Are you meditating?

 

One may feel that having devotion in ones heart, leading a correct life, and reading spiritual books are enough for a spiritual life. But that is not the case.

Spirituality is about knowing ones real identity that transcends the external appearance. Anything else is about wallowing in ignorance.

All the saints say that one needs to delve into the inner core. Sri Ramakrishna used to feel exasperated with devotees who were full of questions. He used to say, these idiots do not dive deep but like to slash about in shallow waters. They achieve nothing.

Ramana Maharshi emphasized again and again that meditation is essential and nothing else can reveal the truth. You may study tons of scriptures but unless you seek the one within your heart, you are not going to proceed.

Spirituality is about realizing that all things that are perceived are false. They are projections of the mind and hide the underlying reality. That reality can be accessed by meditating in the heart region. Both Ramakrishna and Ramana stressed that meditating on the heart is the best practice.

Ramana had a specific. He said when we are asked about our identity our hand automatically rises and our finger touches a region in the heart, slightly to the right of the middle. That is the spot one should meditate upon.

People who meditate regularly can feel the region waking up. There is a sensation within the heart. Many meditators see the color of the skin changing in that region. The skin may turn red while meditating.

Meditation also silences or slows down the mind. It should not be done purposefully for the mind will rebel at such an effort. It (the slowing down of the mind) should be allowed to come naturally.

The immediate effect of meditation on the heart is that the heart slowly replaces the mind and one is then guided by the heart. The heart instinctively knows what is right and what is wrong. Then one is not deceived and manages to take the right decisions. Love and compassion also develop.

What else? One can get experiences but they are not the goal. Rather experiences can be a hindrance if one considers them to be important. They seek to delude the seeker and make him or her give up further efforts.

Meditation slowly drags one in. But the process is not in ones hand. One has to simply practice meditation with the aspiration that the Self will reveal itself. It will do so at the opportune time.

There is a saying among north Indian saints; "Prabhu ke dwar mein kutte ke mafiq pade raho." What that means is one should lie like a dog before the house of the Master. Rest is up to the Master. This is the right attitude.

Sri Ramakrishna used to say, as one proceeds sincerely circumstances become favorable. Then things begin to fall into place.

Therefore begin meditating if you are not doing so. Seek out groups that practice meditation. Choose wisely after studying their literature. The Vedantic view is the best for meditation.