Introduction to Meditation for Beginners
Meditation
does
not
discriminate
between
Religion,
Race,
Age,
Status
and
Intelligence
of
the
person.
Meditation
equally
belongs
to
everyone.
But
one
should
be
ready
to
lose
Misery,
Shallowness,
Jealousy
and
Hatred
as
the
price
of
admission
in
world
of
meditation.
Meditation
is
not
meant
only
for
spiritual
purpose
or
we
have
to
leave
the
world
and
go
to
mountains
for
practicing
meditation.
Meditation
simply
means
to
do
the
things
in
a
right
way
and
Meditation
actually
adds
grace
to
our
action
and
makes
our
life
a
Joy. Outwardly
our
actions
remain
the
same
but
inwardly
the
quality
of
action
and
life
changes
with
Meditation.
A
certain
grace,
peace,
satisfaction
surrounds
the
person
who
Meditates.
There is a beautiful story. A King had two sons and king had to choose his successor among the two. So King gave very little money to both of them and said, “with this little money you need to fill your palace, who will do the best job will have my kingdom”.
First Son thought, “With this little money it is impossible to fill the palace”. So he bought the Garbage from the city and filled his palace”. Second son also knew that money is little but he went deeper into his being and he bought perfume from the money and filled the palace with the sweet fragrance.
This story is not mythological. It’s very much real because this is our story. Our heart is that Palace and our Life is the money which heavenly father has given to all of us. We can spend our time either in gathering worldly success or finding our real nature through meditation. We have the option of filling out life with Money, Fame, Success but our Heart won’t be satisfied. Only love can fill the heart.
First step towards Meditation is to realize that no amount of worldly success can make me happy. This realization should not be intellectual but personal experience of life. Once we are dissatisfied with the outside world then only we can really think about entering inside the inner world of meditation. Otherwise we will keep on gathering things in our life as the prince in story was gathering garbage. But that does not bring happiness in our life.
There is a beautiful story. A King had two sons and king had to choose his successor among the two. So King gave very little money to both of them and said, “with this little money you need to fill your palace, who will do the best job will have my kingdom”.
First Son thought, “With this little money it is impossible to fill the palace”. So he bought the Garbage from the city and filled his palace”. Second son also knew that money is little but he went deeper into his being and he bought perfume from the money and filled the palace with the sweet fragrance.
This story is not mythological. It’s very much real because this is our story. Our heart is that Palace and our Life is the money which heavenly father has given to all of us. We can spend our time either in gathering worldly success or finding our real nature through meditation. We have the option of filling out life with Money, Fame, Success but our Heart won’t be satisfied. Only love can fill the heart.
First step towards Meditation is to realize that no amount of worldly success can make me happy. This realization should not be intellectual but personal experience of life. Once we are dissatisfied with the outside world then only we can really think about entering inside the inner world of meditation. Otherwise we will keep on gathering things in our life as the prince in story was gathering garbage. But that does not bring happiness in our life.
Meditation
is
a
journey
towards
Innocence
and
Joy.
As
a
child
we
all
were
alive
and
fresh
like
a
rose
flower.
But
slowly
many
ideas
and
beliefs
were
forced
into
our
mind
by
society.
With
we
lost
the
spontaneity
and
purity,
which
surrounds
every
child
like
a
blessing
from
God.
Meditation
is
a
process
to
get
rid
of
all
those
foolish
concept
of
“Do
and
Don’t”
and
bring
us
back
to
that
spontaneous
state
of
childhood
yet
retaining
the
Wisdom
which
we
have
earned
with
experience.
Meditation
is a process to “Undo what ever wrong is
done with us till now”.
Meditation
means
getting
rid
of
all
belief
system
and
see
the
world
with
out
wearing
Goggles
of
society,
Religion
and
upbringing.
But
for
this
‘UNDOING’
we
don’t
need
to
do
anything
otherwise
“that
undoing
will
become
a
doing”
and
our
very
doing
is
the
root
cause
of
spoiling
the
innocence
of
all
Child.
So
in
meditation
“we
don’t
do
any
thing”.
This
is
the
essence
of
all
Meditations. In
real
life
we
are
so
much
used
to
“doing”
that
if
some
one
says
“don’t
do
any
thing
and
Just
sit
silently”
then
as
a
Sane
person
it’s
very
difficult
to
act
on
this
idea.
Society has made us efficient machines. Every waking moment of day we are bothered with “how to improve our condition”. So this idea of “doing nothing” is not only difficult but seems to be very absurd also. Our very idea of being happy is linked with “doing some thing” like going for a movie, playing any game or Gossiping with friends. That’s why it is very important that we are dissatisfied with the outside world. We have done stuff like friendships, Sex movies, fame, money but nothing is able to satisfy us so we are taking jump in the inner world. Some times many people don’t even feel the need to go in to sensual world as they have understood the futility of sensual world in previous lives.
Even we are really interested in practicing meditation and we intellectually understand that “in meditation nothing needs to be done” then also it is very difficult to stop the ‘Doing’ in meditation. Doing things has become our very nature and we cannot sit idle. In meditation also we start putting our effort and it takes time to “stop doing” in meditation. Slowly we slow down and one day we learn the knack to drop the doing in meditation.
There
is
one
meditation
technique
Zazen
followed
in
Japan.
In
Zazen
meditator
just
“learns
to
sit
”.
But
if
we
try
to
“simply
sit”
then
that
sitting
will
carry
lot
of
effort
from
our
side.
But
for
Zazen
meditator
this
sitting
comes
effortlessly
and
it
does
not
a
effort.
This
effortless
sitting
cannot
be
forced.
It
happens
one
day
to
the
meditator
and
to
make
it
happen
one
has
to
try.
Initially
one
will
definitely
put
effort
but
one
day
Meditator
gets
the
knack
of
sitting
effortlessly.
To
learn
swimming
one
need
to
enter
inside
the
water
and
every
one
can
learn
swimming.
One
just
needs
to
drop
the
fear
of
water
and
any
moment
one
can
learn
the
art
to
swim.
It
is
the
same
case
with
meditation.
It’s totally paradoxical. The effort we are putting is the very hindrance also. But despite of that we need to put effort. Mother always loves her child but for the growth of child she some times beats the child also. Slowly, slowly with patience, with practice and through guidance from a Guru one learns to stop putting effort. When it happens then whole mystery of meditation is solved and life becomes a Joy.
It’s totally paradoxical. The effort we are putting is the very hindrance also. But despite of that we need to put effort. Mother always loves her child but for the growth of child she some times beats the child also. Slowly, slowly with patience, with practice and through guidance from a Guru one learns to stop putting effort. When it happens then whole mystery of meditation is solved and life becomes a Joy.
Meditation
is
a
Mystery
as
long
as
we
don’t
participate
in
it.
Once
we
learn
the
knack
to
meditate,
Meditation
becomes
the
greatest
adventure
of
our
life.
So
as long as we have not learned the knack to meditate,
Meditation carries a subtle effort from our side but
once we learn the knack, it becomes effortless.
Meditation means putting an end to all games Ego.
When
ever
any
desire
enters
our
mind
and
we
do
nothing
about
it
and
we
don’t
try
to
fulfill
it
then
Unknowingly
we
are
doing
meditation.
We
cannot
fulfill
any
desire
and
even
if
we
are
able
to
fulfill
one
desire
then
1000
news
desire
will
come
in
our
mind
by
that
time.
Understanding
this
constant
game
of
desire
and
ambition
is
very
important
in
going
deep
in
meditation.
Meditation
simply
means
getting
out
of
this
game
of
desires.
Meditation
is
an
art
to
do
each
and
every
activity
of
life
with
awareness
so
that
Ego
does
not
enter.
E.g.
when
we
are
walking
on
road
then
apart
from
walking
we
are
constantly
thinking.
Our
attention
is
divided.
Most
of
our
attention
is
involved
in
thinking
and
only
a
very
small
amount
of
attention
is
used
in
walking.
Physically
we
are
walking
but
mentally
we
are
somewhere
else.
This
simple
activity
of
walking
can
become
meditation
if
we
are
conscious
of
each
and
every
step
we
take.
While
walking
our
attention
should
not
drift
to
past
and
future
but
stays
with
walking.
Meditation
means
to
do
every
act
with
out
going
in
future
or
past.
Staying
in
present
moment
is
the
total
art
of
meditation.
At
any
given
time
there
are
many
thoughts
revolving
in
our
mind
but
one
prominent
thought
catches
our
attention
and
that
thoughts
takes
us
to
past
and
future.
Our
daily
acts
are
so
mechanical
that
we
can
do
them
while
our
attention
is
in
past
or
future.
That’s
why
very
rarely
we
are
conscious
about
our
actions.
Meditation
is
the
process
to
stay
away
from
involving
ourselves
with
these
thoughts.
Meditation means watching every thought that comes to us with out participating in it. When we don’t involve ourselves with any thought and we just watch one thought coming and leaving and then another thought. Then we are doing meditation. We not only watch the thoughts but also the silent time interval between two thoughts. But in this time gap we are not sleeping but we are aware of the time Gap. And we can only be aware of this time gap if our attention has not moved to past or future.
Living in the present moment is Meditation. While eating the food if all our attention is in eating and not in past or future. Then this is meditation. It is so funny when we leave our home to go a restaurant to have a burger then on the way our attention is in future, feeling about the taste of burger and when we are actually eating the burger then our attention is some where else. We don’t enjoy the burger about which we were thinking few minutes ago. When do we actually enjoy the things, which we earn and gain after so much struggle? In meditation we enjoys because we stay in present.
Even while eating and walking thoughts are bound to come which can take our attention to past or future but we are not supposed to cooperate with them. We just need to witness them. Thoughts are present all the time but cooperation should not be there from our side. instead we should witness the thoughts. So in meditation we try to be aware in all the actions we do and at the same time we don’t involve ourselves with any thought. We just witness the thoughts.
Meditation means watching every thought that comes to us with out participating in it. When we don’t involve ourselves with any thought and we just watch one thought coming and leaving and then another thought. Then we are doing meditation. We not only watch the thoughts but also the silent time interval between two thoughts. But in this time gap we are not sleeping but we are aware of the time Gap. And we can only be aware of this time gap if our attention has not moved to past or future.
Living in the present moment is Meditation. While eating the food if all our attention is in eating and not in past or future. Then this is meditation. It is so funny when we leave our home to go a restaurant to have a burger then on the way our attention is in future, feeling about the taste of burger and when we are actually eating the burger then our attention is some where else. We don’t enjoy the burger about which we were thinking few minutes ago. When do we actually enjoy the things, which we earn and gain after so much struggle? In meditation we enjoys because we stay in present.
Even while eating and walking thoughts are bound to come which can take our attention to past or future but we are not supposed to cooperate with them. We just need to witness them. Thoughts are present all the time but cooperation should not be there from our side. instead we should witness the thoughts. So in meditation we try to be aware in all the actions we do and at the same time we don’t involve ourselves with any thought. We just witness the thoughts.
Witnessing
the
thought
means:
- There is no need to analyze whether the thought is good or bad. We just need to be aware that a thought has come. Just the knowledge that a thought has entered is enough. Nothing else needs to be done about it.
- There is no need to involve with the thought. We need to keep some distance with the thought. There is no need to participate in the thought and give our feedback or views about the thought. If we don’t participate then soon a new thought will come and then another. Reality is that all thoughts are coming from outside but we involve ourselves with them by credit for good thoughts and feeling guilty for bad thought. Just ignoring the thought is required from our side.
- We don’t even need to desire for silence. Desire is Mind. In deep meditation constant chattering of thoughts stops or slows down. But aim of meditation is not to stop the thoughts. Advanced meditator does not bother with thoughts. If thoughts are there “its ok” and if thoughts are not there “that is also ok”. Because this idea of having “No thought state is also a desire”. Meditator simply needs to be aware of thoughts. No body till now is able to stop the mind but one day mind stops itself when we stop cooperating with Mind.
- The Moment we realize that we have involved ourselves with the thought. we should stop the involvement immediately and starts witnessing again. Even there is no need to feel guilty that “why we involved ourselves with the thought”. Guilt is another door through which Mind enters.
What meditation is Not:
-
Meditation is not concentration. Normally there are many thoughts revolving in our mind but one thought catches our attention. In Concentration Mind gets concentrated on a single thought. All the attention is given to one thought. Concentration makes mind strong and thus leads to tension.
-
Meditation is not contemplation. In Contemplation again we are thinking. Meditation means ‘No Mind’. A state in which thought cease to exist or if there are thoughts one is aware of it.
Any thing can be meditation. Walking, Drinking, eating, talking, swimming, painting, dance, watching Movie. A basic criterion is to be present in the act. Our attention is there in the act. While typing on keyboard we should be aware that we are pressing the keyboard and at the same time if any thought or desire comes then we are just witnessing them.
Slowly through practice our awareness in mundane acts increases. If one starts to be aware in action then slowly witnessing of thoughts will also happen simultaneously. It is true with witnessing also. If one starts witnessing the thoughts one will be automatically aware in the actions also. In meditation also Mind stops but we are relax and that state is very joyful. All meditation techniques are doors through which we can have glimpses of those few blissful moments. Once some one taste those moments of ‘No Mind’ then one is hooked to meditation.
Some
key
points
helpful
for
going
deep
in
meditation
are:
- We don’t need to have any ambitions in Meditation. Mind strives to be a great meditator or have spiritual powers. ‘Ambition of any kind’ means Mind has again entered by back door. We just need to Meditate. But Mind will definitely try to create some ambition in spiritual world also. So one need to be very careful. No Ambition.
- Its better to stay loose and relax in Meditation. Cheerful attitude is very helpful. There is no need to be serious about meditation. Meditation should be made playful. Seriousness is another door through which mind enters. Mind means flow of thoughts.
- Meditation does not mean that we are doing some thing great. So we should not feel proud about it and look at others with superior attitude. There is also no need to wage a war against mind and thoughts. Friendly Attitude or attitude of deep reverence or love should be there towards thoughts but at the same time we don’t need to get involve/cooperate/analyze the thoughts.
- Patience is very much required. Meditation is a knack. We can learn it in one day or one month. No one can tell that. Its like learning swimming. We need to enter inside water to learn it. Practicing meditation is the only way to learn it and it will take its own time which will vary from person to person.
- If desires come, thoughts come, unawareness is there. We should accept them also and enjoy this phase of unawareness. Initially it will be there. Slowly, slowly awareness will increase. Light from small candle removes the darkness from thousands of years. Mind asks so many questions “why I am not meditating”, “why thoughts are coming”. but we need to accept these phases also and keep on meditating.
- Its natural to have a phase of unawareness with a phase of awareness. Its duality. But Mind will certainly ask questions. We should never try to answer these questions, just knowing that this is mind playing trick is meditation. Mind loves “WHY” and “HOW”. its impossible to answer Mind because the moment we answer one question, it will ask another question. Asking question, creating doubt is very nature of Mind.
- Meditation is a twenty-four journey. One hour of meditation cannot fight with 23 hours of unawareness. Initially at beginner's stage one can start with 20-30 minutes but slowly meditation should enter each and every action of our life and it happens effortlessly and this takes it own time. So as a meditator we need to be patient, playful, relax and we should not look for results. It will happen one day, may be in the first sitting itself but we should not have any desire for it. Even if the desire is there then one can be aware of the desire and we should not feed that desire.
- Its good to read these rules again but there is no need to take them seriously. We should be more spontaneous and we should trust our own intuition. As we go deep in meditation our intuition also develops. Even if we make mistakes that is also OK. Only by making mistakes one grows and learns. So we should not take all these rules seriously. They are just indications and one can only indicate. Each one journey towards meditation is unique.
- All the best and have a Safe Journey.
Meditation
is
the
beginning
but
not
the
end.
Meditation
takes
us
towards
the
end.
As
seed
of
meditation
flowers
its
fragrance
spread
in
real
life.
Dropping
effort
in
Meditation
slowly
prepares
us
to
drop
the
effort
in
real
life
also. All
religion
says
“thy
will
be
done”
and
“do
your
work
and
leave
the
results
on
God”.
All
meditation
techniques
are
indirect
routes
to
help
us
in
“dropping
attachment
with
our
action/work
in
real
life”.
When
ever
we
do
our
action
with
meditation
then
we
are
doing
the
things
but
we
are
not
doer.
There
is
no
ego
attached
with
the
work.
Meditation
prepares
us
over
a
period
of
time
to
drop
the
effort.
So first we drop the effort in meditation and then we drop it in real life. Although we keep on doing the same work as we were doing earlier but its quality changes. Meditation does not ask us to leave the world and go to forest. Nor does meditation ask us to change our profession but Meditation prepare us to drop attachment or feeling of ego associated with the work. Meditation is a Journey in which each step brings us closer to our real home and in the end we realizes that we were already in the Home. But to realize this truth one has to travel all over the world. Journey of pleasure starts with the materialistic world and culminates in inner world, where even the ‘I’ is lost.
So first we drop the effort in meditation and then we drop it in real life. Although we keep on doing the same work as we were doing earlier but its quality changes. Meditation does not ask us to leave the world and go to forest. Nor does meditation ask us to change our profession but Meditation prepare us to drop attachment or feeling of ego associated with the work. Meditation is a Journey in which each step brings us closer to our real home and in the end we realizes that we were already in the Home. But to realize this truth one has to travel all over the world. Journey of pleasure starts with the materialistic world and culminates in inner world, where even the ‘I’ is lost.
It’s
an
individual
journey
and
every
one
has
to
make
its
own
unique
path.
No
one
can
tell
the
exact
path
of
meditation
but
certain
indications
can
be
given
for
help.
Guidance
from
Guru
can
make
this
journey
shorter
and
is
tremendous
help
in
the
path.
Ultimately
one
knows
and
find
out
its
unique
path
by
actually
walking
on
it.
There
is
no
other
way
to
know
about
meditation
except
going
into
meditation.
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