How can we control our thoughts? | Ali Reza Panahian

How can we control our thoughts?

In the same way that you should exercise for your muscles to become strong, in exactly the same way, the way to start to increase spiritual power is with mind exercises. Exercising the mind is through mind control. My mind shouldn’t wander everywhere. My mind should go where I order it to go. In the same way that when you exercise you strengthen your arm, Allamah Tabatabai has given exercises for controlling the mind.

Allamah Tabatabai said in his book “Risalah al-Wilayah,” “Choose a quiet place, where there isn’t anything to attract your attention such as lights, noise, etc. Then, sit in such a way that you won’t become busy doing something else or be distracted. Keep your eyes closed. Then, imagine the shape of the letter ‘A’ or one of the Names of God in such a way that your attention be completely on that. Be careful that no imaginary figures enter the shape of ‘A.’

At this time, which is the beginning of the way, you will see that other imaginary figures interrupt you. They try to make your mind dark and confused. Many of these thoughts are not recognizable or identifiable. They are your daily thoughts, and your goals and desires. These thoughts may even be about whom you are going to meet in an hour. This is while you are only looking at the shape of ‘A’ in your imagination and paying attention to that. These disconcerting images will be with you and continue for a while.

So, if you continue evacuating and cleaning away these disrupting images - when they come to your mind, you push them aside - after a while you will see that those images are becoming less. They decrease every day and your thinking becomes luminous. This continues to the extent that you feel whatever comes to your heart and mind is so bright that it is as if you are seeing it with your eyes. Then, gradually these images become less every day. Until, there won’t be any other images left with the shape of ‘A.’”

Don’t let bad words come to your mind. This is the root. You should control your mind. Controlling your mind means that no one should be able to drag your attention to a place you don’t want it to go. If a person wants to drag your attention towards something, he should get permission from you.

If you want to, you should be able to redirect your attention. Mind power means that you are able to think about a subject as much as you want. As much as you want, one hour or two hours. Ok, I will think about it for two hours. The ability to control one’s mind means that you are able to think about a subject deeply, not superficially. It means you can focus deeply.

In the same way that you should exercise for your muscles to become strong, the way to start to increase spiritual power is with mind exercises. Exercising the mind is through mind control. My mind shouldn’t wander everywhere. My mind should go where I order it to go.