Right now I am doing Transcendental Meditation of Maharshi Mahesh. Shall I continue that one?
There are many techniques of meditation. Learn anyone from an adept and if
it suits you, continue to do it. Changing meditation techniques is not advised.
If you want to sink a well and get water, you must continue to dig at one site.
You won't get a well by changing sites. Similar is the case with meditation.
When, we start meditating, we fall asleep unknowingly.
What steps are to be taken not to fall
asleep?
Failing asleep during meditation is a very common defect. It may occur due to
various reasons. One may be physically tired or may have had less sleep at
night. In that case sleep for about half an hour and then sit for meditation.
If you are not tired and/or had good sleep, then try to be alert. If you feel
sleepy, open the eyes and look at the picture of the Ishta. Or you may get up,
briskly walk for sometime and again sit for meditation.
The fact is, we do not have
real interest In meditation. If you are really Interested In meditation, you would
never fall asleep.
How many hours of sleep is advisable?
Six to seven hours of sleep should be enough for a healthy body. One needs
more sleep if one is Tamoguni or Rajoguni, i.e., dull or restless. One can
reduce the hours of sleep by regulating one's whole mental and physical life.
What kind of food is especially beneficial? Can we
eat non-vegetarian food?
Take the food which you are used to and which suits your system. The
general rule is that one must avoid rich, fried foods which are difficult to digest,
nor should one stuff one's stomach with too much food.
What is the role of food, especially vegetarianism, in meditation and samadhi?
Vegetarian food is definitely more conducive to meditation and spiritual
life. Food obtained by injuring or killing creatures cannot conduce to higher
yoga, though In the Initial stages It may not matter. However, one need not be
too dogmatic. After all, great saints have also been produced In all religions,
even among those who do not Insist upon a vegetarian diet. It IS also a fact
that a time comes in the life of many spiritual aspirants who, though basically
non-vegetarian, do not like to take such food and prefer vegetarian diet.
In the beginning, it is quite difficult to get up early
in the morning. We may have some work in the evening. Can one meditate for
sometime just before one goes to bed?
Early morning, just before sunrise and the evening, soon after sunset, are considered
best times for meditation because during these meeting points between day and
night, sandhyas, nature is quiet. However, if one is not able to make
use of these hours, one may certainly meditate before falling asleep a t night.
In fact, everyone must meditate for sometime
before going to bed. However, one must try to make all possible effort to
snatch the sandhya hours for meditation.
The evening time, especially in the hostels, is
tight. We go for playing and by the time
we return, it is 6.30 -- time for dinner. Now if we meditate then we are sure
to miss dinner. Now, can we meditate after dinner? Will it affect our meditation?
What is the solution?
One must not meditate on full stomach. It is always advisable to meditate on
empty or light stomach. If you cannot snatch half an hour for meditation before
dinner, you may meditate two hours after a light dinner.
How should I start meditation? I have friends who
make fun of me and divert my attention.
If you are convinced of the usefulness of meditation, why do you care for
what others say? Why don't you bring your friends also to this study Circle?
After all meditation is a rational, scientific technique. You may try to
convince your friends about its usefulness. But, my dear friend, one must be
prepared to walk on the path alone.
Is listening to a cassette for meditation better
than trying to do one's own?
Initially one may take the help of a cassette of guided meditation for some
days. But after that, once one has developed the habit of following the various
steps meticulously, one can do meditation on one's own. The aim should be to do
meditation without any external help.
For meditation in the morning, should we do it
after daily morning chores and refreshments or before?
Do meditation after washing and ablutions, but before refreshments.
Can we meditate when we are hungry or ill?
Yes, one can certainly meditate if one is hungry. If you have fasted and
are very hungry, better take a very light refreshment before meditation. As for
illness, consult your doctor. There are certain diseases In which sitting is prohibited.
But you can certainly think of God and take His name while lying in bed.
During meditation, which direction should one
face ̶ East or West? Is there any influence of direction
on meditation?
Traditionally Hindus prefer to face east or north during meditation. This
may have some geographical scientific reason. Earth's magnetic currents pass in the north-south direction and the earth
moves in the east-west direction. Thus facing these two directions might be
useful. Muslims face Kabba, which is towards west of India. God is everywhere.
Why be so fastidious about the direction?
What would happen if everybody in the world starts
meditating?
