🔲 Having a strong spirit is very dependent on having a strong mind.
🔲 Controlling your mind means thinking about the subjects you choose.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (3)
➖When people ask us, “Who is a good, religious person?” we usually reply, “A person who is kind, forgiving…” So we list some traits that show a soft, flexible, understanding, enlightened personality. Of course these are good. But the most important trait of a good, religious person that should come to our mind first is being #strong and having a strong spirit.
➖Having a strong spirit isn’t just a good trait. It’s the result of all good traits. On the other hand, being weak is not just a bad trait. It’s what causes all evil traits. Even a person pursuing his/her desires is usually the result of a weak spirit. Such a person does not taste being strong. Since having a strong spirit is very dependent on having a strong mind, the way to strengthen one’s spirit is to practice controlling one’s #mind.
➖Imam Khomeini (r) said, “Be aware that the first step to this stage (of self-purification) and other stations that can be the source of one being able to overcome Satan and his forces, is controlling one’s bird-like imagination. Because one’s imagination is like a bird that is constantly flying and sitting on various branches, which is the source of much misfortune.” [Sharh Chehel Hadith, pp. 17-18]
➖Controlling your mind means being able to think about the subjects you choose. Having a strong mind means you can think about a subject however much you want. It means being able to think deeply about one subject and being able to #focus on it.
➖In some supplications we say, “Forgive Your weak servant.” This shouldn’t bring the misconception that God likes a weak person! No, God says, “Be weak before Me, but you yourself should be strong.” Imam Ali (as) was asked, “How do you overcome your strong enemies?” He answered, “I first strike them with my awesomeness. Then when they are stunned, I strike them with my sword.” [Manaqib Al Abi Talib, vol. 2, p. 116] At another time, Imam Ali (as) stated, “I tore off the door of Khaybar with my spiritual strength, not my physical strength.” [Amali Saduq, p. 514]
✅ @PanahianEN
🔲 Controlling your mind means thinking about the subjects you choose.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (3)
➖When people ask us, “Who is a good, religious person?” we usually reply, “A person who is kind, forgiving…” So we list some traits that show a soft, flexible, understanding, enlightened personality. Of course these are good. But the most important trait of a good, religious person that should come to our mind first is being #strong and having a strong spirit.
➖Having a strong spirit isn’t just a good trait. It’s the result of all good traits. On the other hand, being weak is not just a bad trait. It’s what causes all evil traits. Even a person pursuing his/her desires is usually the result of a weak spirit. Such a person does not taste being strong. Since having a strong spirit is very dependent on having a strong mind, the way to strengthen one’s spirit is to practice controlling one’s #mind.
➖Imam Khomeini (r) said, “Be aware that the first step to this stage (of self-purification) and other stations that can be the source of one being able to overcome Satan and his forces, is controlling one’s bird-like imagination. Because one’s imagination is like a bird that is constantly flying and sitting on various branches, which is the source of much misfortune.” [Sharh Chehel Hadith, pp. 17-18]
➖Controlling your mind means being able to think about the subjects you choose. Having a strong mind means you can think about a subject however much you want. It means being able to think deeply about one subject and being able to #focus on it.
➖In some supplications we say, “Forgive Your weak servant.” This shouldn’t bring the misconception that God likes a weak person! No, God says, “Be weak before Me, but you yourself should be strong.” Imam Ali (as) was asked, “How do you overcome your strong enemies?” He answered, “I first strike them with my awesomeness. Then when they are stunned, I strike them with my sword.” [Manaqib Al Abi Talib, vol. 2, p. 116] At another time, Imam Ali (as) stated, “I tore off the door of Khaybar with my spiritual strength, not my physical strength.” [Amali Saduq, p. 514]
✅ @PanahianEN
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🔲 Practice to be able to control your mind. Don’t wait for a miracle from the skies!
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (4)
➖You should practice to be able to #control your mind. Don’t wait for a miracle from the skies! Ayatollah Bahjat was asked, “How can we #focus when praying?” He replied, “When you see your mind has strayed, don’t willingly let it stray again.” Of course, some thoughts come to one’s mind spontaneously. When this happens, focus again on prayer. Some people bring their attention back hundreds of times when praying, but there aren’t many such people. When most people are distracted, they realize it after prayer!
➖Allameh Tabatabai wrote in his book “Risalah al-Wilayah,” “Choose a quiet place, where there aren’t distractions such as lights, noise, etc. Sit in such a way that you won’t become busy with something else. Keep your eyes closed. Then imagine the shape of the letter ‘A’ or one of God’s Names with your complete concentration. Be careful no imaginary figures enter the shape of ‘A.’ In the beginning of the way, you will see that other imaginary figures interrupt you and try to make your mind dark and confused. Your daily thoughts, goals and desires may also enter. These interrupting images will continue for a while. If you keep clearing away these disrupting images, you will gradually see those images are diminishing every day and your thinking is becoming luminous. This continues until you feel whatever comes to your heart and mind is so bright that it is as if you are seeing it with your eyes. Eventually, there won’t be any other images left with the shape of ‘A.’”
➖If you have a controlled mind and ask God for something, you’ll be able to change God’s decree. God told Prophet Jesus (as), “Do not call Me, unless you are humble and your concern and intention is one concern. In this case I will answer you.” [Kafi, vol. 8, p. 133] “One concern” means focusing your mind and not allowing yourself to be #distracted. If you call God like this, He will certainly answer you. Unfortunately, we are not able to focus on one subject for more than a moment, and this is useless! So we must practice in order to gain this power.
✅ @PanahianEN
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (4)
➖You should practice to be able to #control your mind. Don’t wait for a miracle from the skies! Ayatollah Bahjat was asked, “How can we #focus when praying?” He replied, “When you see your mind has strayed, don’t willingly let it stray again.” Of course, some thoughts come to one’s mind spontaneously. When this happens, focus again on prayer. Some people bring their attention back hundreds of times when praying, but there aren’t many such people. When most people are distracted, they realize it after prayer!
➖Allameh Tabatabai wrote in his book “Risalah al-Wilayah,” “Choose a quiet place, where there aren’t distractions such as lights, noise, etc. Sit in such a way that you won’t become busy with something else. Keep your eyes closed. Then imagine the shape of the letter ‘A’ or one of God’s Names with your complete concentration. Be careful no imaginary figures enter the shape of ‘A.’ In the beginning of the way, you will see that other imaginary figures interrupt you and try to make your mind dark and confused. Your daily thoughts, goals and desires may also enter. These interrupting images will continue for a while. If you keep clearing away these disrupting images, you will gradually see those images are diminishing every day and your thinking is becoming luminous. This continues until you feel whatever comes to your heart and mind is so bright that it is as if you are seeing it with your eyes. Eventually, there won’t be any other images left with the shape of ‘A.’”
➖If you have a controlled mind and ask God for something, you’ll be able to change God’s decree. God told Prophet Jesus (as), “Do not call Me, unless you are humble and your concern and intention is one concern. In this case I will answer you.” [Kafi, vol. 8, p. 133] “One concern” means focusing your mind and not allowing yourself to be #distracted. If you call God like this, He will certainly answer you. Unfortunately, we are not able to focus on one subject for more than a moment, and this is useless! So we must practice in order to gain this power.
✅ @PanahianEN
❤1