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Just as through physical
exercises and other practical ways, like good diet and so on, the physical
condition of the body can be improved, in the same way through Muraqaba, mental
activities can be improved as well. We are aware of the fact that thoughts and
inental conditions have a strong impact on us. When we are scared, we tremble.
Our body feels like a weightless mass. On the other hand, vulgar and immoral
thoughts leave a person incapable of utilizing his abilities and strength
because of a lack of concentration.
Rest is only perceived as lying
down, denoting activity in which no energy is used or utilized. However, this
description is far from the truth. Many people seem to have peace and
tranquility though they may internally be worried and depressed. By having a
continuing non-stop flow of thoughts, our energy decreases tremendously. B
being overly attached to the web of thoughts, the brain gets tired which
results in the waste of stored energy. We all know that mental concentration is
a key to good health and that over-worrying weakens the immune system, which
results in sickness. This all happens because the waste of energy weakens the
immune system and various diseases then attack that person. When a nervous
strength gets weaker then the brain becomes slower, memory is affected and
weakens.
Due to weak will power, success
in life can not be achieved. Life experiences have shown that mental stress
eventually leads to diseases and physical ailments. Mental complications
directly or indirectly result in heart disease, and gallbladder and kidney
stones. Prolonged stress could result in a breakdown of the nervous system.
Negative thinking leads to stomach ulcers, hyperacidity (acid reflux) as well
as constipation.
To get mental peace most people
try those methods that often suspend the consciousness temporarily such as
alcohol, drugs, and tran(luilizers. These drugs do nothing but create a
feeling of self-negation temporarily. These sources not only damage health but
also the nervous systenm and speed up the aging process.
In psychological disorders such
as psychosis, life becomes stagnant. Every
action has a negative side. The patient feels comfortable in a closed room. He
ends all relations and communications with family members. He avoids any
contact with other people and becomes insecure. Even in extremely hot weather,
the patient tends to sleep with it blanket. Interest in consuming food also
declines, and as the consequence the body becomes weak and emaciated.
In this state, the influence of
the subconscious on the consciousness of the patient increases to such an
extent that the patient starts seeing things that are otherwise hidden from the
naked eye. Sometimes he sees shadows and other times he sees himself free of
physical constraints in the form of a flying shadow. The pressure drawn from
this imaginary flying leads some patients to leap from high-rise buildings.
They max' start hearing voices as well. The patient confines himself to an
imaginary world in which he sees beautiful gardens and sees himself as the
center-of attention of all the residents of the imaginary garden. However, sometimes
negative feelings take over and the patient starts crying at some dreadful
scene. In other words, his senses fluctuate rapidly. Sometimes he becomes a
very intelligent, talented, articulate person while at other times he is
senseless and his speech becomes incoherent or gibberish.
When an attack of mental
seizures happens to a mental patient whether it starts slowly or instantly it
increases the flow of electrical impulses inside the brain, and since there is
no outlet the pressure causes the cell walls to be broken and the outlet
somehow opens up. Often when the electrical flow inside the cells decreases to
a level of zero (neutral) then the patient suddenly becomes free of any
thoughts. Although this is not an ailment, when the space is formed inside the
main frame of the brain, the electrical flow concentrates on one side of the
cells, to a point when these cells lose all memory. When this happens, the
patient no matter how hard he tries to remember an event or thing can not do
so. On the one hand, the flow increases to a point where the brain stops
functioning. On the other hand, the electrical flow between cells becomes so
irregular that the patient becomes irrational. Sometimes he claims prophethood
while on other occasions proclaims himself king.
When this condition
persists, the patient may become unaware of the need of clothing or food. In
some cases, the patient would continue walking endlessly. He even runs but his
body never gets tired or fatigued. Sometimes stares endlessly into the space totally
engrossed in thoughts. His worldly life becomes inconsistent. The need of rest
and luxury goes away as well. His body holds so much energy that he has to be
chained for control. The mental patient may keep on talking incoherently. His
eyes become shiny and magnetic. Blinking happens very rarely. For psychosis,
schizophrenia and mania both major and minor Tranquilizers are used
which result in the following side effects; dry mouth, weaker eyesight, low
blood pressure, weight gain, increase in blood sugar. Some patients also are
diagnosed with jaundice. Body temperature rises. Parkinson’s disease,
paranoia, anxiety, distress, and confusion also are common. With that
low appetite sometimes the patient becomes bedridden permanently.
Other side effects like these could also happen which may send the patient into
a deep coma. Minor tranquilizers, are used to keep the mind peaceful and
calm.
The other negative
effects of these medicines are that the patient becomes dependent on
them as well. Prolonged use may also necessitate the increase of dosage since
after a while the usual dosage fails to be as effective as the original dose.
Tranquilizers should never be stopped instantly as this could lead to other serious
ailments such as hysteria, insomnia, nausea, body pain and loss of
concentration, to name a few. On the contrary, if the patient is
treated with Muraqaba under medical supervision he gets peaceful and calm. In
addition, the negative mentality is also weakened by it and the flow of
thoughts becomes uniform. Through Muraqaba, the natural link between mind and
spirit is enhanced and the man gets new energy from his own Spirit.
The mental state at that time is different from that of wakefulness or sleep.
Hence, the deterioration of nervous system stops and the cell division goes
back to a normal rate.
Physically there are
two systems that work in our body; the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic system.
The first mentioned system controls the high blood pressure and the dilation of
cornea. The latter system handles lowering blood pressure, lowering of heartbeat
and contraction of cornea and movement of matter within the body. This system
works without our will or discretion. For example we are bound to inhale and
exhale. Even if we hold the breath for a few moments eventually we are forced
to breathe anyway. Heartbeat is also beyond our control. That is why these days
there are some Medical experts and Spiritual scientists working to devise a
method or exercise through which we would be able to control the functioning of
the Parasympathetic System to defend ourselves against diseases and ailments
and some diseases may even be eliminated altogether. On this basis,
scientists have created a system called ‘Bio Feed Back’ on which research is
underway.
Through
Muraqaba, the parasympathetic system could be controlled at will.
Muraqaba brings good changes in the system. The feeling of Muraqaba takes us
toward deeper calm and stillness. This state otherwise does not stay with us
because the mind never stays on anything for too long. Muraqaba not only
increases the will power but physically and psychologically numerous benefits
are achieved as well. Experiences and observations have shown that following
physical and psychological benefits are achieved by practicing Muraqaba.
KHWAJA SHAMS-UD-DEEN AZEEMI
In the current information age, the very question of what Man
is, and to what extent his abilities
go, has gained prominence. Metaphysical knowledge tells us
that Man is not just a mass of muscles and bones but in fact is a living
universe or microcosm (a'lam asghar) itself. His life is primarily relying on
information. As a matter of fact his life is nothing but a collection of
thoughts and imagination. His every movement is influenced by information and
thoughts. Every human achievement is circled around the unseen world of
cognition, imagination and creative thoughts. By giving new meaning to this
idea, Man creates and invents new things out of nothing.