Observations placeholder
Meister Eckhart - Selected writings - Learn to be inwardly free
Identifier
000709
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
In part, about the importance of trying to cut down the amount of stimulatory and threatening imagery.
In this day and age it porbably would equate to cutting out any films and DVDs other than those of U certificate, cutting out [most if not all] TV, the [so called]newspapers , most of which are 'bad news papers' and also magazines.
The rest of the quote is about the means of contemplation
A description of the experience
Meister Eckhart selected writings – edited and translated by Oliver Davies
We must learn to be inwardly free in the works that we do. But for those who are unschooled in this, striving to achieve a state where they are unhindered by either crowds or works and where [our higher spirit] is present to them and shines steadily upon them without concealment at all times and in all company, is an unfamiliar task and is something which calls for much perseverance.
This requires vigorous commitment and two things in particular.
The first is that we should have sealed ourselves off internally so that our minds are protected from external images which thus remain outside and do not unfittingly associate with us or keep our company or find a place to lodge in us.
The second is that neither in our inner images, whether these be representations of things or sublime thoughts, nor in external images or whatever is present to us, should we allow ourselves to be dissipated or fragmented or externalised through multiplicity. We should apply and train all our faculties to this end, maintaining our inwardness.