Dhyana (Practice of Mind control) Part- 1 -by H.H Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

[Ravishankar.G]

Dear All,

None can be without doing any work. So, let the body performs any work but let the mind rest. This is dhyana. Every path, be it Bhakti(Devotion), Jnana(Wisdom) or Vichara (Enquiry) all finally lead to only dhyana. This includes even karma marga (Path of action). Dhyana does not mean just sitting with our eyes closed for long hours. Dhyana is popularly believed to be meditating on a form of God but even japa of a Mantra done inwardly is Dhyana only.

Chanting the Mantra outwardly is japa and it becomes dhyana when done inwardly. Our Dharma always speaks of mind control. This can be brought about only through practice. One can even control the movement of the body and sit for long hours but to hold the mind is very difficult, indeed. The body may be restful but not so the mind. It travels all over the world!

There is an interesting story. A King while on a visit to the temple in his kingdom found that the food offering to God was being distributed amongst those who served in the temple. But there sat a Saint without doing anything but he was also offered a portion of the 'prasada'.(Sanctified food)

The King questioned his Minister, "Well! The garland maker, the player of 'Tavil', the temple priest and the rest who offer services in the temple are given prasada. But what does this man do?"

The Minister explained, "Your Majesty! He sits without doing anything. He is, therefore, given some prasada!"

The King was aghast, "Why give food to the one who does nothing?" and he ordered to stop giving 'prasada' to the Saint.

The Minister said to the King, "Your Majesty! It is very difficult to sit quietly".

But, the King would not listen to him. However, later at the palace the King thought, 'Why not try to sit quietly,' and the next day he tried to sit quietly. But the King was unable to sit quiet even for a few minutes. He went to the temple and gave the order, "From today give the Saint three packets of food!" It is very difficult, indeed, to sit quietly!

One should still the mind through whichever path we adhere to, be it Bhajan(Singing divine songs) or Puja (worship). All sadhanas(Practices) are only for stilling the mind. All desire to do dhyana only. But the problem is that none does not exert any effort in this direction. One can perform Puja or do 'Parayana' (read Holy Texts) easily. With continued practice the mind sets in.

First of all one must set a goal. One should be sure about his need - Is it Liberation from the life's cycle or earn wealth or earn supernatural faculties? You then approach a Guru and learn dhyana. Once you have entered into any practices you must practice it incessantly.

Fix a time for the practice of your sadhana because the mind becomes slave to habits. It will never bow down to orders. If you instruct your mind, "Oh! Mind! from now on do not get angry" will it stop losing its temper? No. Instead, you practice ceaselessly in this direction and the mind is enslavened.

Once you have entered sadhana there should be no looking back. Desire alone will not help but only perseverance.

In reading holy texts or Chanting the divine name (Nama Sankirtan) one does not face adverse effect even if not performed properly. Even if you read the 'Grantas' wrongly or sing with not so melodious a voice one does not face any negative effect. But, a wrong step taken in Yoga or Vichara (enquiry)leads to dire consequences.

Not everyone can do dhyana. At the most one can sit with eyes his/her closed for long hours. It is here that the Guru helps you in knowing your ability and leads you on.

Let us say that we are at a crossroad wondering which direction to take to reach our destination. We ask someone and he points out to the road that leads to our destination. What will be our next move? Just take that route and not stop until we reach the destination. Is that not so? Similarly, once we have come to the Guru who points to us the path leading to the destination sought we should not stop but just rush towards it until we reach the destination. There should be no looking back.

We should move ahead with courage and not with the complex that it is only the Incarnations who can do it and that we simple souls cannot. Such an excuse cannot be accepted.

Many an ordinary mortal has attained liberation with effort coupled with the Grace of the Guru. If 'A' has been successful then 'B', too, can achieve. This excuse of 'I cannot' is a lame one and cannot be accepted at all. We are aware of our goal; have been shown the path to the destination by a Sadguru who guides us all through the way; then what can stop us from moving ahead? Faith in the Sadguru and perseverance will never fail us.

!!! will continue !!!
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Regards & Chant the Maha Mantra:
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
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