwavering mental alertness through insight and the constant flow of mindfulness.
During the contemplative phase, perception of the essence of mind is achieved when the mind is relaxed and calm, without the interference of conceptual thoughts. In this state, the mind and the emptiness of mind become one, free from the dualistic approach. This can be compared to the way the rays of the sun illuminate a transparent space without any hindrance; the rays of the sun and the space become one and help bring a great deal of peace and joy to many beings.
Finally, to maintain a state of silent mentle awareness, as mentioned at the beginning, it is necessary to focus on the mental phenomenon of the mind itself, which can be understood as a state of silence.
The practice of meditation is an intrinsic quality of the human mind. The mind can be thought of as a flame that lights one's path in life; however, if not nurtured and cared for, it can potentially lead to negative results.
Geshe Gedun Tharchin
Rome: 5.10.2024
