The important objectives of the moment-to-moment inner work
by Atman Nityananda
- To be attentive, vigilant, and Self-aware — to remain in conscious contact with inner silence, and to be fully aware of all psychological, bodily, and energetic reactions, as well as external events.
- Not to allow the senses to connect freely with what the ego desires. When engaging with an object or experience, observe it attentively and inquire into its nature — for example, reflect on the impermanence of objects and the transience of the experience.
- To notice and observe egoic thoughts and tendencies as they arise within us — in the form of desire, impulse, negative emotion, lust, imagination, criticism, complaints, etc. — and to identify their nature and purpose.
- To accept situations without falling into compulsive reactions.
- To avoid identification with, and the seduction of, thoughts, emotions, impulses, desires, and cravings.
- To accept, without judgment or reaction, the selfish tendencies, thoughts, emotions, and impulses that manifest within us.
- To connect as deeply as possible with inner silence, creating distance from tendencies and all forms of psychological expression.
- To be fully aware of each arising tendency — whether it is an emotion, impulse, or desire — and to observe it with complete, careful attention; in other words, to fully feel and witness the tendency.
- To apply methods to pacify and diminish these tendencies, such as inquiry, reflection, repetition of affirmations or mantras, or prayer.
- To return to a state of mental-emotional calm and conscious contact with silence and inner peace, maintaining and deepening that state as much as possible.
- To remain attentive, vigilant, and Self-aware, witnessing all psychological, bodily, energetic reactions, and external happenings.
- To control the senses, not allowing them to connect freely with what the ego compulsively desires.
Comment
To be attentive, vigilant, and Self-aware: To maintain a state of vigilance, attentiveness, and Self-awareness — to remain in conscious contact with inner silence. In order to deepen this silence and purify the mind, it can be helpful to repeat a mantra invoking the name of God (such as “Om Nama Shivay”) or affirmations of our true nature (such as “I am Brahman,” “Om Brahman,” or “I am Consciousness, Om Consciousness”, etc.).
To prevent our efforts from becoming relaxed or mechanical — and to avoid repeating the mantra or affirmation mindlessly — it is important to remain attentive and aware of ourselves, while deepening the silence. I recommend occasionally asking ourselves questions such as:
To me. Who am I?
Am I aware, at this moment, of the inner silence?
Am I experiencing inner peace here and now?
Where is my attention now?
To whom do these thoughts or emotions arise?
- Liberation with the Power of Mantra
- DIE TO LIVE
- The Art of Living Non-duality Moment by Moment – In edition
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The ‘secret’ to a plentiful life, a life of harmony, happiness and contentment is to have a sattvic mind free from desires and ego and to live in every moment in conscious contact with our true Self (Consciousness).
🌺 Peace, Love, Harmony
atmannityanada 