MEDITATION USEFUL TIPS
HOW TO MEDITATEThe practitioner, if he sits for meditation, always must keep his/her head, neck and spinal cord (back) completely straight. The respiration process will naturally become slowed if one sits straight, and thus it is a helping factor in meditation and Jap [simran].
A practitioner must sit for meditation in these three times, and also should do Maanas Jap (repeating the Guru-instructed mantra), or Maanas Dhyaan (involving mind in visualizing Guru's form inside), while doing worldly work. In the evening just before going to bed, the practitioner should sit in meditation for two to four minutes and then go to sleep. A practitioner can continue Maanas Jap or Maanas Dhyaan or keep his/her vision straight inside with closed eyes laying in bed. |
IMPORTANTDon't let yourself be controlled by these three things : -
Your PAST, PEOPLE & MONEY. |
ONE LITTLE ADVANTAGE
"This practice protects one from terrible, unpleasant dreams, and on the other hand the practitioner can be benefited with the appearance of sages/sants or Satsang in the dream state. The appearance (seeing) of sants/sages in the dream state is an indication of spiritual-upwardness (progress)."
HOW TO MAXIMIZE OUR PRODUCTIVITY DURING MEDITATION
1.We should devote as much time as we could afford everyday to meditation. Success is directly proportional to the quantum of sincere efforts invested.
2.As far as practicable, we should practice meditation at fixed times and in a fixed place, a relatively calmer and isolated place removed from the outer din and bustle. The advantage of selecting fixed schedules and place is that when meditate everyday at those very times and in that very place, as soon we are approaching towards those timings and that place, the mind becomes automatically prepared or orientated for the task, realizing that the time has come when it has to apply itself to the target set by its master. So, it helps greatly to practice meditation, as far as practicable, at fixed hours of the day and in a fixed place.
3.We should read some spiritual article or recite Sant-vaanis (verses or compositions of sants) soulfully immediately before we are to practice meditation. This creates a mood conducive to mind-concentration during meditation. It is for this reason that it is always better to precede meditation with prayers.
4.Even during other times of the day, we should keep good company, try to read purely spiritual material including discourses of sants, and discuss such topics with like-minded friends (if such company is not available, maybe we could talk to appropriate acquaintances over phone to keep the inspiration alive).
5.When we are engaged in our routine repetitive activities (e.g. walking/strolling, sitting idle, cooking, eating, brushing, bathing, doing some routine office jobs not requiring much mental concentration etc) we should try to keep practicing manas jap (internally reciting the mantra given by the Guru) -- the great advantage of this is that we can keep doing so without anyone around us knowing of it. The objective is to keep the mind constantly reminded of its main objective, to keep counselling or orienting it all the time during most of the day even when we are not formally meditating so that when we actually sit in meditation, the mind has already been cast in that mould and will offer much less resistance.
EXAMPLE:- In the Mahabharata, Lord Shri Krishna exhorts Arjuna to keep remembering him even while fighting
6.We should practice to sit in a suitable erect and easy posture for extended hours, without moving our hands, feet or other parts of body. It is common experience that when we try to sit silently without moving in a constant posture, we suddenly feel itching at nose-tip, forehead, scalp, neck etc, feel something creeping down the neck or backbone; somehow the urge to move our hands or feet is experienced by many -- a tendency that goes away only if it is ignored sternly.
7.It is very crucial to take great care of our dietary habits. It would be great to follow the golden rule of 'hit bhuk', 'mit bhuk' and 'rit bhuk'. 'Hit bhuk' implies that we should eat only those things that are ideally meant for us human beings, things that are in our interest. Vegetarian diet, which is not very oily and spicy, is ideal for those longing for spiritual progress. 'Mit bhuk' means that we must exercise self-control and not indulge in overeating even if it be purely vegetarian food; restraint is the keyword. Overeating is bound to induce lethargy, sleepiness, and a tendency to skip meditation. Finally, the principle of 'rit bhuk' commands that we should earn our meals through righteous, honest means and that the food be cooked in a pious and pleased state of mind. The food procured by money earned through dishonest or corrupt practices is bound to have, subtly, an adverse effect on the mind, inhibiting spiritual progress.
2.As far as practicable, we should practice meditation at fixed times and in a fixed place, a relatively calmer and isolated place removed from the outer din and bustle. The advantage of selecting fixed schedules and place is that when meditate everyday at those very times and in that very place, as soon we are approaching towards those timings and that place, the mind becomes automatically prepared or orientated for the task, realizing that the time has come when it has to apply itself to the target set by its master. So, it helps greatly to practice meditation, as far as practicable, at fixed hours of the day and in a fixed place.
3.We should read some spiritual article or recite Sant-vaanis (verses or compositions of sants) soulfully immediately before we are to practice meditation. This creates a mood conducive to mind-concentration during meditation. It is for this reason that it is always better to precede meditation with prayers.
4.Even during other times of the day, we should keep good company, try to read purely spiritual material including discourses of sants, and discuss such topics with like-minded friends (if such company is not available, maybe we could talk to appropriate acquaintances over phone to keep the inspiration alive).
5.When we are engaged in our routine repetitive activities (e.g. walking/strolling, sitting idle, cooking, eating, brushing, bathing, doing some routine office jobs not requiring much mental concentration etc) we should try to keep practicing manas jap (internally reciting the mantra given by the Guru) -- the great advantage of this is that we can keep doing so without anyone around us knowing of it. The objective is to keep the mind constantly reminded of its main objective, to keep counselling or orienting it all the time during most of the day even when we are not formally meditating so that when we actually sit in meditation, the mind has already been cast in that mould and will offer much less resistance.
EXAMPLE:- In the Mahabharata, Lord Shri Krishna exhorts Arjuna to keep remembering him even while fighting
6.We should practice to sit in a suitable erect and easy posture for extended hours, without moving our hands, feet or other parts of body. It is common experience that when we try to sit silently without moving in a constant posture, we suddenly feel itching at nose-tip, forehead, scalp, neck etc, feel something creeping down the neck or backbone; somehow the urge to move our hands or feet is experienced by many -- a tendency that goes away only if it is ignored sternly.
7.It is very crucial to take great care of our dietary habits. It would be great to follow the golden rule of 'hit bhuk', 'mit bhuk' and 'rit bhuk'. 'Hit bhuk' implies that we should eat only those things that are ideally meant for us human beings, things that are in our interest. Vegetarian diet, which is not very oily and spicy, is ideal for those longing for spiritual progress. 'Mit bhuk' means that we must exercise self-control and not indulge in overeating even if it be purely vegetarian food; restraint is the keyword. Overeating is bound to induce lethargy, sleepiness, and a tendency to skip meditation. Finally, the principle of 'rit bhuk' commands that we should earn our meals through righteous, honest means and that the food be cooked in a pious and pleased state of mind. The food procured by money earned through dishonest or corrupt practices is bound to have, subtly, an adverse effect on the mind, inhibiting spiritual progress.