In the human mind the waves of information from the cosmos convert into thoughts. Just as when you throw a stone on a still pond of water, it creates circular waves in the pond; in the same manner, waves of thoughts are created when cosmic information energy enters our mind.

When we look into our daily routine, it becomes obvious that right away when we wake up, thoughts of work or school bumps into our mind. Being under the influence of those thoughts, we start our day by dressing and then set out for work or school. On our way to work, we see hundreds and thousands of images right before our eyes. At the same time, we hear different voices (or noises). There are certain images that draw our attention, such as a car wreck on a freeway that leaves a lasting impression in our mind. Likewise, we cannot help but read whatever is written on the new billboard, but once we arrive at work or school, our job or schoolwork draws our attention.

After a day at school or work when we return to our homes, domestic issues engulf our mind. After finishing some chores we then turn to either entertainment, like watching TV or listening to music or go out for dinner or movies or hang out with our friends and buddies until it gets late and then we finally go to our bed. The next day is spent more or less in the same way.

If we take any given period of the day, we realize that our attention never stays on any given matter for very long. It shifts along with the incoming thoughts. Troublesome thoughts worry us and we could not help but worry endlessly about it. On the other hand, any happy thought sets our mind into the emotional bliss of happiness. Similarly, thoughts of any past unpleasant incident set our mind into looking into the fine details of that incident.

By examining our daily routine of mental occupation, it is evident that our mind is constantly engrossed in the affairs of the surrounding environment and the normal waking period of the day is routinely consumed by the mental hustle and bustle. We are constantly bombarded by the incoming thoughts related to the surroundings and hardly any time is spent when our focus is shifted from the seemingly never-ending thoughts. This throng of thoughts becomes a hurdle for consciousness and because of that it never pays any attention to the esoteric life. Just as it is harder to be inside the pond when the waves are on top of it, the mind is therefore, unable to see the inner reflections.

Reflections that fall on the mind are either light or strong based on their impressions. Strong impressions can be perceived by the consciousness, however lighter impressions on the mind are

beyond the approach of the consciousness. Hence, very light reflections become oblivious. As long as the mental focus remains on the inside waves of thoughts, peeping inside the mind remains unattainable. But when the focus is diverted from the thoughts that are surfacing, then the mental vision starts functioning in the inner realm, and the lighter reflections can now be seen that otherwise are ignored or unseen.

The central idea of the above explanation is that in order to acquire spiritual knowledge and to awaken the paranormal abilities, the most fundamental thing to have is mental concentration. The first and foremost lesson that is taught or learned in the science of spiritual awakening is the state of emptiness of mind. Mental emptiness is the first lesson of the spiritual science. Through this ability, the student is able to observe the spiritual realm free from any worldly thoughts.

This does not mean, however, that no thought at all would come into the mind. Mental emptiness is a state in which concentration is focused on a single idea or point in such a way that the person would not let any other thought in his or her mind at will. It could also be defined as the mind being so deeply focused on a single idea or thought that all other thoughts simply become less important and eventually disappear. You would encounter difficulties in practicing mental emptiness in the beginning. The reason is that we are not used to this condition. However, by continued practice it is attainable. The descriptive term for the mental emptiness is Muraqaba (or meditation). Mental emptiness is evident in many aspects of our daily life.

Example

When we sit down to write an essay or a story, we grab the pen or the keyboard to write. The mind then starts the process of choosing words and so on. The environment in which we perform these tasks may have various things or sounds that normally distract our attention. Nevertheless, we are not distracted and remained focused on writing the material. Our thoughts and actions revolve around the same points.

The same goes for driving. While driving a vehicle, our entire focus remains on the traffic as well as the mechanical aspect of driving. Moreover, because of that mental focus our body is able to control and operate the vehicle. During driving we try our best to remain focused on the road and the incoming traffic; while at the same time we chat with the passengers in the vehicle, listen to our favorite radio or music and various thoughts cross our minds, but our intentional focus never shifts from driving.

More or less the same state of mind is needed for performing Muraqaba. For 10-15 minutes or an hour the person who is meditating tries to remain focused or concentrated on a single idea or thought, while at the same time mentally disengaged from all other activities or thoughts. In other words, Muraqaba in essence is to become thoughtless in a thought.

During the Muraqaba, all of those resources are applied through which the mind disengages from external influences and becomes absorbed in a single thought or idea. When the influx of thoughts of outward environment is suspended, then the latent source of information starts to surface through which the person envisions, listens, touches and performs all other functions that are commonly known as the paranormal or spiritual abilities.

Rumi has explained the same phenomenon in his verse.

Eyes are shut so are ears

and lips are sealed yet sight still beholds