Meditation

Meditation:
“Dhyaanam Nirvishayam Manah” (Sankhya Darshan: 6/25) means “The state of mind when remains objectivitated i.e. without any thought (when the mind is away from worldly objects, but remains connected with the self), is called the ‘Dhyaan’ or Meditation”. It is clear with this Sankhya-Sutra that meditation is the state of continuous non-objectiveness of mind, which means when mind is away from all wordily things i.e. objectless.

· “Tatra Pratyayaikataanataa Dhyaanam” (Yoga-Sutra: 3/2) which mean, “Sustained concentration (Dhaarnaa*) is meditation (Dhyaan).
[*Concentration is the fixing of the Chitta (mind stuff) upon a particular object. This is ‘Dhaarnaa’. (Yoga-Sutra: 3/1)]
Meditation is of two types: First is “Samprajnaata” i.e. where the meditator is conscious of self and the act of meditation and second is “Asamparajnaata” when even this consciousness is lost and meditator Experiences only the bliss of Omnipresent God.

Meditation is a journey within, to meet our own consciousness. But to achieve higher state of consciousness, of deep silence of ‘Samaadhi’ and Meditation, one has to transcend all words and all thoughts. No language can lead us there. Therefore, talking of that state, declare Upanishads:

· “Yato Vacho Nivartante, Apaapya Manasaa Saha” means that state, where words cease to be, cannot be achieved through mind”.

Although everybody seems to be talking of Meditation these days, but few really practice it regularly and know the meaning of “Meditation”.

Beginners often start meditation with too many expectations, waiting for something to happen. When nothing happens they are disappointed and give up the practice of meditation. They imagine that by simply sitting in a straight-backed position with their eyes closed, they will reach in the state of ‘Samaadhi’. But this is not possible because most adults have a sharp sense of ego problem, which keeps them confined and restricted.
It is recommended to all new practitioners that they should start with very short sessions, not more than five or ten minutes at a time. These periods may be repeated several times and each time the attitude should be of relaxed stillness, expecting nothing, but ready for anything.
The human mind is full of thoughts – random and never ceasing. It is impossible for the average person to stop these thoughts and the only way to get some control over them is to adopt a steady watching attitude. Without this, each thought will hook itself on to another thought and another.
It helps if you realise that thoughts generally fall into three categories -- remembering, planning and dreaming. If you are remembering, then you are lingering uselessly in the past, which can be both repetitive and obsessive. Just let it go. Don’t get involved. If your mind is busy with planning, you are thinking of the future, your aims, desires and hopes. Dreaming is self-explanatory. Do not get involved. Let the thoughts come and go without clinging to them. Five minutes is all you are allowing yourself, so there is no expectation, no strain. The quality of meditation and not the duration is what you are interested in for the present. Meditation has been described as a mind suspended in space – a pure and complete awareness without clinging.

There are many aids to meditation. There is a Mantra, which repeated in your mind will eventually stop random thoughts. There is a candle flame or a statue or picture on which you can concentrate. Or you can simply concentrate on your breathing. All these methods are effective, but only if you take it lightly, giving only 25 per cent of your attention to them, with the remaining 75 per cent of your mind relaxed and floating in space.

The sitting posture is important since a straight spine and all the different ‘Chakras’, so that energy flows smoothly and the mind calms down and is at ease. But even here it is not necessary to go to extreme. You can sit cross-legged on a cushion. The legs can be folded easily and not rigidly in the lotus pose. You may even sit on a chair with feet flat on the ground. Whichever way you sit you should be comfortable so that you can sit for as long as necessary.

Scientific truths about Meditation:
A person sitting quite and contemplating, with no purpose or aims except that of experiencing himself and his oneness with the world, is meditating. Studies by Herbert Benson, a Harvard cardiologist, show that meditation produces psychological changes which include reduced heart rate and blood pressure, as well as reduced oxygen consumption, reduced blood lactate level (associated with anxiety) and reduced respiratory rate. The body is deeply relaxed while the mind remains alert. Benson calls this ‘the relaxation response’, which counteracts state of fear, anger and anxiety.

At the psychological level, with regular meditation there is deceased anxiety, a higher level of relaxation at all levels, and progress to wards self-actualization. The meditator begins to experience in a more positive way, and a more peaceful and secure self-concept is developed. Physical dysfunctions such as lack of sleep, fatigue, headaches lesson or disappear altogether.
Regular meditation increases empathy, concern and interest in the well being of others. Today all doctors agree that stress and anxiety play a role in the development of many diseases.
In meditation alpha waves increase the state of reflecting an extremely restful, non-anxious and non-problem solving mental state. After successful meditation the person is relaxed, with a greater capacity for creativity, love and compassion.

When someone talks about ‘meditation’ it’s understood that this term is related to something that is spiritual (inner) world. It’s one hundred per cent right. Meditation means to realise/find/feel of some super-conscious thing to get peace of mind, which is always there, but because of ones ignorance and laziness one is unable to seek/search it. That is why man is always unhappy and unsatisfied in his life, even after getting all kinds of comforts in this materialistic world. Something is missing! Of course! Something is missing! But, what is that something, which is missing? In the Vedic philosophy this something is nothing but—the Bliss (Anand) of God. The term “Anand” can be defined, as the spiritual happiness of the self.

[The soul is in search of the real spiritual happiness but after coming to this beautiful and amazing wonderful materialistic world, he* forgets everything because of his limited knowledge. He (the soul) wanders after illuminated and colourful material things in this world made of Tri-attributed Prakriti. *The soul has no gender but being a sensate or Chetan thing, it can be pronounced in masculine/feminine manner.]

Mind is the most important thing and without mind’s involution one can not meditate. Meditation is nothing but to think of self-consciousness, but in philosophical point of view, Meditation is defined as a technique or an art of concentration. To control the mind is not an easy job, one needs a lot of practice, and practice makes a man perfect. One thing, here, is to be noted that mind is not a conscious thing like the soul, but it is an inert thing that cannot do anything by its own. The soul is its master and master should be alert. If/When any work is given to the mind; it will be busy and cannot wander of its own. This is one of the method by which the mind is can be controlled easily. “A will, will find a way”, so one has to practice.

Many people believe that the mind is the slave of the senses, on the contrary the mind is said to be their king (Boss), all senses are under mind’s control, and the mind is under intellect’s control. Soul is the master of our physical (inert) body and all organs are its instruments (means) to work.

The mind functions the way we want. For desired results in any sphere of activity, the mind needs to be focused. Thus, an individual must have control over it and its cravings. Striving to fulfil each desire leads to even more desires. All endeavours, all efforts and struggles must be directed towards strive to attain this goal—of keeping the mind in control—rather than seeking the fulfilment of every desire.

F.A.Q.: “How do we control the mind and how do we control our desires?"
It is a common complain that “My mind is not in my control, many thoughts protrude in mind and the more I try to restrain them, the more they protrude.” etc. But all these beliefs are false. The reality is that the mind is a sort of inanimate thing, which is manifested out of insentient Prakriti. Hence it is not conscious. Therefore thought cannot protrude in the mind itself nor can the mind itself raise any thought. It is the conscious soul, which is behind this insensate mind. When our conscious soul desires to raise any kind of virtuous or non-virtuous thoughts in the mind then and then only that thought protrudes related to that subject.
Just as a cassette or tape, records various types of sounds, similarly the mind is the storage of our thoughts in the form of rites. When a person with his desire and effort switches on the tape recorder then sounds are heard but sounds are not heard by themselves. In the same manner when the soul with its desires and efforts raises rites stored in the mind then and then only thoughts are produced. This is one of the methods of working of our mind.
Apart from this, working of the mind should be understood like working of camera equipment. Just as a photographer intends to take the picture of any particular object, he turns the camera switch, stretches the picture on roll through the medium of lens and does not take the photo of the object, which he does not desire. Exactly in the same manner the soul stores the knowledge of an object in the mind through the medium of all senses and body organs –the thing for which he wants to collect knowledge. Body is similar to a camera, conscious soul is to be the photographer, the mind is like a roll on which pictures are drawn and organs are like lens, in this example. In the same manner just as scooter, car, fan, machine etc. i.e. inert machines do not run, work or stop themselves without the effort of conscious human. Exactly in the same way, unconscious inert mind cannot run nor can it think to run towards any subject without the desire and inspiration of a conscious soul.
Only because of ignorance, human-conscious takes the mind only as the propagator of subjects and does not accept himself as the true driver of the mind. But when conscious-soul acknowledges his own consciousness and doer-ship and inertness and means-form of mind, then keeping the mind under his own control (authority), he drives it according to his own desires. A learned ascetic of proper and discrete knowledge, keeps his mind under control and drives it according to his will, as worldly person runs the vehicle, he drives it according it his own will.

Just as a fresh car driver (learner) says, “My car runs at very high speed and doesn’t stop even if I wish to stop it. When I want to drive it on the left side, it runs on the right side. If I want to drive it on the road it goes off the road”. In such circumstances we shall say, “This person doesn’t know how to drive a car and he doesn’t have enough experience”. Now here is a matter to think whether the car runs or stops by itself? Does it move right or left by itself? Certainly not! It is an ignorance or fault of the learner. Exactly in the same manner, it should be understood for the inanimate mind that it does not propagate towards any of its subjects, just, as a car cannot move by itself on the road.

Yoga perseveror or meditator should remember one thing that, soon after taking a posture during devotion period, he may make the following determinations

“My mind is inanimate. I am the conscious soul who drives it. This inanimate mind doesn’t raise any subject without my desire and effort. At this time, I will keep it under my possession (authority) and adjunct it in thinking of ‘Ishwar’ and will not allow it to run towards any other worldly subjects”.

Assistance is sought in controlling the mind with such determination. But even after making such resolution either due to un-cautiousness or ignorance, if the perseveror (meditator) conjuncts his mind with any other object, then he should remove it soon and conjunct again with Ishwar. In the beginning new perseveror has to make efforts to disconnect his mind engrossed in other subjects and has to frequently conjunct it with Ishwar (God). After a sufficient time when he attains requisite discreet knowledge and practice, in the matter of mind, he can easily and surely disconnect his mind from the subjects he wants to disconnect and conjunct with the subjects, which he wants to.

A lot of effort is made to keep the body healthy. Similarly, it is crucial to keep the mind healthy. Persons should aim to reach the Almighty and this can be achieved only when the battle of the mind is won.
The mind is fond of pleasures and thus it may love something or someone very much. However, the moment it comes across something better, it relinquishes the first and runs after the second. Winning over the mind, however, should not be confused with doing penance in a forest, or running away from the material world. That is more escapism. By renouncing the world, we do not gain control over the mind. The more we suppress a thing, the more it revolts. The mind cannot be subdued with forcible discipline. Rather, every individual should study its nature and habits first.

Unless the mind finds something superior to worldly love, it is not ready, under any circumstances, to give up the pleasures of the world. But once a person gets a taste of the knowledge leading to God, he or she never turns to the material world again.

· "Jyotishaam Jyotirekam Tanme Manah" (Yajurveda: 34.1) means, "the mind is that illuminating-light by which all the senses are illuminated and act."

Mind is one of the eleven* principals of senses called 'internal principle of attention' and also known as 'Ubhayendriya'.

[*There are ten external senses consist of five sense organs (Gyanendriyas) + five action organs (Karmendriyas) and one internal sense i.e. the mind (Mana)]

Mind is also called one of the four** 'reflecting medium' i.e. 'Antah-Karan'**.

[**'Antah-Karan' consists of four things, such as 1- Mana i.e. mind or principle of attention, 2- Budhi i.e. Intellect or thought, 3- Chitta i.e. consciousness or memory and 4- Ahankara i.e. egoism or individuality]

"Mind" is an organ of thought and it is said that the mind is the king of all senses because all senses are under its control. Philosophically speaking the mind is actually, the messenger of intellect. It helps the principle senses to activate. To influence the principal senses is its work. Hence the intellect is knowledge-dominated whereas the mind is work-dominated organ. Some time it seems that the mind decides of its own, but it is a wrong concept. The principle senses (Gyanendriyas and Karmendriyas) are always in direct contact with the outside world and whatever knowledge they acquire passes them to the mind, and the mind then carries them to the brain. The brain then decides further actions and those decisions are delivered (ordered) to the senses concerned by the mind. The senses then act according to the decision (received by the mind). This whole process is so fast that it seems that everything happens automatically. The mind is the fastest messenger, even faster than the speed of light. But as written earlier, the mind works as a messenger of the intellect. One thing is to be noted here that the mind cannot have more than one knowledge at one time ["Tadayougapadyaalangatwacch Na Manasah" (Nyaaya Shastra: 2.24)] hence it carries only one message from or to the brain and senses. It works under brain and cannot do two works at one time. That is the attribute or characteristic of mind.

The mind cannot stay at one place, it always flickers like the pendulum of a clock, and hence it is very difficult to control the mind. But the one, who knows its characteristic (that only single knowledge remains in it at one time or you can say that mind cannot do two things at the same time), can easily have control over it. All senses are under mind's control and the mind itself is under brain's control whereas the brain is under self's (soul's) control. (Kathopanishad) Now, it becomes easy to control the mind. One (the self) has to decide what he wants to do, and give order to the brain and the same is conveyed to the mind. The body including all these organs like brain, mind and senses &c. are insensate objects and hence cannot do anything by itself. With the influence of the soul all the means are seems to be live. The soul is the master of the body-like-chariot. One, who is wise, always keeps his mind busy in some or the other work. Do not keep the mind ideal. Keep it busy. When busy in some work it cannot think of other things. This is one of the ways (trick) to control the wandering/flickering mind.
[The soul is the master in the body because he is a free agent and can control his brain while performing any action, &c. "Know your body as a chariot and your soul as the master of that chariot. Know your intellect or reason as the charioteer (driver) and your mind as the reins." (Kathopanishad: 3.3)]

[Information goes from Karmendriyas à Gyanendriyas à Mind à Intellect. The Intellect decides on the information collected by the mind with consultation of the soul and decision is conveyed to Intellect à Mind à Gyanendriyas à Karmendriyas]

The mind flicker because of lack of Vairagya (renunciation) hence its concentration is essential. And with concentration mind is controlled and visualization of God is possible.
‘Pranas’ (nervauric forces of life) are the most valuable and important things in this human body. One can be alive without any sense organ but can never live for a moment without the vital forces i.e. nervauric forces i.e. '‘Prana s'.
'‘Pranayam' is one of the solution and very useful in controlling the mind. One who wants to control his mind has to exercise and practice '‘Pranayam'. Regulation of breath is the best solution. In this way one is controlling the mind as well as worshipping God.
Vibration and consciousness are inseparably one like the whiteness of snow, the oil in the sesame seed, the fragrance of the flower and the heat of fire. Their description as distinct categories is an error. Mind and movement of thought are inseparable; and the cessation of one is the cessation of both.
Sage Vashishta gives perceptions to Shri Rama --“O Rama! There are two ways in which this cessation (of vibration and consciousness) can be achieved. One is the way of Yoga, which involves the restraint of the movement of thought, and the other is the way of knowledge, which involves the right knowledge of truth.
In this body, that energy which circulates in the energy-channels is known as ‘‘Prana’ ’. In accordance with its diverse functions in the body, it is also known by the name ‘Apaana’. This ‘‘Prana’ ’ is indistinguishably united with the mind. In fact, the consciousness that tends towards thinking, on account of the movement of ‘Prana’ , is known as the mind.
Movement of thought in the mind arises from the movement of ‘Prana’ ; and movement of ‘‘Prana’ ’ arises because of the movement of thought in consciousness. They thus form a cycle of mutual dependence of currents in water.

The wise ones declare that the movement of ‘Prana’ causes the mind; and hence by the restraint of the ‘Prana’, the mind becomes quiescent. When the mind abandons the movement of thought, the appearance of the world-illusion ceases.

The movement of ‘Prana’ is arrested at the moment when all hopes and desires come to an end in one’s heart through the earnest practice of the precepts of the scriptures and sages, and by the cultivation of dispassion in previous life-span or through endeavouring to practice contemplation or meditation and reaching a stage of devotion to a single truth in a single-minded way.” (Yoga-Vashishta)

In Hindi the mind is known as ‘Mana’ i.e. 'Ma+na' and when you reverse it becomes 'Na+ma' i.e. to be polite. If one, who wants to control over his mind, just reverse it, means be polite in life, then the mind will be under your control.
· "Mana eva manushyaanami karanam bandh mokshayoh" (Upanishad) means one can attain salvation as well as bondage of birth and death because of the mind only.
· “The Brahma (God) is attainable by the mind (and not by physical senses). There is no plurality in Him, for He is one. He who considers God as many (and not as one) goes from birth to death and does not attain salvation.” (Kathopanishad: 4.11)

The mind can also be controlled by the worship of formless Omnipresent God, study of the Vedic literature, politeness, austerities, change of environments, company of the learned and poise people, listening religious-preaching, and trust in God and &c. The most important thing to be observed is "Self-confidence". Without self-confidence nothing can be achieved in life.

[It is a vast subject to understand the ‘Mind’ properly so fearing limitation of time and space hence it is difficult to express all the points here. One big book can be written on it. Only important information on this subject is expressed here.]

To fix the mind at one place and then continuous remembrance of God’s nature-attributes-characteristics, for attainment of God (i.e. to know and realise Him), through ‘Gayatri – Mantras’ (or any other Vedic-manta) or repeating His personal name “OM” and in that period not to think of anything except God, is called “Meditation”.

It is also called to be the act of listening to God. Where prayer is the act of talking to God, Meditation is not just for connecting to your soul, but is an excellent remedy for life's stress and confusion.
Goodness of Pure Mediation:
Reading the scriptures or listening to religious discourses does not make us better people. For improving our personality, health and perspective and also in the process attain self-realisation, we have to meditate. Meditation is purely a matter of experience. Reading about the method and procedure, meaning and scientific aspects and benefits of “Yoga and “Meditation” from various sources does not help in actual meditation. That is only information; not knowledge. The information culled will prove to be useless unless it is applied to the practice of meditation. So to be a meditator, one has to practice daily.

For the practice of yoga there is no need of giving up all worldly activity, family, friends, society, profession etc. All we have to do is to set apart some time every day as part of the daily routine. It is not correct to think that spirituality and activity are incompatible. The Bhagavad-Gita advises us to perform action from our transcendental consciousness. So meditation and action are not opposites; rather, they go hand to hand. In ancient times meditation was considered one of the essential components of life. People would practice meditation as a part of their daily routine. In today’s context meditation assumes even greater relevance. For lasting peace, order, happiness and harmony in life, meditation is the best tonic and medication of all evils.

We are the only life forms in the universe who violate natural laws with impurity. Nature does not know how to pardon a violator. As a consequence, punishment is inevitable. This could be in the form of sickness and suffering, tension, stress, conflict, crime, terrorism, drought, flood, fire etc. We also violate national and international laws.

Keep peace and live in accordance with the natural laws; we have to develop higher state of consciousness. What is consciousness? Consciousness is the essence of life. It is just like a sap for the tree. Every word that we speak and act that we perform is an impulse of consciousness. Since consciousness is the most basic element of every one’s life. Knowledge of consciousness is the basic necessity of every one to exist and enjoy to the full, life. Consciousness is within us. It is not outside of us. It is a permanent, un-manifested, un-bounded, infinite, self-referral state. It is the source and goal of all creation.

State of Meditation:
To experience qualities of consciousness, we have to practice “Yoga and Meditation”. Meditation and Yoga are mental techniques to find inner silence (Peace). By meditation, individual awareness blooms and experiences a unique state of restful alertness, in which the body becomes deeply relaxed and the mind transcends all mental activities and experiences absolute silence. In meditation, the mind and the intellect have no work. It is a state of no-mind, no-identification of oneself. It is a world of peace, bliss and happiness.
The great sage Mahar’shi Patanjali, the father of Yoga, has given a scientific basis to Yoga. According to him, Yoga, is not a therapy, it is a discipline. A discipline is needed even when you are in good health. Today, we are increasingly turning to alternative medicine. As a result, practice of Yoga has become limited to a few persons. Yoga can be practiced by anyone irrespective of age, caste, community, religion, faith or belief. Yoga is not a temporal practice; it is a life long process. The Yoga-Sutra has clearly stated that Yoga must be practiced consistently with complete devotion, perseverance and regularity.
To make Yoga accessible to everyone whether he or she is a homemaker, office goer, student, factory worker or an agriculturist, Yoga should be viewed as being independent of an ascetic lifestyle. One can enjoy the bliss and peace of meditation without having to adopt an ascetic way of life. In any case, spiritual life is not restricted to the confines of monasteries, hermitages of ashrams.

Today, we are always short of time. We talk of ‘sparing’ some time for important activities. As meditation is a valuable activity, proven by science, complaining about of lack of time is irrelevant. Yoga can help find the solution to every problem because it helps us to develop a higher state of consciousness.

Benefits from Meditation:
To meditate God’s name or to think of his name it shows that we want something from him. Man is of selfish nature and no one remembers anyone without a reason. There ought to be some cause. There is no use meditating if there is no gain from it. There are very important, interesting and inquisitive reasons to be understood by all our religious readers.
Firstly: If one is to meditate God i.e. to meditate on His name, he must have to know God’s personal/original name by which he is going to meditate.
Secondly: Some meditate on God either when he/she is in trouble and wants to get rid of them or when he/she wants some help and inspiration from him. There are very few people who love Him and want His bliss and to express their gratefulness, because He is the only One who listens to all.

· "Yasya Naama Mahadyashah" (Yajurveda: 32.3) which means "God is great because He does all good things for us. It is a duty of every human being to adopt His attributes-nature and characteristics.

We must understand one thing clearly that is the personal and original name of Omnipresent God. God is called by hundred different names (such as "Paramatma, Ishwara, Prabhu, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Ganapati, Shiva, Shankara, GOD, Khuda, Khoda, Allah" etc.,) by virtue of possessing manifold nature, attributes and characteristics. But His personal name according to the Vedas and Vedic literature is said to be “AUM”, pronounced as “OM”, because in the Veda God has declared His personal name as "OM". Here are some proofs: -

· “OM Kham Brahama” (Yajurveda: 40.17) i.e. God is above all whose name is “OM”.
· “OM Krato Smara” (Yajurveda: 40.15) means O man always remember God whose personal original name is “OM”.
· The Holy Quran says: "Asharaful Makhlooquat" means "Man is the best in this Universe." So it our duty to remember God to express our gratitude towards Him.

You must have observed that if one does a little favour for someone else, he thanks him many a times. God has given everything to us, then why not thank Him? Because of Him we exist. Because of Him we are lucky to see our father, mother, brothers, sisters etc. We should always thank Him by obeying His Commandments. One should perform prayer and worship Him with full faith and love, not with fear. By worshipping Him one acquires the attributes of God. God is blissful so with communion one becomes blissful. Whoever is in contact with Him gets His bliss. God is everywhere but because of his ignorance, man cannot experience His bliss. Surrender to Him and see what happens. Remember one thing that God loves those who love Him. God sees those who see to Him.
God does not become happy or feels sad when one does or does not remember Him. It is we who remain separated from His Bliss and Blessings. God is not affected if we remember Him or not.
"Let a man; therefore, try to acquire His virtues (i.e. to be like God in nature and attributes etc.).Thus let him be great by the performance of great works let him be powerful among the powerful, let him augment his power; let him never commit a sinful act. Let him be kind to all. Let him perfect his means of progress. Let him develop technical arts and with their help, make different kinds of things. Let him do unto others as he would be done by. Let him protect all. Let him be learned amongst the learned. Let him diligently punish the wicked and protect the good. In short moulding one's nature, attributes and character in accordance with those of God alone constitutes the true method of taking His name." [Light of Truth: XI]

· "Yasya Naama Mahadyashah" (Yajurveda: 32.3) i.e.
"Taking the name of the Great God consists in performing great works of righteousness."

Some important things:
One should meditate (Dhyana) early in the morning between 3.30 and 6 A.M. (these 2½ hours are called Brahma-Muhurt i.e. meditation time for God) and in the evening between 5.00 and 7.30 P.M.; because at these particular times (at sunrise and sunset) the environment remains calm, pure and pleasant. One should take a bath and wear loose clothing so that he can sit comfortably. One should sit in a straight position (posture) on the ground, which should be plain, so that it will not disturb him during meditation. Yog-Mudra is the best position. Face must be in the direction from which air comes freely. Close your eyes, do at least three or more "‘Pranayam" (breathing exercises to control mind) and chant God’s name (OM) with its meaning with a pleasant and fresh mind. In this way repeat "OM" slowly and at the same time try to feel happiness. God is formless, all-pervading and resides within you in your heart. God is the Lord of all. He is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient. He is our Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Teacher etc. He is Justice and merciful. God is within us. He listens everything what we repeat in our mind. Try to visualise Him according to His attributes, nature and characteristics and feel His presence outside and inside you. He knows you and your feelings. Always remember God’s Greatness and His attributes, in this way one becomes pure and his deeds become good.

"In short moulding one's nature, attributes and character in accordance with those of God alone constitutes the true method of taking His name." At the time of death only these righteous deeds i.e. "Dharma" (righteousness) go with the soul and that is only the achievement of human life.
The repetition of God’s name without its meaning with closed eyes does not make any sense or gain. This is only a waste of precious time. Once the time is gone it’ll not come back, so one should learn the correct method of meditation.

By meditation i.e. repetition of God’s personal and original name "OM" man experiences the bliss of God that cannot be described or expressed in words. One cannot even know how time has passed; where he is sitting; how he is sitting etc. God’s bliss is the real the gain i.e. "Meditation”.
There should be a system or code of conduct to be followed by man to remember God’s name. It is good to have some time fixed for meditation. "Sandhya" is the best time for meditation. Sandhya is the time when day and night meet i.e. early in the morning and late in the evening; more commonly known as sunrise and sunset or dusk and dawn. At this time i.e. during morning before sunrise and before sunset in the evening, the air is richer with oxygen in the atmosphere that gives energy to our nervauric forces, called ‘Prana-Shakt’ which helps in meditation.

The time from 3.30 to 6 A.M. is called “Brahma Mururat”. At this time air contains the maximum quantity of Pure Oxygen, which is healthier for us to breathe. Moreover mind also remains fresh, calm, cool and pure; hence this is the best time for meditation. There is a scientific reason also to this theory. To understand better here we explain the scientific theory as follows: -

Scientific facts about Meditation:
We take in oxygen (O2) and give out carbon dioxide (CO2) when we breathe. The oxygen helps in metabolism of food and gives us energy for all the vital activities. This whole process is called as respiration. Carbon dioxide is formed during metabolism. It is given out, accumulation of CO2 in the body leads to fatigue and yawning.

Plants also respire at night. During the day plants perform the process of Photosynthesis i.e. they make their own food from CO2 and water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll. During this process Oxygen is released.

Photosynthesis:
The following chart shows the natural process ‘how we obtain fruits & oxygen from plants’ at day time and the same process is reversed when there is no sunlight at night’:

CO2 + 6H2O Sunlight Ô C6H12O6 + 6O2 (Carbon-dioxide) + (Water Chlorophyll*) Ô (Food) + (Oxygen)

(*Chlorophyll =Pigment which gives green colour to the plants)

[The rate of photosynthesis is the maximum in mornings and evenings hours — when there is a red glow in the sky (Red Effect Õ Rate of photosynthesis is maximum in red light). During the stomata (process for gas exchange present in the leaves) close to prevent excessive loss of water by the process of transpiration) plants lose water in the form of water vapour from the stomata. This process is called transpiration.]

Thus, the air is richer with oxygen during morning and before sunset in the evening. This pure air is healthier for us to breathe, hence meditations at these times are recommended in the Vedic philosophy.

On the contrary, one should always take God’s name, whenever he gets time. Even when we are doing some work, in the office, while travelling by bus, train, or plane, anywhere when we are free we must remember God (His glory). With this practice (to remember God’s name) one is free from entangles of worldly problems and remains balanced in pain and pleasure. Death becomes easy and there will be no fear of death for those who always take God’s name.

Preparation for Dhyana or Meditation:
One must find a comfortable seating place (Aasana) where there is a flow of fresh air. It is important that your back (Spinal cord) be kept straight. Gently close your eyes. Start ‘Pranayam’ and begin to focus on your breathing. Watch inwardly as your chest expands and collapses with the flow of air. Now increase the intake of air to fill the belly. Keep breathing in until the belly is extended with air, and then continue to bring the air on up to the top of the throat if possible. Only push your comfort zone slightly. Now hold you breath for the count of 1---2---3---4---5 (you can increase the counts according to your capacity after some days), then exhale gently, slowly, sinking inward as you do so. Again, breathe deeply, extending the abdomen with air, extending the belly and then bringing the air on up as high as you can...Hold for the count of three.... Now exhale slowly, gently, feeling yourself relax, let go, and begin to find that quiet, peaceful place inside. Once more, take deep breath, extending the abdomen, bringing it up into the chest, hold it, and start counting from 1 to 10. Now exhale slowly, softly, feeling yourself become peaceful and relaxed. Repeat this procedure for atleast three to five times. Now focus on the energy you are experiencing. Notice how brilliant it appears! Now begin Take a moment to feel the warmth, the strength, and comfort that this. Allow yourself to float in this safe and peaceful place. Just experience the floating, relaxing, breathing, and Resting. Feel that you are fully safe here. Now bring your consciousness back to the present. Watch yourself in correct posture from inside (without opening your eyes) and feel fully comfortable by adjusting once again.

Now you are ready for ‘Dhyaan’ and your eyes are closed. Do feel that “I am away from all wordily things. My thoughts are free from everything (all evils) and I am trying to visualize Omnipotent God. I am sitting in the laps of Omnipresent God who is my Adorable Father, Mother, Brother, Friend. I am not alone. He is always with me. He is my guardian and I am not afraid of anything. I am pure soul and my supreme Father is the Purest. Today I am going to meet Him and talk to Him freely.

(My eyes are closed and it’s very dark here. I cannot see anything. It’s blank. But I’ll find my God anyhow! Yes! I know that God is Formless, Omniscient, Omnipotent and Just, then why not He adores me? I adore Him, He has to adore me. I am very much confident, today I’ll meet Him.)

In this way one must be ready to visualise God. One thing is to be borne in mind that God is not a thing to be visualised because

He is All-conscious entity. God is formless. He is visualised (felt) by the soul who is also a formless conscious entity.

Again and again one has to practice to meet God. The procedure of this technique is called “Dhyaan or Meditation”.

Once again the same practice but in a different method. Now we worship God by chanting His personal and most Adorable popular name which is nothing but “OM”. God is all-blissful and we want his bliss to become like Him.

Close your eyes and see the deep darkness (It is obvious that when eyes are fully closed and one can not see anything but very deep darkness) and repeat the following words in your clean mind with pure love & dedication: “OOO --- M Aanandah” and repeat the meaning “O God! You are all Blissful, Kindly make us blissful too”. Repeat these words again and again and feel that God is near you and of course! He listens what you say with your inner voice. Feel that He is supplying His bliss to you. And after practicing this technique (Yoga) you will really feel something soothing and energetic in you. You will feel peace of mind -- a real Divine Peace -- love in your heart and compassion in your eyes. Yes! This is Anand (Bliss of God). Now slowly wiggling your fingers and toes, rub your palms to get warmth and touch them on your eyes very slowly rub them. Now open your eyes slowly. Now you are fully back in the present and in relaxed.

This is not a hard and fast rule that one should or must say the same thing or utter same words, but it is must that his intention should be pure and devotional. Take any Vedic-Mantra for meditating God. The purpose of meditation is to create inner-peace and to experience bliss. The Gayatri Mantra is said to be the most beneficial and adorable mantra for meditation of God, because this mantra is said to be full in the sense that it contains ‘Stuti-Prarthana-Upasana’ i.e. Glorification-Prayer-Communion of God. One can chant the Gayatri mantra and its meaning very slowly in mind and enjoy God’s presence in his heart. Gayatri mantra is for everyone. Yes! For everyone! Take any mantra from the Veda, which you can understand and chant properly with correct pronunciation. It is true that chanting of the Vedic hymns in praise of God is a sure way of stabilising the mind. The Simran or remembrance of God’s name, which is already present in our inner-self, can be done neither with tongue nor with the lips. That holy name is inexpressible and hence beyond any language. The Simran of this holy name makes us pure, takes us on the path of true Bhakti and salvation. The words made by man cannot be called mantra.

Important note: The verses/hymns from the Holy Vedas are only called the Mantras. In other words – The hymns/verses/Shlokas/shabdas etc. taken from so-called Gurus, Babas, Bapus &sc. or from any other books except the Vedas cannot be called the mantra. Hence everyone should note that ‘Mantras’ are those verses/hymns that are taken from the Vedas only.

Now you are a different person. You feel a different personality in you. Even others will comment on you that you have changed a lot. This is Meditation!

Sage Kapil Muni - author of the Sankhya Darshan has defined the term "Dhyaan or Meditation" as “the state of mind when remains without any subjectivity / objectivity i.e. without any thought (when the mind is away from worldly objects), is called the "Dhyaan or Meditation”. If there are thoughts in the mind, meditation does not take place. When there is an idol, one is forced to think about its existence, colours, eyes, clothes etc., so the mind will be busy thinking every aspect of the idol and roam in its attributes.
"God being Formless and Omnipresent cannot have an image. If the sight of an idol puts God in one's mind, why cannot this wonderful creation which comprehends the earth, water, fire, air and vegetation and a hundred and one other things? Can one think of God when he looks at the earth and the mountains that are wonderfully constructed? It is altogether wrong to say that sight of an idol makes one think of God. This would mean that when the idol is out of sight, the devotee would not think of God and, consequently when all alone, may succumb to the temptation of committing theft, adultery and the like sins. Believing as he does that there is no one to witness his actions; he would not scruple to commit the most degrading sins. These are some of the evils that result from the worship of idols. Now mark the difference! He, who has no faith in idols and believes that God, is Omnipresent, Omniscient and Just. And God pervades the whole Universe then he cannot even harbour evil thoughts in his mind--leave alone committing sins, because he knows that God witnesses all actions--good or bad--and that he is never away from Him even for a moment. He is fully aware of the fact that if he committed a sin---in word, deed or thought---Just Providence cannot but punish him.

Merely talking of God is of no use; even as the repetition of the word sugar does not give a sweet taste to the mouth, nor does the repetition of the word Neem (Melia azadiracta plant) imparts a bitter taste to the palate. The sensations of sweetness and bitterness are produced only when sweet and bitter substances are brought in contact with the tongue.” [Light of Truth: XI)

"Concentration of mind on a material object is impossible, for it can grasp it at once and after mastering all the details wanders over fresh objects. On the other hand, in the case of Immaterial, Infinite God, do what it will; the mind will never be able to comprehend Him. God being Invisible the mind cannot wander it contemplates His nature, attributes, characteristics and being beatified is perfectly focussed. Had it been possible to concentrate the mind on a material object, all the people of the world would have been able to concentrate their minds, because it remains engrossed in worldly objects such as other minds, one's wife, children and friends and wealth, but no one can concentrate his mind except on an abstract being, because He is Invisible, Hence idol worship is a sin." (Light of Truth: XI)

To meditate on God, one has to keep in mind, some of the attributes of God and enjoy His bliss, so idol is not necessary for meditation. There is no picture of hunger, thirst, pain, pleasure, love etc and no one can shoot their photographs or draw their pictures on paper. These can be experienced by the mind and felt by the intellect, but cannot be described in words.
God is a conscious entity and subject of a conscious entity that is soul. God is all pervading, hence exists within the soul. God resides in the hearts of human soul hence one has to search His presence within him only. To go within, one is not hurdled by any outside objects.

Benefits of meditation:
Believe or not, it does not affect God at all, on the contrary; it is man (the soul) who is to benefit by meditating on God.

Man is a selfish creature by nature, wherever he sees gain, he acts accordingly. (One can cheat his friends for small things, can cheat anyone for receiving a higher position in a society, can also kill his own-consciousness for his popularity in religious society, but mind you, God is Omnipresent and Omniscient. You cannot cheat Him. Meditation helps those who help themselves by doing virtuous things.) On the other hand, God is perfect and complete, so he wants to provide help to all living-beings. Man is the best creature, He is knowledgeable, can think, imagine and work, he knows what is good and bad according to his knowledge. He wants improvements, developments, so he has to obey; he has to believe who is more knowledgeable and intellectual than he is. (Then who is He? He is God--No one else).

In this world there are more pleasures than pains. Man wants only pleasures and tries to get rid of all kinds of pains. Worldly pleasures always result in pains, in other words pains are hidden in all worldly pleasures. Bliss is a natural attribute of God.

Those who are near to Him acquiring His attribute (bliss, of course!) and become like Him, become blissful. [The soul never dissolves in God, so how can the soul enjoy God’s Bliss?] As you all know that fire gives heat and ice gives coolness to one who is very near to them. That means one gets the attributes of the thing that is very near to him. If man wants the bliss of God (the inner happiness) he has to renounce the matter i.e. worldly imperishable, dead, inert, insensate objects. God is full of virtuous nature, attributes and characteristics, hence to acquire His Bliss and Blessings, one has to come nearer to Him, worship Him, communion with Him.

Now one has to decide --what he wants? Does he want to believe in God or no? If man wants to get rid of all pains and sorrows in the world and wants to free himself from the bondage of birth and death, he has to take shelter of the Al-mighty GOD. He has to practice Yoga--the act of communion with God.
Some Important and Useful Tips for prayer and meditation:
1. It is always better for a meditator to have his own ‘Aasan’ (seat) and a specified particular fixed place for his daily prayer and meditation.
2. The floor, ground or platform, where the devotee sits for prayer or meditation should be flat and even, otherwise, it would not be possible for him/her to sit in the right and correct posture.
3. The sitting posture should remain unchangeable throughout.
4. The eyes and mouth should also remain gently closed, when the devotee is having reflection, concentration, meditation and communion with God. Here the recitation of Mantras should be mental with the core of heart.
5. Sheer propensity to complete the prayer and meditation routine as quickly as possible or, exhibitive tendencies of showing and boasting of prayer and medication exercises should be completely avoided.
6. During the course of prayer and meditation, if it becomes unavoidable, for some reason or other, to have a break, or to change the posture; then, after irritant factor is over, the whole prayer process should be repeated again, right from the beginning.
7. In mass prayer, the chorus recitation of Mantras should be with proper accent and rhythm.

Dear viewers!
God Bless You!