Basics of Meditation

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A former editor of The Vedanta Kesari, the author is presently the Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Chandigarh.

1.Question: When and why meditation fails to achieve the desired goal?

Answer: Meditation can not be successful without due preparation. Meditation is the seventh anga or seventh step in the scheme of eight steps specified in the Patanjali Yoga-sutras. This means that the true meditation is just before the highest attainment in Yoga, that is, samadhi. The first five steps are called bahiranga Yoga (external yoga) and are preparations for meditation. Without perfecting these, no one can meditate well. These steps are:

First: Five yama-s (restrain or moral values): ahimsa (Non-violence), satya (truthfulness), brahmacharya (continence), asteya (non-covetousness) and aparigraha (non-acceptance of gifts).
Second: Five niyama-s (rules or observances): shoucha (cleanliness), santosha (contentment), tapas (austerity), swadhyaya (study of the scriptures) and Ishwar-pranidhana (surrender to God).
Third: Asana or steady posture.

Fourth: Pranayama or control of breath and practising rhythmic breathing.
Fifth: Pratyahara or withdrawing the senses from their objects.
Sixth: Dharana or fixing the mind.
Seventh: Dhyana or meditation.
Eighth: Samadhi or complete absorption.

2.Question: There are different types of yoga. Can I follow anyone which I feel comfortable with?

Answer: Yes. Swami Vivekananda has classified all yogas into four yogas—Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana (Gayan) Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. He has recommended a combination of all the four yogas.

3.Question: I used to do meditation. But now when I sit for meditation, I am not able to concentrate. My mind in always thinking of something else. What shall I do?

Answer: 1. Try to sit steady without moving any part of the body for about 20 to 30 minutes. That will go a long way in steadying the mind.

2. Next, gaze steadily at the picture of a holy personality in meditation posture like Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna or Buddha for about 10 minutes.

3. After this close your eyes and try to visualize the same picture for 15 to 20 minutes while you remain seated steadily.

4. Avoid activities which dissipate the mind like mindless watching of T.V. or reading trash literature.

5. Make a time table of your daily activity and stick to that routine rigorously. This should also include regular reading of Swami Vivekananda's Works.

Begin the day with meditation around 5 a.m. After meditation, you can do yoga-asanas and other physical exercises. But if you feel sleepy during meditation, do your exercises first and meditate later.