The Test
- This article is a continuation of a series. They are based on the
book "A Belief Statement for the New Millennium"

The Test

This article is a continuation of a series. They are based on the
book "A Belief Statement for the New Millennium"

For more information on this writing visit www.Beliefstatement.com

The specific area of discussion for this article is an implication
for shaping our awareness of ourselves.

Please remember some basic premises when reading this article:

Keep an open mind and an open heart.

Communication of an idea or concept takes time. Accomplishing this
may take several attempts. While this article may not help
accomplish this others might.

Take time to reflect. True understanding comes from within. True
insights are those that occur once you realize a new degree of
awareness.

Expect change to occur. Expect that your awareness and sense of self
will grow.

The Test

This is not a one-time test. It is really a technique that is meant
to assist in the growth of one's self-awareness. Think of it as a
tool that one can use to assist in the maturing process that all
humans can go through.

Not everyone can pass this test. Many probably will take this test
and fail to continue to strive for greater self-awareness. There are
so many distractions in today's world that interfere with one's
ability to use the test to their advantage. Many of us fail to grow
regardless of what positive influences come our way.

The following will describe the test, which is really quite simple.
What will take more time are discussions about the results let alone
what is required to succeed.

The Basic Test itself.

Find a quiet place. It may be a room. It may be some place outside
that is quiet and free from abnormal (man-made noise).

Have no distractions around you. That is, anything electronic. Try
not to have anything around that is potentially a distraction of your
attention. In fact if you can arrange it that you have no outside
stimulus at all that would be better.

Close your eyes and do nothing if you can, just breathe and let your
mind wander.

Now what occupies your mind? Are your thoughts elsewhere? Is there
a cascade of concerns, desires and anticipated activities flowing
through your mind?

Can you actually shut them out of your mind? Can you actually empty
your mind of these outside things? Can you truly become aware of
your breathing only? Do you have a true awareness of yourself as an
individual?

How long can you remain still and quiet? Still and quiet in your
mind as well as your body.

Could you remain there in true calm and silence for an hour? Could
you remain there for the day or longer?

The key to this test is this, and this is where you need to be honest
with yourself, can you truly clear your mind of thought and the
concerns of the world? Do you have a true awareness of yourself?

So many of us have distracted minds. This in turn is a reflection of
our hearts. Our focus is usually caught up in the distractions of
the world. Most of us can not be alone like this for the shortest
amount of time. Most of us do not have a true self-awareness of
being an individual.

Please take a moment and actually try it.

Take a moment and try it. No matter where you are close your eyes.
What occupies our mind? Are you at rest? Would you consider
yourself in a peaceful state?

Most of us do not know what a peaceful state or being at rest truly
is.

Most of us do not have a true, deep sense of self-awareness. Those
that spend time meditating or engaged in other self-improvement
activities may approach the ability. This is also true for anyone
who has spent time in silence as a part of his or her growing up or
occupation.

Distractions of the world inhibit our spiritual growth.

As with other articles we will not go into detail about what true
spiritual growth is and how we can achieve it. There is plenty of
material on the subject, many techniques to assist in our personal
growth. Also many organizations exist to help in this endeavor. If
you are not engaged in any of these please consider doing so.

We just want to introduce this simple technique to the material that
already exists.

The distractions those things that prevent true spiritual growth or
that sense of self are all around us.

At an early age we are influenced by much that detracts us from
developing our potential. Most of us at some point stop growing and
maturing.

Once again we will not go into great depths on this subject here. We
want to talk a little more about the test you can take and how it can
be used to assist in our growth. One more of the tools to cope with
the distractions that we face.

What do you see or feel when you close your eyes?

To answer this question may take some practice. Also it is very
difficult to verbally describe what is going on in another's mind.
Words can fall short when it comes to describing our basic core
feelings and perceptions of self. We will give it a shot anyway.

Is your mind filled with noise? Fleeting images and thoughts about
other things. Worries of up coming demands. Are you filled with
thoughts about others and their interactions with you? Are you
filled with concerns about others and events past, present and future?

Some techniques to try.

It is best to try the following in conjunction with other meditation
techniques. Depending on the approach you are using you may already
be accomplishing this. You can use this on its on. But you should
really read additional material for a more discussions of what you
will be going through.

The ability that we are talking about here takes time to nurture.

The following is only the briefest of discussions on this matter.
Please remember that we are introducing you to this test. The path
that is entailed to fully use it is long. The following should be
considered as some basic thoughts on this.

Allow the noise to "pass through" you.

Don't try to stop the thoughts. If they are negative concerns let
them come. As they form in your mind remember this basic premise.
Is this something that is nurturing to others or myself? Does it
create a sense of well being within me.

If it doesn't then think to yourself, this has no right to be here.
I will deal with this matter later when the time is appropriate.

For now this has no existence it has no right to be here.

This is based on the concept that we should allows be primarily
concerned with nurturing our spiritual self or the spiritual well
being of others.

Anything that enters our life that does not do this is of no real
concern. Granted there are some basic concerns of life that we must
contend with, maintaining house and home type things. What we are
talking about here are those worldly distractions that keep us from
being emotionally well-adjusted individuals.

You have the right to develop a sense of Individualism.

If you can silence the noise you start to sense internal silence and
a state of peace. What will start to grow within you is a sense of
presence. You must nurture this presence. It is a presence of you.
In time this presence will grow stronger. In time you will be aware
of this presence even when you eyes are open and you actively engaged
in matters of the world around you.

When your eyes are close try to sense the presence of, or have an
awareness of, the things around you.

If you can silence the outside noise try to form within your mind an
awareness of those things around you. You can in time strengthen
that sense of you being an individual as you become aware of those
things around you.

Once you silence the noise and start to develop your own sense of
self then the path to spiritual growth can truly begin.

You need to routinely practice this method. It will keep you
healthy. It will allow your continued growth. It will help keep you
on the path of true growth. We all too often get caught up in the
world and we lose touch with our true selves.

The ability to succeed at the test is one that needs to be nurtured
through out our entire lives.

Practice makes perfect applies here. The ability to exist in a state
of peace is one that needs constant practice. Even once it is
achieved some may stop performing the exercises that got them to that
point. It is dangerous to think that you can stop or move on to
other things, things that don't truly nurture your spiritual well
being.

Be prepared for the growth that comes.

When you engage in this practice you must be prepared for what may
come. Once you achieve this ability growth and insights will add new
dimensions to your awareness. In some cases images may come to you
during dreams. They may even seem like visions. Think of them as
your mind growing and achieving new insights. We will discuss this
in other writings. Also please remember to search out other's
guidance as well.

If you find this article interesting and wish to find out more please
visit the above mentioned web site or email us.

Thank You