I read your book and summarize it in one single word: ‘meditate’. So you’re best placed to answer the question ‘what is meditation?’
Meditation is a process of deep concentration. You can concentrate on anything. Your dog, a flower, a rock, but in yoga we usually concentrate on a part of the body. The tip of the nose for instance, or more subtle, your breath or your third eye. You best prepare for meditation by practicing a kriya. Meditation is most effective when executed with devotion for a long time without interruption. You often meditate with a mantra. Silently, whispering or on the top of your lungs.
Why should I meditate?
In another post you have used ‘a pond’ as a metaphor for your mind and consciousness. You have not mentioned the big waves on that pond. Those are your never-ending thoughts. I distinguish between useful and useless thoughts. In many people, the useless thoughts predominate, they do not contribute to a life in harmony with their soul. Mud is constantly stirred up by the waves, their pond is not transparent. That mud is a metaphor for your karma. So you do not experience reality, you live in maya, you have no access to your soul. By meditating you can still your thought waves and the mud in your pond starts sinking. You start to see the beautiful fauna and flora in your pond.
Why should the mud sink in my pond?
To be able to scoop it out, which is impossible as long as it is mixed with the water. In other words: meditate to clean your mind, to transform your karma into a dharmic lifestyle, to unlearn your unwanted habits. Then you’ll discover at the bottom of your pond a shining diamond. Now you meet your True Self with which you join and connect at last. You meet the bright white light of your True Self instead of the diffuse coloured light of maya.
Sounds promising but how do I start meditating?
It starts with having a certain confidence in the spiritual path, finding a good teacher, practicing a lot and persevering. Discipline is key.
It’s easy for you to talk, you describe this as if it is the only thing I have to do, as if I’m all alone in the world and don’t have to take anything or anyone into account!
This is a very good remark. You want to clean your pond and remove the dirt? It is easier if you use soap. I mean start with adopting the right attitude towards your partner, your family, your acquaintances, strangers, animals, plants and the entire universe. Stop harming them and replace it with virtues like patience, humility, compassion and contentment. You’ll find that the universe will be kind to you as well.
If I do all that, what will it ultimately lead to, what is the goal?
Speaking in terms of usefulness and goals is speaking in terms of ‘doing’. Meditation is not doing. Meditation is ‘being’. We are human beings. The word being is a conjugation of ‘to be’. We are not made to do, but to be.
I will put it another way: what are the advantages of meditation?
You become clearer in mind, you become calmer, more self-aware and you will sleep better. The integration of a meditation starts when it is finished. Like an athlete after training. But now I have to leave. Start practicing. Maybe we’ll meet again someday.
