“Meditation is the effortless abidance in the awareness of one’s true nature.” – Swami Tejomayananda

Prerequisite for Meditation – Seeker’s mind

We are often misguided by the belief that meditation amounts to the image of a Yogi sitting under a tree, clutching a Japa mala and reciting mantras. This is certainly one technique used to still the mind and enable us to experience our true nature, the eternal and absolute bliss. However, it is effortless abidance – the constant knowing that one is nothing other than pure consciousness, that is meditation.

Initially a strong desire has to arise within the seeker to want to experience such a state. It is only after developing this level of faith that further progress can be made on the spiritual path. Thereafter, the process to become firmly established and abide within pure consciousness or the Self (Nididhyasanam) can begin in earnest.

Techniques

As the mind prepares itself to enter this state of being, the image of the yogi is somewhat re-affirmed! It is necessary that a state of relaxation is initially achieved, one in which there is solitude and minimum of distractions. A comfortable seat of meditation (asana) should then be prepared which can be placed in a quiet corner of the house.

Japa meditation is certainly one of the most established techniques of quietening the mind and stilling the thoughts. Rosary beads are rotated between the thumb and middle finger as a mantra is chanted. Essentially it is a process through the mind becomes single-pointed and it is this constant chanting of the Lord’s name which behaves as a trigger in enabling us to detach from the lower and attach to the higher. The absorption of the withdrawn mind in the Self is accomplished through sattvic buddhi i.e. the intellect with the capacity to discriminate between the Self (pure consciousness) the not-Self (body, mind and intellect).

You can also read how to prepare for Meditation – Question & Answer.

Obstacles

The journey itself can often seem very slow and painful — it may seem that you are not making progress and it is easy to give up. One of the obstacles on the path is that the mind will wander. The more we force ourselves to concentrate, the more this is likely to occur. Our perceptions can lead to distractions and our memories of experiences can also deter the mind from reaching its objective. A ‘second’ obstacle is the tendency to enjoy the quietude. One develops such an appreciation of this particular state that there is an unwillingness to go beyond it and experience ultimate bliss.

Essentially, we all aspire towards this state of pure bliss. Once we taste it, we will always hunger for more, The space between our thoughts whence we experience pure consciousness is magical. It is certainly a journey worth making. Do not think, do not do, do not become. Just be!

By Deesha Chadha, inspired by the writings of Swami Tejomayananda

Source: Chimayam, September 2008