Greetings from Russell's Remnant:

Russell once startled an audience with this statement, "You cannot breathe and think at the same time." Upon reflection, this statement makes sense when one thinks about the emotionalism that accompanies fast breathing. Observe the lack of rationale which occurs during a fundamentalist religious service where hyper-activity and hyperventilation can and often occur. Observe the emotionalism displayed at an auction. The auctioneer hopes to get the audience into an emotional frenzy in order to get the clients to let go of their money. Compare the emotional vocal qualities of the fundamentalist minister and the auctioneer. Observe the emotional reactions of the masses during political rallies. The more and faster one breathes, the more emotional that person is likely to become. Have you ever wondered why operatic singers are usually obese. Very often is it is because these singers develop the lungs for very deep breathing for holding musical notes. They are in fact deeply breathing in their own emotional aura which causes the obesity.

Thinking can only take place during the interludes between breaths. This is one of the many reasons why meditation is so important. During meditation, your breath slows down and in some cases actually stops. During these interludes, you are capable of thought. Capability and actually doing are two different things. However, does it not seem wise to at least place yourself into a state where thought is possible? Most people do not think. They just rearrange old thoughts and prejudices impressed upon them by their environment.

Many of our best thoughts come when we are quiet, resting or asleep. The reason obviously is because our breaths are slower and longer with longer interludes. Longer interludes produce the opportunity for thought.

We can achieve steadiness through meditation on the infinite - anything great, huge, well-settled and well-established. If the body is still, it is easy to make the mind still. A great yogi says you need not repeat any prayers or even do japa. Just sit quietly for three hours in a row with no movement whatsoever, without even winking, then everything will be accomplished easily. If we sit that long, the mind comes under our control automatically. If we decide I'm not moving for three hours, the mind ultimately must obey us, because it needs the body's cooperation in order to get anything. Meditation is prolonged concentration; like pouring oil from one vessel to another in a steady unbroken stream; like a succession of identical waves raised in the mind with no break, one perfect continuity. (From notes on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)

When mind control and the controlling factor are equally balanced, then comes the condition of one-pointedness. If the mind can be made to flow uninterruptedly toward the same object for 12 seconds, this is concentration. If the mind can concentrate 12 X 12 seconds or 2 minutes and 24 seconds, this is meditation. If the mind can meditate for 12 X 2 minutes and 24 seconds or 28 minutes and 48 seconds, this is lower samadhi. And if lower samadhi can be maintained for 12 X 28 minutes and 48 seconds or 5 hours, 45 minutes and 36 seconds, this will lead to nirvikalpa samadhi. The idea of time will vanish. The greater the amount of the time that passes unnoticed, the more deeply concentrated we are. When the past and present become one, the mind is said to be concentrated. (From notes on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)

Slow down your breathing. Concentrate. Meditate. Contemplate and become one with all. Failing that, try concentrating on a small rock. Russell carried a small rock with him constantly.

TNG Quiz: Question #1 - T or F What you are to do and your service grow out of meditation and your own soul.

Question #2 - __________________ is the one of the highest forms of service or work on can render.

Quiz Answer #1 - True

Answer #2 - Meditation