Copyright tribuneindia
In today’s world, we are caught in a relentless race: chasing the next goal, the next raise, the next upgrade. A better lifestyle, fatter pay cheques, endless to-do lists — the pursuit never ends. In the process, we often forget ourselves. Anxiety, addictive patterns, deep-rooted pain, and self-destructive habits begin to take over. This is the point where meditation starts to make sense.Imagine a state so profound that thought ceases, desire vanishes, and even the sense of “I” dissolves, leaving pure, luminous awareness.Meditation opens a door to a state of No-Mind — a state where the mind ceases to function and opens into the supernatural space, the domain of pure awareness.If one wants to live a life of clarity and direct knowing — free from pain, confusion, and unfulfilled effort — then meditation is the key. It is not something to do; it is a way to be. For only in stillness does the real reveal itself.The benefits of meditation reveal themselves gently — through body and mind. Modern science now confirms what the ancient seers knew intuitively. As practice deepens, measurable physiological and neurological shifts appear. Meditation calms the nervous system, slows the breath and heart rate, and lowers blood pressure. By releasing endorphins, it restores hormonal balance, easing stress, anxiety, and depression.According to the dictionary, the word ‘meditate’ means to engage in contemplation or reflection. Yet the contemplation that leads to meditation is not forced — it is effortless.Convinced that there was more to human living than the simple desires of hunger, attachment, ambition, and sex, the sages set out in search of the unseen essence that governed the inner and outer worlds. They asked: What caused thoughts to arise? What made them feel happy at times and unhappy at others? Why could they not control their destiny and the outcomes of their lives? Why did the rain not fall when they needed it most?Burdened by these questions, they withdrew into forests to sit in quiet contemplation — away from external disturbances and social obligations. Here, through trial and error, through deep study, and finally through supernatural interventions, they discovered what lay beyond the veil of the mind.While treading this path, they uncovered simple yet powerful ways of breathing, watching, looking, listening, and simply being.These techniques they shared and documented for others who desired to walk the same path. The techniques or methods — or “tools”, as they are more simply termed — varied from one person to another, depending on the state of their mind and body configuration. Focused attention, mindfulness, and mantra chanting are some examples of these techniques.If one wishes to live beyond the mundane — beyond fluctuating emotions, helplessness, depression, anxiety, and stress — and wants to experience the supernatural within one’s life, to heal the body, and to be the master of one’s destiny by creating new experiences, then the answer lies in meditation.As for how to meditate, the first imperative is to understand why you want to meditate, and what is the purpose of following this path. Once you understand this, let the thought go and begin with a blank mind.Find a quiet and clean space, preferably where some fresh air is available — when you breathe in, you want to take in ‘prana’, life force or vital energy. Sit in a comfortable position. Remember to keep your spine straight. The important thing is to be comfortable. Your attention will be on your breath and you do not want to be shifting around.Select a word that resonates with you. Ram, Hari Om, Hare Krishna, Sat Naam, Wahe Guru, Allah Ho. Take a simple, calm deep breath, which comes at its own pace until it reaches your navel. Breathing till the navel stops the chatter in your head, keeps you focused. Start chanting your chosen word (shabad), in a soft but audible tone. The ears must hear and the heart must feel the sound.Choose a fixed time and place. You will soon notice the space itself begins to draw you back into practice.— The writer has been on a spiritual journey for over two decades
