This is the 5th article in a series of articles. As before, please read the first article of the series, before reading this one. It will put this article into perspective.
After touching on the path of devotion, the path of service, and the path of knowledge, we are going to touch on the path of meditation. This is also known as Raja Yoga.
Raja Yoga is not a practice of faith, like Bhakti Yoga. It is also not a practice of doing much, like Karma Yoga.
The practice of meditation aims at calming and quieting the busy mind, and to 'experience' the Source of all thoughts. This "Source of all thoughts" is another name for "Self" or "I" or "True Nature" or "Peace and Happiness".
See, the activity of the mind veils its Source. When the thoughts quiet down, the Source becomes evident. As an analogy, consider a glass of water with sand in it. When we stir the glass, the water becomes brown and the water cannot reflect clearly. Yet, when the stirring stops, the dirt sinks to the bottom and the water becomes clear. Now, the water can reflect clearly!
It is helpful to meditate at a specific time and at a specific place, while not generating attachment to our time and place of meditation. We do not have to neglect our duties for the practice of meditation - this means that we do not need to quit our job and run away from our households to go and meditate in a cave in the Himalayas. The Cave of the Himalayas is in our Hearts.
To conclude, we are talking about meditation and not contemplation. Sitting quiet, calming the thoughts, and dissolving the duality of the meditator and the act of meditation. Accordingly, realizing the Oneness of things, as it already is.
A quiet mind does not necessarily mean a peaceful or happy mind, but in the stillness of the mind, our True Nature becomes more evident.
The Peace and Happiness we are longing for is already who we are, we just have to acknowledge It.
After touching on the path of devotion, the path of service, and the path of knowledge, we are going to touch on the path of meditation. This is also known as Raja Yoga.
Raja Yoga is not a practice of faith, like Bhakti Yoga. It is also not a practice of doing much, like Karma Yoga.
The practice of meditation aims at calming and quieting the busy mind, and to 'experience' the Source of all thoughts. This "Source of all thoughts" is another name for "Self" or "I" or "True Nature" or "Peace and Happiness".
Just to be clear, meditation offers a vast amount of experiences. In this article, we are not concerned about the energy rushes, the colors we see, visions, etc. We are not concerned with objects of thought or objects of experience.
We are not chasing an experience, because experiences come and go. We are quieting the mind, to become aware of what is always and already Here and Now. The Silent Witness to all experiences and thoughts.
With the focus on the word 'practice', it is worth noting that the mind is a creature of habit. This is true, we can check up on our own experience. We can use the example of praying before we eat. At first, we may forget to pray and only realize halfway through eating, or maybe even after eating, depending on how hungry we are. However, with constant practice, we notice that the mind automatically starts to pray when the food is in front of us.
So now, with meditation, we want to start creating new habits within the mind. Calming the mind, bringing the mind to peace and to the present. Bringing our attention to the Source of Awareness.
We are not chasing an experience, because experiences come and go. We are quieting the mind, to become aware of what is always and already Here and Now. The Silent Witness to all experiences and thoughts.
Meditating
Meditation is simple and practical. We can meditate, regardless of our beliefs and religions. It does not have to be a religious practice, even though there are many different meditation practices offered by different religions and philosophies. Some of them are very effective.With the focus on the word 'practice', it is worth noting that the mind is a creature of habit. This is true, we can check up on our own experience. We can use the example of praying before we eat. At first, we may forget to pray and only realize halfway through eating, or maybe even after eating, depending on how hungry we are. However, with constant practice, we notice that the mind automatically starts to pray when the food is in front of us.
So now, with meditation, we want to start creating new habits within the mind. Calming the mind, bringing the mind to peace and to the present. Bringing our attention to the Source of Awareness.
See, the activity of the mind veils its Source. When the thoughts quiet down, the Source becomes evident. As an analogy, consider a glass of water with sand in it. When we stir the glass, the water becomes brown and the water cannot reflect clearly. Yet, when the stirring stops, the dirt sinks to the bottom and the water becomes clear. Now, the water can reflect clearly!
Consistency
If we want to see results, we have to meditate often. Often implies daily, and if we can do it twice or three times a day - even better! Frequent meditation does not just quiet the thoughts naturally but also enhances our concentration, which is important for fruitful meditation. Accordingly, we can focus, for longer periods, on a single thought or object, until the meditator and the object both dissolve.It is helpful to meditate at a specific time and at a specific place, while not generating attachment to our time and place of meditation. We do not have to neglect our duties for the practice of meditation - this means that we do not need to quit our job and run away from our households to go and meditate in a cave in the Himalayas. The Cave of the Himalayas is in our Hearts.
To conclude, we are talking about meditation and not contemplation. Sitting quiet, calming the thoughts, and dissolving the duality of the meditator and the act of meditation. Accordingly, realizing the Oneness of things, as it already is.
A quiet mind does not necessarily mean a peaceful or happy mind, but in the stillness of the mind, our True Nature becomes more evident.
The Peace and Happiness we are longing for is already who we are, we just have to acknowledge It.
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