Frequently asked questions
1. What exactly is meditation?
2. What is self-realization?
3. What is the difference between meditation and
yoga?
4. What is the difference between prayer and meditation?
5. Is meditation a science?
6. What is spirituality?
7. Is spirituality scientific?
8. What is mysticism?
9. What is the difference between spirituality and
religion?
10. What is spiritual meditation?
11. Do you have to be a monk to be successful in
meditation?
12. Isn't it self-centered to sit around meditating
all the time when there is so much suffering in the world?
13. Is meditation a form of brainwashing?
14. Where did the science of meditation first develop?
15. When did meditation come to the West?
16. What kind of meditation do you teach?
17. Aren't you biased? You only practice one type
of meditation - how can you be objective about other methods?
18. How do you know if this is the right meditation
technique for me?
19. Do I need to have a guru to learn meditation?
20. What does meditation cost?
21. How much time does it take?
22. What are the benefits of meditation?
23. How soon will I feel something in my meditation?
1. What exactly is meditation?
Meditation has been described as a kind of concentrated thinking,
but this does not mean just any kind of concentrated thinking. Concentrating
on a pet rock or an ice cream is not meditation. Meditation is the
process of concentrating the mind on the source of consciousness
within us. Gradually this leads us to discover that our own consciousness
is infinite. This is why the goal of meditation is sometimes described
as "self-realization."
2. What is self-realization?
The goal of meditation is to realize who we really are at the core
of our being. The philosophy of yoga says there are two different
levels to our inner self: our mental or emotional self and our spiritual
self.
The mental self is sometimes called the individual mind. It is limited
because it is strongly associated with our limited physical body
and is the cause of the feeling "I am this individual person"
– our ego. But our real sense of self-awareness comes from our connection
to a wider, subtler form of consciousness. Yogic philosophy says
there is a reflection of an infinite, all knowing form of consciousness
within our minds. This Infinite Consciousness is unchanging and
eternal, and is at the core of our true spiritual "Self".
When we identify with the small ego-centred self this is called
relative reality, because that small self is prone to change and
death. But when we realize that there is a subtler, permanent reality
behind the relative one and we see that our true nature is pure
unlimited Consciousness, this is known as self-realization.
3. What is the difference
between meditation and yoga?
To many the word yoga means a series of physical exercises stretching
and tying our bodies into impossible knots. But these physical postures
are only one aspect of yoga, known as "asanas". The physical
postures of yoga are practiced for their health benefits, and because
they help to prepare the body for meditation. Yoga is both a philosophy
of life and a system of spiritual practice. The word "yoga"
actually means union between the individual self and Infinite Consciousness.
Meditation is the most important practice in the yoga system and
is the means by which this merger or union is achieved. So yoga
is a system or science that enables an individual to develop physically,
mentally and spiritually, and meditation is the practice that makes
the mental and spiritual development possible.
4. What is the difference
between prayer and meditation?
Evidence of the existence of religion dates back more than 40,000
years. Early religions were animistic, believing that the forces
of nature were beings or Gods, and later pantheistic, worshiping
many deities, and assigning divinity to the invisible but powerful
forces of nature that held sway over people's lives. These gods
were feared and were appeased through prayer or sacrifice. As society
evolved, people gradually realised that there must be a single guiding
power behind all these forces of nature, and monotheistic religions
emerged – the belief in only one God. But the relationship was still
based on fear, flattery, appeasement and attempts to persuade God
to grant favours to individuals. Some religious prayer still reflects
this today.
Philosophically, praying to God requesting something or asking God
to do something, even for someone else, is illogical. According
to all the theistic scriptures of the world, God is an all-knowing
(omniscient) and infinitely benevolent being ("God is love"),
who already knows if somebody's mother is sick, or someone is unhappy,
and surely cares enough to do whatever is necessary to help them.
Any concerns, or ideas we have originate with God anyway, so telling
God how to run the universe seems inappropriate, to say the least.
In yoga philosophy it is said that since Infinite Consciousness
has given us everything, we should not ask that Entity for anything.
But if we have to ask for something, we should ask only for more
love for God, which is known as devotion.
Prayer can take various forms. What I've described above is known
as intercessory prayer – asking for God's intervention in our affairs.
More developed forms of prayer include prayers of gratitude, worshipful
prayer, contemplative prayer and meditative prayer. These can help
to bring the worshipper closer to God through cultivating devotion,
the feeling of attraction towards the Infinite Consciousness. But
as long as it is based on a dualistic conception of God, meaning
that human beings and God are kept inherently separate, prayer cannot
be considered meditation. Spiritual meditation places no limit on
our realization. It is a non-dualistic practice, and its goal is
to merge our inner "I" feeling with the Infinite Consciousness.
I think it very likely that all of the great spiritual teachers
practiced some kind of spiritual meditation and initiated their
closest disciples into this practice. This was their treasured "inner
teaching". Often however, with the passing of time, this esoteric
part of their teachings was lost or watered down, their later followers
were left with only their outer teachings about morality and philosophy.
But the key to realising what these enlightened individuals realized
has always been, and will always remain, spiritual meditation.
5. Is meditation a science?
Science (from Latin scientia – knowledge) is most commonly defined
as the investigation or study of nature through observation and
reasoning, aimed at finding out the truth. The term science also
refers to the organized body of knowledge humans have gained by
such research.
Since the yogic approach to spirituality uses both observation and
reasoning to get at the inner truth, it must therefore be a science.
Meditation has been described as "Intuitional Science."
Extensive laboratory tests have demonstrated the physiological effects
of meditation, but this only shows us its external effects. Even
a recording of a person's brainwave patterns is just a measurement
of physical electrical waves. It does not tell us exactly what they
are thinking or feeling. The only real laboratory for testing meditation
is the mind itself, and the results need to be experienced personally.
Another name for this science is "Tantra" – the science
of spiritual meditation, which enables the practitioner to merge
his or her unit mind into Infinite Consciousness.
6. What is spirituality?
Spirituality is that which concerns Infinite Consciousness.
First let me make it clear that "spirituality" should
not be confused with "spiritualism", which is concerned
with mediums, communicating with the dead etc. Spirituality concerns
Infinite consciousness – the same ultimate Truth that was realized
by the great spiritual teachers throughout history such as Buddha,
Jesus, and Krsna. According to spirituality, the goal of life is
to merge the individual mind into Infinite Consciousness, and the
way to attain this is by practicing spiritual meditation.
7. Is spirituality scientific?
The central idea of spirituality – that Infinite Consciousness is
the ultimate reality – is common to most oriental and some occidental
forms of mysticism. It is not so remarkable that this idea is widely
accepted by mystics and philosophers, but in the last century many
scientists have pointed out parallels between quantum theory and
the mystical view of reality described in the ancient texts of Taoism,
Buddhism and yoga.
Not only Albert Einstein but virtually all his contemporaries including
Werner Heisenberg, Niels Bohr, Erwin Schrodinger and Max Planck,
in fact most of the pioneers of modern physics testified to a belief
in mysticism. When Heisenberg (discoverer of the "Heisenberg
Uncertainty Principle") went to India and met with Rabindranath
Tagore, the Nobel prize-winning poet and a great yogi, he was enormously
relieved to find someone who didn't think his ideas were crazy.
The ancient yoga philosophy seemed to be saying much the same thing
about reality as the emerging Quantum Theory. This has been the
subject of much discussion and many publications, particularly since
the 1960s. This topic, though fascinating, is beyond the scope of
this book. I will refer you to some of those publications for a
detailed explanation.
8. What is mysticism?
"The unending endeavour to bridge the gap between the finite
and the infinite is mysticism."
Shrii Shrii Anandamurti
"The most beautiful and most profound emotion we can experience
is the sensation of the mystical. It is at the root of all true
science. Someone to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no
longer stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. That deeply emotional
conviction of the presence of a superior reasoning power, which
is revealed in the incomprehensible universe, is my idea of God."
Albert Einstein
9. What is the difference between spirituality and religion?
The founders of all the great religions taught spirituality, yet
religion and spirituality are not the same. When my own spiritual
master was asked if he was trying to start a new religion he replied:
"I am not interested in religion. I am interested in human
beings and the goal of human beings, and how to bridge the gap between
the two."
Many religions may make the same claim, but the reality is that
all too often the spirituality taught by the founder of those religions
has been lost, or obscured by dogma and ritual. There are profound
differences between the teachings of Christ and the practices of
mainstream Christianity, between what Krsna taught and Hinduism,
between the teachings of the Buddha and Buddhism. Over time, divisions
have developed within religions, which have sometimes led to persecution
and even war. When you look at the darkest periods of religious
history, it is hard to believe that people could depart so far from
the exalted teachings of their great preceptors. The original message
was spiritual, but to varying degrees that spirit has been diluted
or lost through mistranslation and misinterpretation, through the
loss of spiritual meditation practices, through the attempts of
less evolved individuals to cloak spiritual concepts in dogma, and
through religions becoming religious and political institutions.
Within all the major religions there are mystical traditions that
include many of the features of spirituality, but these are the
exception rather than the rule. They do not represent mainstream
religion, and in many cases have even been branded as heresy, and
the propagation of such teachings has all too often been rewarded
with persecution.
What we are left with in our various religions is a somewhat confusing
blend of truth and dogma. If we wish to sift out the spiritual elements
it is important to understand the real differences between spirituality
and religious dogma. With the passing of time, these differences
within mainstream religion have become increasingly distinct:
a. Spirituality is theistic, and has a highly developed and rational
concept of God or Infinite Consciousness. Religious dogma can be
theistic, as in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, or atheistic, such
as Buddhism, Shintoism, and perhaps even communism. Dogmatic Religions
generally have either a poorly developed and irrational concept
of God, or no concept of God at all.
b. Spirituality is non-dualistic, and states that the purpose of
human life is to merge one's self (or sense of "I") into
Infinite Consciousness. Theistic religions tend to be dualistic,
propounding a fundamental separation between God and the world and
the belief that the purpose of human life is to enter into a relationship
with God and go to heaven after one dies.
c. Spirituality is practical, and can be experienced and realized
by practicing spiritual meditation. The focus is inward, taking
the practitioner towards a personal realization. Religions on the
other hand, emphasize faith and belief, and though they teach people
different types of prayer, most of the actual practice is externally
focused, involving rituals, festivals and ceremonies.
d. Spirituality is a lifestyle choice, and is integrated into every
aspect of a person's existence. Much Religion is ritualistic, and
is generally a compartmentalized part of a person's life, practiced
primarily in temples and churches.
Religion can only serve its proper purpose of liberating the faithful
from ignorance and spiritual darkness, to the degree that it remains
true to its original spirituality.
10. What is spiritual meditation?
In spiritual meditation our mind is directed towards a spiritual
idea. The simplest way to conceive of this is to think of infinite
love, peace and happiness, or an entity embodying that. We may call
it God, but the name is not important. What is important is to remember
that this infinite love is within us and surrounding us.
If we pause to consider, it becomes apparent that every experience
we have ever had took place within our minds. If we want lasting
happiness or love, what better place to look than at the source
of these feelings?
Spiritual meditation is concentration on a spiritual idea, an idea
associated with Infinite Consciousness, an idea that is greater
than our selves. As we contemplate this vast and beautiful idea,
our mind is transformed into pure consciousness that has no boundary.
So spiritual meditation is the effort to merge our sense of "I"
into Infinite Consciousness.
11. Do you have to be a monk to be successful in meditation?
Clearly not. Buddha was a monk, but Shiva – regarded by many as
the father of yoga, had three wives. (This was not unusual 7000
years ago). Swami Vivekananda was a monk, but my own Guru, Shrii
Shrii Anandamurti, was married. And many great spiritualists were
women, such as St Theresa of Avila (a nun) and Anandamayi Ma (who
was married).
I chose to be a monk for both personal and practical reasons, but
I certainly do not see it as any kind of pre-requisite for spiritual
practice or success on the spiritual path.
12. Isn't it self-centered to sit around meditating all the time
when there is so much suffering in the world?
It could be. It rather depends what you would be doing if you weren't
meditating. If the answer is "watching television", by
all means, meditate. But if it means you are neglecting your family,
or using it as an excuse to avoid doing something for others, that
is another matter.
13. Is meditation
a form of brainwashing?
While it is no doubt true that the minds of some people could do
with a good wash, I have to say that meditation is not a form of
brainwashing. Usually when people express concern about brainwashing,
they are afraid of losing control of their minds and being manipulated.
Meditation actually helps to protect us against having our minds
manipulated by strengthening our willpower and making us more self-aware.
If you're seriously concerned about other people manipulating your
mind for their own purposes, I suggest that the first thing you
do is switch off your television, a device which is used to great
effect by advertising companies, amongst others, to influence people's
behaviour.
14. Where did the science of meditation first develop?
Tantric meditation was first developed by the tribes of South India
10-15,000 years ago, as an expression of their natural desire to
understand their own consciousness. About 7000 years ago it was
further developed by Shiva, the great yogi of ancient India. This
practice has since spread and been absorbed into different mystical
traditions, including yoga, Taoism, Sufism, Zen Buddhism and Tibetan
Buddhism. Similar practices have also emerged in indigenous cultures.
15. When did meditation
come to the West?
Meditation practices were introduced into Europe at the time of
the ancient Greeks, some of whom travelled to the East and learned
from Indian yogis and philosophers. Alexander the Great, a student
of Aristotle, brought a yogi back with him from India to be his
spiritual advisor. The great Greek mystic and social reformer, Apollonius,
found wisdom in the East and was greatly revered for his spiritual
power. He was an advocate of universal religion and propagated the
idea of internal rather than external worship. Refusing to champion
one popular cult against another, he declared that he "was
concerned with the spirit rather than the form of religion."
The early Judaic and ancient Egyptian religions were heavily influenced
by oriental mysticism, and many people believe that Jesus may have
practiced and taught a form of yogic meditation that he learned
in India during the 18 years of his life that are unaccounted for
in the Bible.
After the collapse of the western half of the Roman Empire in the
fourth century, when most of the libraries of Europe were burned,
yogic meditation practices died out in the West. Later both indigenous
and Christian mysticism were actively suppressed, particularly during
the dark period of the Inquisition. Europe became something of a
spiritual desert, focusing its attention on intellectual and technological
development, militarism, trade, exploration and conquest. Religious
institutions started to take a greater interest in politics than
in spirituality.
But in the 1890s a spiritual renaissance began in Western civilization
with the reintroduction of oriental practices by Swami Vivekananda,
the dearest disciple of the great Indian saint, Sri Ramakrsna. Vivekananda
was the first modern yogic master to come to the West at the beginning
of the twentieth Century. This period saw the emergence of the Theosophists
and Rudolf Steiner's school of Anthroposophy as well as a growing
interest in Eastern mysticism amongst European intellectuals like
Carl Jung, Aldous Huxley, and Herman Hesse. After Swami Vivekananda
others followed, and in the 1960s, interest in eastern spirituality
exploded in Europe and America, quickly spreading across the globe,
even as far as New Zealand. The most refined expression of this
merging of cultures may be found in the writings of the great Indian
mystic and philosopher Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, who was the first
spiritual preceptor to create a harmonious blending of occidental
rationality and oriental mysticism. He was the founder of the modern
spiritual movement, Ananda Marga, meaning The Path of Bliss.
Although spiritual meditation originated in southern India in ancient
times, its influence can be found in many spiritual traditions.
Today it continues to address a universal human need.
16. What kind of meditation
do you teach?
The nature of the object or idea you choose to concentrate on in
meditation will dictate the outcome. Meditation can be done for
spiritual growth, or for relaxation and stress reduction, or even
for some other reason, such as success in a sport or a career. The
distinguishing feature of all spiritual meditation techniques, as
taught in the great spiritual traditions, is that the technique
has at its heart the idea of Infinite Consciousness – it is the
contemplation of the infinite.
In Tantric meditation the practitioner learns a personal technique
through a process of initiation and is taught a mantra which is
repeated mentally. He or she is taught how to withdraw the mind
from the external world and how to concentrate internally. The primary
goal of Tantric meditation is to merge the individual consciousness
into Infinite Consciousness. This is the type of meditation taught
in the modern Tantric school of Ananda Marga.
17. Aren't you biased?
You only practice one type of meditation – how can you be objective
about other methods?
I may be biased – none but an enlightened soul is perfectly
objective. I think the technique I am practicing is the best, at
least for me – otherwise I'd be doing something else. At the
same time, it seems obvious that there are many paths to enlightenment
– otherwise how could people from different traditions have
attained self-realization? I try to keep an open mind, and from
my study of a wide variety of teachings I have understood that there
are common psychological and spiritual principles that can be used
in spiritual practice. The extent to which these principles are
understood and applied will determine the effectiveness of a technique
in taking us forward on the path of spiritual progress.
For example, it is a widely accepted tenet of psychology that "as
you think, so you become." If this principle is applied in
spiritual meditation, it means we should concentrate on the idea
of infinite consciousness. But if we have been taught since childhood
to feel guilty, or afraid of God, this will make it more difficult
to practice. If, on the other hand, we are taught that we are children
of the Divine, and that our true nature is perfect and loving, then
the feeling of bliss in meditation comes far more naturally.
It is not necessary to learn all techniques in order to grasp how
they work. In any event it would not be possible in one lifetime
– it is hard enough to master even one.
18. How do you know
if this is the right meditation technique for me?
This is something you have to decide for yourself. If you come across
a practice that makes sense to you, and feels right, I suggest you
try it. If you then experience that it is bringing the kind of changes
you feel you need, keep doing it. If you experience difficulties,
be patient. Don't be too hasty to switch to another technique. You
may face the same problem again, and be forced to realise that the
problem was with you, not with the technique. If, after giving it
your best shot, it still doesn't seem to be working, try something
else. But don't keep shopping around forever – you should try to
find a technique you're happy with and stick with it. Remember those
holes we were digging for water? If you keep starting new holes
you're going to get pretty thirsty.
19. Do I need to have
a guru to learn meditation?
The word "Guru" means "dispeller of darkness",
and really refers to the Infinite Consciousness acting as teacher
and guide to individual souls. So since Infinite Consciousness is
omnipresent, the real Guru is within us already.
When an individual has attained self-realization, they are often
referred to as a Guru, because the Infinite Consciousness within
them is able to act and speak without the distortions of ego. So
they are able to play the role of a perfect teacher and guide to
others.
In the Bhagavad Giita, Arjuna asked his Guru, Krsna, whether
it was possible to attain enlightenment through the guidance of
the Divine, inner Guru, without the assistance of a Guru in physical
form. Krsna told him that it is not essential to have a physical
Guru, but if you do not, it will probably take you about 10,000
times as long to attain enlightenment.
Thirty years ago, I wanted to learn meditation but I didn't know
how to begin. I read some books on the subject, and with what wisdom
I could glean from their pages I began to practice. Which means
I wasn't teaching myself – I was learning from those authors. Indirectly,
they were my first teachers, even though they were no longer alive.
Soon I realised that I needed clearer guidance and I began searching
for a living teacher.
The fact that you're reading this book indicates that you want information
about meditation. All of the knowledge in this book comes, directly
or indirectly, from a Guru. Practically all of the spiritual books
of the world derive their ideas from great spiritual teachers –
Gurus. If they don't, they should. They are the pioneers on the
spiritual path who go before us and light the way to guide we who
follow. And those who, for whatever reason, do not follow, miss
out on a golden opportunity.
Some people are afraid that having a Guru means you have to follow
someone blindly. This is a misconception. My Guru often quoted an
old scripture that says that if a child says something rational
we should accept it, and if God himself says something irrational
we should discard it like a straw. Genuine spirituality does not
deny rationality.
And what is the rational course when seeking self-knowledge? When
we are entering the mysterious realm of consciousness, the most
rational course is to take the advice of a guide who knows the territory
well.
If you do not have the chance to meet personally with a real Guru
(and they are few and far between) do not despair. It is possible
to learn from a Guru through their writings, through learning of
their inspiring example, and directly from people they have appointed
to pass on their teachings and techniques. And through meditation
it is possible to establish a personal relationship with the inner
Guru, who is ultimately the only Guru anyway.
20. What does meditation cost?
Traditionally spiritual meditation has been taught free of charge
and it is available to all, regardless of a person's economic status.
Meditation is a subtle spiritual practice and no monetary value
should be attached to it. To attach monetary value to meditation
taints and degrades it.
Nevertheless, there is a price. To get results from meditation you
have to put something into it – your own valuable time and effort.
21. How much time
does it take?
I recommend that beginners spend at least 15 minutes twice a day
in meditation. Later this can be increased to two half hour sessions.
This will give a good result, though some people choose to meditate
for longer periods and experience even greater benefit as a result.
How much you get out of your meditation is directly related to what
you put into it.
22. What are the benefits
of meditation?
Extensive studies have been made of the physiological and psychological
benefits of meditation, but I prefer to simply relate the benefits
I've experienced personally from this practice:
a. I feel more mental peace.
b. I am much more emotionally balanced. I am a musician and I can
tell you that this is a very real benefit for someone with a somewhat
"artistic" temperament.
c. I am more creative. I have always practiced a variety of creative
arts, and when I started meditation I felt that I'd tapped into
a rich new spring of inspiration, ideas and insights. Many writers,
musicians and thinkers report that their inspiration usually comes
when the mind is quiet. It seems quite natural that the calming
effect of meditation should give us easier access to the deeper,
creative level of our minds.
d. I discovered a profound Sense of Purpose in life. I have a growing
sense that all life is moving in a positive direction – towards
greater awareness, towards a greater feeling of oneness and harmony.
I feel that I am also a part of that same flow of conscious evolution.
e. Improved self-awareness. Introspective practice makes us more
aware of our own motivations and qualities. This is not always a
comfortable thing, but if we don't see ourselves as we really are,
how can we improve? More often it is inspiring to discover the amazing
potential within ourselves.
f. I have a developing sense of universal love. As I am more in
touch with the source of my own consciousness, I am more aware of
the consciousness in everything. I feel more love within my self,
and greater love and compassion for others. This naturally helps
me relate to others more easily.
g. I enjoy good health – I lead a very busy life – I travel frequently
and there are constant demands on my time. Yet I do not suffer from
the stress related illnesses that afflict many busy people. Meditation
and the natural lifestyle associated with it are definitely a recipe
for a long and healthy life.
h. Improved will power and concentration. Over the years I have
noticed my mind becoming clearer and stronger. If we exercise a
physical muscle, it develops. The same is true of the mind.
i. I really enjoy meditation. Sometimes it is hard work requiring
concentration, but when it really flows it can be intensely blissful
– more blissful than anything else I've experienced. It is far better
than taking drugs, or so I'm told.
j. I am happy. I don't suppose I'm the happiest man in the world,
though I'm working on it. But I know that I am much happier than
I was before I started on this path, and this feeling has grown
over the years. Who wouldn't be? I'm more emotionally balanced,
more creative, I'm developing as a person, I sense a profound meaning
in my life, I feel closer to God, closer to people, I feel more
love. Of course I'm happier. I'd have to be crazy not to be!
23. How soon will I feel something in my meditation?
Here's what happened to a friend of mine.
In the early 1970s, Steve was a young man living in Auckland, New
Zealand. He and his friends had become interested in meditation,
and they all learned from a yogi, an acarya of Ananda Marga like
myself. After learning meditation, Steve practiced very regularly,
for thirty minutes twice a day but he didn't feel any effect. After
a week or two he began to worry and asked his teacher what was wrong.
They discussed what he was doing, and the teacher reassured him
and told him and that he just needed to be patient and keep practicing.
Meanwhile, all Steve's friends were enjoying their meditation, and
some were having nice experiences. He continued. After another two
weeks he became really frustrated and came to his teacher again
and said he was not sure if he could go on. The teacher told him,
"We are having a weekend meditation retreat in two weeks time.
I am sure that if you keep practicing, and come to the retreat,
something will happen."
Reluctantly Steve agreed to keep trying. He was afraid that if he
gave up, his friends would ridicule him, so he kept at it but began
to hate meditation. By the time the time for the retreat came around
he didn't even want to go, but since he had said he would, he couldn't
easily back out without looking like a failure.
The retreat was on Waihiki Island, and everyone had planned to meet
at the ferry in the morning. Now it happened that Steve's house
was infested with wood eating insects called Bora. Since he was
going away, he planned to ignite a "Bora Bomb" – a canister
of poisonous gas which kills these insects and stops them eating
all the wood; otherwise they will eventually make the house fall
down.
So he put his luggage outside, lit the "Bora Bomb", came
out and locked the door. When he got to the bus stop he realised
he had forgotten his wallet. Part of him thought, "Great! Now
I'll miss the bus and I'll miss the ferry and I won't have to go
to the retreat". But he thought he still had to try to get
there in case he was interrogated by his friends, so he ran home.
Then he had to wait for his breathing to slow, as the house was
full of poisonous gas. By the time he had caught his breath, gone
inside holding his breath, retrieved his wallet, and got back to
the bus stop, the bus had gone.
"Good", he thought, "but I suppose I should try to
hitch hike". He was confident that no one would stop as he
had tried to do it before and never succeeded in getting a ride
from this stop. So he put out his thumb. The first car stopped.
"Where are you going?" the driver asked.
"To the ferry."
"No problem, I'm going there too."
He was caught.
He arrived at the ferry just in time to meet his friends and then
he was stuck on the island for a weekend meditating and chanting
and eating vegetarian food, all of which he was now beginning to
detest. His meditation was worse than ever and he was completely
depressed. Everyone else was so happy and high and he thought maybe
he was the only person in the world who could not meditate.
If they had not been on an island he would have left and gone home.
Finally the last meditation session of the retreat began, and he
thought, "This is the last time I am going to meditate in my
whole life. Fantastic!" They were all chanting so happily and
he was thinking, "So what? Who cares? I just want to get out
of here."
He sat down for what he thought would be the last meditation of
his life. Within seconds after closing his eyes he had an amazing
experience. He felt as if the top of his head had been removed and
was open to the whole universe. He lost all awareness of his body
and became lost in a blissful trance. Afterwards he felt overwhelmed
and went up to people in tears saying, "It works, it works,"
like a fool. So that wasn't the last time he practiced meditation
after all.
A colleague of mine calls that my "can opener story".
So how soon will we feel something in our meditation? Everyone's
mind is different, so it is difficult to answer this question precisely.
Some people I know had an incredible experience the first time they
sat for meditation. More commonly, people find it hard at first,
and begin to enjoy it as they develop more concentration and mental
stillness. Some, like Steve, have dramatic tales to tell. Others
give up and never find out what might have happened if they had
persisted just a little longer. One important thing to realize from
Steve's story is that all those weeks when he thought nothing was
happening during his meditation were actually an essential part
of the process, and that a deep change was going on within him all
along. It just took some time to come to the surface.
If we really want to know how long we will have to practice meditation
before we too can taste its benefits, there is only one way to find
out. The sooner we start, the sooner we'll know.
These questions and answers are
from the recently published book
Close Your Eyes and Open Your Mind by Dada Nabhaniilananda
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Email info at anandamarga.org
if you have any other questions.
Learn meditation
now!
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