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PETER RUSSELL

Peter Russell

Shifting Perspectives

MIND SHIFT  

A growing circle of futurists believes that transformation in the world is accelerating. And this is happening rapidly. Among them is trailblazer and teacher, Peter Russell who comes from a background in science.

At Cambridge University (UK), Peter studied mathematics and theoretical physics. Then, he became increasingly fascinated by the mysteries of the human mind. Shifting perspectives, he pursued experimental psychology, traveled to India to study meditation and eastern philosophy. Upon his return he took up the first research post ever offered in Britain on the psychology of meditation.

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 THE  THOUGHT-LEADER INTERVIEW

       PETER RUSSELL      

Peter Russell

A skilled and knowledgeable teacher introduces new challenges at the right time – and so we learn. The Sage Companion Quarterly is honored to interview one such person, Peter Russell. Over the years, you may have read several of his books- The TM Technique, The Upanishads, The Brain Book, The Global Brain Awakens, The Creative Manager, The Consciousness Revolution, Waking Up in Time, and From Science to God. In the interview that follows, we'll ask about his current work- How to Meditate Without Even Trying and his interest in the deeper, spiritual significance of the times we are passing through.

How to Meditate Without Even Trying

Whether this interview is your first introduction or if, like us, you have appreciated his work for over twenty years, here you may discover what makes Peter Russell a recognized  thought leader.

 

SAGE: We have heard how difficult meditation is. What has been your experience?

PETER RUSSELL: You may be surprised to hear that meditation should be effortless, that no striving or concentration is needed. I know I was. When I first began meditation, I was repeatedly told that it took great mental discipline and many years of practice.

In fact, for thousands of years, spiritual traditions have taught meditation as a way to quieten the busy mind and reconnect with the inner self. Yet, when people first try to meditate, they often complain that their minds are too full of thoughts, or they cannot concentrate well enough. This has led to the popular misconception that meditation requires great discipline and years of practice.

And my experience appeared to confirm this. My mind was full of thoughts, and try as I may, I could not keep them at bay. Like many others, I naturally assumed that I was not trying hard enough; I needed greater mental discipline, not less.

Is "effortless meditation" a state of mind?

A quiet mind is not a state of mind to be achieved. It is the state we experience when there is nothing to be achieved. It is the mind in its natural condition, untarnished by fears and desires, and the thoughts they create. When everything is OK in our world, we feel OK inside; we are at ease.

Do you find that many people miss a sense of deep contentment, ease in the moment?  And, are there simple methods you rely upon to remedy that?

Even when all our physical needs are met, and there is no immediate threat or danger, we seldom feel at ease. More often than not, the very opposite. Leave us with nothing to do, and most of us start getting bored. If someone upsets us, we may hold a grievance days, weeks, or even years later. Or we may spend hours worrying about situations that could occur, but seldom do.

There are many types of experiences- some attractive, some harsh or unwanted. Is there a way to come to discern/be with this in the moment?

Yes-Well, in terms of feelings and an almost endless procession of thoughts, most of these thoughts boil down to worries about how we can be more content; yet, ironically, a worried mind is, by definition, discontent. This is the sad joke about human beings. We are so busy worrying whether or not we are going to be at peace in the future, we don't give ourselves the chance to be at peace in the present.

Given how easily such thoughts spring up, it is easy to assume they must be subdued and controlled. But that approach stems from the same belief that created them—the belief that we need to be in control of things in order to feel at ease.

SAGE: What are you exploring these days?

Peter Russell: Recently, I've been exploring ways to weed out and dissolve even the subtlest levels of wanting, effort, and expectation in meditation.

The key to successful meditation is complete effortlessness. The mind in its natural relaxed state is already at ease. Nothing needs to be done to find inner peace; we only have to stop doing the various things that keep our minds busy and tense. The beauty of this approach is that nothing needs to be changed or eliminated. It is simply surrendering to the fullness of the present moment.

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Don't judge or blame yourself, shift your attention back to some experience in the present moment and return to the present- these meditation practices could be quite challenging. Do meditators sometimes (or frequently) mention this to you?

Yes. Even then, trying and effort can arise in subtle ways. Maybe if I just added this or focused on that, it would be easier. Some of it is so subtle that we don't even notice we are doing it. A faint resistance to an experience perhaps. Even a slight wanting to have a good meditation can get in the way.

So,subtle levels of distraction. Is there another approach? What do you recommend?

As I mentioned earlier,  I've been exploring ways to weed out and dissolve even the subtlest levels of wanting, effort, and expectation in meditation. If you have tried to meditate but found it hard to settle down, wanted to learn meditation but put it off because you've heard it's difficult, or already enjoyed meditation but wish you could go deeper, we can explore this.

I’ve been encouraged by the enthusiastic response new approaches have received from both complete beginners and people with many years of practice.  I am now making them more widely available online at http://www.peterrussell.com/Meditation.

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