Paramhansa Yogananda on Meditation
From The Essence of Self-Realization, Chapter Eighteen
By Paramhansa Yogananda
From The Essence of Self-Realization, Chapter Eighteen
By Paramhansa Yogananda
"The soul loves to meditate, for in contact with the Spirit lies its greatest joy. If, then, you
experience mental resistance during meditation, remember that reluctance to meditate
comes from the ego; it doesn't belong to the soul."
experience mental resistance during meditation, remember that reluctance to meditate
comes from the ego; it doesn't belong to the soul."
"The devotee who makes the supreme effort is the one who finds God. Not the one who
keeps seeking excuses, saying, 'Let me find a quiet place; then I'll meditate.'
Procrastinators will never reach God. But if you tell yourself, 'Right now I will go deep in
meditation!' you can be there in an instant.
"When a person is really sleepy, can't he fall asleep anywhere? So is it with the person
who loves God. He can meditate even in a train station or in the market place."
keeps seeking excuses, saying, 'Let me find a quiet place; then I'll meditate.'
Procrastinators will never reach God. But if you tell yourself, 'Right now I will go deep in
meditation!' you can be there in an instant.
"When a person is really sleepy, can't he fall asleep anywhere? So is it with the person
who loves God. He can meditate even in a train station or in the market place."
"One who wants to be a concert pianist will practice at the piano twelve hours a day. If,
instead, his practice consists of pecking half-heartedly at the keys for a few minutes
every day, he'll never become any good as a pianist.
"That's how it is with the search for God. How can you expect to know Him if you only
half try?
"It is very difficult to reach God. If even a concert pianist must work hard to become
successful in his profession, how much more earnestly must the devotee 'work' at
meditation in order to realize the Infinite!
"Here, however, is an encouraging thought: Everyone who makes a sincere effort on the
spiritual path will surely reach his goal. You cannot say that of worldly ambition. Not
everyone can become a famous pianist, no matter how hard he tries. For in every field
there is room at the top for very few. All men, however, can claim their sonship equally
with the Heavenly Father."
instead, his practice consists of pecking half-heartedly at the keys for a few minutes
every day, he'll never become any good as a pianist.
"That's how it is with the search for God. How can you expect to know Him if you only
half try?
"It is very difficult to reach God. If even a concert pianist must work hard to become
successful in his profession, how much more earnestly must the devotee 'work' at
meditation in order to realize the Infinite!
"Here, however, is an encouraging thought: Everyone who makes a sincere effort on the
spiritual path will surely reach his goal. You cannot say that of worldly ambition. Not
everyone can become a famous pianist, no matter how hard he tries. For in every field
there is room at the top for very few. All men, however, can claim their sonship equally
with the Heavenly Father."
"To meditate a short time with depth is better than to meditate for long hours with the
mind running wild.
"In the beginning, therefore, don't force yourself to sit for a long time. Strive for shorter,
but deeper, meditations. Then gradually, as you become accustomed to going deep,
lengthen the time you sit in meditation."
mind running wild.
"In the beginning, therefore, don't force yourself to sit for a long time. Strive for shorter,
but deeper, meditations. Then gradually, as you become accustomed to going deep,
lengthen the time you sit in meditation."
"Don't feel badly if you find yourself too restless to meditate deeply. Calmness will come
in time, if you practice regularly. Just never accept the thought that meditation is not for
you. Remember, calmness is your eternal, true nature."
in time, if you practice regularly. Just never accept the thought that meditation is not for
you. Remember, calmness is your eternal, true nature."
"In meditation, try to go beyond thinking. As long as thoughts enter the mind, you are
functioning on the conscious level.
"When dreaming, you are in subconsciousness; then you are more aware in the astral
body.
"When your consciousness withdraws still more deeply, into superconsciousness,
then you are centered in bliss, in the spine. In that bliss-state you are aware in the
causal body, the soul."
functioning on the conscious level.
"When dreaming, you are in subconsciousness; then you are more aware in the astral
body.
"When your consciousness withdraws still more deeply, into superconsciousness,
then you are centered in bliss, in the spine. In that bliss-state you are aware in the
causal body, the soul."
A devotee was having difficulty remaining awake during meditation. To him, Yogananda
made this suggestion: "Squeeze your eyes shut several times, then open them wide
and stare straight ahead. Repeat this practice once or twice more. If you do this,
sleepiness will cease to bother you."
made this suggestion: "Squeeze your eyes shut several times, then open them wide
and stare straight ahead. Repeat this practice once or twice more. If you do this,
sleepiness will cease to bother you."
"While meditating, don't concentrate on the results of meditation. Meditate, rather, to
please God. If you seek results, you will be disappointed if they don't come.
"In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna counsels action without desire for the fruits of action.
Meditation, too, should be approached in this spirit.
"Meditate without attachment to the fruits of meditation."
please God. If you seek results, you will be disappointed if they don't come.
"In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna counsels action without desire for the fruits of action.
Meditation, too, should be approached in this spirit.
"Meditate without attachment to the fruits of meditation."
A disciple was digging a cesspool at the Master's desert retreat. He kept on digging all
day long, without stopping to see how far he had come. That evening, to his
amazement, he found that he had dug a deep hole.
When Paramhansa Yogananda saw what he had accomplished, he said approvingly,
"That is how the devotee must seek God-continually digging, digging, without looking to
see how far he has come. Then one day, suddenly, he will find himself there!
"As Lahiri Mahasaya used to tell his disciples, 'Banat, banat, ban jai!-doing, doing, at
last done!'"
day long, without stopping to see how far he had come. That evening, to his
amazement, he found that he had dug a deep hole.
When Paramhansa Yogananda saw what he had accomplished, he said approvingly,
"That is how the devotee must seek God-continually digging, digging, without looking to
see how far he has come. Then one day, suddenly, he will find himself there!
"As Lahiri Mahasaya used to tell his disciples, 'Banat, banat, ban jai!-doing, doing, at
last done!'"
"Where motion ceases," the Master said, "God begins."
A disciple was having difficulty with his meditations. He asked Sri Yogananda, "Am I not
trying hard enough?"
The Master answered, "You are trying too hard. You are using too much will power. It
becomes nervous. Just be relaxed and natural.
"As long as you try to meditate, you won't be able to, just as you can't sleep so long as
you will yourself to sleep. Will power should be used gradually. Otherwise, it may
become detrimental. That's why it is better, in the beginning, to emphasize relaxation."
trying hard enough?"
The Master answered, "You are trying too hard. You are using too much will power. It
becomes nervous. Just be relaxed and natural.
"As long as you try to meditate, you won't be able to, just as you can't sleep so long as
you will yourself to sleep. Will power should be used gradually. Otherwise, it may
become detrimental. That's why it is better, in the beginning, to emphasize relaxation."
"Do not get excited or impatient in your efforts to find God. Be wholehearted, but not
anxious about getting results. Be patient. Move toward your divine goal ever calmly, with
tranquillity."
anxious about getting results. Be patient. Move toward your divine goal ever calmly, with
tranquillity."
"Meditate more and more deeply, until calmness and joy become second nature to you.
"To be ecstatic is not difficult. It is thinking that it is difficult that holds you apart from it.
Never think of divine joy as distant from you, and it will be with you always."
"To be ecstatic is not difficult. It is thinking that it is difficult that holds you apart from it.
Never think of divine joy as distant from you, and it will be with you always."
Paramhansa Yogananda told the monks, "Memorize my poem, Samadhi, and repeat it
daily. It will help to awaken within you that lost memory of what you are in reality: sons of
Infinity."
daily. It will help to awaken within you that lost memory of what you are in reality: sons of
Infinity."
"Try to feel, when walking out of doors, that everything around you is part of your own
expanded awareness.
"Behold the leaves trembling on the trees, and try to feel their movement. Imagine in
that movement that God is expressing His thoughts and inspirations.
"Watch the meadow grasses as they wave in the wind. Imagine the breeze as God's
breath blowing over the world, inspiring all beings and giving them life.
"Listen to the birds singing. Feel that God, through their songs, is trying to reach you
with feelings of divine gladness.
"Be aware of the sun's rays on your skin. Think of the heat you feel from the sun as
God's energy. Let it fill your body with vitality and power. Imagine divine energy, through
the sunlight, strengthening creatures everywhere on earth."
expanded awareness.
"Behold the leaves trembling on the trees, and try to feel their movement. Imagine in
that movement that God is expressing His thoughts and inspirations.
"Watch the meadow grasses as they wave in the wind. Imagine the breeze as God's
breath blowing over the world, inspiring all beings and giving them life.
"Listen to the birds singing. Feel that God, through their songs, is trying to reach you
with feelings of divine gladness.
"Be aware of the sun's rays on your skin. Think of the heat you feel from the sun as
God's energy. Let it fill your body with vitality and power. Imagine divine energy, through
the sunlight, strengthening creatures everywhere on earth."
"Master," said a disciple, "I am afraid to go breathless in meditation. What can I do to
overcome this limitation?"
"What you are facing is a normal obstacle on the path," replied Yogananda. "'False
notion,' it is called. You are fearing something that, to the soul, is perfectly natural: deep
stillness within.
"Your mind is like a bird that has been locked in a cage for many years. It fears liberty.
Yet, freedom is its birthright.
"Someone opens the door to let the bird out. It may hop outside a short distance, but
then suddenly it thinks, 'Oh, this vast world!' Terrified, it hops hurriedly back into its cage
again.
"Gradually, then, by repeated sorties, the bird becomes accustomed to being outside its
cage. Then at last, one day, it spreads its wings and soars up into the sky, free at last!
And why is it free? Quite simply, because it has finally accepted freedom as its natural
state.
"So it is with the devotee when he first experiences soul-freedom. But remember, as it
is natural for the bird to fly up into the sky, so is it natural for the soul to soar in
omnipresence."
overcome this limitation?"
"What you are facing is a normal obstacle on the path," replied Yogananda. "'False
notion,' it is called. You are fearing something that, to the soul, is perfectly natural: deep
stillness within.
"Your mind is like a bird that has been locked in a cage for many years. It fears liberty.
Yet, freedom is its birthright.
"Someone opens the door to let the bird out. It may hop outside a short distance, but
then suddenly it thinks, 'Oh, this vast world!' Terrified, it hops hurriedly back into its cage
again.
"Gradually, then, by repeated sorties, the bird becomes accustomed to being outside its
cage. Then at last, one day, it spreads its wings and soars up into the sky, free at last!
And why is it free? Quite simply, because it has finally accepted freedom as its natural
state.
"So it is with the devotee when he first experiences soul-freedom. But remember, as it
is natural for the bird to fly up into the sky, so is it natural for the soul to soar in
omnipresence."
"Just behind the darkness of closed eyes shines the light of God. When you behold that
light in meditation, hold onto it with devotional zeal. Feel yourself inside it: That is where
God dwells.
"If, on the other hand, you behold no light in meditation, then concentrate at the point
between the eyebrows, and gaze deeply into the darkness that you see with closed
eyes. Try, by your devotion, to penetrate that thick veil.
"In time you will surely behold the inner light, for it is ever there, shining in your
forehead. Just as all human beings have eyes, so does everyone have this spiritual eye
within his forehead. It awaits only his discovery in deep concentration within."
light in meditation, hold onto it with devotional zeal. Feel yourself inside it: That is where
God dwells.
"If, on the other hand, you behold no light in meditation, then concentrate at the point
between the eyebrows, and gaze deeply into the darkness that you see with closed
eyes. Try, by your devotion, to penetrate that thick veil.
"In time you will surely behold the inner light, for it is ever there, shining in your
forehead. Just as all human beings have eyes, so does everyone have this spiritual eye
within his forehead. It awaits only his discovery in deep concentration within."
"A bent spine is the enemy of realization. In meditation, always hold your spine straight,
that the life force may flow through it unobstructed.
"Next, hold your attention fixed at the Christ center between the eyebrows. The more
deeply you concentrate at that point, the more you will find your ego dissolving in
superconsciousness."
that the life force may flow through it unobstructed.
"Next, hold your attention fixed at the Christ center between the eyebrows. The more
deeply you concentrate at that point, the more you will find your ego dissolving in
superconsciousness."
"If you want to be a Master in this lifetime," Yogananda told a disciple, "then, along with
your other meditation practices, practice Hong-Sau at least two hours a day.
"As a boy, I used to practice Hong-Sau sometimes for seven hours at a time, until I
entered the breathless state of ecstasy."
your other meditation practices, practice Hong-Sau at least two hours a day.
"As a boy, I used to practice Hong-Sau sometimes for seven hours at a time, until I
entered the breathless state of ecstasy."
"If you eat your dinner and then run, you won't be able to enjoy what you've eaten; you
may only get indigestion. But if you rest afterwards, you will find that this is the best time
to enjoy the effects of your meal.
"Follow the same practice after finishing Kriya Yoga. Don't jump up immediately, but sit
still for a long time-as long as you can do so comfortably. Pray to God deeply. Practice
Bhakti Yoga, or devotion. Or watch the flow of breath in the spine while practicing
Hong-Sau. Or listen to the inner sounds with open ears."
may only get indigestion. But if you rest afterwards, you will find that this is the best time
to enjoy the effects of your meal.
"Follow the same practice after finishing Kriya Yoga. Don't jump up immediately, but sit
still for a long time-as long as you can do so comfortably. Pray to God deeply. Practice
Bhakti Yoga, or devotion. Or watch the flow of breath in the spine while practicing
Hong-Sau. Or listen to the inner sounds with open ears."
A disciple asked, "How can intuition be developed?"
Yogananda: "The best way is, every time you meditate, to sit calmly for a long time after
doing the techniques. It is during this period that you will be able to deepen your
awareness of God's presence within you. Go ever deeper in your enjoyment of that
presence.
"The longer and more deeply you enjoy the peace within, the more quickly will your
intuition develop."
Yogananda: "The best way is, every time you meditate, to sit calmly for a long time after
doing the techniques. It is during this period that you will be able to deepen your
awareness of God's presence within you. Go ever deeper in your enjoyment of that
presence.
"The longer and more deeply you enjoy the peace within, the more quickly will your
intuition develop."
From The Essence of Self-Realization, Chapter Eighteen
By Paramhansa Yogananda
By Paramhansa Yogananda
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