EVERY MASTER SHOULD KNOW ...MeditationMeditation is the single most important method/practice by the help of which we progress in the acquisition of knowledge of Spiritual Science. And, Spiritual Science is the Science which studies.
Day-To-Day Life and Common Problems:Problems exist in our day-to day life, either because we are weak in will, or because we are ignorant and stupid, or because we hold on to wrong belief systems. Problems also exist because of our tremendous self-importance, because of our laziness and lethargy. Problems, again, exist because we do want to live parasitically, i.e., at the expense of others. Meditation a way of Life by Mahanthi Ramaraju There will be no problems if only one would:
How should one do Meditation? The important steps are as follows:
When one is actively doing conscious breathing, one's normal mind's broadcasting and receptor functions totally case and one is in a 'No-Mind' state. And, no sooner than the 'No-Mind' or 'Non Doing' state is achieved; the 'Other Mind' starts functioning. That is, one comes out in the Astral Body and begins to have new perceptions and new experiences. The latent Kundalini energy in the Etheric body is automatically aroused and one acquires many new capabilities by way of akening of the Inner Senses. Benefits of Meditation: The benefits of Meditation are manifold. Most physical afflictions, i.e., almost over 99%, are psychosomatic in nature, i.e., born in mind and later manifested in the physical. They arise because of mental worries; and all mental worries are because of a certain lack of clarity in analysis and thinking and consequent intellectual immaturity; this intellectual immaturity is due to a lack of basic spiritual knowledge. And, spiritual knowledge is obtained only through Meditation - by having out-of-body experiences. Our practical, Meditational Spiritual knowledge is further strengthened by studying all the existing literature in the field of Spiritual Science, wherein the experiences of meditations are astral travelers etc., are given in great detail. In short,
In Meditation, one's energy is increased through in-flow of energy from cosmic energy sources; new information about alternate realities is obtained; and, consequently, there is a constant Expansion of consciousness. Meditation enables us to be:
The Unaware 'Seed/Sapling Gods' - that we are, through Meditation, reading books, and personal discussions grow into 'Aware Tree God' - full of beautiful 'flowers', 'fruits' and 'shade' for all! What is Meditation? Before we try for understanding what Mediation exactly "IS", it is better to know what Meditation exactly is "NOT"! Meditation is NOT 'Contemplation' In English language, the phrase "meditate upon" is often used, which means "contemplate deeply" or "reflect upon the pros and cons", or "ponder on" etc. However, in spiritual parlance, the term 'Meditation' does not refer to 'contemplation' or 'pondering'. Meditation is primarily NOT an intellectual or mental exertion. Meditation is NOT 'Chanting': In Hindu tradition, Meditation or Dhyana is usually misunderstood as 'chanting' or repeating a divine name'. In fact, that is only "japa". Japa is constant repetition of a name or Mantra. Japa is very commonly resorted to still the mind. However, stilling the mind through Japa is a very, very long drawn-out process. Meditation is NOT 'Prayer': 'Prayer' is nothing but a 'petition' to some unknown power, with a request to take care of one's difficulties.Supposedly, the 'Gods' are to be carried away by the eulogizing and Petitioning and will readily resort to granting all the requested boons! Meditation IS 'Seeing': Meditation is not "contemplation"! Meditation is not "chanting"! Meditation is not "prayer"! Meditation is, primarily stilling all the waves of the Mind, and secondarily, it is 'seeing', or 'witnessing' the activity of the 'Self' or 'Consciousness'. Meditation is a non-intellectual, non-mental and non-verbal phenomenon. Meditation is awakening oneself to Altered State of Consciousness: Meditation is awakening oneself to altered state of Consciousness, wherein one will perceive alternate frequency - reality system, which is all simultaneously coexisting with the present 'VIBGYOR' frequency universe. Our present time-space continuum is but one of the infinite number of other time-space continuums, which are all vibrating at different frequencies. When you are in the act of perceiving and interacting with the non-ordinary dimensions of COSMIC REALITY, you are said to be in Meditation. Cosmic Reality includes all the separate, but inter-connected, individual frequency-reality universes. Meditation is silencing the 'inner-talk' and seeing with the 'third eye': Meditation begins with the silencing of the normal mental activity. There is a constant 'inner talk' that is going on incessantly whenever a person finds himself/herself unoccupied. This continuous inner chatter is called as 'Chitta'. Rishi Pathanjali defined yoga as 'Chitta Vrithi Nirodhaha'. That is meditation is the total cessation of the inner mind. The immediate consequence of the cessation of this chitta, inner mind, is the happening of 'Seeing'. You begin to see flashes of alternate frequency realities. This 'seeing' is done with the help of the activated third eye. Third Eye is 'Ajna' Chakra. Ajna Chakra is the sixth great energy vortex in the Etheric Body. 'Etheric body' is the second of the second of the seven bodies of man; it is also called as 'Pranamaya Kosha'. When should we meditate? Any time is right time for Meditation! However, early morning i.e., pre-dawn hours are the best, as we would be in a proper state of freshness after a full night's sleep. Moreover, there would be darkness still around. Meditation should always be done in darkness and definitely so, for a beginner. In daytime, lights should be switched off and all windows closed so as not to let in any light. How long should we Meditate? One should sit for a minimum of 40 minutes in each Meditation Session. Shorter duration will not be of much help. Slowly, one gets habituated to devote more time. More the duration of a session, deeper would be the estate of Meditation. The Process of Meditation: The whole process of Meditation can be divided into different stages. In terms of Pathanjali and Buddha, they are as follows: PATHANJALI BUDDHA
Pathanjali has said 'Sthira Sukhamasanam', i.e. any comfortable and stable posture can be adopted. However, the best posture is the normal cross-legged sitting posture. This is called 'Sukha-Asana'. Further, the spine, the neck and the head should be kept, as far as possible, in one straight line. Bhagavad Gita has said 'Samah Kaya Shirogreevam'. The hands should be clasped together. This is so because the etheric energy that normally oozes out of the etheric finger-tips should be conserved and kept within one's own self. Eyes should be closed and then we go on to the next step. Pranayama, or Ana-Pana-Sati, or Observing The Breath: After having taken a comfortable and stable posture, having kept the spine erect, having clasped the hands, and having closed the eyes, one should immediately begin to observe one's own breathing.'Ana-Pana', is a Pali pharse to indicate 'in-breath' and 'out-breath'. 'Sati' means 'to be with'. Thus, 'Ana-Pana-Sati' means to be one with the in-breath and out-breath. Normally, man is not at all conscious of the breathing process that is constantly going on in the body. This is so because he is constantly involved in incessant listening, speaking, or thinking activities. Even while he is not doing any of the above, there is a constant 'inner chatter' that is going on, which occupies his inner attention. However, in Meditation, we are to do away with all these activities and concentrate solely on the breathing process. The objective is to be aware only of the breathing process and nothing else. This is called 'conscious breathing' - as against the normal 'unconscious breathing' that constantly goes on in the body. It is perfectly natural that the mind keeps straying off in the beginning and it should be our effort and mission to bring our attention again and again to our chosen object of breath. By and by, with constant practice, we would soon be able to achieve being one with the breath, to the exclusion of all other thoughts.While Ana-Pana-Sati is being practiced, a few points have to be remembered -
Has not "Taoism' repeatedly stressed that - "Easy is Right, Right is Easy! Easy is Natural, Natural is Easy" Natural is Right, Right is Natural ? Keep to the Easy. Keep to the Natural - and you will always be Right! So, only easy and natural breathing is to be adopted. As Ana-Pana-Sati is practiced, we approach the next phase. 'Pratyahara' or Inwarding of The Outer Senses: What happens to you when you are one with your breath? You will encounter a wonderful new silence!Soon, you will find that the magnitude of breath becomes shorter and shorter. Finally, the breath becomes so short that it seems to take place only in the upper part of the nose or what is called as the 'nasika-agra'. This is the space between the two eyebrows. We find, now, that the 'inner-chatter' has totally ceased and that we are in a state of deep inner silence. We enter into such a deep inner silence that we lost totally the awareness of our breathing process too. Now, we cannot hear outer sounds; we go beyond them. This stage is called 'Pratyahara' (Prathi+Ahara) i.e., total inwarding of the outer senses. 'Dharana' or 'Vipassana' or Activation of The Inner Senses: What happens when one is in a state of deep inner silence? "Things" will begin to happen! One will begin to encounter entirely new and unearthly phenomena! One may begin to hear new sounds, see new sights and smell new scents. One may see absolutely brilliant light and new worlds. One will find oneself face to face with several new reality systems. It is natural that in the beginning one would be unable to make 'head' or 'tail' of these new snapshots that one sees. However, one becomes an adept soon and a measure of control in 'seeing' would be achieved. This is the beginning of interaction with the new realities with a greater degree of will and purpose. This is the stage of establishing contacts with astral persons and having dialogues with them. Questions may be put and answers received - all telepathically. Now, we proceed to the next stage i.e., dhyana: The Sanskrit word "dhyana" is actually "dhi + yana". "dhi" = the complex of subtle bodies, and "yana" = traveling. Thus, 'dhyana' means 'travel in higher bodies', i.e., astral, causal or cosmic bodies. Remember that man has seven bodies. Suddenly, we may find ourselves outside our bodies and we may be traveling at a fast pace in new frequency-worlds. This is much like our traveling in a train while seeing the fleeting sceneries through the window. One may also encounter the classic "tunnel experience" i.e., one will see oneself traveling in a deep, tunnel-like hole, at the far end of which one will emerge out into brilliant light and bright worlds. This stage is called 'Dhyana'.It is, natural that in the beginning, it would be a rather random or spontaneous or uncontrolled traveling. But soon, with greater practice, one achieves willful and directed astral travel. And, at deeper levels of Meditation, one will also encounter another phenomenon called 'Kundalini Awakening'. 'Kundalini' is a force that is locked upon in the etheric body in the 'Muladhara Chakra', and when aroused, will help in the activation of subtler energy centers right upto the "Thousand Petalled Sahasrara". This results in the activation of one's higher bodies like the spiritual and cosmic bodies. Subsequently, corresponding higher worlds are visited with the help of these vehicles. Only Ascended Masters live in these worlds. Samadhi or Nibbana or Enlightenment: After an immense amount of 'dharana' or 'Vipassana' i.e., third eye seeing, and an immense amount of 'dhyana', i.e., astral travel, what naturally gets ensured is Enlightenment. Now, one would be able to see and know for oneself one's true multidimensional nature; and, also the nature of the whole "COSMIC REALITY". One would begin the research into one's own 'Akashic Records'. Whatever has 'happened' is 'happening' now, or will happen, in 'future' times, in the various parallel 'Physical' planes, is all automatically recorded or impressed in the etheric matter of the astral worlds. These records are readily available to trained astral vision. Going through the whole tapestry of one's own infinite life-times, one would perceive the inter-connecting thread of the Law of Karma kneading through all of them. One would gradually arrive at the grand understanding (as per 'SETH) that - "You create your own reality, wherever you travel, and in whichever dimension you find yourself". This state of understanding is Enlightenment. This is the stage of 'Samadhi'. Samadhi can be interpreted as 'Sama + dhi' or the state of perfect equanimity of intellect, or also as the stage of having obtained all the answers or 'samadhana's. This is the stage of 'Nibbana'. Now, in this state of Enlightenment, Samadhi or Nibbana, one is unaffected by all the dualities like birth/death; loss/gain; pleasure/pain etc. The restless natue of the mind is truly and finally overcome. The intellect is freed forever from the encumbering 'Chitta' and is available for the firs time for performing its ordained function of Research and Investigation into Cosmic Truth and Accumulation of Practical Wisdom. |
SHOULD KNOW...▐ ABOUT MEDITATION
▐ ABOUT SPIRITUAL SCIENCE ▐ WHO IS A MASTER ? ▐ WHAT IS ENLIGHTENMENT ? SPIRITUAL SCIENCE▐ ANAPANASATI MEDITATION
▐ SCIENCE OF MEDITATION ▐ PYRAMID MEDITATION ▐ MIND & MEDITATION ▐ HEALTH & MEDITATION ▐ BENEFITS OF MEDITATION ▐ GROUP MEDITATION ▐ FULLMOON MEDITATION RECOMMANDEDBE A VEGETARIAN MASTERS WISDOM MAGAZINES BOOKS WEBSITES VIDEOS MUSICS QUOTES |