Hello!

I can fully relate to what you say. I have felt most of my life that my mind is like a prison - my thoughts and emotions were causing me lot of suffering. I didn't have control over that and was too much identified what was going on inside. Changing the outside conditions didn't much help as the inside stayed the same - no matter how beautiful life looking from the outside.

I understand that our experiences of life and cultural condition has caused all the suffering, limitations and feeling separated - all those defeating "internal programs" that are running in the mind.

I have been searching a way out and have tried many different practices. Difficulty with meditation was that I had so many thoughts that it was hard to stay still or focused. Two years ago I attended a workshop called the First Sphere. That gave a new direction to my life. I learnt the techniques of Ascension which are based on Praise, Gratitude, Love and Compassion - they can be called mechanical meditative techniques. I love this practice as it is so simple and easy and there is no need to force or control the mind - or believe in it for it to work. I can just practice the techniques all the time eyes open while in daily activity and eyes closed as a meditation. And it really helps to stay in the present moment and not to run all those repetitive thoughts of limitation that cause suffering. Our thoughts, beliefs and judgements influence so much how we experience our life and the condition of our bodies. I have experienced that Ascension techniques go to the root of the problem and changes happen from inside out.

There are actually two books about Ascension which are also available in the e-book form. Ascension! is more informative type of book with lot of wisdom and the First Thunder is a great adventure novel.

Hello. I agree with you. Freeing the mind is an important step in any kind of development. There are many disciplines all over the world, each at its own level. I found my relief in Hermetics by Franz Bardon, starting with the cornerstone of his entire collection, Initiation into Hermetics. If you believe in prophecy, his collection of books are The Holy Mysteries, promised to mankind long ago.

The philosophy part is beyond anything I have ever read, and the practical application of the universal laws is something which leads to complete control over oneself, body, mind and soul.

Introspection is very important today because there is little to be joyous about in the world.

Sometimes cutting off emotions is a safety measure in certain circumstances and not always to be envied. I closed my mind in order to get through some very trying times. I used meditation /spirituality to reopen them in a calm and peaceful way. Emotions can be painful and muddled but I have found that by dealing with them with calm acceptance of them as a natural thing to experience you feel far less imprisoned by them.

I too have been a prisoner of my feelings. At one point I was in despair over how small my life had gotten because of all the things I could no longer do. I was bounded by all the wall built of fear, anger, pride or just plain uncomfortableness. I was not one of nuts or a recluse, I was fully functional, working, taking care of my family, doing all the things to keep my life working. But, there was no joy. Every time I tried to expand, to try new things, no matter how it might start out the same old feelings would eventually driver me back into the same old, somewhat smaller, life.

What to do? I, frankly, got lucky. A woman that we went to for marital issues also taught meditation and alternative healing, and, with her help, I learned to slowly banish the negative and limiting feelings and open up my life to possibility again.

I really could not have done it by myself. I thought I could, but I was deluded. You need to find someone to work with, no matter how hard that is to do. I you could have done it, you would already have. There needs to be someone else to both show you the direction and push you past the limits of your beliefs and faith in yourself.

I agree, I had closed my mind due to circumstaces forcing me to be extremely isolated and not able to communicate my emotions to anyone therefore I closed them off. However when my physical circumstances changed I used meditation/spirituality to reopen them in a peaceful way so as to communicate them to others.

Very cool! Glad to hear it.

Hello. I think there's barely a person who cannot relate to being imprisoned. That condition seems to be more prevalant today than in prior years. With so much chaos and angst in the world today, it's difficult to keep up a positive viewpoint. Keeping up to date with current events has become difficult because the events are mostly negative, inclined towards gossip. Monitoring what we bring into our lives can lessen this feeling of imprisonment.

I think this feeling can originate at the physical level and it makes it way to our emotional and mental state. If it is physical, I think a change of diet can help, along with meditation and a gentle exercise routine. If it's emotional, then a good talk with a friend is a good place to start to let the bad feelings out.

If it's in the mind, then reading good spiritual books which can help us understand life. And by doing all three things simultaneously will certainly change our course.

There are many good resources and books, especially easy to find online nowadays. That's how I keep myself away from the feeling of captivity.

I truly hope it helps. Remember, our joy is internal and the more we work on it the bigger it becomes.