Knowing Meditation - Part 7

The conversations in this series are not limited to any specific form of meditation. What we are exploring here is relevant for anyone genuinely seeking to follow a spiritual path amidst our busy lives. To effectively practice meditation, it’s essential to grasp the complexities involved, including the necessary knowledge and skills that form the foundation of spirituality. Many practitioners struggle to make meaningful progress or may even experience misleading advancements due to a lack of this foundational understanding. Practicing meditation without achieving clear progress is not beneficial. Once you acquire the necessary knowledge, the practice becomes much more manageable. Further advancement relies solely on your dedication and persistence. Meditation serves as a means to attain enlightenment through direct, clear, and profound understanding, rather than through religious doctrines. Thus, religion is not a prerequisite for meditation or spirituality. Consciousness arises from perception, learning, and reasoning, allowing individuals to be aware of themselves and their circumstances. In meditation, attention serves as the focal point. It’s important to note that attention differs from consciousness; it represents the ability to concentrate mentally. Awareness and attentiveness are crucial components of the foundational knowledge of meditation. The initial stage of awareness paves the way for the subsequent stage of attentiveness. Significant spiritual growth can only occur through the evolution of consciousness paired with attentiveness. The desire to be spiritual holds more weight than mere actions. The thought process aimed at achieving enlightenment is more critical than the actions taken. Both awareness and attentiveness reflect the development of the mind. Levels of consciousness can vary greatly among individuals, influenced by the mind's natural tendencies and its ability to interpret gathered information. This understanding reinforces the idea that one should avoid excessive engagement in sensory experiences.

The mind tends to respond solely to the information it receives through the senses. However, because of its unconditioned nature, it struggles to distinguish between perception and reality. Perception arises from sensory input, while reality stems from knowledge. In its unconditioned state, often referred to as the innate state, the mind mistakenly interprets perception as reality. This unconditioned state signifies a lack of spiritual understanding. Spiritual knowledge, which embodies the concept of non-duality or advaita, can initially be acquired through sacred texts and the Upanishads. Without a fundamental understanding of Brahman, meditation on Him is not feasible. Recognizing the formless Brahman is the logical outcome of the meditative journey. To achieve this ultimate realization, one must progress from the foundational level. Spiritual growth is a gradual process of mental purification, which can be facilitated by reducing excessive sensory distractions. While it’s impossible to live without senses, the Upanishads encourage us not to become overly attached to sensory experiences and material pleasures. The term ‘addiction’ is crucial in determining what constitutes ‘too much.’ Although we rely on our senses for survival, it’s essential to overcome temptations and ego, which lead to a false identification of the self as the true Self, influenced by maya or illusion. Knowledge is the key to conquering these temptations and ego. Spiritual purity can be achieved through unwavering devotion. Therefore, knowledge and devotion are the cornerstones of meditation. As one progresses in meditation, they may encounter illusory states where self-suggestions are often mistaken for divine experiences. Establishing a connection with the cosmos through subtle sounds requires consistent practice, which will be explored further in this series. In the realm of autosuggestions, the mind remains partially impure, and full awareness and attentiveness have yet to be attained.

The phase of "living in the present moment" emerges when significant strides are made in meditation. Essentially, meditation consists of a set of techniques designed to consciously direct attention, allowing for conclusions to be drawn through reasoning rather than mere intuition, and to engage in deep contemplation over time. The ability to reason and think critically is rooted in knowledge, making the quality of that knowledge crucial in the practice of meditation. This process is self-driven. As one advances in meditation, a natural understanding of the inner essence of things begins to unfold, often without the meditator's conscious awareness. This occurs effortlessly. The combination of focused mental concentration, the ability to distinguish between illusion and reality, and spiritual knowledge creates a mental foundation that leads to a clear understanding, often without intention. However, this clarity can only be achieved when the mind is completely relaxed. For instance, when one concentrates on the form of their chosen deity (Ishta Devata) with sustained focus, they become immersed in that form. Over time, if the focus on the deity is relaxed, spiritual growth occurs alongside an unfolding internal experience. Transitioning from focus to relaxation is not challenging, as the mind has already been trained. This shift is vital, as it allows one to become less absorbed, paving the way for a higher level of consciousness and the development of intuitive skills. Meditation can be considered complete when various techniques are mastered to cultivate a serene mind over time, especially during periods of prayer, study, and meditation. It is only at this advanced level of meditation that an alternate state of consciousness can be accessed, which is essential for realizing the divine.