Understand Meditation - Part 3

Understanding an object relies heavily on our mental faculties. Krishna mentions in the Bhagavad Gita (VI.34) that “the mind is very restless, turbulent, persistent, and powerful, making it as challenging to control as the wind.” As long as we are tied to our desires, mastering the mind remains elusive. It's a misconception to believe that isolation can lead to mind control. Regardless of our environment, if our thoughts are linked to the mind, effective control is unattainable. The most effective way to gain mastery over the mind is to detach from desires, but since desire is ingrained in us, this can be quite a daunting task. The mind is inherently active and cannot exist without thoughts. Even in a state of thoughtlessness, it remains connected to a higher consciousness, represented as light. However, if we train the mind to focus on a specific object, it can momentarily disregard other distractions from our senses. Our sensory organs provide the necessary stimuli for thought processing, and without an object, the mind tends to drift towards these sensory inputs. A successful meditation practice helps to pull the mind away from these distractions. Yet, it’s important to note that the mind cannot be entirely inactive; it must remain engaged for effective functioning. The concept of calming the mind will be explored further in this series. Instead of scattering our focus across multiple objects, we can train the mind to concentrate on one single object, a practice known as meditation.

The ultimate goal of meditation is to recognize the formless essence of the Divine and maintain a connection with it. However, this realization cannot be the starting point of meditation, as the mind requires gradual training to focus on something formless. Since the mind has been accustomed to forms, transitioning to a formless state is not an easy task. Therefore, it's essential to begin meditation practice with a conceptualized object. The early stages of spiritual practice often involve rituals, which are crucial for establishing a solid foundation in spirituality. These rituals lead to the practice of mantra recitation, commonly referred to as 'mantra japa.' During rituals, both the body and mind are engaged, while in mantra japa, the body is at rest, and the mind focuses solely on repeating the mantra a set number of times. Initially, practitioners use rosary beads, often paying more attention to the beads than the mantra itself. Eventually, the mind realizes that the beads are unnecessary, allowing practitioners to recite the mantra without counting, thereby shifting their focus more onto the mantra. The true power of the mantra begins to manifest at this stage, as the earlier practice was merely a way for the mind to become acquainted with it. After some time, the mind may question the need for the mantra, as it becomes preoccupied with visualizing the form associated with it. Each mantra is accompanied by a dhyan verse that describes the deity's form for whom the mantra is intended.

This dhyan verse plays a crucial role in helping us visualize the deity. For instance, it describes the deity as having four arms, a crimson complexion, and sitting on a lotus flower. The main goal of the dhyan verse is to assist practitioners in forming a mental image of the deity as outlined in the verse. The power of the mantra breathes life into this form, making the deity the focal point of meditation. Since the mind lacks prior experience with the deity—because such a form doesn't exist in the physical world—it's essential to train our minds to concentrate on this imagined figure. By sincerely and dedicatedly following the spiritual path, we naturally make significant progress. If someone feels stagnant, it suggests they may not be on the right track. Progress involves moving from the physical realm to the mental realm, where the mind takes precedence over the body.