About Meditation
Quotes on Meditation
A very simple meditation technique
you can learn in five minutes
Practical Hints for Meditation
Getting Comfortable for a Sitting
Meditation
A very simple meditation technique
you can learn in five minutes
Practical Hints for Meditation
Getting Comfortable for a Sitting
Meditation
Paramhansa Yogananda On Meditation
Subscribe to the Daily Meditator
Prayer Before Meditation
Engineered for Divinity - The Brain
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The Battle of the Mind in Meditation: A Devotee’s Journey
by Nayaswami Diksha
In Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings, the proper use of will power is essential for success in
every undertaking. As a meditation teacher, however, I’ve found that people often become
discouraged by mental restlessness and give up after only a few attempts to meditate. But,
through the proper use of will power, anyone can overcome restlessness and achieve major
progress in meditation. In my own struggle to meditate deeply, I’ve learned a few things that may
prove helpful.
Seclusion: a turning point
My first real breakthrough in my battle against mental restlessness came during one of my early
weeklong seclusions at Ananda Village. Seclusions are usually a time for going deeper in
meditation, but I began mine in a discouraged state. Certain recurring, negative thoughts had
followed me into seclusion. Whenever I tried to meditate, I was assailed by thoughts of my
imperfections as a devotee, and the notion that I wasn’t “good enough” to meditate well.
After two days of this, I became so desperate to escape the tyranny of my mind that I decided to
take charge. When the discouraging thoughts began again, out loud I shouted, “Stop it, get out!”
Then, out loud and with strong will power, I started instructing myself in the basic steps of
meditation.
I guided myself through the full body relaxation exercise, followed by 6 to 8 rounds of measured
breathing. (Inhale 8, hold 8, exhale 8.) Then I mentally guided myself through the Hong Sau
meditation technique: I watched the breath, repeated the mantra, and absolutely refused to let
anything divert my attention. I was completely focused on the mantra and the breath—my lifelines
to peace.
A profound experience
Soon thoughts began to dissolve and I started to relax. Gradually I was feeling more and more
peaceful. After about 20 minutes, I let go of the mantra and became absorbed in a deep state of
peace. I went so deep that I wasn’t even aware of my own existence. There was no body, no mind,
no “I,” only peace. The experience was profound.
Toward the end of my meditation, an image emerged. I saw myself as an adult, embracing a baby
in my arms. I knew intuitively that I was that baby, and I understood the message: “If you want to
achieve depth in meditation, you need to accept and embrace yourself as you are. Only then can
you make progress.”
That meditation convinced me that I could experience deep meditation, perhaps even samadhi
(oneness with God). What I most needed was to resist, with strong will power, the negative
thoughts that were pulling me down...
For complete article go to Clarity Magazine Online.
by Nayaswami Diksha
In Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings, the proper use of will power is essential for success in
every undertaking. As a meditation teacher, however, I’ve found that people often become
discouraged by mental restlessness and give up after only a few attempts to meditate. But,
through the proper use of will power, anyone can overcome restlessness and achieve major
progress in meditation. In my own struggle to meditate deeply, I’ve learned a few things that may
prove helpful.
Seclusion: a turning point
My first real breakthrough in my battle against mental restlessness came during one of my early
weeklong seclusions at Ananda Village. Seclusions are usually a time for going deeper in
meditation, but I began mine in a discouraged state. Certain recurring, negative thoughts had
followed me into seclusion. Whenever I tried to meditate, I was assailed by thoughts of my
imperfections as a devotee, and the notion that I wasn’t “good enough” to meditate well.
After two days of this, I became so desperate to escape the tyranny of my mind that I decided to
take charge. When the discouraging thoughts began again, out loud I shouted, “Stop it, get out!”
Then, out loud and with strong will power, I started instructing myself in the basic steps of
meditation.
I guided myself through the full body relaxation exercise, followed by 6 to 8 rounds of measured
breathing. (Inhale 8, hold 8, exhale 8.) Then I mentally guided myself through the Hong Sau
meditation technique: I watched the breath, repeated the mantra, and absolutely refused to let
anything divert my attention. I was completely focused on the mantra and the breath—my lifelines
to peace.
A profound experience
Soon thoughts began to dissolve and I started to relax. Gradually I was feeling more and more
peaceful. After about 20 minutes, I let go of the mantra and became absorbed in a deep state of
peace. I went so deep that I wasn’t even aware of my own existence. There was no body, no mind,
no “I,” only peace. The experience was profound.
Toward the end of my meditation, an image emerged. I saw myself as an adult, embracing a baby
in my arms. I knew intuitively that I was that baby, and I understood the message: “If you want to
achieve depth in meditation, you need to accept and embrace yourself as you are. Only then can
you make progress.”
That meditation convinced me that I could experience deep meditation, perhaps even samadhi
(oneness with God). What I most needed was to resist, with strong will power, the negative
thoughts that were pulling me down...
For complete article go to Clarity Magazine Online.
