Meditation and its Dimensions

Question: When we meditate, is it necessary that we should concentrate on a human form of God (ishta-devata)? Why not concentrate on just a glow of light ?

Answer: Meditation means a continuous flow and concentration of thoughts on a  single object at a particular spiritual centre like the heart, middle of the eyebrows or the top of the head. The object of meditation could be any form of God or a spiritual personality like a saint or a prophet or even a glow of light. One can even meditate on a physical object like a tree or a mountain. However it is always desirable to have a divine object for meditation. Meditation on light as a symbol of God is a well recognized spiritual technique.

Question: What is spiritually most beneficial?

Answer: It is always preferable to meditate upon a form of God (ishta-devata). Since He or She has a corporeal aspect, a form, this helps even an untrained mind to concentrate easily. Moreover, a divine personality brings to mind many noble virtues and as we meditate on it, we gradually imbibe those values also. Besides, meditation becomes easier if one develops love for the personality one mediates upon. Being the embodiments of the Ultimate Divine,  these holy personalities lead us beyond the human form to the Principle behind the form.

Question: Can one meditate on one’s breath?

Answer: Yes, one can meditate on one’s breath but it helps only in calming down the mind.

Question: How important is it to fix our mind on a particular deity during meditation? Sri Ramakrishna said, ‘In order to get water, we have to dig at the same place.’ My mind gets fixed on different deities during different sessions of meditation. What should I do?

Answer: It is very important to fix our mind on one particular deity during meditation. Try to merge different deities which come to your mind  during different sessions  of meditation into one chosen deity (Ishta-devata).

Question: I have heard that we should not do Japa (repetition of God’s name) and take impression of ishta-devata while doing meditation. Meditation means only concentration on breath. Which is right?

Answer: As told earlier, meditation on breath is one form of concentration and it only helps in calming down the mind whereas meditation on a chosen deity (ishta-devata) is real meditation. Along with meditation, japa also should be performed.

Question: It is said that Swami Vivekananda meditated on the problems of India. You are telling to calm down the mind. Then what is the meaning of meditating on something?

Answer: The object of meditation can be a divine form or a divine light, a physical object or a concept or an idea. As a matter of fact, meditation on a concept or an idea is a higher type of meditation. For example, Sri Ramakrishna  meditated upon the concept, ‘Compassion on all creatures,’ and  at  the  height of his concentration, he discovered a new  concept ‘Service of living beings considering them as God himself (shiva jnane jiva seva).’  Similarly, when Swami Vivekananda meditated upon the problems of the country, he discovered their lasting solutions.

During meditation, the minds of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda were able to flow in only one direction because they were calm. There were no other disturbances; or else they could not have discovered new truths.

Question: Is there any relation between self-analysis and meditation?

Answer: Yes, a truly meditative mind is an introspective mind and has great penetrating powers. This is why it is capable to analyse itself, and find out what is obstructing its development. It also can correctly locate the impressions lying hidden deep within the subconscious mind and think of corrective measures.

Question: Some are seen chanting some mantras during their meditative practices. What is the importance of mantras and how do they influence us?

Answer: Mantras are word symbols of the divine just as the images of deities are the form symbols of the divine. Hence one can easily meditate while chanting the mantra and thinking on its meaning. This is a well recognized technique of meditation.

Question: If one does Gayatri mantra japam, can it be called meditation?

Answer: If one meditates on the meaning of a mantra, then it becomes meditation. Thus japa leads to meditation. However, doing japa without meditating on its  meaning, a mere repetition of the mantra cannot be called meditation.

Question: When I sit for meditation, I fall asleep. How can I overcome this?

Answer: This is a very common problem. Falling asleep could be due to various reasons. Most of us are by nature dull (tamoguni) and hence  as  soon  as  we  try  to calm our body and mind, sleep overtakes. It is also possible that we might be too tired by our daily activity  and hence fall asleep. Or some day we may not have had full sleep. For all these there are different solutions. If we are too tired, we must not do meditation at that time. It is better to rest a little and then meditate. If the stomach is heavy then also it will not be possible to meditate. Hence, it’ll be better to meditate empty stomach or take some light tea or  coffee.

Question: Can we meditate in a sleeping posture? I find it comfortable.

Answer: No. For most people, meditating even in a sitting posture is an invitation to sleep, what to speak of lying down!

Question: Some say that to practice meditation at brahma muhurta (two hours before the sun rise) is quite effective. Is it true?

Answer: Yes. That is the time when the nature is quiet and as the human beings are also asleep, there is relative calmness in the atmosphere. The mind naturally tends to be more peaceful during that period. Hence, it is advisable to meditate at that time.

Question: Which direction should we face during meditation?

Answer: Traditionally, Hindus are advised to meditate facing either east or north direction. Muslims meditate facing Mecca. However, this is not a very important  issue. One can meditate facing the picture or image of deity, in whichever direction it might be.