04/10/2017
Explore Layers in the Mind and Live Beyond Them
Exploring Your Inner Mind And Getting Into the Proper Mindse.
The instructions in this section should help you achieve a peaceful state of mind so that introspection can occur.
Step 1
Set the scene.
Delving into the depths of your mind isn't something you can do while you're downing a coffee on the way to work. This careful introspection requires time and focused attention on your part. Before you get started, find a safe, comfortable, and peaceful location where you are unlikely to be disturbed for a while. If necessary, eliminate any distracting noises or lights.
This location can be anywhere you feel at peace — a cozy armchair in your study, a mat on the floor of an unfurnished room, or even outside in the wilderness.
Most schools of meditation recommend against attempting this sort of introspection somewhere that you associate with sleep, like a bed, as this can lead to unintended naps.
Step 2
Clear your head of distracting thoughts.
Free yourself of any worries or stresses that may be weighing on you. Realize that whatever is distracting you from devoting your full focus to your introspection is just a thought — a thought that, like any other, can be ignored in favor of more important thoughts. Remember: There's no worry that you didn't create for yourself, so there's no worry that you can't set aside.
This doesn't necessarily mean pretending whatever problems you have don't exist. Rather, it means acknowledging these problems and resolving your feelings about them so that you can turn your thoughts to other things.
Step 3
Practice meditation.
Find a comfortable position, still your body, and close your eyes. Slow your breathing as you take deep, filling breaths. Keep your back straight and upright to prevent yourself from falling asleep — other than this, your exact position isn't important. Allow your thoughts to decouple from the normal, unproductive cycle of stress and worry. If stressful thoughts arise, acknowledge them, realize that they are extensions of your innermost self that can be controlled, and set them aside.
Meditation is a topic that been captured by much excellent, inspired writing. For more detailed discussion of meditation techniques, see wikiHow's article on the subject or outside resources like this guide for traditional Buddhist meditation.
Step 4
Turn your focus inward.
Allow your thoughts to turn back onto yourself. Detach yourself from your emotions. Realize that your sense of experience, your sensations, and your feelings are all a creation of your inner self. Everything that exists within you and without you is an extension of your mind — your surroundings, for instance, are just images created and interpreted by your inner self. Thus, by exploring the layers of your mind, you can come to a greater understanding of the world in general.
You are not attempting to scrutinize or criticize yourself here — any feelings of emotional pain or discomfort should be a sign that you have not yet detached yourself from your emotions.
Step 5
If necessary, try putting yourself outside of your comfort zone.
If you can't get the hang of meditation, broaden your horizons. Some people find that they are able to achieve transcendent states of consciousness by participating in activities that they would normally have an aversion to. This benefit can be long-lasting — in the most extreme cases, semi-permanent personality changes can make it easier to achieve introspection in the long term. As long as these activities are safe, you may want to try one in place of meditation. A few examples are below:
Performing strenuous exercise
Going on a wilderness journey
Speaking or performing in public
Talking about a secret memory or feeling with someone else
Writing about inner emotions in a diary
Skydiving or bungee jumpin.........
Stay tuned for more.....
