How to Meditate – By Swami Venkatesananda – Part-8

[Ravishankar.G]

Dear all,

Good evening to all of u and have a divine blessed day ahead…..

Meditation tips Contd....

Of course all that has been described so far is no more than japa or the
repetition of a mantra and the visualisation of what that mantra
represents. These are effective aids.

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras suggest the following:

When the name and the form are perfectly steady, the student begins to
question it. "Is this the reality? Is this the self? Is this god? Is it
not my own imagination, the object of my thought, the projection of my
mental conditioning?" This questioning is not just mental or
intellectual exercise; it is much deeper, for by this time the mind is
fully concentrated, the image is clear and steady, and the mind is calm.

The answer to all these questions is an obvious 'yes'. However, the student
does not abandon the whole thing and get up and walk away. He enters
into himself even more deeply. The enquiry may continue along these
lines: "This is not the self or the reality. But, then, what is it? How
is the unuttered sound heard within: what is it made of? How do I see
this image, where is it, and what is it made of?" Surely, there are no
verbal answers to these questions! The sound is not made in the usual
way (by the vocal cords, etc.). The image of god (or whatever it is
that is chosen for the inner visualisation) is not there as a solid
substance.

What is it made of? 'The mind-stuff' is an unacceptable answer: it is an expression as meaningless as the other
one we suggested to ourselves as an aid—'god within'.

To be meaningful it must be as real and as clear to you as this paper is.
Thought answering a question concerning thought is waste of time.
Hence, we pursue the enquiry by direct internal observation. The vital
aspect of this part is to reject all thoughts concerning this
phenomenon.

At this stage the observing consciousness looks steadily at the object.
There is no movement of thought. There is great clarity. Suddenly it
becomes clear that the object is but a reflection, a projection in the
indivisible consciousness. Thus the division between the observer and
the observed is abolished; and this gives rise to an experience of
inner delight.

!!! Will continue !!!
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Guided "Hare Rama" Meditation at Redding, CA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zKmGSCgkuI
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Chanting the Mahamantra :
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
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