Secret of Meditation

Meditation involves maintaining a steady focus on the object of our awareness. The term "steady" is crucial here. This steadiness can be likened to the process of pouring oil from one container to another, where the flow remains uninterrupted. Our concentration should mirror this continuous flow, without any interruptions. How can we determine the effectiveness of our meditation? In a quality meditation session, it may feel as though we've only meditated for a brief five minutes, while in reality, it could have been over an hour. During quality meditation, we lose track of both the location and the time spent meditating. At advanced levels, we may even forget about our breathing and physical presence, which is referred to as a loss of consciousness. In this state, the mind detaches from the physical body, including the sensory organs. Some individuals may experience unusual sounds during meditation, but this is not a requirement; not everyone will perceive these sounds, and their presence does not determine the quality of meditation. The next phase beyond this loss of consciousness is known as samādhi, or trance. Samādhi cannot be forced; it must be encountered through quality meditation. The ultimate goal of meditation is to reach this state of samādhi. In the initial stages of meditation, we recognize three distinct elements: the meditator, the act of meditating, and the object of meditation. However, in samādhi, these three elements merge into a singular experience, dissolving into a state of nothingness, referred to as Nirguṇa Brahman. While there are various forms of samādhi, two types stand out as particularly significant: sabīja or savikalpa samādhi, and nirbīja or nirvikalpa samādhi. Here, "bīja" signifies seed; "savikalpa" indicates the presence of variety or distinctions, allowing for options or doubts.

In sabīja or savikalpa samādhi, the mind harbors desires that exist as seeds, which can grow into an increasing number of desires. This is why it is often stated that excessive doubts—often stemming from insufficient spiritual understanding—can hinder one's ability to meditate effectively, preventing entry into the state of samādhi. In contrast, during nirbīja or nirvikalpa samādhi, there are no seeds to germinate, resulting in the absence of desires. All desires are inherently self-focused. When we concentrate on the happiness and well-being of others, our minds become free from any thoughts. A person who can maintain nirvikalpa samādhi for an extended period achieves the state of jīvanmukta. A jīvanmukta does not stand out from the crowd; they live like everyone else, dressing in ordinary clothing without saffron robes, beads, or any religious symbols. Reaching the jīvanmukta state is the highest reward of samādhi. They experience liberation in this lifetime, awaiting the completion of their karmas. They dedicate themselves to serving humanity, guiding others on the spiritual path, and expressing love and compassion towards animals and birds. A jīvanmukta does not need to reside in seclusion; they lead a typical life, consuming regular food and sleeping like anyone else. However, they are devoid of ego and self-centeredness.