MEDITATION FOR What is the science of spirituality (spiritual
practice)? The process of transforming animality
ELEVATING MIND
In yoga the universe is a 'living' Consciousness and
bears a relationship (direct and indirect) with every
entity. Meditation is not for experiencing some dry
void or nothingness or for the mere counting of
breaths, but for transcending the present level of
consciousness and realising the oneness of the
Universal Expression.
In that practice and lifestyle, proper action is
important also (as is proper thought). This is called
karma yoga in Sanskrit. It means to regulate how
you act in the world.
You unlock the real potential of meditation and
yoga when you adopt it. This means living yoga;
practicing meditation every day. It means applying
the wisdom to everyday life and to live a sentient
lifestyle, that is, with awareness of the inner
meaning of meditation. All aspects of life are
affected: how you should eat, how you should
sleep, ideation at work, relationship with others and
so on. Conscious and skilful living doesn't mean
you need to be a superstar to practice such a
lifestyle. All you need is sincerity and application
of some discipline. Make any adjustments in a
systematic way and view changes as positive.
Effort in life is essential to spiritual discipline and
one's concern with a healthy, wholesome,
functional, and spiritual environment.
Now, the question may arise: is not the effort of
meditation a mental occupation? No, it is not, for a
mental occupation is concerned with the doer I or
ego, with the effort to attain for that ego. But the
effort of meditation (divine contemplation) is the
effort to dedicate the small ego to the great Ego, so
we cannot call it an ordinary desire. Meditation is
not a mental propensity, it is the fullest expression
of Divine desire or love itself.
--
or latent divinity into the Supreme Divinity is
known as the science of spiritual practice. The
spiritual practice which liberates the aspirant from
dullness or animality and expands one's self is
spiritual practice. So, there cannot be any
spiritual practice without a scientific approach to
spirituality. Spiritual practice means a practice
for expansion, and this expansion is nothing but a
liberation from the bondage of all sorts of
dullness. Irrespective of caste, creed or religion,
one who aspires for spiritual expansion, or does
something concrete, is a spiritual aspirant.
Spirituality and spiritual science in itself is neither
a religion nor an "ism". It is the fundamental
path and psycho-spiritual approach.
- Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ("Tantra and Its Effect on
Society")
HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE MEDITATOR
If you have come to a point in your meditation
where you are past the "trying it out" stage and have
decided that you definitely want to make meditation
an important and regular part of your life, we would
recommend to you the "Helpful Hints" list. These
points describe an optimum situation - the most
conducive environment in which to cultivate the
habit of meditation (sadhana). Of course, it is
difficult to achieve them all at any one time, but it is
the effort that is important. Many spiritual teachers
(acharyas) recommend these points, and for the
serious student (sadhaka) this information can be
invaluable. Experiment, try to include some of these
points in your dally life, according to your situation.
Don't "overdo" it so that meditation becomes an
unpleasant task; be gentle. But also be dynamic and
willing to try new techniques that may help you in
your exciting adventure.
1. NO INTERRUPTIONS.
Take the phone off the hook; let your friends and
family know that during this time you don't wish to
be interrupted. Close the door, close your eyes, and
for the time being leave the ordinary world behind.
This has tremendous psychological impact. It is
very difficult to concentrate, if while you are
meditating one part of your mind is listening for the
doorbell, or is ready to jump up if the phone rings,
or to come out if someone wants to talk. Give
yourself completely to the task at hand - let the
people around you know that it is very important,
and they will learn to respect it too. Establish right
away that during this time period you do not wish to
be disturbed; make whatever arrangements are
necessary (trading child care duties, etc) and you
will feel much freer and happier in your meditation.
2. TWICE A DAY.
This is the key. If one sincerely desires to explore
the heights and depths of meditation it is important
to establish a habit of never missing. Meditation can
be likened to a beautiful chain - each day we add
delicate links; the overall effect is a strong and
useful instrument. But if we miss a meditation we
create a situation of a "missing link". In order to
make the mind strong try to never miss. Be
uncompromising. Even in an emergency situation
(late for work, etc.) it is possible to do meditation
(five or ten minutes with breakfast later) if one
resolves to always do it. Though difficult at first, in
the long run it is much easier, because meditation
becomes like brushing one's teeth or eating - it is
just something one does without thinking about it.
3. SAME TIME OF DAY.
This can be a tremendous aid in establishing point
number 2 - though not always possible, it is
something to work towards. Experienced meditators
find that if they always meditate at, say, 6:00 AM.
and 5:30 PM., when that time occurs their mind
naturally "leans towards" or "wants to" meditate.
Optimum times are usually considered to be around
sunrise and around twilight - before beginning the
day and after ending the day (before the evening
meal). Variations can be made according to time,
place, and condition, but it is most helpful to
establish regularity in your schedule.
4. SAME PLACE.
If you have one room (or part of a room) that you
keep just for meditation - keeping it nice, clean, and
quiet, maybe with plants, inspirational pictures, a
candle - you will find that place becoming very
meaningful for you, and as with point number 3 will
find that when you go there your mind "leans
toward" or "wants to" meditate. Even if you have
very little space, try to arrange some corner for your
meditation place. Keep it very clean and fresh; try
to do your sadhana there all the time, and you will
find that the very atmosphere ("vibrations") of your
spot inspires you to meditation.
5. ERECT SPINE.
When meditation proceeds properly there is a
powerful flow of energy upwards through the spinal
column. Slumping or slouching impedes this energy
flow, impairs breathing, and diminishes mental
alertness. So it is important to sit as straight as
possible. A firm surface (rug covered floor as
opposed to a bed) is very helpful. Gentle stretching
exercises or warm-ups help prepare the body, and
some people find that putting a small pillow under
their seat alleviates pressure on the knees and
induces better posture by slightly elevating the
spinal column. Others find it helpful to have a
"meditation blanket" or small rug which they use
only for meditation or other spiritual practices such
as yoga postures (asanas). A balance is called for -
we should not fret about our posture while we
forget to meditate, but neither should we be lazy -
patience and perseverance are essential. With twice
daily practice most people are amazed to discover
how relaxed and flexible their bodies can become in
four to six weeks.
6. EMPTY STOMACH.
One of the quickest ways to establish regularity of
meditation is to observe the rule: "no meditation, no
meal". In other words, take your breakfast and
evening meal ONLY after your meditation. If you
are really famished after work, take a glass of juice
"to hold you over", but do your meditation before
the evening meal. If you have children who expect
you to eat with them at 5:30 PM, for example, this
may mean doing evening meditation substantially
sooner - perhaps at 4:00 PM. After eating, the
energies of the body are directed towards the
digestive processes at the expense of mental
processes - we have all noticed the sluggishness that
follows a heavy meal.