This section taken from Close Your Eyes & Open Your Mind by Dada Nabhaniilananda
So what exactly is meditation?
Meditation has been described as a kind of concentrated thinking, but this
does not mean just any kind of concentrated thinking. Concentrating on a pet
rock or an ice cream is not meditation. Meditation is the process of concentrating
the mind on the source of consciousness within us. Gradually this leads us
to discover that our own consciousness is infinite. This is why the goal of
meditation is sometimes described as Self Realisation.
What is self realisation?
The goal of meditation is to realise who we really are at the core of our being. The philosophy of yoga says there are two different levels to our inner self: our mental or emotional self and our spiritual self.
The mental self is sometimes called the individual mind. It is limited because
it is strongly associated with our limited physical body and is the cause of
the feeling I am this individual person – our ego.
But our real sense of self-awareness comes from our connection to a wider,
subtler form of consciousness. Yogic philosophy says there is a reflection
of an infinite, all knowing form of consciousness within our minds. This Infinite
Consciousness is unchanging and eternal, and is at the core of our true spiritual
Self.
When we identify with the small ego-centred self this is called relative reality, because that small self is prone to change and death. But when we realise that there is a subtler, permanent reality behind the relative one and we see that our true nature is pure unlimited Consciousness, this is known as Self Realisation.
What is the difference between meditation and yoga?
To many the word yoga means a series of physical exercises – stretching and
tying our bodies into impossible knots. But these physical postures are only
one aspect of yoga, known as asanas.
The physical postures of yoga are practiced for their health benefits, and
because they help to prepare the body for meditation. Yoga is both a philosophy
of life and a system of spiritual practice. The word yoga actually means
union between the individual self and Infinite Consciousness.
Meditation is the most important practice in the yoga system and is the means by which this merger or union is achieved. So yoga is a system or science that enables an individual to develop themselves physically, mentally and spiritually, and meditation is the practice that makes the mental and spiritual development possible.
What is the difference between prayer and meditation?
Evidence of the existence of religion dates back more than 40,000 years. Early religions were animistic, believing that the forces of nature were beings or Gods, and later pantheistic, worshiping many deities, and assigning divinity to the invisible but powerful forces of nature that held sway over people’s lives.
These gods were feared and were appeased through prayer or sacrifice. As society evolved, people gradually realised that there must be a single guiding power behind all these forces of nature, and theistic religions emerged – the belief in only one God.
But the relationship was still based on fear, flattery, appeasement and attempts to persuade God to grant favours to individuals. Some religious prayer still reflects this today. Philosophically, praying to God requesting something or asking God to do something, even for someone else, is illogical.
According to all the theistic scriptures of the world, God is an all knowing (omniscient) and infinitely benevolent being (God
is love) who already knows if somebody’s mother is sick, or someone is unhappy, and surely cares enough to do whatever is necessary to help them.
Any concerns, or ideas we have originate with God anyway, so telling God how to run the universe seems inappropriate, to say the least. In yoga philosophy it is said that since Infinite Consciousness has given us everything, we should not ask that Entity for anything. But if we have to ask for something, we should ask only for more love for God, which is known as devotion. Prayer can take various forms. What I’ve described above is known as intercessory prayer – asking for God’s intervention in our affairs.
More developed forms of prayer include prayers of gratitude, worshipful prayer, contemplative prayer and meditative prayer. These can help to bring the worshipper closer to God
Is meditation a science?
Science (from Latin scientia – knowledge) is most commonly defined as the investigation or study of nature through observation and reasoning, aimed at finding out the truth. The term science also refers to the organized body of knowledge humans have gained by such research.
Since the yogic approach to spirituality uses both observation and reasoning
to get at the inner truth, it must therefore be a science. Meditation has been
described as Intuitional Science. Extensive laboratory tests have demonstrated
the physiological effects of meditation, but this only shows us its external
effects.
Even a recording of a person’s brainwave patterns is just a measurement of
physical electrical waves. It does not tell us exactly what they are thinking
or feeling. The only real laboratory for testing meditation is the mind itself,
and the results need to be experienced personally. Another name for this science
is Tantra – the science of spiritual meditation, which enables the practitioner
to merge his or her unit mind into Infinite Consciousness.
What is spirituality?
Spirituality is that which concerns Infinite Consciousness. First let me make
it clear that spirituality should
not be confused with spiritualism, which is concerned with mediums, communicating
with the dead etc. Spirituality concerns Infinite consciousness – the same
ultimate Truth that was realised by the great spiritual teachers throughout
history such as Buddha, Jesus, and Krsna. According to spirituality, the goal
of life is to merge the individual mind into Infinite Consciousness, and the
way to attain this is by practising spiritual meditation.
Is spirituality scientific?
The central idea of spirituality – that Infinite Consciousness is the ultimate reality – is common to most oriental and some occidental forms of mysticism. It is not so remarkable that this idea is widely accepted by mystics and philosophers, but in the last century many scientists have pointed out parallels between quantum theory and the mystical view of reality described in the ancient texts of Taoism, Buddhism and yoga.
Not only Albert Einstein but virtually all his contemporaries including Werner
Heisenberg, Niels Bohr, Erwin Schrodinger and Max Planck, in fact most of the
pioneers of modern physics testified to a belief in mysticism. When Heisenberg
(discoverer of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle) went to India and met with
Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel prize winning poet and a great yogi, he was
enormously relieved to find someone who didn’t think his ideas were crazy.
The ancient yoga philosophy seemed to be saying much the same thing about reality as the emerging Quantum Theory. This has been the subject of much discussion and many publications, particularly since the 1960s.
This topic, though fascinating, is beyond the scope of this book. I will refer you to some of those publications for a detailed explanation.
What is mysticism?
The unending endeavour to bridge the gap between the finite and the infinite is mysticism.
Shrii Shrii Anandamurti
The most beautiful and most profound emotion we can experience is the sensation of the mystical. It is at the root of all true science. Someone to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. That deeply emotional conviction of the presence of a superior reasoning power, which is revealed in the incomprehensible universe, is my idea of God.’
Albert Einstein
What is the difference between spirituality and religion?
The founders of all the great religions taught spirituality, yet religion and spirituality are not the same.
When my own spiritual master was asked if he was trying to start a new religion he replied: "I am not interested in religion. I am interested in human beings and the goal of human beings, and how to bridge the gap between the two."
Many religions may make the same claim, but the reality is that all too often the spirituality taught by the founder of those religions has been lost, or obscured by dogma and ritual.
There are profound differences between the teachings of Christ and the practices of mainstream Christianity, between what Krsna taught and Hinduism, between the teachings of the Buddha and Buddhism. Over time, divisions have developed within religions, which have sometimes led to persecution and even war. When you look at the darkest periods of religious history, it is hard to believe that people could depart so far from the exalted teachings of their great preceptors.
The original message was spiritual, but to varying degrees that spirit has been diluted or lost through mistranslation and misinterpretation, through the loss of spiritual meditation practices, through the attempts of less evolved individuals to cloak spiritual concepts in dogma, and through religions becoming religious and political institutions.
Within all the major religions there are mystical traditions that include many of the features of spirituality, but these are the exception rather than the rule.
They do not represent mainstream religion, and in many cases have even been branded as heresy, and the propagation of such teachings has all too often been rewarded with persecution. What we are left with in our various religions is a somewhat confusing blend of truth and dogma. If we wish to sift out the spiritual elements it is important to understand the real differences between spirituality and religious dogma. With the passing of time, these differences within mainstream religion have become increasingly distinct:
- Spirituality is theistic, and has a highly developed and rational concept of God or Infinite Consciousness. Religious dogma can be theistic, as in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, or atheistic, such as Buddhism, Shintoism, and perhaps even communism. Dogmatic Religions generally have either a poorly developed and irrational concept of God, or no concept of God at all.
- Spirituality is non-dualistic, and states that the purpose of human life is to merge one’s self (or sense of "I") into Infinite Consciousness. Theistic religions tend to be dualistic, propounding a fundamental separation between God and the world and the belief that the purpose of human life is to enter into a relationship with God and go to heaven after one dies.
Spirituality is practical, and can be experienced and realised by practising spiritual meditation. The focus is inward, taking the practitioner towards a personal realisation. Religions on the other hand, emphasise faith and belief, and though they teach people different types of prayer, most of the actual practice is externally focused, involving rituals, festivals and ceremonies.
Spirituality is a lifestyle choice, and is integrated into every aspect of a person’s existence. Much Religion is ritualistic, and is generally a compartmentalised part of a person’s life, practised primarily in temples and churches.
Religion can only serve it’s proper purpose of liberating the faithful from ignorance and spiritual darkness, to the degree that it remains true to its original spirituality.
What is spiritual meditation?
In spiritual meditation our mind is directed towards a spiritual idea. The simplest way to conceive of this is to think of infinite love, peace and happiness, or an entity embodying that.
We may call it God, but the name is not important. What is important is to remember that this infinite love is within us and surrounding us. If we pause to consider, it becomes apparent that every experience we have ever had took place within our minds. If we want lasting happiness or love, what better place to look than at the source of these feelings? Spiritual meditation is concentration on a spiritual idea, an idea associated with Infinite Consciousness, an idea that is greater than our selves.
As we contemplate this vast and beautiful idea, our mind is transformed into pure consciousness that has no boundary. So spiritual meditation is the effort to merge our sense of "I" into Infinite Consciousness.
Do you have to be a monk to be successful in meditation?
Clearly not. Buddha was a monk, but Shiva – regarded by many as the father
of yoga, had three wives. (This was not unusual 7000 years ago). Swami Vivekananda
was a monk, but my own Guru, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, was married. And many
great spiritualists were women, such as St. Theresa of Avila (a nun) and Anandamayi
Ma (who was married).
I chose to be a monk for both personal and practical reasons, but I certainly do not see it as any kind of pre-requisite for spiritual practice or success on the spiritual path.
Isn’t it self-centred to sit around meditating all the time when there is so much suffering in the world?
I could be. It rather depends what you would be doing if you weren’t meditating. If the answer is watching
television, by all means, meditate. But if it means you are neglecting your family, or using it as an excuse to avoid doing something for others, that is another matter. I discuss this in detail in chapter seven.
Is meditation a form of brainwashing?
While it is no doubt true that the minds of some people could do with a good wash, I have to say that meditation is not a form of brainwashing. Usually when people express concern about brainwashing, they are afraid of losing control of their minds and being manipulated.
Meditation actually helps to protect us against having our minds manipulated by strengthening our willpower and making us more self-aware. If you’re seriously concerned about other people manipulating your mind for their own purposes, I suggest that the first thing you do is switch off your television, a device which is used to great effect by advertising companies, amongst others, to influence people’s behaviour.
Where did the science of meditation first develop?
Tantric meditation was first developed by the tribes of South India 10-15,000 years ago, as an expression of their natural desire to understand their own consciousness. About 7000 years ago it was further developed by Shiva, the great yogi of ancient India. This practice has since spread and been absorbed into different mystical traditions, including yoga, Taoism, Sufism, Zen Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. Similar practices have also emerged in indigenous cultures.
When did meditation come to the West?
Meditation practices were introduced into Europe at the time of the ancient Greeks, some of whom travelled to the East and learned from Indian yogis and philosophers. Alexander the Great, a student of Aristotle, brought a yogi back with him from India to be his spiritual advisor. The great Greek mystic and social reformer, Apollonius, found wisdom in the East and was greatly revered for his spiritual power. He was an advocate of universal religion and propagated the idea of internal rather than external worship.
Refusing to champion one popular cult against another, he declared that he
was concerned with the spirit rather than the form of
religion. The early Judaic
and ancient Egyptian religions were heavily influenced by oriental mysticism,
and many people believe that Jesus may have practised and taught a form of
yogic meditation that he learned in India during the 18 years of his life that
are unaccounted for in the Bible. After the collapse of the western half of
the Roman Empire in the fourth century, when most of the libraries of Europe
were burned, yogic meditation practices died out in the West. Later both indigenous
and Christian mysticism were actively suppressed, particularly during the dark
period of the Inquisition.
Europe became something of a spiritual desert, focusing its attention on intellectual and technological development, militarism, trade, exploration and conquest. Religious institutions started to take a greater interest in politics than in spirituality. But in the 1890s a spiritual renaissance began in Western civilization with the reintroduction of oriental practices by Swami Vivekananda, the dearest disciple of the great Indian saint, Sri Ramakrsna. Vivekananda was the first modern yogic master to come to the West at the beginning of the twentieth Century.
This period saw the emergence of the Theosophists growing interest in Eastern mysticism amongst European intellectuals like Carl Jung, Aldous Huxley, and Herman Hesse. After Swami Vivekananda others followed, and in the 1960′s, interest in eastern spirituality exploded in Europe and America, quickly spreading across the globe, even as far as New Zealand.
The most refined expression of this merging of cultures may be found in the
writings of the great Indian mystic and philosopher Shrii Shrii Anandamurti,
who was the first spiritual preceptor to create a harmonious blending of occidental
rationality and oriental mysticism. He was the founder of the modern spiritual
movement, Ananda Marga, meaning The Path of Bliss.
Although spiritual meditation originated in southern India in ancient times,
its influence can be found in many spiritual traditions. Today it continues
to address a universal human need.
What kind of meditation do you teach?
The nature of the object or idea you choose to concentrate on in meditation will dictate the outcome. Meditation can be done for spiritual growth, or for relaxation and stress reduction, or even for some other reason, such as success in a sport or a career. The distinguishing feature of all spiritual meditation techniques, as taught in the great spiritual traditions, is that the technique has at its heart the idea of Infinite Consciousness – it is the contemplation of the infinite. In Tantric meditation the practitioner learns a personal technique through a process of initiation and is taught a mantra which is repeated mentally.
He or she is taught how to withdraw the mind from the external world and how to concentrate internally. The primary goal of Tantric meditation is to merge the individual consciousness into Infinite Consciousness. This is the type of meditation taught in the modern Tantric school of Ananda Marga.
Aren’t you biased? You only practice one type of meditation – how can you be objective about other methods?
I may be biased – none but an enlightened soul is perfectly objective. I think the technique I am practising is the best, at least for me – otherwise I’d be doing something else. At the same time, it seems obvious that there are many paths to enlightenment – otherwise how could people from different traditions have attained Self Realisation?
I try to keep an open mind, and from my study of a wide variety of teachings I have understood that there are common psychological and spiritual principles underlying spiritual practice. The extent to which these principles are understood and applied will determine the effectiveness of a technique in taking us forward on the path of spiritual progress. For example, it is a widely accepted tenet of psychology that "as you think, so you become."
If this principle is applied in spiritual meditation, it means we should concentrate on the idea of infinite consciousness. But if we have been taught since childhood to feel guilty, or afraid of God, this will make it more difficult to practice. If, on the other hand, we are taught that we are children of the Divine, and that our true nature is perfect and loving, then the feeling of bliss in meditation comes far more naturally. It is not necessary to learn all techniques in order to grasp how they work. In any event it would not be possible in one lifetime – it is hard enough to master even one.
How do I know if this is the right meditation technique for me?
This is something you have to decide for yourself. If you come across a practice that makes sense to you, and feels right, I suggest you try it. If you then experience that it is bringing the kind of changes you feel you need, keep doing it. If you experience difficulties, be patient. Don’t be too hasty to switch to another technique.
You may face the same problem again, and be forced to realise that the problem was with you, not with the technique. If, after giving it your best shot, it still doesn’t seem to be working, try something else. But don’t keep shopping around for-ever – you should try to find a technique you’re happy with and stick with it.
Remember those holes we were digging for water? If you keep starting new holes you’re going to get pretty thirsty.
Do I need to have a Guru to learn meditation?
The word Guru means "dispeller of darkness", and really refers to the Infinite Consciousness acting as teacher and guide to individual souls. So since Infinite Consciousness is omnipresent, the real Guru is within us already. When an individual has attained Self Realisation, they are often referred to as a Guru, because the Infinite Consciousness within them is able to act and speak without the distortions of ego. So they are able to play the role of a perfect teacher and guide to others.
In the Bhagavad Giita, Arjuna asked his Guru, Krsna, whether it was possible to attain enlightenment through the guidance of the Divine, inner Guru, without the assistance of a Guru in physical form. Krsna told him that it is not essential to have a physical Guru, but if you do not, it will probably take you about 10,000 times as long to attain enlightenment.
Thirty years ago, I wanted to learn meditation but I didn’t know how to begin. I read some books on the subject, and with what wisdom I could glean from their pages I began to practice. Which means I wasn’t teaching myself – I was learning from those authors. Indirectly, they were my first teachers, even though they were no longer alive. Soon I realised that I needed clearer guidance and I began searching for a living teacher.
The fact that you’re reading this book indicates that you want information about meditation. All of the knowledge in this book comes, directly or indirectly, from a Guru. Practically all of the spiritual books of the world derive their ideas from great spiritual teachers – Gurus. If they don’t, they should. Gurus are the pioneers on the spiritual path who go before us and light the way, guiding those who follow. Some people are afraid that having a Guru means you have to follow someone blindly.
This is a misconception. My Guru, Shrii Shrii Anandamurtii, often quoted an old scripture that says that if a child says something rational we should accept it, and if God Himself says something irrational we should discard it like a straw. Genuine spirituality does not deny rationality.
And what is the rational course when seeking self-knowledge? When we are entering the mysterious realm of consciousness, the most rational course is to take the advice of a guide who knows the territory well. And this territory can, at times, but quite deceptive, and difficult to traverse.
If you read about the lives of great saints and yogis like St Francis of Assisi, or Milarepa of Tibet, you will see that they all had to face many trials and tests, and transcend the temptations of pleasure and power in order to attain true greatness. At these higher stages on the spiritual path, the guidance of the Guru is more important than ever.
If you do not have the chance to meet personally with a real Guru (and they are few and far between) do not despair. It is possible to learn from a Guru through their writings, through learning of their inspiring example, and directly from people they have appointed to pass on their teachings and techniques. And through meditation it is possible to establish a personal relationship with your own inner Guru.
What does meditation cost?
Traditionally spiritual meditation has been taught free of charge and it is available to all, regardless of a person’s economic status. Meditation is a subtle spiritual practice and no monetary value should be attached to it. To attach monetary value to meditation taints and degrades it. Nevertheless, there is a price. To get results from meditation you have to put something into it – your own valuable time and effort.
How much time does it take?
I recommend that beginners spend at least 15 minutes twice a day in meditation. Later this can be increased to two half hour sessions. This will give a good result, though some people choose to meditate for longer periods and experience even greater benefit as a result. How much you get out of your meditation is directly related to what you put into it.
What are the benefits of meditation?
Extensive studies have demonstrated the physiological and psychological benefits of meditation, but I prefer to simply relate the benefits I’ve experienced personally from this practice:
- I feel more mental peace.
- I am much more emotionally balanced. I am a musician and I can tell you that this is a very real benefit for someone with a somewhat artistic temperament.
- I am more creative. I have always practiced a variety of creative arts, and when I started meditation I felt that I’d tapped into a rich new spring of inspiration, ideas and insights. Many writers, musicians and thinkers report that their inspiration usually comes when the mind is quiet. It seems quite natural that the calming effect of meditation should give us easier access to the deeper, creative level of our minds.
- I discovered a profound Sense of Purpose in life. I have a growing sense that all life is moving in a positive direction – towards greater awareness, towards a greater feeling of oneness and harmony. I feel that I am also a part of that same flow of conscious evolution.
- Improved self-awareness. Introspective practice makes us more aware of our own motivations and qualities. This is not always a comfortable thing, but if we don’t see ourselves as we really are, how can we improve? More often it is inspiring to discover the amazing potential within ourselves.
- I have a developing sense of universal love. As I am more in touch with the source of my own consciousness, I am more aware of the consciousness in everything. I feel more love within my self, and greater love and compassion for others. This naturally helps me relate to others more easily.
- I enjoy good health – I lead a very busy life – I travel frequently and there are constant demands on my time. Yet I do not suffer from the stress related illnesses that afflict many busy people. Meditation and the natural lifestyle associated with it are definitely a recipe for a long and healthy life.
- Improved will power and concentration. Over the years Ihave noticed my mind becoming clearer and stronger. If we exercise a physical muscle, it develops. The same is true of the mind.
- I really enjoy meditation. Sometimes it is hard work requiring concentration, but when it really flows it can be intensely blissful – more blissful than anything else I’ve experienced. It is far better than taking drugs, or so I’m told.
- I am happy. I don’t suppose I’m the happiest man in the world, though I’m working on it. But I know that I am much happier than I was before I started on this path, and this feeling has grown over the years. I’m more emotionally balanced, more creative, I’m developing as a person, I sense a profound meaning in my life, I feel closer to God, closer to people, I feel more love. Of course I’m happier. I’d have to be crazy not to be!
How soon will I feel something in my meditation?
Here’s what happened to a friend of mine. In the early 1970s, Steve was a young man living in Auckland, New Zealand. He and his friends had become interested in meditation, and they all learned from a yogi, an acarya of Ananda Marga like myself. After learning meditation, Steve practised very regularly, for thirty minutes twice a day but he didn’t feel any effect. After a week or two he began to worry and asked his teacher what was wrong.
They discussed what he was doing, and the teacher reassured him and told him and that he just needed to be patient and keep practising. Meanwhile, all Steve’s friends were enjoying their meditation, and some were having nice experiences. He continued. After another two weeks he became really frustrated and came to his teacher again and said he was not sure if he could go on. The teacher told him, "We are having a weekend meditation retreat in two weeks time. I am sure that if you keep practising, and come to the retreat, something will happen." Reluctantly Steve agreed to keep trying. He was afraid that if he gave up, his friends would ridicule him, so he kept at it but began to hate meditation. By the time the time for the retreat came around he didn’t even want to go, but since he had said he would, he couldn’t easily back out without looking like a failure.
The retreat was on Waihiki Island, and everyone had planned to meet at the ferry in the morning. Now it happened that Steve’s house was infested with wood eating insects called Bora. Since he was going away, he planned to ignite a Bora
Bomb – a canister of poisonous gas which kills these insects and stops them
eating all the wood; otherwise they will eventually make the house fall down.
So he put his luggage outside, lit the Bora Bomb, came out and locked the door.
When he got to the bus stop he realised he had forgotten his wallet. Part of him thought, "Great! Now I’ll miss the bus and I’ll miss the ferry and I won’t have to go to the retreat." But he thought he still had to try to get there in case he was interrogated by his friends, so he ran home. Then he had to wait for his breathing to slow, as the house was full of poisonous gas.
By the time he had caught his breath, gone inside holding his breath, retrieved his wallet, and got back to the bus stop, the bus had gone. "Good," he thought, "but I suppose I should try to hitch hike." He was confident that no one would stop as he had tried to do it before and never succeeded in getting a ride from this stop. So he put out his thumb.
The first car stopped. "Where are you going?" the driver asked. "To the ferry." "No problem, I’m going there too." He was caught. He arrived at the ferry just in time to meet his friends and then he was stuck on the island for a weekend meditating and chanting and eating vegetarian food, all of which he was now beginning to detest.
His meditation was worse than ever and he was completely depressed. Everyone else was so happy and high and he thought maybe he was the only person in the world who could not meditate. If they had not been on an island he would have left and gone home. Finally the last meditation session of the retreat began, and he thought, "This is the last time I am going to meditate in my whole life. Fantastic!" They were all chanting so happily and he was thinking, "So what? Who cares? I just want to get out of here."
He sat down for what he thought would be the last meditation of his life. Within seconds after closing his eyes he had an amazing experience. He felt as if the top of his head had been removed and was open to the whole universe. He lost all awareness of his body and became lost in a blissful trance.
Afterwards he felt overwhelmed and went up to people in tears saying, "It works, it works," like a fool. So that wasn’t the last time he practised meditation after all. A colleague of mine calls that my can opener story. So how soon will we feel something in our meditation? Everyone’s mind is different, so it is difficult to answer this question precisely. Some people I know had an incredible experience the first time they sat for meditation. More commonly, people find it hard at first, and begin to enjoy it as they develop more concentration and mental stillness. Some, like Steve, have dramatic tales to tell.
Others give up and never find out what might have happened if they had persisted just a little longer. One important thing to realise from Steve’s story is that all those weeks when he thought nothing was happening during his meditation were actually an essential part of the process, and that a deep change was going on within him all along.
It just took some time to come to the surface. If we really want to know how long we will have to practise meditation before we too can taste its benefits, there is only one way to find out.
The sooner we start, the sooner we’ll know. So let us close our eyes and open our minds, and accept that meditation practice involves an effort. If you undertake this wonderful practice with sincerity, I am sure you will long thank the day that you did.
