Power of Contemplation

Contemplation plays an immensely important role in successful navigation of events in our everyday life. It could be in the form of reflective thought, careful observation, or a deep study of something of concern, leading to an emergence of answers from within. Some psychologists describe contemplation as the mindful practice where the body, mind, thoughts, sensations and intellect are totally aware of the present moment, enabling a person to feel calm but alert. Many religious leaders have described contemplation in the context of prayer. From a spiritual perspective, the role of contemplation is much deeper and a conduit for inner transformation. Let us understand more about the spiritual perspective. 

What is Contemplation? 

The study of spiritual knowledge occurs through three processes – shravan, manan and nididhyasan. When we find a trustworthy source of divine knowledge and a Guru to explain and interpret it for us (i.e., shravan), the next step is to contemplate upon that knowledge (i.e., manan). It is contemplation that helps us to transform this knowledge into resolute beliefs (i.e., nididhyasan), which in turn enables the intellect to make wise decisions about life events. From this perspective, contemplation is a mental practice that involves deep reflective thought about one’s true identity, the purpose of life, the individual soul’s relationship with God, and the practice of spirituality. Also called chintan, it is the repeated rumination of thoughts, ideas, or a piece of knowledge in the intellect to enable souls to reach the ultimate goal of life, i.e., God-realization. 

In the spiritual realm, when the mind constantly and repeatedly remembers God by focusing on His divine names, forms, virtues, pastimes, abodes and associates, it tends to purify and take on the qualities and virtues of the object of contemplation – God. As Shree Krishna told Arjun:

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते |
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् || 22||

ananyāśh chintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate
teṣhāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yoga-kṣhemaṁ vahāmyaham

There are those who always think of Me and engage in exclusive devotion to Me. To them, whose minds are always absorbed in Me, I provide what they lack and preserve what they already possess. [BG 9.22]

Of all the tools in our armory for life transformation, contemplation is the most potent. It is a tool to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and its practical application. However, due to lack of awareness of its potential, we fail to utilize it to enhance our spiritual progress.

How does Contemplation Impact the Mind?

Contemplation can be a very powerful technique for mind management if we use it in ways that benefit the soul. But, in reality, due to our negativity bias, what happens is that our mind gets fixated on adverse feedback, insults, and perceived wrong-doings of others, way more than fixation on positive feedback and praise. Even when we hear divine knowledge from saints, the mind does not fixate on it, so the knowledge slips out of the intellect and does not translate into actions that elevate the soul.

If contemplation is used to focus on positive and uplifting thoughts, it has the potential to truly transform one’s internal state. When the mind becomes attached to anything in the divine realm that generates positive emotions (e.g., participating in Satsang), repeated contemplation can elevate the soul to sublime heights. 

 
 

However, contemplation on objects of hatred or aversion (e.g., actions of people who have insulted us publicly) will generate negative thoughts, emotions, and actions leading to devastating outcomes. The real danger is when the mind starts to relish or seek pleasure from negative contemplation. Repetitive rumination of such thoughts eventually leads to the downfall of the soul. As many philosophers and spiritual leaders like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Earl Nightingale and the Buddha have said, “we become what we think about all day long.” 

Instead of hateful thoughts, even if the mind contemplates on objects of sensory or self-seeking pleasure, then too it becomes attached to these temporary sources of happiness. As the attachment increases, so does the desire to access and enjoy these objects. Such desires compel the mind to contemplate on pleasure, which further increases the desire. As Shree Krishna told Arjun:

ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंस: सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते |
सङ्गात्सञ्जायते काम: कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते || 62||

dhyāyato viṣhayān puṁsaḥ saṅgas teṣhūpajāyate
saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ kāmāt krodho ’bhijāyate

While contemplating on the objects of the senses, one develops attachment to them. Attachment leads to desire, and from desire arises anger. [BG 2.62]

In this endless  cycle of desire and attachment, the mind gets colored by faulty perceptions about the purpose of life. Why? Because when worldly desires are fulfilled, the mind fills with greed. If the desires are not fulfilled, it fills with anger, which then lands one into the unholy nexus that degrades the soul (7 Divine Laws to Awaken Your Best Self). 

Both forms of negative contemplation will devastate the soul. In fact, mental afflictions begin with the contemplation of happiness or pleasure in detrimental objects. Even after experiencing disastrous outcomes and repeated disappointments, the mind still repeatedly contemplates on the wrong sources in search of pleasure or happiness. This is because it is impossible for the soul to not contemplate on true happiness. The soul is constitutionally a tiny fragment of the ocean of eternal happiness – God. The solution then is to seek happiness in the proper direction (Science of Mind Management, p. 82). As Shree Krishna told Arjun:

अनन्यचेता: सततं यो मां स्मरति नित्यश: |
तस्याहं सुलभ: पार्थ नित्ययुक्तस्य योगिन: || 14||

ananya-chetāḥ satataṁ yo māṁ smarati nityaśhaḥ
tasyāhaṁ sulabhaḥ pārtha nitya-yuktasya yoginaḥ

O Parth, for those yogis who always think of Me with exclusive devotion, I am easily attainable because of their constant absorption in Me. [BG 8.14]

Thus, repeated contemplation of happiness in anything in the divine realm will lead to attachment to God. That way, worldly desires can be redirected to God to improve the quality of thoughts as a result of increased attachment and positive contemplation. When we chant the names of God, reflect on His captivating forms, feel humbled by His virtues, become mesmerized by His pastimes, yearn to associate with His saints, and hanker to reach His abode, the mind gets uplifted to sublime heights through the power of contemplation and an increased desire to attain God. 

How should we Practice Contemplation for Inner Transformation?

Inner transformation will occur only if the mind eliminates materialistic thoughts and replaces them with positive contemplation in the divine realm. There are numerous ways to enhance the quality of contemplation, but a few practical tips are suggested based on Swamiji’s recently published book, The Power of Thoughts. 

1. Note Divine Gems in a Spiritual Diary. It is easy to forget gems of knowledge if we just hear them. By recording them in our spiritual diary, we are more likely to remember the meaning of the gem. Then, with repeated and thoughtful contemplation, we will be able to draw upon that piece of knowledge at the time of need. This strategy has the power to transform us internally.
2. Repeated Contemplation in Isolation. Swamiji has explained the importance of chintan in solitude as a way to improve the quality of introspection and self-evaluation. In fact, we can integrate contemplation, meditation, and devotion as part of our daily sadhana routine. We can use a script to prevent us from vipareet chintan (i.e., negative contemplation) and help us to detach from the material world while attaching the mind to God. Examples of two types of scripts are presented below:

• God alone is my true and eternal relative. All other relationships in the world are based on self-interest and will lead nowhere. He is the abode of divine virtues, is causelessly merciful and filled with compassion and love for me.
• This material existence is filled with all kinds of defects that keep my mind away from God and the ultimate purpose of my life. Chasing worldly pleasures is like a mirage that will lead me nowhere except the endless cycle of life and death. Besides, all worldly objects are temporary and remain here when the soul leaves the body. The divine bliss I am searching for is available only in God. He is waiting for me with open arms but I have turned my back to Him. Now I will turn toward Him to find eternal bliss from His association. 

3. Use Contemplation as a Tool to Develop Virtues. In addition to scripts to increase attachment to God and detachment from the world, positive affirmations can be used to develop virtues that will enable us to remain steadfast on the spiritual journey. Swamiji has provided some examples of such type of chintan (p. 132). 

• I will be brave and courageous because God’s grace is with me. 
• I must develop inner strength and learn to persevere. I will not give up in the face of challenges. 
• Humility attracts divine grace. Just as the firefly in front of the sun, I too am insignificant in front of God. 

4. Deliberately Practice the Art of Positive Contemplation. Like any other skill, deliberate practice of positive contemplation (as opposed to mechanistic repetition), will help us to slowly get rid of negative thought patterns that overwhelm the mind. Due to the neuroplasticity of the brain, neurons that fire together by uplifting thoughts, will wire together, creating a new pattern. To fully utilize this natural neural capacity, we will definitely need to revise the divine knowledge consistently by focusing on the script to attach the mind to God and detach it from the world. Greater the positive contemplation, more sublime will be the quality of our thoughts. We will become what we think and desire.

It is only by the power of contemplation that we can turn theoretical knowledge into practical wisdom and experience higher levels of divine sentiments necessary to love God. If any of us is not making progress on the spiritual path, it is very likely to due to  shallow or negative chintan instead of deep and positive contemplation.