Meditation Practices
On Tuesday evenings from February 21 to March 6 these practices were done together in the meditation sessions at Shanti Sadan.
(The practices that were done during from January 31 to February 14 are here.)
Meditation is one part of a wider spiritual enquiry. If possible, please take a little time to read some of the information on this site about the teaching that there is a deep underlying unity within all, for example as described in this article in the key yoga teachings section. This unity is not just a comforting idea, it is the reality discovered by the sages. Meditation is a natural process by which we pass from distraction and confusion to what is real and abiding within ourselves and all around.
If we really want to try meditation, it is a good idea to choose a time, place and posture for our meditation and to abide by that choice for a number of days. Here are a few more guidelines on time, place and posture for meditation.Here are the practices that are being done during these weeks. If you have any questions you are welcome to contact us about them.
1. Inner preparation
Meditation is an approach to the supreme reality, so before we undertake it we need to adjust ourselves. For a moment we pause to acknowledge that beyond our individual mind and will lies an infinitely greater reality. We do it like this:
Approach the meditation with reverence and calmness. Feel that you are in the presence of the divine, within and without you. Mentally bow to that invisible power. [Do this for about one minute.]
2. Breathing practice with OM
Sit in relaxation, in the meditation posture. On the in-breath, draw the breath from the navel to the spot between the eyebrows. As you breath in, hear the sound 'O' of OM; as you breath out, hear the 'M'. [About 5 minutes.]
3. In Relaxation, dismiss thoughts as they arise
In relaxation, continue to breathe consciously and a little more deeply than usual. With each breath, go into relaxation. When relaxation is obtained, then wait. You will have some desire, some thought. If you can dismiss the thought and the desire, you are a true human being. One way of dismissing thoughts is to say 'It is an illusion, not wanted.' If you are successful in negating five thoughts in this way, you invite the great stream of peace and fortitude into your mind. This is the real yogic secret. Yoga is the ability to suspend and dismiss thoughts and desires. If you slowly do it in this way for five or ten minutes every day, then the vacuum you create will be filled with the spiritual light. In this way, as the thoughts evaporate, you acquire a sense of peace.
4. Meditation
OM. O MY MIND, FIND REST IN THAT MOST BLESSED PEACE
THAT IS ALWAYS WITHIN THEE
AND FOLLOW NOT AFTER THAT WHICH IS TRANSIENT. OM
Repeat the text a few times until the meaning is grasped, then focus the attention steadily on that. If it helps, focus on one part, or a single word, from the text. If the mind wanders off, just gently bring it back. [Do this for at least 10 minutes.]
5. Closing offering
Extend thoughts of unconditional goodwill to all.
It is traditional to close the time of meditation in this way. It is most helpful for us. Even if we are in serious disagreement with someone, we ultimately wish the best for everyone. So here we offer thoughts of good-will to all, without exception. [About one minute.]
If you have any questions about these meditation practices you are welcome to send us an email.
You may find helpful the book by Hari Prasad Shastri on Meditation - Its Theory and Practice in the on-line bookstore.
If you are practicing meditation and would like to read more on how to extend the essence of the meditations into daily life, you may enjoy this book on the mind and spiritual Yoga.
On timing, place and posture for meditation
The idea is that these practices can be taken up and done regularly, and meditation starts to become a part of our life. The full benefits of meditation can only be realized if we do it regularly. Dr Shastri sometimes said to people enquiring into Yoga that they could try the practices for a certain time, say 40 days, and then decide if they wish to continue with them. In this there is nothing to lose and everything to gain. But if we start out with the idea that we will do meditation if and when we are in the mood, then there will definitely be times when we are not in the mood, the old mental patterns will remain in control, and we will not really have tried meditation at all, we will have just reinforced our preconceptions about it.
So that is the first suggestion that is made to those who would sincerely like to try meditation: decide to do it for a certain length of time. Next, choose a time of day and a place for the meditation. First thing in the morning is the ideal moment, last thing at night and noon are other possible times. Decide also how long you will do it each day and do not allow the mind to cut short the meditation because it thinks it is not going well. The place should be clean and quiet, and it is helpful to create a special space somehow, perhaps with icons or candles. The main thing is to create a regular rhythm in time and place, and sustain it for the chosen duration.
Also significant is the posture for meditation. It is said that the floor is better than a chair because one day we might find ourselves without chairs, but the absence of a floor is very unlikely. That said, a firm chair is perfectly acceptable; the main thing is that the body should be upright and self-supporting, and most important, that we should be able to forget the body for the period of meditation. It is not helpful to try to meditate in bed or an armchair.