Comments on Paul Brunton’s Writings in Relation to Constructive Conscious Control
This article was first published in "Rock 'N' Ruminations" by Daniel McGowan
Comments on Paul Brunton‘s Writings in Relation to
Constructive Conscious Control
In this section P.B.’s writings are in italics and my comments are below them in ordinary type.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 1: ENTERING THE SHORT PATH
Begin and end with the goal itself, Page 9, para 42
“Is it not a psychological absurdity to say that what conscious effort cannot bring forth may be brought forth by unconscious effort? No – the deeper mind must not be deprived of its own kind of consciousness merely because we cannot bring its operation within the range of imagination.”
In the inner sanctuary where the Overself dwells, we reach the deepest and most mysterious level of the human mind. Ordinarily, the individual is unaware of this essence of itself, because of the ego’s habit of giving extroverted attention to the world around it and to its own thoughts and feelings. The working of the deeper layers of the subconscious mind will remain a mystery unless the ego turns its attention inwards in search of the answer to the question “What am I?”
If the ego makes progress in this search, it will become aware of various levels of thinking that go on within the self of which it was totally unaware. It will realise that there are various levels of consciousness, such as that experienced when, during meditation, one has the feeling of “coming up through the clouds” as thinking slows down and a beautiful feeling of peace coupled with exhilaration pervades the self. One moves to another level, which is paradoxically deeper and higher at the same time.
These experiences on the spiritual quest have their parallels on that other journey – the search for constructive conscious control in the use of the self. As I progress and become more adept at giving conscious directions to myself in the everyday acts of life, I am increasingly aware of the feedback that comes from the subconscious regions of that part of the mind we call the body.
Science is now learning what mentalism teaches us. All beings, all life-forms have the capacity to think. In thinking as often as possible of the neck to be free, the head to go forward and up and the back to lengthen and widen, the muscle cells respond by getting to work – at their own level of consciousness – on the wish that is being passed to them by the conscious mind to bring about the desired changes.
If I forget to direct the use of myself, the neuro-muscular system will remind me to do so by sending messages back to the conscious mind that say, “Hey, you’re pulling down, shortening and narrowing, reverting back to your old habitual behaviour.” In other words the thoughts from the muscle cells are passed to the conscious mind, the ego. This is the result of the conscious repetition of the wish of the self to change. This feedback from the “body” to the conscious mind is a strong indication of progressive change being made within the whole organism.
Another positive aspect of this wish to change is the feedback I get from the spine itself. During the last 2 years or so (this is January 2001), it lengthens strongly by itself and I can feel it – as well as the back muscles, particularly in the upper thorax and shoulders – striving for the improved situation of dynamic balance it knows it can reach. This striving is a delightful feeling. The impression I have is that my vertebrae are changing shape in their efforts to restore balance.
No – the various cells, of any kind, in the organism must not be “deprived” of their own kind of consciousness, their own way of thinking in their own space-time order. All cells are made of mind stuff, all are products of consciousness.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 1: ENTERING THE SHORT PATH
The Practice, 20, para 135
“When body and feeling are cleansed by disciplinary regimes, when the intellect is inspired by meditational exercises, one is ready for the Short Path.”
With regard to the cleansing of the body, let us assume the above mentioned disciplinary regimes involve proper hygiene, proper eating and drinking habits. If an individual indulges in excesses of poor quality food and drink – particularly meat and alcohol – a great deal of toxins will be stored in the body and will cause all kinds of illnesses to appear. As a result of this poisoning, the body will become arthritic, rheumatic etc and will function well below its full potential.
If the person decides to cleanse the body by eating sensibly – fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables etc – a tremendous change can be brought about in health and spirits. This is common knowledge accepted by many people.
There is, however, an aspect of our habitual way of living that many human beings have not considered. This aspect is the use of the self, which in most of us is very unco-ordinated. One has only to look around in the High Street to see that most people live and move in malco-ordinated bodies, which suffer from slumped spines, narrowed chests and shoulders, stiff necks, inadequate breathing and circulation etc. etc. It is not generally known that many of the toxic conditions that exist in the body are caused by these universal negative habits of misuse of the self. Shortened muscles cause stiff joints, clogged blood vessels, digestive and elimination problems etc.
This vital element of the use of the self cannot be ignored if one is to successfully tackle cleansing the body and feelings. It has a vital role to play in our efforts to become ready for the Short Path.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 2: PITFALLS AND LIMITATIONS , Page 35, para 52
“It is a matter of simple observation that these Vedantic teachings are unfortunately not adequate to meet all the demands of a worthwhile life. They have no more useful advice to give concerning the physical body than, as I was told by one guru, ‘Take it to the doctor when it falls sick. Give it no attention otherwise and forget it.’”
This advice is typical of the attitude to the body of many spiritual seekers. It is not enough, however, to attend to the welfare of the body by eating good healthy food, cleansing it properly and taking natural exercise. It is essential that we give consideration to use of the self, to the co-ordinated use of the body in the everyday acts of life; essential that we learn how to use inhibition and direction to burst our bubble of negative habit. We should take on the learning of constructive conscious control.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 4: THE CHANGEOVER TO THE SHORT PATH
The preparation on the Long Path, Page 70, para 35
“Another reason for the need of the Long Path’s preparatory work is that the mind, nerves, emotions and body of the man shall be gradually made capable of sustaining the influx of the Solar Force, or Spirit-Energy.”
The learning of constructive awareness in the use of the self is an indispensable part of the Long Path’s work. Through it the individual can set up the conditions for releasing the Spirit-Energy. A spine that is habitually shortened through misuse of the organism will undoubtedly block the passage of the Kundalini.
In practising the principles of constructive conscious control, one builds a back of tremendous strength and durability, which brings about feelings of spiritual uplift and indomitability. This strength will make mind, nerves, emotions and body capable “of sustaining the influx of the Solar-Force or Spirit-Energy.”
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 5: BALANCING THE PATHS.
Their contrasts and comparisons, Page 89, para 2 (excerpt from)
“The moment that such negative ideas and feelings appear, then, instead of using the Long Path method of concentrating on the opposite kind of thought, such as calmness instead of anger, the Short Path way simply drops the negative idea into the void, the Nothingness, and forgets it.
In using constructive conscious control in the use of the self, the spine becomes longer and stronger and feelings of lightness, buoyancy and well-being are experienced. Negative thoughts and feelings do not arise so frequently, and when they do, the person can help to avoid them by thinking the neck free, the head to go forward and up and the back to lengthen and widen. These directions bring about the desired result of feeling freer and freer and more and more positive.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 5: BALANCING THE PATHS
Their contrasts and comparisons, Page 92, para 11
“Saint Teresa seems to deny the possibility of reconciling the two ways of life when she writes. ‘To bring the soul and body into agreement, walking according to justice and clinging to virtue, is the pace of a hen – it will never bring us freedom of the spirit.’”
The good lady’s attitude to the body is typical of many people on the spiritual quest, especially those on the religious path with its unreasoned superstitions, blind precepts, restrictive rituals and traditions, not to mention its extremes in castigation, circumcision etc. Lesser mortals than this woman may be involved in the discipline of the Long Path, but the journey can be enjoyed in a healthy body that can be positively changed by means of guiding directions that will bring it to a high level of co-ordination and balance. Such is the power of constructive conscious control.
One may proceed at the pace of a hen. But hens lay eggs and every egg has the knowledge necessary to perform the miraculous feat of turning into a hen. Hens also have the added advantage of performing naturally their everyday tasks with maximum efficiency and co-ordination of movement. This they do because they have learned it during countless rebirths, learned it to the point where they do not have to think about it. Their bodies are geared to functioning optimally at all times – like all other animals in the wild – to survive. Co-ordinated use of the self comes easily to them.
Human beings do not have this natural ability anymore. They suffer from all kinds of neuroses, anxieties, phobias and fears, all of which result in unreasoned, inefficient and unco-ordinated use of the self. This sad state of affairs produces muscle-tension patterns that stay with us for a whole lifetime. They keep us imprisoned, not only in this habitual “physical” eggshell, but also in those negative states of mind and emotion already mentioned.
When the individual takes to the path of constructive awareness, wonderful positive changes take place, changes that bring feelings of ease, well-being and joyous, spiritual uplift. This has nothing to do with “walking according to justice”, but one can certainly learn how to walk consciously, in harmony with the way the body is designed to move. This brings feelings of deep satisfaction and happiness.
We learn from mentalism that there is no such thing as a physical body; the body is as mental as a thought. We all live and have our being in a mental world, a spiritual world. Considerate behaviour is spiritual behaviour. If we, therefore, give the so-called body due consideration and treat it as we would wish to treat other human beings – with love and compassion – and attend to its needs, particularly in the sphere of the use of it, then, contrary to what the good lady Teresa says, it will go a long way in contributing to the freedom of the spirit.
Let us aspire to having the head, as well as the heart, in heaven, but please, let us also keep our feet on terra firma as we move, breathe and have our being in a body which is exhibiting beauty, grace and dynamic balance.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 6: ADVANCED MEDITATION, Page 131, para 27.
“In the advanced practice of meditation, it is not only required that the body shall be utterly relaxed, but also that it shall be without the slightest movement.”
The question that arises here is, “What is relaxation?” To most people it means lounging around in a slumped situation, a state of collapse, that is detrimental to the welfare of the body. When asked to relax, the modern person usually adopts this unnatural state. If the person is highly strung and has difficulty in relaxing, they are usually exhorted by someone to “Try to relax.” This phrase holds a glaring contradiction. If you are not relaxed, how can you try to relax? In trying to relax, the individual usually becomes tenser, or goes to the other extreme and adopts the state of collapse already mentioned.
So, what is relaxation? It is a state of balanced tension that should permeate the whole organism. We need tension, but it should be balanced. Real relaxation is a condition that would bring the mind-body complex into a state of dynamic balance. But such a condition is rarely seen in the modern day. Very few people know how to achieve a state of dynamic balance. What then is one to do?
In reply, if it is recognised that the condition of collapse that is usually adopted has brought about a shortening of the spine, resulting in an unbalanced state of muscle-tension throughout the organism, then it makes sense to restore the spine to its optimal length. But the shortened state of the spine has been caused by the wrong relationship of the head to the neck. In general, the head is pulled back excessively by the shortening of the muscles at the back of the neck. To relax these muscles, in the sense that the term is habitually used, would mean that the head would drop back even further, making the spine in turn even shorter, causing a greater collapse.
The relationship of the head to the neck is determined by the state of the neck muscles. If those at the back, in particular, have become stiff and shortened, the head will be pulled back and down away from the desired co-ordinated situation of it being delicately poised in a state of dynamic imbalance on the atlas at the top of the spine. From this it can be seen, that if we wish to restore the muscles throughout the body to a state of balanced tension, each one functioning at its optimal length, then we must start at the neck.
This is why F.M Alexander in his method of constructive conscious control – came up with the following classic directions one can give to the organism to restore its balance.
- Think of not stiffening your neck.
- Think your head to go forward and up.
- Think your back to lengthen and widen.
- The key here is to think, not to try to do.
In a misused mechanism that is suffering from excessive tension in certain muscles, together with excessive flaccidity in others, it is almost impossible to relax it in the sense of achieving balanced tension throughout. “Trying to relax” does not achieve the desired result. We are obliged to study the use of the self to discover how the mechanism actually functions – and this does not mean studying anatomy to see what specific muscles do. It means discovering how the self functions as a whole.
It takes great discipline and dedicated hard work to achieve constructive conscious control in the use of the self, but if one adopts it one has the chance to achieve the true state of relaxation – dynamic balance – which will allow the body to sit still during meditation without the slightest movement from head to foot.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 6: ADVANCED MEDITATION
Remembrance Exercise (of the Overself), Page 166, para 244
“To keep up this remembrance all the time, in all circumstances, requires practice and perseverance to an extent that seems beyond the ordinary. But they are actually within everyone’s untapped resources and untouched reserves.”
The extraordinary practice and perseverance required to stay in remembrance of the Overself, have their parallels in constructive conscious control in the use of the self, where one is required to remember to be aware of the co-ordinated means of doing anything in everyday life, moment to moment.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 5: BALANCING THE PATHS
Their contrast and comparison, Page 94, para 29
“On the Short path he becomes aware of the fact of forgiveness. He leaves out the constant self-criticism and self-belittling, the painstaking self-improvement of the other path and begins to take full note of this saving fact.”
I have experienced this fact of forgiveness. During my life I have had no problem with forgiving someone else for something they thought they had done to me. I have always felt that to be the forgiver was to be in a superior position, as if one could pass judgement on the other and then say, “Yes, I forgive you.” In human interaction it is not always easy to determine who is right and who is wrong.
But until I was fifty, I did not apply this principle to myself. And then I suddenly became really fed-up with criticising myself and decided it was time to love myself in the same way as I have tried to love other people. I realised that self-respect and self-love must come first if one is to truly love others.
Having said that, I can say this realisation did not happen just at fifty, but it came to me very strongly at this time. These thoughts had occurred to me now and then throughout my life. I have always been able to respect myself apart from a few lapses where I have criticised myself needlessly. I now think at sixty-seven, “I have done what I have done and that’s that. Let it all go and have no regrets. The rest of your life starts now.” Again, having said that about regrets, I have always had no regrets since I was a young man. I can see that my life has been a mixture of Short Path and Long Path practice.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 6: BALANCING THE PATHS
LONG PATH/SHORT PATH, Page 98, para 56 (excerpt from)
“The heart is in the centre. Here is the consummation, the union with God. It is here that you feel it most in the beginning. We have to end up in the heart, which means we have to meet Truth, Reality in the heart with feeling. But it has to be understood in the head. There has to be discrimination between what appears and what is really there ……… You can’t be a fool to understand the meaning of the world and of life. We must feel and think. The two together fuse in realisation.”
On January 11th, 2001, while I was sitting meditating in the early morning, I felt a strong indrawing of my thoughts, as if my consciousness was being pulled to a central point. I wrote the following about this meditation.
“Today I woke up at 5.50 feeling very clear and with a strong urge to meditate. I attempted to stop my thoughts as usual and at one point I thought, ‘But where am I withdrawing to? How do I stop the brain’s, the intellect’s incessant activity? Where is the centre in me?’ And then I realised that my consciousness was being withdrawn into my HEART! What a joyous feeling. I focused my attention there and felt very strongly that here indeed is my centre, the Overself atom in my heart. It was now much easier to still my thoughts because I had a new reference point. My consciousness had shifted to my beautiful heart. I could feel myself emanating from it. I wanted to bring every part of me to this divine centre. Every part of me, literally – hands, feet, shoulders, head etc. seemed to be drawn to my heart. I felt elated. Of course I know intellectually that the heart is my centre, but this is the first time I have experienced such a clear shift from head to heart, to the fountain that feeds the brain. My remembrance of the Overself shall henceforth come from my heart, the seat of my being. Yet again, I was amazed to discover that this session had lasted one hour!”
Paul Brunton’s teachings are so helpful when such events take place. He helps me not to get carried away emotionally, so that I have a chance to keep a balance between thinking and feeling. It is true when he says, “The two together fuse in realisation.”
The lengthening of the spine is an important factor here. As I wrote recently:
“If the spine functions at its optimal length, standing easily erect, there is clearer communication between the heart and the brain. One has a better chance to balance emotion with reason.”
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 6: BALANCING THE PATHS, Page 99, para 59
“The Short Path is content with exercises done for their own sake, not for the sake of the results they bring. In this it is the opposite of the Long Path, which does them for results, and is attached to those results.”
I did hatha yoga for five years, starting at the age of twenty-nine or thirty. I did it for results. The practices changed me dramatically, because I had been suffering from a chronic illness when I started. I have no doubt they helped me back to health, even though I was end-gaining all the time.
When I discovered the much more reasonable approach of the Alexander Technique – constructive conscious control – with its principle of non end-gaining, I gave up almost all hatha yoga practices. The principles of inhibition and direction used in the A.T are powerful means of staying in the moment throughout the day and one does not have to push and pull the body around for a set period each day. Transformation of the self using A.T principles is done by thinking.
I do, however, enjoy moving the body – particularly running and walking – so over the years I developed a little routine of “directed activities” that I practise, time allowing, every morning, first thing.
On reading this quote, I realised that I now go through these activities just for the sake of them, for the fun of it. No end-gaining, just being in the moment with each one. They are a source of joy; of delight in being able to move the body around in this conscious way. They are now more enjoyable than ever before.
The above also applies to meditation exercises. I’m tired of striving; I simply want to learn to be.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 6: BALANCING THE PATHS, Page 101, para 69
“Even the mere feeling of being alive brings content, satisfaction and reconciliation. How far this is from later stages of the Long Path, with their exaggerated idea of his worthlessness.”
These words are very inspiring! On many occasions throughout my life I can remember thinking, “Yes! It’s wonderful to be alive.” Even in my darkest hours during those long 3 years of illness, I recall – even as my body was shaking violently – how still, calm and peaceful I was inside. My heart felt as small as a pea, completely unruffled as all that tumult raged around it. I was not afraid. I knew nothing of P.B’s teaching at this time.
I think the reconciliation mentioned here is not the negative kind. One accepts the World-Idea and learns to accept it positively; realises that one can work in harmony with it. This is beautiful.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 6: BALANCING THE PATHS, Page 103, para 85
“Although it is quite correct to say that we grow through experience, that suffering has valuable lessons and so on, we must also remember that these are only half-truths. The other half is that by Short Path identifications we can so totally change our outlook, that adverse experience becomes unnecessary.”
I have had a glimpse of the possibility that adverse experience becomes unnecessary. It springs from the realisation that to avoid adversity, one must learn self-discipline. Hence the benefits of working with the Alexander Technique, constructive conscious control. I have suffered enough and will perhaps suffer again, but I will be much more able to deal with it. One can walk joyously on life’s highway.
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – ADVANCED CONTEMPLATION
CHAPTER 6: BALANCING THE PATHS, Page 106 para 115
“If the Long Path followers tend to have little sense of humour in matters relating to the quest, the Short path ones tend to have much of it.”
Yes! Yes! What a boon it is to have a sense of humour in these matters. God must have a sense of humour. S/he made the human race, didn’t s/he!? That, of course, was a joke.
If I can’t get my pupils to let go, to release muscle-tension, then I tell them a joke. There is no more effective tool than laughter for freeing muscles. How do we laugh? We laugh with muscles. When you think something is funny, it’s your muscles that do the laughing. They also do the crying when you’re sad. Is this not proof that you cannot have a thought-emotion without a muscular reaction somewhere in the organism?
Thank God for laughter!
NOTEBOOKS, VOLUME 15 – PART 2: THE PEACE WITHIN YOU
CHAPTER 2: BE CALM IN DAILY LIFE
“Nothing matters so much that we should throw ourselves into a state of panic about it. No happening is so important that we should let ourselves be exiled from inner peace and mental calm for its sake.”
As Aksel Haahr, my Alexander Technique teacher said, “Nothing is worth stiffening your neck for.”
This article was first published in Rock ‘N’ Ruminations by Daniel McGowan. You can download the PDF of this book for free here: FREE DOWNLOAD