Realizing the ultimate truth is Meditation

His Holiness Sudhanshu ji Maharaj !

Meditation is a science of moving inwards. It is a timeless practice dating back thousands of years, offering a profound pathway to inner peace and a state of enlightenment, ultimately leading to ecstasy. Once you are there in a state of no mind, there is no stress, anxiety, fear or distractions. Meditation is a technique to train the mind and induce a state of heightened awareness to reduce stress for enhancing focus and emotional resilience. As we gradually, step by step, delve onto meditation’s science, techniques and practical applications, we uncover its transformative potentional to nurture a harmonious relationship between mind, body and soul.

Now, the question arises, how to reach this state of nomind (A-mann). Follow the following steps and you can successfully reach the state of divine bliss.

Choose a cozy, uncrowded area to relax and be alone, use dim lighting seating and minimal distractions to ensure a relaxing atmosphere. You can use cushions or blankets to support your posture.

Sit comfortably with your spine up right and relaxed. You can sit cross-legged on the floor, in a chair with your feet flat, or even down if uncomfortable. Rest your hands on your knees or legs, palms facing upward or downward, whichever feels natural.

Close your eyes or soften your gaze and focus on your breath, watch your breath sensations, such as the rise and fall in your chest or airflow through your nose. Let the breath flow naturally, don’t try to force it.

When your thoughts continue to wander, let them do so, but gently guide them back to the present moment you breathe. Observe the thoughts, emotions and experiences that rise objectively, allow them to dissipate like the clouds in the sky.

Conduct a body scan by watching different parts of the body, starting from your toes and moving upward to your head. With each exhale, pay attention to any area of tension or discomfort and let them soften or release.

If you find it difficult to watch your breathe, you can chant a mantra silently, visualize on sounds as a focal front. Repeat a word or phrase silently to yourself, imagine a beautiful scene or listen to the calming music or natural sounds like of the birds.

Practice acceptance and non-attachment to your experience during meditation. If you face thoughts or emotions that arise, acknowledge them without being attached to them and gently return your focus to your chosen anchor.

With increasing experience, you can progressively prolong your meditation sessions from 5 to 10 minutes. Aim to meditate regularly almost daily, to experience the cumulative benefits over time. Decide a schedule and duration that can work for you and commit to making meditation a part of your routine.

Meditation

When you decide to conclude your meditation session, gently return your attention to your immediate environment. Breathe deeply for a moment, move your fingers and toes and then gradually open your eyes. Take a moment to reflect on your experience and carry the sense of calm and presence onto your life.

It is very important to remember that meditation is a regular practice and that shifts in concentration regular. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you navigate your meditation journey. Celebrate small victories and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. (These steps have been explained by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in Bhagwadgita in Chapter 6 from Shlokas 10-20).

In brief by following these steps faithfully, you will reach or pass through three stages to automatically capture the fourth stage of pure consciousness.

First step:-

Observe all your activities, your body and its related activities. Just remain a witness to all happenings.

Second step:-

When you have become capable to watching your body and its activities, watch the activities of your mind – thoughts, dreams, and imaginations. Just be a witness. As if you are standing by the side of the road. You are not part of it. Just be a pure witness without any judgement, good or bad. No evaluation being done. This is the state of no mind.

Third step:-

Now watch subtle emotions, moods – a certain shadow of sadness and joy.

First is concerned with the body, second with the mind and third with the soul.

When you become capable of watching the third, the fourth happens on its own. Then you are at the very centre of your being. And this is the moment of the ultimate ecstasy, enlightenment, Samadhi. You may give this state any name but this is ultimate truth.

This is the very end of the inner journey. This realization of thyself is realization of the truth, the divine, the God. Meditation leads you to this stage.