Instructions on Meditation

By

Sri Swami Sivananda

This article is from the book Dhyana Yoga.

Instructions on Meditation

Mokshapriya said:

O Blessed Teacher, now instruct me on Meditation. My mind is ever wandering despite my effort in the early morning during Brahmamuhurta-4 a.m.

Swami Sivananda replied:

O Mokshapriya, hearken to me with rapt attention and one-pointed mind. Dhyanam nirvishayam manah: meditation is freeing the mind from thoughts of sense-objects. Mind dwells on God and God alone during meditation.

All on a sudden you cannot jump to meditation and Samadhi. You will fall down and break your legs. Can a student of Third Form understand the “Theory of Relativity”, “Advanced Mathematics”, etc.?

Purify your heart first through selfless service, recitation of Lord’s Names, Pranayama, etc. Get yourself established in Sadachara or right conduct. Have perfect ethical perfection. Then alone will you be established in deep meditation.

Meditation follows concentration and Samadhi follows meditation.

A gross mind, O friend, O Mokshapriya, wants a concrete object for meditation, in the beginning. Meditation on a concrete form such as the form of Lord Krishna with flute in hand, or the form of Lord Jesus or Lord Buddha is very necessary in the beginning. This is Saguna meditation or meditation on the form of the Lord with attributes.

Think of His attributes such as Omnipresence, Omniscience, Omnipotence, purity and perfection, etc. when you meditate on His form.

Gradually the mind will be prepared and disciplined to take up the higher Nirakara and Nirguna meditation, formless and attributeless meditation on the Pure Nirguna Brahman.

Deep meditation cannot come in a day or a week or a month. You will have to struggle hard for a long time. Be patient. Be persevering. Be vigilant and diligent. Get rid of all Vasanas, cravings and ambitions. Cultivate burning dispassion, burning aspiration or longing for Self-realisation. Gradually you will enter into deep meditation.

Struggle, O Mokshapriya, struggle again. Strive hard. Meditate. Meditate. Meditate. You will surely attain success in the end. Mark my word, O spiritual hero!