MEDITATION 1

Meditation is coming in contact with one's inner self. The externalised mind is so chaotic with the unceasing stream of sensory impressions setting it into wave-like undulations that its tranquillity is lost and there is a seeming detachment of it from the inner mind which remains serene, beyond the reach of these disturbing sense-influences. But the mind is ever one and integrated however unlike its different phases may seem to be. It is a connected whole, a continuum, a gradation from the gross to the fine. The division is apparent and never real. Meditation brings one into contact with the deeper layers of the mind where abide peace and happiness and bliss supreme.

Meditation is the endeavour of the soul to dive deeper into itself by disconnecting itself from surface attachments which lend it levity. And herein comes renunciation as the precondition to successful meditation. Detachment from material possessions and human affections that bind the soul is the precondition to depth meditation. Else, it is just a plaything in the hands of children seeking relaxation of sorts.

While relaxation therapy advised by many modern physiologists is the preparatory stage of mental concentration where the mind is allowed to run free of any control even as a wild horse is allowed to run for a while before it tires to a modicum of moderation in movement, real meditation lies far beyond these playful exercises and calls for a protracted struggle, at first, to contain the mind within smaller and smaller ambit, and then, to dissolve the mind altogether in the transcendental Self whose incongruous image is the mind.

All this may seem a trifle discouraging and beyond the lot of ordinary mortals to achieve but then, which field of excellence is achievable without pursuit of it using the right tools and methods? Yet, there is a ray of hope for all in this grandest of human endeavour, the control of the mind through meditation, for after all, the human species is uniquely capable organically of successful meditation and there is nothing to be so despondent about failure to attain to perfected mental concentration. What has been achieved by the Buddha is achievable by all, for uniformity, despite surface differentiation and diversity, is the rigorous law of Nature and practice and detachment over years will eventually focus the mind in all who sincerely adhere to this science of meditation. Then peacefulness will follow and wisdom and love and all that is good and holy will bless the soul that has persevered through the years in its bid to master the mind.

End of Part 1...to be continued.