FLEX YOUR SPIRITUAL MUSCLE COCEPTS I METAPHYSICAL FITESS A QUICK GUIDE TO TAKE YOU ITO THE DEPTHS OF YOUR MID AD BEYOD Dr Kunda Silimkhan, M.D. FLEX YOUR SPIRITUAL MUSCLE Concepts in Metaphysical Fitness Dr Kunda Silimkhan, M.D Flex Your Spiritual Muscle Page 2 e-book: © Dr Kunda Silimkhan, M.D. First edition 2010 Poornam-Centre for Holistic Wellbeing, Email:[email protected]. Flex Your Spiritual Muscle Page 3 Preface Today, the world places a high premium on physical fitness. Just as we have to keep ourselves physically fit to enjoy the world, we need to work out at a deeper metaphysical level to experience the true joy of living. Metaphysical fitness like physical fitness is a continuous and ongoing process and not a one-time event. Meditation is one tool to achieve this end. Just as you cannot limit your exercise only for Sundays and then expect to remain fit or practice tennis for a month to win laurels at Wimbledon, you need to meditate regularly. Meditation is an excellent tool to build up your metaphysical strengths. Although not essential for outcomes, a belief in the benefits of meditation helps. The next question is of course, how do I qualify to write a book like this? Frankly, I am an ever struggling aspirant on the path with my daily trials and tribulations, yet I have ventured to write this book because I have managed to see myself through two illnesses created by my mind and cured them likewise. Though there is no guarantee my mind won’t create more, I felt it was worthwhile sharing my experiences with those who are facing similar circumstances. Life has afforded me personal challenges to test my spiritual strength and opportunities for inner growth. Moreover, I have had the privilege to participate in the growth process of a few friends. The opportunity of accompanying them as they walked the path has made this endeavour richer with experiences. At this troubled time, there are many in the world facing challenges. Since I can’t be there for them personally, I hope to reach out to them through this book and lend a glimmer of hope. For those going through turmoil, stranded in darkness, their inner joy shrouded in despair, let this be a little lamp to hold on to, encouraging them to walk on their inner journey till their inner light in all its innate effulgence shines through. My interactions with people have convinced me that most people will not venture in this area of self-growth because they do not have enough Flex Your Spiritual Muscle Page 4 information. I cannot wait to get enlightened to tell them, so their process of growth is not delayed. What I expect from the readers of this book is that they will immediately start using a couple of meditations which may open avenues for a more formal practice. Lastly, I would like to place a word of caution. If you are in great emotional distress, while you strengthen yourself at the spiritual level, it would serve your best interest to seek help from a counsellor, someone who can be a guide, mentor or confidant and will help you draw the line when necessary. Flex Your Spiritual Muscle Page 5 Acknowledgements I thank my spiritual guides, incarnate and disincarnate for their generous guidance, my mother, siblings and niece for tolerating my eccentricities and being supportive. I offer my gratitude to my friend, Dr Monica for trusting my decision to take the road less taken. My companions in pleasure and pain, Madhu and Mini, thank you for being there. This book followed a literally tumultuous period of my life, Madhu regaled me with his wild stories and weird sense of humour while Mini tried to cheer me with bunches of carnations and fruits ordered from across the country. Flex Your Spiritual Muscle Page 6 At the feet of all the compassionate enlightened souls who keep coming back to this world to show us the way. Flex Your Spiritual Muscle Page 7 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 14 PART 1 MEDITATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 16 1. THE QUICKEST WAY ................................................................................................................ 16 2.COUNTING THE BREATHS ....................................................................................................... 21 3. KINAESTHETIC EFFECT ........................................................................................................... 22 4. SOUND EFFECTS ....................................................................................................................... 24 5.VIBRATORY EFFECTS ............................................................................................................... 27 6. VISUAL EFFECTS ....................................................................................................................... 31 7.MINDLESS MEDITATION .......................................................................................................... 33 8. ZEN MEDITATION ..................................................................................................................... 35 9. SUFI MEDITATION .................................................................................................................... 35 10. BHAV SAMADHI: ..................................................................................................................... 36 11. DYNAMIC MEDITATIONS (Mindfulness): ............................................................................. 36 12. FORGIVENESS MEDITATION ................................................................................................ 42 13. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE MEDITATION .............................................................................. 44 14. GLOBE MEDITATION .............................................................................................................. 45 15.EXPANSION MEDITATION: .................................................................................................... 46 16. QUANTUM MEDITATION: ..................................................................................................... 46 17. NATURE LOVER’S MEDITATION ......................................................................................... 48 18. GROUP MEDITATION ............................................................................................................. 49 19. CARDIO ...................................................................................................................................... 49 20. PRE -OPERATIVE MEDITATION: .......................................................................................... 50 21. DREAM MEDITATION ............................................................................................................ 50 22. RESISTANCE TRAINING ........................................................................................................ 51 23. ENDURANCE TRAINING. ....................................................................................................... 52 24. YOGNIDRA ................................................................................................................................ 53 Flex Your Spiritual Muscle Page 8 25. METAPHYSICAL FIRST AID .................................................................................................. 56 PART 2 MEDITATION, FINER POINTS ........................................................................................... 56 WHAT IS MEDITATION? ........................................................................................................... 57 Effects of Meditation: .................................................................................................................... 58 Disturbance during meditation: ..................................................................................................... 61 PART 3: MID COCEPTS: ............................................................................................................ 65 Quantity and Quality of Thoughts: ................................................................................................ 65 The Monkey Mind: ........................................................................................................................ 67 Mind….friend or foe? .................................................................................................................... 68 Using the Enneagram .................................................................................................................... 72 PART 4 METAPHYSICAL COCEPTS ......................................................................................... 79 Guru ............................................................................................................................................... 79 Taking Responsibility: .................................................................................................................. 80 Self esteem: ................................................................................................................................... 83 Self Actualization: ......................................................................................................................... 83 Freedom or Moksha: ....................................................................................................................