The Quiet Mind

“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” This quote captures the essence of John E. Coleman’s journey in The Quiet Mind, where he searches for the inner calm that lies within us all.

1. The Human Brain Can Enter Unusual States Through Meditation

Coleman’s exposure to hypnotism and meditation occurred during a fateful visit to a psychic research group in Bangkok. There, he witnessed the interplay between the two practices and the mind’s incredible capabilities.

In one experiment at the psychic research meeting, a hypnotized boy, blindfolded by cotton pads, accurately copied symbols written on a blackboard he could not see, sparking Coleman’s curiosity about mental states. Later, during a personal experience with his friend Dr. Charoon, Coleman entered a hypnotic state and unknowingly responded to mental commands from a meditating naval officer. This incident further cemented Coleman’s interest in meditation and its potential to influence the mind.

Coleman observed that both practices seemed to allow the mind to step into a deeply altered state. It struck him that meditation and hypnotism might share more similarities than initially thought, offering a gateway to understanding oneself.

Examples

• A young boy demonstrating above-normal perception while hypnotized by effortlessly copying unseen symbols.
• Coleman's own hypnotic experience where his limbs moved in response to telepathic directives from a meditating officer.
• Discussions at the research meeting raising parallels between meditation and hypnotism in altered mental states.

2. A Quiet Mind Holds Remarkable Power

Coleman’s experiment with Professor Rhine’s extra-sensory perception (ESP) cards further highlighted the hidden potential of the calm mind. A neighbor played the guessing game with unexpected results, correctly identifying 23 out of 25 cards in the first attempt.

This remarkable moment exposed the role of a quiet, unstrained mind in achieving what seemed like telepathic perception. Coleman connected this state to Buddhist teachings about enlightenment and mental clarity achieved through meditation. It echoed the story of Prince Gotama, who discovered the path to nirvana through meditative practices.

These discoveries led Coleman to begin considering whether the calm state sought by Buddhists is the key to unlocking untapped human potential, both in extraordinary experiences and in daily peace.

Examples

• A neighbor’s surprising accuracy in guessing ESP card symbols when mentally relaxed.
• Buddhist teachings about inner peace through meditation as recounted in the legend of Prince Gotama.
• Coleman’s recognition of a quiet mind as a bridge to enlightenment and intuition.

3. Early Attempts at Meditation Can Be Challenging

Coleman’s first efforts to meditate at Wat Mahatai in Bangkok tested his patience and physical endurance. While his teacher advised him to focus on his breathing and observe passing thoughts, Coleman mostly felt discomfort and distraction.

His struggle to manage sitting for hours in the lotus position, coupled with boredom and physical pain, discouraged him. Even after switching to studying vipassana meditation with U Ba Khin in Burma, he initially approached it with an overanalyzing mindset, further delaying progress.

Despite these early setbacks, Coleman’s determination to find peace kept him searching for viable practices, inspiring him to continue exploring meditation traditions.

Examples

• Coleman’s struggle to meditate at Wat Mahatai due to leg pain and restless thoughts.
• Feeling unprepared to handle the rigorous physical demands of maintaining the lotus position.
• Early vipassana attempts marred by Coleman’s tendency to over-intellectualize the practice.

4. Krishnamurti Redefined Spirituality for Coleman

During an unexpected chance meeting, Indian philosopher Krishnamurti radically altered Coleman’s understanding of spirituality. Their discussions emphasized personal experience over organized religion.

Krishnamurti explained that fear drives humanity to seek mental certainty through religious systems, but real understanding comes from inner exploration and not from external constructs. His message struck Coleman deeply, as he had been relying on formal teachings for guidance.

Their conversations planted in Coleman a new perspective that emphasized personal insight as the basis for spiritual understanding, shifting his approach to his journey.

Examples

• Krishnamurti’s teachings on religions being fear-based constructs rather than paths to truth.
• His life of renunciation from organized movements such as the Order of the Star in the East.
• Inspiring Coleman to move away from seeking external answers to looking inward.

5. The Rituals of Tibetan Buddhism Didn’t Align with Early Teachings

Coleman’s exploration of Tibetan Buddhism during a festival in Gantok revealed practices emphasizing mantras, prayer wheels, and theatrical symbolism. While these appealed to others, Coleman felt they didn’t align with the core teachings he had studied.

Tibetan Buddhism’s reliance on mystical symbols and repetitive practices appeared far removed from Gotama Buddha’s original goal of self-discovery through direct experience. His exposure to Tantrism in Nepal introduced similar ritualistic elements, like achieving enlightenment through sexual union, which further distanced him.

These practices helped Coleman refine his search by clarifying what didn’t resonate with his goal of inner peace.

Examples

• Tibetan monks using prayer wheels to amass spiritual merit, which Coleman criticized as a superficial ritual.
• The emphasis on chanting mantras as a central meditative practice, which Coleman didn’t find impactful.
• Tantrism’s focus on reaching enlightenment through physical acts, sidelining emotional connection.

6. Buddhadasa Bikku Directed Coleman Toward Purist Buddhism

Thailand’s Buddhadasa Bikku significantly influenced Coleman by guiding him back to orthodox Buddhism and introducing him to the Zen philosophy of mindfulness.

At the Suan Mok monastery, Buddhadasa used minimal teachings, instead encouraging Coleman to explore Zen and quiet his mind naturally. He challenged Coleman’s dualistic thinking, teaching that distinctions like good and bad are human constructs that obscure reality.

Bikku’s teachings helped Coleman shift his thinking away from distraction-heavy practices, nudging him toward moments of acute present-moment awareness.

Examples

• Buddhadasa likening human ignorance to a fish unable to see surrounding water.
• Introducing Coleman to Zen’s emphasis on direct experience over intellectual analysis.
• His critique of dualism as an obstacle to clear understanding.

7. Zen Practices in Japan Require Rigorous Discipline

Zen’s principles captivated Coleman, particularly after his encounter with Dr. Suzuki in Japan, who described Zen as a lifestyle, not a mere philosophy. Dr. Suzuki introduced him to the concept of satori—a moment of profound realization.

At a Zen temple in Kyoto, daily routines of strict discipline impressed Coleman, though harsh methods like physical reprimands dissuaded him from fully immersing himself. However, the focus on zazen (sitting meditation) as a tool to clear the mind intrigued him.

Zen taught Coleman the value of discipline in achieving the quiet mind he sought, even if its rigorous methods were not for him.

Examples

• Meeting Dr. Suzuki, who highlighted Zen practice as the key to experiencing satori.
• Observing monks’ rigorous daily schedules at a Kyoto temple.
• Witnessing zen monks use zazen to prepare their minds for spontaneous enlightenment.

8. Western Meditation Practices Fell Short

In England, Coleman explored Western approaches like the Spiritual Regeneration Movement and Quaker meditative meetings. With high costs and communal structures, these endeavors couldn’t fulfill his search for personal quiet.

The Benedictine tradition of scripture contemplation also left him unsatisfied. He found that Western practices offered less depth in addressing the mind’s natural restlessness, pushing him back to the vipassana method he had experienced in Asia.

Coleman’s time investigating Western practices underscored the differences between Eastern traditions’ depth and Western meditation’s more external focus.

Examples

• Failed attempts with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s mantra repetition.
• Group meditations at the Quaker community that felt disconnected from inner silence.
• Benedictine guided meditations centering on Scripture that left Coleman uninspired.

9. U Ba Khin’s Vipassana Cause Coleman’s Awakening

Returning to U Ba Khin in Burma marked the start of Coleman’s true transformation. By fully committing to vipassana meditation, he finally grasped the impermanence of physical sensations and mental states.

Coleman endured days of discomfort during meditation, ultimately realizing that his suffering was a construct of his mind. By letting go of his need to escape pain, he broke free of his attachments. This breakthrough brought extraordinary calm, signaling his awakening.

This profound experience led Coleman to later become a meditation teacher himself, guiding others on their journey toward a quiet mind.

Examples

• Vipassana practice allowing Coleman to focus deeply on his bodily sensations.
• Realizing that clinging to relief from pain prolonged suffering in his mind.
• Achieving a clarity and calmness that marked his personal enlightenment.

Takeaways

1. Explore meditation with an open, quiet mind by letting go of over-analysis and simply experiencing the practice itself.
2. Commit to consistent meditative practice to uncover deeper inner peace, even if discomfort or challenges initially arise.
3. Recognize that the calm and clarity you seek are already within you, enabled by focusing on the present and shedding attachment to desires.