🔲 Controlling our mind is the most important drill we must practice to increase our spiritual power.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (1)
âž– 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.
âž– 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.
âś… @PanahianEN
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (1)
âž– 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.
âž– 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.
âś… @PanahianEN
❤4
🔲 God says the ability to control our mind is very valuable.
🔲 There are techniques in our worshipping for controlling our mind.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (2)
âž– Controlling our #mind is an inward behaviour that results in one gaining spiritual power. If a person gains spiritual power, he will become more knowledgeable and creative. There is no enjoyment like the enjoyment of being #creative.
➖ God says the ability to #control our mind is very valuable. Our worship acts help us to control our mind. For example, it is recommended to wake up before dawn when a person’s mind is free. It’s a good opportunity for us to think and focus.
âž– There are techniques in our worshipping for controlling our mind. For example, why is prayer a repetitive task? God has designed it this way for us to control our mind. He wants us to not be drawn to other distractions and to concentrate on one topic by controlling our mind so that this power will increase. It is important for a person to be able to focus on one subject, not that others push him to focus on something.
➖ It is not good if others control our mind. Of course, if the One controlling our mind is God, this is great! When He works on your mind, the power of your mind will increase. Let the Qur’an attract your attention too and see what happens! One time it will pull your attention toward Heaven, another time toward Hell, etc. Let’s become entertained with the Qur’an.
âž– Controlling our mind is so important and effective that when a person pays attention to a subject, he affects the attention of those around him too. So it is recommended to sit with those who are attentive.
➖ An important part of controlling our mind is #intention. Half of each intention is related to our heart and the other half to our mind, because the heart’s desires are reviewed in the mind. Our intentions are a combination of our mind and our interests. We may say an intention is formed in the heart, but it’s controlled by the mind. Sometimes we have weak, good interests, but the mind can bring them out. Then we can strengthen these good #interests that were lost within us.
âś… @PanahianEN
🔲 There are techniques in our worshipping for controlling our mind.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (2)
âž– Controlling our #mind is an inward behaviour that results in one gaining spiritual power. If a person gains spiritual power, he will become more knowledgeable and creative. There is no enjoyment like the enjoyment of being #creative.
➖ God says the ability to #control our mind is very valuable. Our worship acts help us to control our mind. For example, it is recommended to wake up before dawn when a person’s mind is free. It’s a good opportunity for us to think and focus.
âž– There are techniques in our worshipping for controlling our mind. For example, why is prayer a repetitive task? God has designed it this way for us to control our mind. He wants us to not be drawn to other distractions and to concentrate on one topic by controlling our mind so that this power will increase. It is important for a person to be able to focus on one subject, not that others push him to focus on something.
➖ It is not good if others control our mind. Of course, if the One controlling our mind is God, this is great! When He works on your mind, the power of your mind will increase. Let the Qur’an attract your attention too and see what happens! One time it will pull your attention toward Heaven, another time toward Hell, etc. Let’s become entertained with the Qur’an.
âž– Controlling our mind is so important and effective that when a person pays attention to a subject, he affects the attention of those around him too. So it is recommended to sit with those who are attentive.
➖ An important part of controlling our mind is #intention. Half of each intention is related to our heart and the other half to our mind, because the heart’s desires are reviewed in the mind. Our intentions are a combination of our mind and our interests. We may say an intention is formed in the heart, but it’s controlled by the mind. Sometimes we have weak, good interests, but the mind can bring them out. Then we can strengthen these good #interests that were lost within us.
âś… @PanahianEN
❤1
🔲 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]
âž–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]
âś… @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]
âž–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]
âś… @PanahianEN
❤1
🔲 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.
âś… @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.
âś… @PanahianEN