Dhyana is the continuous flow of divine thought in an unbroken chain. [Patanajli Yoga Sutra III.2]. This is achieved by concentration on a particular location, may be the tip of the nose, or preferably between the eyebrows. It leads to Samadhi. Patanjali, the yoga teacher, says ‘By ‘Ishvara pranidhana’, sacrificing all to Ishvara comes samadhi’. Learn to surrender all of your labour of your spiritual practice to the Supreme Being. Surrender yourself completely; offer all fruits of your action, connect your little will to the divine will, and then a miracle takes place. That Truth, that Reality which shines within, which also shines outside in all beings, reveals itself in all its glory, and then comes communion between the soul and the Oversoul.
Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi, the three
together is called samyama. Meditation should begin with gross objects and
slowly rise to finer and finer ones until it becomes objectless. It should lead
to a state of ‘choiceless awareness’. The meditative state is the highest state
of existence. It brings total happiness and real enjoyment incomparable to any
the senses could bring.
Regularity in meditation is a sine qua non. One should select a
suitable place and time, take the appropriate asana, like the Padmasana, and
practice dhyana with utter sincere devotion. Concentration on a physical law
like the law of gravitation, flow of light, expanse of space, or a spiritual
idea like the mahat tattva with clarity and bhavartha will yield immense joy
and happiness. Reading holy scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita. Through
concentration, one can gain penetrative insight; subtle esoteric meanings will
flash out in the field of mental consciousness. Inner depths of meaning and
philosophical significance become very clear. One has to train the mind in concentration
on various subjects, gross and subtle, big and small and in the end a strong
mind and will power will emerge.
Meditation will become habitual and
brings supreme joy after some time. Discussions result in hostility and mental
disturbance. Much energy is wasted. Nothing is gained of endless talks. Everybody
wants to show his scholarly learning and intelligence. In the end both the
parties fight. A wise man will never enter into discussion. He will take every
opportunity to dwell in meditation and will not entertain any thought of
participating in debated and discussions and will avoid them. It is very
important to note that much study of Vedas and the shastras is also not
necessary and much intelligence and retentive memory is also not needed for
self -realization. Only meditation is enough. One should have a calm and
tranquil mind. No meditation is possible without serenity of mind. Serenity is
a rare virtue. It is acquired by eradication of vasanas. With serenity, one can
enjoy unruffled abiding peace of mind. When all vasanas are eradicated, mind
becomes calm and serene, just as the lake becomes calm and serene as the waves
subside. Hence, the Mind Management Rule here is: “Meditate as much as possible
and wherever it is possible”.
One should meditate on the Universe
bearing in mind the interior relations of the earth, the air and the
atmosphere. The air is the means of joining the posterior form the earth with
the atmosphere, the junction. By meditating on this Infinite Universe, the mind
goes beyond the trifling pre-occupations andattunes itself to the Infinite,
One should meditate upon the Light.
Fire is the prior form, the Sun is the posterior form, water is the junction,
and lightning is the means of joining.
One should meditate upon Learning.
The Teacher is the prior form, the pupil (student) is the posterior form and
the Learning is the junction. Imparting of instruction is the means of joining.
One should meditate upon the Progeny.
Mother is the prior form, father is the posterior form, progeny is the junction
and procreation is the means f joining.
One should meditate upon the Self.
The lower Jaw is the prior form, the upper jaw is the posterior, Speech, or the
vocal organ is the junction. Tongue is the means of the union.
These are called the ‘Great
Combinations’. He who meditates upon these conjunctions, as expounded
above, will attain progeny, wealth, and the abode of heaven. There is no hard
and fast rule regarding the time, place and postures, but based on the facility
available and agreeableness one can meditate. All meditations except that on Paramatman
are symbolic.
“Om”, the symbol and designation of Brahman-
the Object of profound meditation and the highest spiritual efficiency is
attributed to it is the quintessence of Veda. Veda is derived from ‘Vid’ meaning
Knowledge [Chhandogya Upanishad II 23].
“Oh! The Supreme Lord, cheer me with the
intellectual vigour. Oh! Lord, may I be
the possessor of the immortal Revelation. May I be able and active in my body;
may my speech be sweet and agreeable to the highest degree; and, may I, with my
ears, listen abundantly clear (so that I may learn). Thou art the sheath of the
Supreme Being, the “Om”, I pray to thee, to preserve my learning”.
This is a prayer addressed to the Supreme
Being, the Grantor of all wishes, asking for mental power and physical fitness
without which Knowledge of Brahman is not possible. [Kathopanishad I 15-17; Prashnopanishad V 2-7; Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad V 1.1; Mundakopanishad II 2.6; Mandukyopanishad V. 11; Bhagavad-Gita
Ch. IX. 17; and Manu XI].
Meditation and Self-culture are ancient
practices, as old as the Vedas. The
preliminary process of attaining purity of mind by a life of self-control
(Righteousness) is given in the following:
“Yunjjana prathamam Manasthatvaya
savithadhiya;
Agnerjyotirnichayya
Prithvya Adhyabhavat."
First, harnessing the Mind and the senses
with a view to realize the Truth, and then having found out the Light, of the
fire, the evolving soul brought itself out of the earth. The Sun is used as a
synonym for ‘Antaryamin’ (the Ultimate Principle) as the source of all
creation, working constantly and eternally in the hearts of all beings to raise
them to higher and higher levels of life (thus evolution is caused behind the
scene). All evolution is to be traced ultimately to the working of divinity
‘within’. Only those rare few who know the glory of the Immanent Soul
(All-pervading, all-knowing, Infinite and the Self- Luminous) undergo the necessary
discipline and spiritual practices. The wise do, indeed, control the activities
of the intellect, and practise meditation and Dharana, Concentration.
Sit down for a few minutes and pray:
“Tejosi tejo mayi dehi,
veeryamasi veerya mayi dehi;
Balamasi balam mayi
dehi, ojosi ojo mayi dehi!"
This is a very simple prayer mantra to
ask for purity, energy, strength and peace of mind. This is a very effective
mantra from Shukla Yajur Veda Samhita 19.9.
It gives enormous strength of mind and
self-confidence. Meditation gives good relaxation to tired mind and body. Close your eyes and take the name of the Lord
and chant. If you get sleep, it is good. Continue meditation when you get up.
But this going to sleep in meditation should not be developed into a habit. It
will not help spiritual attainments. Meditation should be done with total
awareness, not in sleep. A man getting up from sleep may be fresh and look
refreshed; but a man coming out of mediation looks bright, radiant, and more
energetic. Meditation helps to calm nerves and reduce tension. Very nervous
people cannot meditate. So, first the tense nerves should be calmed down. We should control all our sentiments and
feelings, good or bad. And make the mind passive. We should concentrate on the
Infinite and tune our mind towards the Supreme Lord. Fill the mind with the
holy image and the harmonizing vibrations of the holy sound, ‘Om’.
Before we go to bed, concentrate on some
holy idea or think of some divine form; ths will help to get a sound sleep.
Keep the mind engaged in the Divine, by chanting Lord’s name or ‘Om’. It is not
good to combine Japa with sleep. Japa before and after sleep is good. Normally,
japa of the required number of chantings should be completed for good results.
Find the center of consciousness at the heart level, ‘Ajnya’ level, and
concentrate on this at the time of japam and meditation for excellent results.
Sattvic food, rhythmic breathing, constant
awareness of mind or alertness and feeling one with the environment are the
important requirements for success of meditation. Patience, good disposition,
kind and benevolent attitude towards others are virtues. Establishing in
oneself is important for a harmonious and peaceful life. Impatience, anger,
dissatisfaction and disgruntled behaviour will spoil the mood and bring
unhappiness to self as well as others. Pleasant mood should be practiced despite
any odds and, it is very difficult. But, it comes easy with meditation. Our
own mental impurities, desires and passions, tendencies and impressions,
attachments are major obstacles to meditation. Meditation requires a pure mind
and meditation creates a pure mind!
Japa
Japa means chanting of a mantra. The word comprises
of ‘Ja’ meaning, ‘destroys birth and
death cycle’ and the syllable ‘Pa’
meaning, ‘destroys all the sins’ [Agni
Purana]. Thus, Japa has the potential to unite the soul with the Supreme
Being. It has miraculous powers that infuse us with courage and
confidence. Vedic mantras are very
sacred. Hymns of the Vedas are known as mantras.
Some of the mantras are the prayer mantras. One such hymn in the yajur Veda
is the Gayatri mantra. It is a beeja mantra or seed syllable, derived from
ancient primeval sounds. Lord Shree Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, amongst
the mantras I am Gayatri. Gayatri
mantra has the latent spiritual power by which regular japa and meditation can
transform the mind into prajnya or wisdom. Chanting of this mantra, the
‘Gayatri’, with concentration and understanding, brings inexplicable peace,
calm and solace to the disturbed mind.
Samadhi
As already stated, there are different layers of consciousness. Normally, we work within a circle of what appears to be rational and this comes within the conscious sphere. Here, self-consciousness accompanied by an individualized will is functioning. There are the sub-conscious and super-conscious levels besides the unconscious and we are rarely aware of these in our normal work. Yogis claim that even the internal organs of our body that are normally independent of our control like breathing, pumping blood, pulses can be brought under conscious control of man. This is the ego-prompted rational level and self-conscious. This is in contrast to the ego-less and uncontrolled instinctive level commonly found in animals. “The Yogis hold that the mind can go beyond the self-conscious level of the mind”. Just as unconscious work is beneath consciousness, so there is another kind of work which is above consciousness and which also is not accompanied with the feeling of egoism. The feeling of egoism is only in the middle plane. When the mind is above or below this line, there is no feeling of ego and yet the mind works. When the mind goes beyond this line of self-consciousness it is called ‘Samadhi’ or Super-consciousness. When a fool goes into Samadhi he wakes up an enlightened person. This will be the effect of Samadhi on persons who practises all the eight steps of yoga to the point of culmination in Samadhi. ‘Samadhi’ is the culmination of the steps to ‘Self Realization’. It leads to Brahmananda; but it is very difficult to reach this stage in the ordinary way of life. It is said, that the culmination of spiritual exercises in ‘samadhi’ will bring immense happiness and bliss that is un-surpassed by any other effort. This bliss is not comparable to any other joy. Those few who have experienced this bliss will be ever ready to share their happiness and bliss with their devotees. They see divinity in all souls and make no distinction of caste, creed, birth, or worldly accomplishments in their devotees. In the Hindu way of life, this is the ultimate one can achieve and it is the aspiration of all spiritual seekers to reach this stage, called ‘turiya’, and experience the Bliss of ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’, i.e., Brahmananda.
The meditative state is the
highest state of existence. It is only the contemplative, witness-like study of
objects that bring us real enjoyment and happiness. Samadhi is also known as
‘Jnyana’ (Knowledge) or Realization. It
is not a state of unconsciousness.
Samadhi is the complete forgetfulness of all thought by first making it
changeless and then identifying it with Brahman [Patanjali Yoga Sutra]. It is
‘Pure Consciousness’.
The state of Samadhi is the final stage
of spiritual attainment. But, it is very difficult to reach this stage without
much effort. Many obstacles such as idleness, desire for sensual pleasure,
sleep, dullness, distraction, lack of inquiry, sudden disinterestedness or loss
of enthusiasm to puruse it further and eagerness to taste joy and a sense of
blank-mindedness appear while practicing Samadhi. So, one has to guard against
all these obstacles and get rid of them; one has to pursue the effort to reach
the state of Samadhi with steadfastness and with firm determination.
The next highest state after ‘Turiya’ (Samadhi) is ‘Sushupti’. One attains the Brahman in
this state. There will be no body-consciousness or mind-consciousness in this
state. It is Absolute Brahman! It is not possible to stay in this state for
long. One has to come back to ‘Turiya’ and constantly strive for the ‘Eternal
Bliss”
It is not the intention here to go into
the details of ‘Samadhi’, or ‘Turiya’ state, and its benefits since the main objective
of this book is to live and work in this sensate world happily, peacefully and
successfully. It is with this intention
that the householders’ approach to Self Realization is stressed. Without taking
recourse to going to forest (‘vanaprasthashrama’), staying in the family and
achieving the fulfillment is the goal of this book, ‘Mind Management
Techniques’. The ‘sat’ (True) ‘nyasa’ (maarg) i.e.,‘ sanyas’ through mind
control or mind management is the real pathway to Self Realization. It is not
Sanyas with ochre robe and total abandonment of family responsibilities that is
advocated or sought for here. Life is to enjoy and everyone should enjoy it
fully; the Vedas and Upanishads fully support and encourage this fulfillment
and offer a number of mantras or techniques for this purpose. A few such
mantras are given in the opening pages of this book.
No comments:
Post a Comment