🔲 Controlling our mind is the most important drill we must practice to increase our spiritual power.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (1)
➖ Overall, human beings have two types of #behaviors: outward behaviors, which are done by our limbs, like giving charity, and inward behaviors, like what we think about, pay attention to or love. Although outward behaviors are very important, the most important good and bad behaviors are inward behaviors.
➖ Inward behaviors are two types: behaviors mostly related to our #feelings and emotions, which are very difficult to control, and behaviors related to our #thoughts and understanding, which are easier to control. Controlling behaviors related to emotions can mostly be done by controlling our thoughts. This power that one uses to control his/her own mind is the greatest power one has.
➖ In the same way that people strengthen their muscles by doing physical exercise, the most important exercise for strengthening the faculties of the soul is controlling our mind. This is truly a kind of exercise! In many Martial Arts, physical and mental exercises are carried out together, and they greatly emphasize on focusing. Contrary to this, in the western culture, which is full of debauchery, controlling one’s mind is not emphasized. Rather, absolute passivity is instilled in people.
➖ A person can control his mind when sleeping or even control his sleeping itself. Religion asks us to gain this power. When we talk about spiritual power and control, we usually mean controlling our #mind, because human beings are not able to control their hearts very much. If you want to like something, you cannot force your heart by saying, “Like this!” Therefore, religious teachings about controlling ourselves are in fact about controlling our minds.
➖ There are factors in people’s lifestyles, which prevent them from having control over their minds. Leisure time and entertainments have increased in life. Our attention is constantly being drawn to entertainments such as the TV, mobiles, and social networks. And when others constantly pull your attention here and there, you gradually lose control of your mind.
✅ @PanahianEN
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (1)
➖ Overall, human beings have two types of #behaviors: outward behaviors, which are done by our limbs, like giving charity, and inward behaviors, like what we think about, pay attention to or love. Although outward behaviors are very important, the most important good and bad behaviors are inward behaviors.
➖ Inward behaviors are two types: behaviors mostly related to our #feelings and emotions, which are very difficult to control, and behaviors related to our #thoughts and understanding, which are easier to control. Controlling behaviors related to emotions can mostly be done by controlling our thoughts. This power that one uses to control his/her own mind is the greatest power one has.
➖ In the same way that people strengthen their muscles by doing physical exercise, the most important exercise for strengthening the faculties of the soul is controlling our mind. This is truly a kind of exercise! In many Martial Arts, physical and mental exercises are carried out together, and they greatly emphasize on focusing. Contrary to this, in the western culture, which is full of debauchery, controlling one’s mind is not emphasized. Rather, absolute passivity is instilled in people.
➖ A person can control his mind when sleeping or even control his sleeping itself. Religion asks us to gain this power. When we talk about spiritual power and control, we usually mean controlling our #mind, because human beings are not able to control their hearts very much. If you want to like something, you cannot force your heart by saying, “Like this!” Therefore, religious teachings about controlling ourselves are in fact about controlling our minds.
➖ There are factors in people’s lifestyles, which prevent them from having control over their minds. Leisure time and entertainments have increased in life. Our attention is constantly being drawn to entertainments such as the TV, mobiles, and social networks. And when others constantly pull your attention here and there, you gradually lose control of your mind.
✅ @PanahianEN
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🔲 Piety in thinking means being careful that your mind does not wander just anywhere.
🔲 If a sin or negative thought comes to your mind, ask for God’s forgiveness.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (10)
➖Instead of talking about “controlling our mind,” some people use the terms “meditation” or “the power to focus.” We say this is “the power to be watchful” or “inner piety.” This means being careful that your mind does not wander just anywhere.
➖Ayatollah Haqshenas used to say, “Being #watchful of ourselves means being aware of the fact that we are in the presence of the One Who knows even our #thoughts and #imaginings. When we think of a sin, we are in the presence of God. If a sin or a negative thought comes to our mind, we should ask God for forgiveness.”
➖Someone asked, “O son of the Prophet, what is the meaning of the verse, ‘God knows what is in everyone's heart’?” [3:119] The Imam replied, “It means that God is aware of the thoughts and imaginings that come to your mind.”
➖Imam Sadiq (as) said, “If a believer thinks of a sin, his sustenance will be reduced.” [Mahasin, vol. 1, p. 116]. You may ask, “Why? He has not done anything yet!" Well, mental activity is actually a kind of action. Of course, it’s an internal action.
➖The human being’s mind is very honorable to God. If a sin or a negative thought comes to your mind, quickly stop it and tell your mind, "Where are you going?!" Then ask for forgiveness.
➖Ayatollah Haqshenas said, "These imaginings of the mind and heart must be removed from a person’s mind and heart by paying attention to God. For your heart to become luminous and the place of God, you must watch over yourself to such an extent that these imaginings be completely eliminated.”
➖The Lord of the worlds has said, “If you do not devote yourself to Me when worshiping, I will make your mind and heart busy with other things." [Kafi, vol. 2, p. 83] Whoever’s heart and mind has become extremely busy should ask for God’s forgiveness very much.
✅ @PanahianEN
🔲 If a sin or negative thought comes to your mind, ask for God’s forgiveness.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (10)
➖Instead of talking about “controlling our mind,” some people use the terms “meditation” or “the power to focus.” We say this is “the power to be watchful” or “inner piety.” This means being careful that your mind does not wander just anywhere.
➖Ayatollah Haqshenas used to say, “Being #watchful of ourselves means being aware of the fact that we are in the presence of the One Who knows even our #thoughts and #imaginings. When we think of a sin, we are in the presence of God. If a sin or a negative thought comes to our mind, we should ask God for forgiveness.”
➖Someone asked, “O son of the Prophet, what is the meaning of the verse, ‘God knows what is in everyone's heart’?” [3:119] The Imam replied, “It means that God is aware of the thoughts and imaginings that come to your mind.”
➖Imam Sadiq (as) said, “If a believer thinks of a sin, his sustenance will be reduced.” [Mahasin, vol. 1, p. 116]. You may ask, “Why? He has not done anything yet!" Well, mental activity is actually a kind of action. Of course, it’s an internal action.
➖The human being’s mind is very honorable to God. If a sin or a negative thought comes to your mind, quickly stop it and tell your mind, "Where are you going?!" Then ask for forgiveness.
➖Ayatollah Haqshenas said, "These imaginings of the mind and heart must be removed from a person’s mind and heart by paying attention to God. For your heart to become luminous and the place of God, you must watch over yourself to such an extent that these imaginings be completely eliminated.”
➖The Lord of the worlds has said, “If you do not devote yourself to Me when worshiping, I will make your mind and heart busy with other things." [Kafi, vol. 2, p. 83] Whoever’s heart and mind has become extremely busy should ask for God’s forgiveness very much.
✅ @PanahianEN
🔲 Try to have "good thoughts.”
🔲 One of the effects of reciting the Qur'an is that good thoughts come to your mind.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (12)
➖Sometimes good #thoughts come to a person’s mind that lead to happiness, like a good wish that keeps going around in one’s mind. These are valuable to God, and sometimes He determines our destinies based on these #positive thoughts. For example, a person tells himself, "God protects me." It had been destined for him to be affected by a tragedy, but God removes that tragedy because of his positive thinking.
➖On the Day of Judgment, they do not give anyone the opportunity to do good deeds. However, there is one action that works there too, and that is "thinking positively about God." It is narrated that a person is being taken to Hell. He turns around, looks and says, “God, I did not think You would punish me.” God says, “Because of his positive thinking, I have forgiven My servant.” [Fiqh al-Reza (as), p. 361]
➖Lady Maryam’s [Mary’s] (as) mother said, “My Lord, surely I vow to Thee what is in my womb, to be devoted (to Thy service).” [Qur’an 3:35] Since she thought of dedicating her child to God, her child became Maryam.
➖One of the good things that happens in the #mind is "correct regret" or "condemnation of one’s own self," which according to the traditions is better than 40 years of worshiping. [Kafi, vol. 2, p. 73] For example, you say, "Woe to me! How far I am from God." In appearances, you haven’t done anything special. You have just blamed yourself and reviewed some good thoughts in your mind.
➖Try to think good thoughts. One of the effects of reciting the Qur'an is that good thoughts come to your mind. Before reciting say, "I seek refuge with God from the cursed Satan” so that good thoughts may come to your mind.
➖The Commander of the Faithful, Ali (as), said, “When a believer recites the Qur’an, he becomes eager for God’s rewards.” [Nahj al-Balaghah, sermon no. 193] God values what comes to our mind. In fact, we should recite the Qur’an so that good thoughts may come to our mind.
✅ @PanahianEN
🔲 One of the effects of reciting the Qur'an is that good thoughts come to your mind.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (12)
➖Sometimes good #thoughts come to a person’s mind that lead to happiness, like a good wish that keeps going around in one’s mind. These are valuable to God, and sometimes He determines our destinies based on these #positive thoughts. For example, a person tells himself, "God protects me." It had been destined for him to be affected by a tragedy, but God removes that tragedy because of his positive thinking.
➖On the Day of Judgment, they do not give anyone the opportunity to do good deeds. However, there is one action that works there too, and that is "thinking positively about God." It is narrated that a person is being taken to Hell. He turns around, looks and says, “God, I did not think You would punish me.” God says, “Because of his positive thinking, I have forgiven My servant.” [Fiqh al-Reza (as), p. 361]
➖Lady Maryam’s [Mary’s] (as) mother said, “My Lord, surely I vow to Thee what is in my womb, to be devoted (to Thy service).” [Qur’an 3:35] Since she thought of dedicating her child to God, her child became Maryam.
➖One of the good things that happens in the #mind is "correct regret" or "condemnation of one’s own self," which according to the traditions is better than 40 years of worshiping. [Kafi, vol. 2, p. 73] For example, you say, "Woe to me! How far I am from God." In appearances, you haven’t done anything special. You have just blamed yourself and reviewed some good thoughts in your mind.
➖Try to think good thoughts. One of the effects of reciting the Qur'an is that good thoughts come to your mind. Before reciting say, "I seek refuge with God from the cursed Satan” so that good thoughts may come to your mind.
➖The Commander of the Faithful, Ali (as), said, “When a believer recites the Qur’an, he becomes eager for God’s rewards.” [Nahj al-Balaghah, sermon no. 193] God values what comes to our mind. In fact, we should recite the Qur’an so that good thoughts may come to our mind.
✅ @PanahianEN