THE MEDITATION PROCESS

Swami Vivekananda

This post is in continuation to my last article- The secret Powers of Meditation.

I would like to add on to my last article on the Meditation. I thought this will help us to clear a few doubts that we might have about the Meditation Process.In my article today I am going to take a little help from the discourses of Swami Vivekananda when he introduced the Raja Yoga to the west .

The Correct Posture: According to Swami Vivekananda there are a series of exercises, both physical and mental, which is to be practiced every day, until one reaches a certain higher state. Said that it becomes quite essential that we find a posture in which we can stay on for a long time. The easiest and the convenient posture should be chosen.  This is a state when one finds new sorts of vibrations; the mind, body and the soul will be remodeled, as it was in the beginning. But the main part of the activity will lie along the spinal column, so that the one thing necessary for the posture is to hold the spinal column free, sitting erect, holding the three parts -- the chest, neck, and head -- in a straight line. Allow the whole weight of the body to be supported by the ribs, and then you have an easy natural posture, with the spine straight. You will easily see that you cannot think very high thoughts with the chest in. This practice makes the physical body very strong and its practice is very difficult. It and cannot be learned in a day, and, it does not lead to much spiritual growth. Therefore just try to be in a comfortable position in which you can go deep into meditation and stay in that state of mind for as long as you want or as long as you enjoy.

Swami ji (i.e. Swami Vivekananda) had once mentioned to sit straight, and look at the tip of your nose because it helps to concentrate the mind. He had cited a few specimens of meditation during his discourse. He asked the audience to imagine a space in the heart, and in the midst of that space think that a flame is burning. Think of that flame as your own soul and inside the flame is another effulgent light, and that is the Soul of your soul, God. Meditate upon that in the heart. Chastity, non-injury, forgiving even the greatest enemy, truth, faith in the Lord, these are all different tendencies, or psycho-physical propensities, we call them as vritti ,one should try to attain through the meditation process. Don’t be afraid or worried if you are not perfect in all of these; work on them and they will come on their own to you. He who has given up all attachments, all fear, and all anger, he whose whole soul has gone unto the Lord, he who has taken refuge in the Lord, whose heart has become purified, with whatsoever desire he comes to the Lord, He will grant that to him. Therefore worship Him through knowledge and love.

In the words of Swami Vivekananda: 

"He who hates none, who is the friend of all, who is merciful to all, who has nothing of his own, who is free from egoism, who is even-minded in pain and pleasure, who is forbearing, who is always satisfied,, who works always in Yoga, whose self has become controlled, whose will is firm, whose mind and intellect are given up unto Me, such a one is My beloved Bhakta. From whom comes no disturbance, who cannot be disturbed by others, who is free from joy, anger, fear, and anxiety, such a one is My beloved. He who does not depend on anything, who is pure and active, who does not care whether good comes or evil, and never becomes miserable, who has given up all efforts for himself; who is the same in praise or in blame, with a silent, thoughtful mind, blessed with what little comes in his way, homeless, for the whole world is his home, and who is steady in his ideas, such a one is My beloved Bhakta." Such alone become Yogis. 

  

The spiritual power to be content with every situation comes from the spiritual practices as has been shown, informed and taught by our great sages and eminent philosophers from time to time.  All we need is to remember their teachings and follow them. Success in every field will surely come on its own.

Terms used in this article :

Bhakta: It means a devotee

Yogi   : One who practices Yoga

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