In the last article I had quoted 3 verses from Bhagwat Geeta and had also said that the essence and practice is the key to its learning and living this great scripture.
‘Practice what you preach’ came true in my life. There was a mild storm on the domestic front last week. I was cautious and watchful all the time of this fact and told myself never mind what happens I will bring back my mind on thoughts and wisdom of God by maintaining full faith in Him and I was also convinced that I am under his unfaltering protection and tutelage so everything is going to be alright in the end. So during the turbulence, I made sure that I make conversation with God inside me and seek his advice and help so that my mind does not go astray. I was unable to practice meditation during this period because of too much physical activity and mental turbulence. Nonetheless, towards the end of the week, once again in the afternoon after completion of my domestic chores, the house that I live in began to vibrate soothing and recuperating vibes which I felt were moving towards and entering my heart centre specifically. Deep sense of relaxation and peace overcame me and I went inside my room to rest and to be away from worldly entanglements for some time at least.
While resting, I remembered Mahavatar Babaji and was thinking how he came to my rescue just a few days ago by giving me very good counsel. As I remembered Him with overwhelming faith and devotion at that moment, He appeared again in a subtle form to give me further timely spiritual guidance for coming days. By now, I am accustomed to His extra ordinary presence in the form of sheer Divinity and recognize His speechless, serene arrival. My atmosphere for some time becomes very peaceful, pure and gentle, so different from the normal that we experience every day. I thanked Him for giving me those benevolent peaceful, balmy vibrations and I expressed a desire to Him that I wish to follow those 3 verses of Geeta in practical terms more so in times of turbulence. All He said was “Go to attend group meditation” which is held on weekends.
As Sunday arrived, in spite of no possibility of me making it to the meditation hall because of freaky stormy weather and heavy rainfall I did go, though I reached late. It was obvious to me that God’s Grace was with me because of those Babaji’s blessed words of instructions.
Even that one hour session was very beneficial and fruitful. The cleansing of my mind and body was done there. I had accumulated the karmic dust of someone to whom I was helping overcome the excess baggage of fruit of actions of previous lives. The dirt and its fatigue was washed off so effortlessly in that sitting as if there was no trouble at all!!
Please recall in- What is the purpose of my life? there is a very important paragraph highlighted by me which is the essence of that whole article. Babaji had explained to me in the dream sequence in very early hour that-
“The main aim of meditation is to be able to concentrate and focus on God in depth and duration while the other benefits of spiritual meditation are just its by-products”
Now since the past many weeks as I feel very cheerful and energetic again, I have a desire of stepping up and advancing in meditation practice by increasing its depth and duration but I do not know how. I have been praying silently in my heart and asking Guruji, Sri Paramhansa Yogananda, my mentor, who initiated me in Yoga and Dhyana and also to Shri Mahavatar Babaji, my Param Guru who is responsible of giving me a new lease of life figuratively and literally. I have always believed and lived by a strong conviction and belief that if you quietly pray to God and address your heartfelt desires for positive development, they are always answered. God really listens and responds to all our innocent and selfless askance.
Today morning, while in dhayan or concentration on God in those quiet hours of early morning when only one little bird was twittering in gaiety and the sun was still resting, I again recalled the dialogue between Bhagwan Krishna and his foremost disciple Arjuna as mentioned in the verses of Bhagwat Geeta in the last article. Arjuna expresses dissatisfaction and complains that his mind is uncontrollable like the wind and is never at ease and steady. So Krishna gives him a yukti, a strategy to fight and control the agitating mind. He advises Arjuna to meditate on God to control his frittering mind and also to be dispassionate about the earthly and materialistic affairs. When my mind was completely focused in the mid space between the two eye brows, Shri Mahavatar Babaji explained explicitly to me that- “Now your body has become fit enough to take the load of intensive physical exercise and intensive meditation practices. So increase your intensity of meditation”
I used to wonder many times before how one can get depth in meditation on which Babaji threw some light and gave me insight by saying,
“Depth in meditation comes by increasing the duration. If you meditate on God continually for a long period, you will achieve depth. When you attain depth gradually, the duration will increase simultaneously because the mind will be completely dissolved in God communion little by little”
What Krishna elucidates in those verses, Mahavatar Babaji clarified the shloka for me.
He said, “Whenever you have time in between hectic activities, release your mind from those capturing thoughts, that’s Vairagya or dispassion. Vairagya is not sannyas or relinquishing of duties. Vairagya or dispassion is releasing and purging the mind of the redundant and repetitive thoughts of the past and future. Empty out your mind from thoughts about people and of people to avoid cluttering, storing so that the space in the mind can be filled up with constructive positive thoughts. Save and conserve positive energies for that big task for a great cause, a noble mission.
Frittering of mind is the nature of mind. Meditation helps in developing and composing composure, tranquility and poise even during turbulence. It is only with regular practice of meditation that the mind is developed to become a vessel, a receptor and a receiving station to receive higher powers as well as supernatural powers to discover Nature and its functioning. And for the development of Super-Mind, it is developed by receiving very powerful potent vibrations of supernatural powers from higher space in the cosmic universe.”
For the first time I understood that meditation is such a good activity or positive karma, so full of vitality and benefits and why don’t I devote more time to it in spite of the overactive days. Then I understood that to be able to meditate frequently and in intensity I need more subtle energy which will come once I close my mind from its wandering or frittering habits during the day which is going unnoticed. I also observed when there was excessive futile mental actions, the strength in the body declines as was visible to me because I could not do my daily physical exercises so well during this time period. Most of the energy from my total energy was being used up in those repetitive wandering thoughts was clear to me now. Therefore, I decided to plug in those holes so that the mind could function optimally and no brain energy was being wasted. I did exactly that.
In the next following days also, I have decided to follow this great piece of advice and knowledge given to me by Babaji which I am sharing with you now.
I can strengthen and improve the power of my mind to achieve what I wish to achieve in future. To make my mind steady, composed and powerful and also peaceful, I will repeatedly practice bringing my mind back again and again to the centre to focus and concentrate on God. But before the mind is brought back, it has to be cut off from the external source thereby also practicing vairagya or dispassion.
It is better to safeguard the wandering mind and stop it from so many future errors and suffering from futile actions of the wandering mind. It is for our own good that we practice curbing and focusing the thoughts by bringing it back again and again on God and self realizations by thinking of faith, devotion, hope and aspiration. We should also pursue some type of meditation techniques so that the mind becomes stronger, powerful yet peaceful in nature. There will be storms, turbulence and difficulties that we will have to encounter in future, life does not stop here. Our efforts of internalizing the mind will help us to give us peace, composure and tranquility of mind.
I pray to my dear Divine Father and Gurus to bless us all who are striving in their efforts to control their minds to give them the will power and mental strength to meditate deeply in depth and duration on Thee!!
This article is so elaborately written along with experiences and anecdotes that the mind drifts to a relative peace by itself. Thank you so much!
Dear Deepanjan, I am very busy these days. But you read the articles and send your feedback, I will reply to all of them soon. I also have to enter the B-part of the latest post but because of time crunch, I cannot complete it.. Take care. Sarika Aunty
Dear Sarika Aunty,
Keep writing as and don’t worry about replying! Most of your posts have the answers in them! We readers await them eagerly!
Regards,
Deepanjan
Dear Deepanjan, just completed the B part of Kriya Shakti-III. It is about how we must first bring the wandering and fidgety mind into control thus saving the energy which in turn can be used to increase our working capacity. If these articles are little hard to understand for you, read the previous ones. Ask if you want to know something more. Sarika Aunty.
Very important post aunty…
Was going thru this phase,where attachment to mind was destroying the peace..like a hunter it waits and attacks when off-guard and destroys everything till we understand what’s happening..once in grip it releases injections of pain through its false projections of events past and future and removes attention from blissful state of present..And if we don’t will to come out of it strongly,out of compassion Guru comes to rescue uplifting the self from the identification of mind and projects it on the blissful atman…Have learnt intense meditation is sole refuse and keeping mind dispassionate from worries all the time..
Its difficult but Babaji said”…the mind will
be completely dissolved in God
communion little by little.”
My humble devotions to Great Guru…
ohm namo bhagavade vasudevaya.
thanks for sharing this experience..pranam to Param guru babaji, and guru sri yoganada ji..ma
but sarika ma, why you was sent to attend group meditation ? ( Does it give more energy flow or depth than doing it alone ?- i have read it so many times from other source too, what is the exact reason for that ? )
Love,
Midhun
@Midhun. I was sent for group meditation because 1. I was to become assured of myself that I was doing the right thing. 2. I was quite weak in body and mind so needed some support temporarily.3 Guruji, Paramhansa Yogananda’s group meditations (YSS) are well guided so a beginner cannot go wrong.
In the beginning it does give you some power to get started.
Ma
sarika ma,
it is clear now..
WIht love,
Midhun Pk
Meditation and chanting are truly important for all of us. In today’s run -here, run-there, busy-busy world it is imperative to meditate and chant. They truly soothe and rejuvenate us inside-out.
Thank you God, Guru’s and Ma for this Divine Spa in which we can immerse ourselves to re-connect to God anytime <3
1. “The main aim of meditation is to be able to concentrate and focus on God in depth and duration while the other benefits of spiritual meditation are just its by-products Depth in meditation comes by increasing the duration. If you meditate on God continually for a long period, you will achieve depth. When you attain depth gradually, the duration will increase simultaneously because the mind will be completely dissolved in God communion little by little”
2. Meditation helps in developing and composing composure, tranquility and poise even during turbulence. It is only with regular practice of meditation that the mind is developed to become a vessel, a receptor and a receiving station to receive higher powers as well as supernatural powers to discover Nature and its functioning.
3. To make my mind steady, composed and powerful and also peaceful I will repeatedly practice bringing my mind back again and again to the centre to focus and concentrate on God. ( Dear mom, this is a wonderful, stand alone affirmation which I have repeated many times. )
I also realize that it is important not to keep thinking always and there should be a brief period of silence daily. That reminds me once long back I had met Sri Ravi Shankar, AOL Guruji and when I asked him some doubt all he said was ” Be Hollow and empty ” . Now I realize how precious that answer was. It is the empty flute from which music appears. Mind chatter is like being stuck in daily traffic. Trying to find retreats in Bangalore where I can spend atleast a day in silence. Antar manasa (part of Manasa Foundation is very relaxing and silent place which I enjoy going to. Was wondering if there are any other places like this in Bangalore. )
Oh God, help me go deep within.
Zillion thanks <3
Love to read your synopsis (kind of) and comment Dear Sahid..
One more Para from above post i found very impact-full :
“Whenever you have time in between hectic activities, release your mind from those capturing thoughts”
Wish i can recall and practice this in my hectic life..
Pyramid valley is another place you can think about going..Mediating at King chamber inside pyramid has very tangible vibrations.
May we all Babaji family grow spiritually and spread his message in the world
Pranam Ma and Babaji
Thank you Paripurnaji for reminding me about Pyramid valley. I had gone there once for Judy Satori’s event. It is a very peaceful place.
This is such a wonderful post Ma. One should keep reading this post at regular interval. Where in the world we can get such apt definition of vairagya.
“Vairagya or dispassion is releasing and purging the mind of the redundant and repetitive thoughts of the past and future”.
Most of time keep our mind are engaged in futile thoughts and here is the guidance -> Be aware and plug the holes thorough which we are loosing our energies and divert our mind to God communion.
“Depth in meditation comes by increasing the duration. If you meditate on God continually for a long period, you will achieve depth. When you attain depth gradually, the duration will increase simultaneously because the mind will be completely dissolved in God communion little by little”.
“little by little”-“little by little” keep marching on the path shown by Guru, keep chanting Guru’s name, keep singing glory of Guru and have patience.
Thank you Ma and Babaji.
Gratitude
Glad to read this wonderful post again Ma.
My takeways –
“Depth in meditation comes by increasing the duration. If you meditate on God continually for a long period, you will achieve depth. When you attain depth gradually, the duration will increase simultaneously because the mind will be completely dissolved in God communion little by little”
“Whenever you have time in between hectic activities, release your mind from those capturing thoughts, that’s Vairagya or dispassion. Vairagya is not sannyas or relinquishing of duties. Vairagya or dispassion is releasing and purging the mind of the redundant and repetitive thoughts of the past and future. Empty out your mind from thoughts about people and of people to avoid cluttering, storing so that the space in the mind can be filled up with constructive positive thoughts.”
Pranam Ma and Babaji
With Deep Gratitude,
Kiran
Dear warm-hearted Maa. thank you for sharing your precious wisdom with us. I was looking a counsel to tame the mind this evening because it begins wandering when we come in contact with unwanted people and other useless thoughts. God guided me to this gem of an article. 🙂 I miss you. With love, thankfulness and regards
Dear Amma,
I read both part 1 and 2 in continuity today.
It becomes more and more evident to me how much effort you have put in your Santana over the years. My pranaam to you.
1. God responds to all innocent and selfless askance.
I realize to be honestly and entirely selfless is becoming harder and harder as age is increasing and life is becoming more demanding and complex.
2. The definition of vairagya is the most beautiful one I have ever read. Babaji really is a Mahavatar. Only he could give such a definition.
3. Regular meditation to make the mind a vessel. Immense practice is needed on my part in this area.
Pranaam.
Dear MA,
I read this post after a very long gap, but i understood the meaning now . in the above post you have mentioned that when the mind is unruly it impacts the outward activities like it impacted your exercise. I experianced this personally now when i have started preparing myself for the upcoming pilgrimage,, the more my mind is focused inward with very less thoughts, the better i work out. I really find focus on breath very helpful and … feel its such a beautiful and simple technique to keep the mind steady…more n more people must follow it. its so blissful and peace giving . Thank you Mother for enriching our lives with your holy experiances!!!
I came across this blog accidentally. Since then I have bookmarked this Blog and have been reading it from few days and will continue to do so in future too. I’m deriving some unexplainable positive vibrations and Peace. So many Deep spiritual and material insights have been graced here. I don’t know what to say.
I mentally bow and do full Shirasastanga Namaskara to the Author and all the divine Guru’s for their mercy and grace shown on us. Please accept my humble offerings. I have surrendered myself to the Guru.
My dear Niranjan, I am glad you have found the prevalent Divine Peace embedded in this site of the Grand Holy Masters. It is a source of profound stability to the wandering mind or the agitation caused to it from external forces intermittently. All of a sudden a blanket of White Light engulfs the true seeker as he or she moves on from one lamp post to another.The rest is an experience only for the receiver of the Grace and infinite mercy.
I am always there as a source of guidance and counsel for those who are truly seeking. I am reachable at spiritinlife@gmail.com
With my blessings to you.
Sarika
Dear Ma,
Thank you very much for your blessings. As they say Master’s and Guru’s grace is absolute necessary for Liberation. This blog is definitely like a nectar which soothes tormented souls and enriches Guru Bhakti!
I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the efforts and work which has been put here. This is literally a treasure house. And a guiding light for all the seekers. I humbly bow to you and all the Guru’s. I thank the Gurus for guiding me here. And pray for guidance for this life and afterlife.
So many of my questions are getting cleared as I’m reading,Which came as a surprise to me, This is definitely Guru’s and your grace no doubt. I will continue reading.
Thank you for giving us a direct access and link to contact you.
My humble Pranams to your lotus feet.