9 More Facets of Meditation

ARANI SERIES

Spark 35

Thursday, June 29, 2017

9 MORE FACETS OF MEDITATION

Lessons from Geeta

(continued from the previous Spark)

   10 Should we control thoughts? We should, certainly. When backed by adequate study, this control takes a mature form where we ‘withdraw the mind’ (uparamet) from wasteful engagements. (6.25)

11 What is the idea of withdrawing the mind? We must question the I-thought and stay as the Pure I (the Self). (6.26)

12 How do our relationships change when we advance in meditation? We will see God in all and all in God. (6.29)

13 How does our relationship with God change? It gets so intimate that there is never a sense of being away from God. (6.30)

14 Won’t various social and other setbacks come in the way? No. No matter what our status, health or situation is, we can live in God-consciousness. (6.31)

15 Will we isolate ourselves from people as we rise in meditation? No. On the contrary, we will see others’ joy and sorrow as our own. (6.32)

16 Can ‘meditation’ be regarded as a way to Self-knowledge? Yes, many masters in the past reached enlightenment through ‘meditation’. (13.24)

17 Do Upanishads talk of meditation? Yes, Kaivalya Upanishad for example advises us to resort to faith, devotion and meditation in order to gain the highest wisdom. (Kai. Up. 2)

18 How do Upanishads define meditation? There are several levels (and kinds) of meditation as per Upanishads. For example, Chāndogya 7.6.1 places meditation above ‘capacity to judge rightly’ (chitta). Here meditation means a continuous, uninterrupted flow of thoughts related to a chosen form or symbol.

 

Swami Chidananda

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