Meditation – Your Only Duty
Meditation is your only duty.
You must realize the goal of your life: God-Realization. There are several
stages in the path to God-Realization. Purification, concentration, reflection,
meditation, illumination, identification, absorption and salvation. Through
service you should purify yourself and then proceed through concentration,
meditation, etc.; finally you reach the goal of Salvation.
You must do Brahma Vichara in
Brahmamuhurtha. You must enquire "Who am I". Meditation performed for
an hour in Brahmamuhurtha is equal to meditation performed for six hours during
other periods of the day. If you get up at 4 a.m. you will have time in the
early morning for your prayers and meditation. You will charge yourself with
Sattva. You will get strength to face the daily battle of life. Morning time is
most suitable for meditation. The mind then is not filled with Raga-Dvesha as
at other times. You can fill it with Sattva, through meditation, by recitation
of Stotras and hymns.
The mind is duping you every
moment. Therefore, wake up now at least and cultivate this discrimination
through enquiry into the nature of the Self, through Satsanga, study and
meditation.
Meditate on OM. OM is
Satchidananda. OM is infinity. Om is perfection and freedom. Meditate on these
divine attributes of Nirguna Brahman.
Meditate on the nature of the
Self. ‘I am Satchidananda—Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute’. If you are not
able to practise this abstract meditation, then meditate on the Sun, the light,
or the all-pervading ether or air. Meditate on the light that is shining in
your heart. Meditate on the form of your Guru or Saints. Do common meditation
for a few minutes, you will know that real peace and bliss are within. Repeat
your Ishta Mantra; the mind should not move towards the sense-objects, there is
no Vritti; Therefore, you enjoy perfect peace and bliss. Regularly practise
such meditation.
You are not the body composed
of the five elements. Again and again remember this. Meditate on this. You must
find the Atman through reflection and meditation. "Atman knows everything
else; and knows itself, too." That is your real Svaroopa. There is no such
object in this world.
Meditate and sing: ‘Sivoham
Sivoham Sivoham Soham. Satchidananda Svaroopoham.’
Practise Yoga Asanas and
Pranayamas, which will purify the body and mind, remove all diseases and help
in concentration and meditation.
Overcome the Obstacles on the path
Meditate intensely,
ceaselessly. You will grow in cheerfulness and joy. Increase the period of
meditation.
Sleep always disturbs the
aspirant. Take light food at night; dash cold water on the face when sleep
tries to overpower you. Chant OM 10 to 12 times. You will be fit for good
concentration. You can keep a bright light in your meditation room. You can
combine several of these methods; then success is assured.
The moment you sit for
meditation all sorts of evil ideas crop up in the mind. You need not be
alarmed. You gave them a long rope till now; they have come to fight with you
now, because you wish to annihilate them in toto. This is itself a sign of
spiritual growth. If you are steady in your Sadhana, all these evil Samskaras
will die by themselves. You will be established in meditation and Samadhi.
The knots or Granthis – Avidya, Kama, Karma
Original primordial ignorance
is Avidya. On account of this ignorance, there arose desire—Kama. In that Pure
Absolute, there is no desire. Through desire came action—Karma. Desire is
imperfection. You try to seek your happiness in external things. When there is
no imperfection, when there is no desire, you will enjoy the bliss of the Atman.
You should meditate regularly
at a particular hour of the day. Besides, you should keep up the meditative
Bhava throughout the day, by gradual extension. Then you will be tranquil,
peaceful, happy and balanced. You will be able to turn more work more
efficiently.
You have given a definite
promise when you were in the womb that you will meditate and realize yourself.
You have forgotten your promise.
Chant Om. Taste the bliss of
the inner Atman. Every day side by side, along with your duties, practise a little
bit of meditation; a little of Kirtan; study of the Gita or other sacred
scriptures; and introspection.
Spiritualize all your daily
activities. Meditating for half an hour in the morning and then doing all sorts
of evil actions during the rest of the day will not help you; the Samskaras
created by the morning meditation will be wiped out during the day. You must
keep up the spiritual current throughout the day.
If you are regular in your
meditation, all doubts and difficulties will vanish by themselves.
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