What happens within you when you meditate

Long before sitting in meditation became something fashionable as it is today, meditation was a way of life for spiritual souls who longed to still the restless mind.

The Rishis sat in meditation for hundreds and thousands of years so that they could listen to the Word of God from within them. From the Word of God they heard, we received priceless gems of spiritual treasures in the form of Vedas, Upanishads, mantras.

It is said that even Lord Buddha had experimented with over ten thousand techniques in meditation! Okay, I must say that I don't have any "proof" but that's the buzz in the spiritual realm.

While many of us struggle with it, it helps to understand what happens inside us when we meditate.

Whenever I meditate, my experience varies from day to day. There is just one exception though. I always see a lotus with baby pink petals blossom in my heart region and as I meditate, the petals turn a pale, beautiful gold. Following this, I see very clearly a smiling vision of my God and Guru - Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

What surprises me is that this repeats itself every day. I have not understood the "spiritual" significance of this experience but I feel the "sweetness" of it around my heart. And I wanted to share it here for those who mediate. [Do read: Meditation: Signs of Progress & How to identify a Real Vision from a False One]

And here's a quote from a highly revered Siddha Yogi - Baba Muktananda - about what happens within you when you meditate. [Also do read: How Raja Yoga unites mind power with cosmic power]

How do you meditate? What challenges do you face in keeping the mind still and how do you tackle it as you continue meditating? Do share your thoughts & meditation experiences here...it will definitely inspire many others on the spiritual path.

Comments

Rathessh said…

First of ALL - "You can sit in meditation, but 'you' can't do Meditation". Because Meditation has to happen, not done. 'You' is Ahankara, and if you want real Meditation to happen; let that 'you' subside first with Concentration or Dharana (refer 8 limbs of Astanga Yoga and the sequence). We can set the conditions and atmosphere for Meditation, that's all, and allow the rest to happen all by itself.
I have had the privilege to be interested in meditation for a number of years, try to do it, go to a number of ashrams, satsangs, around the country, enquire with saints and yogis and find that the true state of meditation is nothing but "being". When you can just sit for some time everyday, anchor your awareness on the breath or the point between the eyebrows, and just watch, watch and watch whatever the mind brings forth without being disturbed or agitated; then one day Meditation will happen my friend. If you fight or flow with your mind Or be desperate for the meditation experience, you would be lost all your life behind a lost cause with some minor experiences. I affirm, avoid fight/flight attitude with the thoughts!
Meditation when it happens-after we set the conditions/atmosphere for it, can reveal our true nature of the self (jivatman) and clear all the notions and perceptions of the tainted world we have all painted. It gives us the ability to look at everything "As it Is", without distorting with our perceptions; thereby letting God to communicate in the depth-full state of Silence.
We can also convert any activity we do into Mediation, by mindfulness and surrendering to the Now. Please read Eckhart Tolle's 'Power of Now' to know more.
Practice, alone with sincerity and devotion is the Answer. :)

PS: Letting go is an art and trick to be perfected through Meditation.
Thanks & Humble Regards.
Ratheesh Menon

July 21, 2015 at 7:08 PM

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences. [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste. You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being born

How do you light Deepam at home?

How do you light deepam at home? As a child, I loved watching the ritual of my grandmother lighting the deepam or the traditional lamp at home in the evenings. A sense of serenity accompanied her frail figure as she would carefully straighten every wick, dip it into the tiny puddle of oil and light the lamp. As my grandmother would read out the scriptures and chant the prayers, the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers added depth to the experience. In many Hindu homes nowadays, the lighting of the lamp (or the nilavilakku, as Malayalis refer to the traditional lamp in their homes) is not a regular practice. A lot of people have many questions around how to light deepam at home and which oil to use and so on. An important point to keep in mind - Maintain physical cleanliness and hygiene while lighting the lamp. Wear clean clothes while lighting the lamp. Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Deepam at Home Collating most queries related to how to light the deepam at home, I'v

Gayatri Mantra as Panchamukhi: Get it right or let it go

Most people do not understand the importance of chanting the Gayatri mantra because they are not aware of its power. It is only when I began to read Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings that I learned how sacred and powerful the chanting of the Gayatri mantra is. The Vedas represent the breath of God. The Gayatri mantra is the very basis of the Vedas. Try not to undertake chanting the Gayatri mantra as a light endeavor or as a hobby. It has to be chanted with faith, discipline and purity of mind and body. Be steady with your sadhana if you want to reap the spiritual dividend associated with the Gayatri mantra and never once hesitate once you decide to do it. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba said that the Gayatri Mantra is referred to as Pancha Mukhi, the Goddess with five faces that represent the five pranas or life forces. Here's more on it. . Also read: The Power of OM Chant the Gayatri Mantra correctly: Pause Five Times Here are some important thi

Malayalam film Sara 's on Amazon Prime is a bold take on a woman's right to abortion

Sara's Malayalam movie review: Malayalam cinema is known for breaking stereotypes even when its male audience may find it clearly unpalatable. One of the recent Malayalam films this year that I really found thought provoking is 'Sara's' on Amazon Prime despite the fact that it has many sketchy areas in its narrative and I do not support Sara's personal choices. [READ: Prithviraj starrer Mumbai Police breaks stereotypes!] Sara's Malayalam Movie Review: To have a child or not should be a woman's decision 'Sara's' is a film that urges Malayalis to give a 'woman' more independence about deciding whether she is ready to marry, and if she is, if she wants to have a child and if that choice comes under scrutiny, the final choice should be hers alone - it is her body, her life - not the guy's. This is something I personally believe in - a woman should never be forced to do anything against her will by anyone. No matter how you view it, a man

MV Devan: Eye of the Artist

On 29 th April, 2014, MV Devan passed away. He was born on January 15, 1928, to Madathil Govindan Gurukkal and Mulloli Madhavi in Kannur. My husband's family knew him well. As a person who respects writers, artists and musicians, I too felt a sense of loss on hearing about MV Devan's demise. But I believe that artists are those rare, blessed people who never 'die.' Their legacy lasts forever. {Credit: Google Images} MV Devan: A Different Kind of an Artist Many factors make MV Devan a different kind of artist. Artists, in the eyes of the society, are known to lead gypsy-like, wandering lives and hearts. It is said that the heart and soul of an artist is as mysterious as the sea and cannot belong to another. It definitely remains a mystery how MV Devan remained a true-to-heart family man. His love and commitment to his family, particularly his beloved wife, is well known. That, indeed, is a

Petals!

Search This Blog