Developing the mind

Developing the mind

By Jimmy Henderson

‘Developing inner values is much like physical exercise. The more we train our abilities, the stronger they become. The difference is that, unlike the body, when it comes to training the mind, there is no limit to how far we can go’.

The Dalai Lama

Developing the mind should begin with some changes to reduce the distractions in one’s life. One simply cannot expect to discover new depths to self and reality when engaged in a lifestyle of all-night partying, pleasure and excess. Being serious about inner development means redirecting the focus inwards and should include simplifying and balancing one’s inner and outer activities wherever possible. By simplifying one’s life, the time and psychological space for self-introspection will be created. This does not mean that one has to isolate oneself totally from the world, but rather, to shift one’s focus and priorities from outer to inner consciousness. 

A powerful, focused and clear state of mind is important for self-exploration. As mentioned earlier, one can become entangled and lost in thoughts and patterns of doubt and negativity and end up like a rat running around in a maze. In order for consciousness to move, mental pathways need to remain clear and free of obstacles. Regular periods of reflection and introspection may be necessary to identify these unresolved psychological blockages in the mind such as doubts, fears and inconsistent and incoherent thoughts and ideas and to deal with them constructively.

Quieting the mind

The ‘mental space’ required for exercises such as meditation and imagery will also need to be cultivated using techniques aimed at quieting the mind. These have been discussed in my previous articles on meditation.

‘Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open’

Sir James Dewar, Scientist (1877-1925)

Maintaining an open mind is also important, as this allows for the expansion of framework of thinking and the shift into a more universal paradigm in which anything is possible. This expanded paradigm will facilitate the evolution of existing schemas and metaphors which will then act as gateways for the passage of personal consciousness into the unconscious and beyond into higher levels of Mind. In this regard, one should be prepared to embrace more inclusive ideas about self, the universe and reality by reading widely and considering important new universal principles. 

An assimilation of universal concepts can actually improve one’s perceptual processing, as they provide the basis for new schemas, narratives and metaphors which can improve the classification, interpretation and understanding of new and radical inner experiences

The process of expanding narratives and evolving one’s metaphors should therefore occur during periods of reflection in which one re-arranges one’s thinking in relation to self and reality. As shown previously, an example of an evolved metaphor would be seeing one’s body as a vehicle for one’s higher consciousness (the authentic self or soul) and no longer as just as a body. These periods will also provide the clarity, focus, purpose and vision for the journey ahead and prepare the mind for processing and interpreting the powerful inner experiences that occur during a conscious connection with higher realms of Mind.  

A thinking paradigm which is fully open and able to embrace holistic and universal thoughts and ideas will also reduce uncertainties and avoid the pitfalls and contradictions often associated with dogmatic scientific and religious approaches. In this way it will be possible to assimilate and include any new knowledge emerging from the physical and human sciences.  

Jimmy Henderson is a philosopher, metaphysician and the author of a number of books and articles on self-development. He has an Honours degree in philosophy (metaphysics) and a Masters degree in Psychology. He is presently busy with his PHD in cognitive psychology and his books ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ (2007) and ‘Multi-dimensional Perception’ (2010) are available on Amazon.com and Kalahari.com and can also be ordered via his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com