Meditate on the SELF Part – fourteen

Meditate on the SELF

Always have the meaning and purpose of life in view. And experience that purpose and that meaning. You are That; that is the truth. You and the Universal are One; you and the Absolute are One; you and the Eternal are One. You are not the Individual, the Particular, the Temporary. Feel this, know this. Act in conformity with this. Someone came to Ramanamaharshi and asked him thus, “Swaami! I have been doing intense dhyaana
 for the last 18 years; but I have failed to realise the Ideal on which my dhyaana
 is concentrated. How many more years should I continue thus?” Ramana answered, “It is not a question of a certain number of years. You have to continue dhyaana
, until the awareness that you are doing dhyaana
 disappears.” Forget the ego. Let it melt and merge, with all its layers of consciousness.

There are some who, while meditating, strike at the mosquitoes that pester them! No, immerse yourselves in dhyaanam until you transcend all physical and mental urges and impulses. Vaalmeeki was covered by the anthill that grew over him, people discovered him by the sound of Raama-naama that emanated from that mound. Ignore the deha (body) so that you may discover the dehi (indweller). Do not get engrossed in outer finery but delve deep and discover the inner splendour.

Read Also: Lessons From Then And Now – Shirdi Reminiscences part – one hundred Nine

What does the saadhana of ignoring the body imply? It means turning aside the temptations of the senses, the overcoming of the six enemies: desire, anger, greed, attachment, pride and malice (kaama, krodha, lobha, moha, madha and maatsarya). Anger turns a man into a drunken brute. The other impulses are equally vicious. Seek only salutary karma. Eat only saathwik food, food that will not disturb the equanimity you earn through your saadhana. Do not break the even tenor of your spiritual practice. You can be really healthy and happy, only when you are immersed in the Universal. If you are in Aathma thatwa (essential nature of the Self), you will be fresh, happy and healthy. When you separate and feel that you are in deha thatwa (principle of body), you start declining

Meditate on the SELF – A sacred path to inner peace and divine awareness

Meditate on the SELF is a meaningful spiritual theme that reminds us that the deepest truth of life is not found only in the outer world. People spend much time searching for peace in success, comfort, relationships, possessions, and praise, but lasting peace begins within. The Self is the divine reality hidden behind the body, mind, emotions, and changing experiences of life. To meditate on it is to turn attention from the temporary toward the eternal.

Meditate on the SELF teaches that we are more than the physical body. The body grows, changes, becomes tired, and one day returns to nature. The mind also changes every moment. Thoughts come and go, emotions rise and fall, and desires keep shifting. But behind all these changes, there is a silent witness within us. This inner presence is calm, pure, and untouched by worldly ups and downs.

Most people identify themselves with name, form, family, profession, success, failure, and social position. Because of this, they suffer when these things change. If someone praises them, they feel happy. If someone insults them, they feel disturbed. If they gain something, they feel secure. If they lose something, they feel broken. Meditate on the SELF reminds us that true identity is deeper than all outer labels.

Meditation does not mean only sitting with closed eyes. It means learning to become aware of the truth within. Sitting quietly is important, but the real practice continues in daily life. When anger rises, observe it. When desire pulls the mind, watch it. When fear comes, remember that the inner Self is stronger than fear. Slowly, the seeker learns that thoughts are passing clouds, but the Self is like the clear sky.

Meditate on the SELF also brings control over the mind. An uncontrolled mind runs toward the past, worries about the future, and reacts to every small situation. Such a mind cannot remain peaceful. Meditation teaches the mind to become still. By focusing on the inner presence, the seeker stops being dragged by every thought. This creates patience, clarity, and balance.

The senses also become calmer through this practice. The eyes want attractive sights, the ears want pleasing sounds, the tongue wants taste, and the mind wants endless enjoyment. These desires are natural, but when uncontrolled, they create restlessness. Meditate on the SELF helps the seeker understand that true joy does not depend only on outer pleasures. Inner peace is higher than temporary enjoyment.

A simple way to begin is to sit quietly each day. Keep the body relaxed, the breath gentle, and the mind turned inward. Do not fight thoughts harshly. Let them pass and return again to the feeling of inner awareness. A sacred name, prayer, or silent remembrance of God can help the mind become steady. With regular practice, meditation becomes less forced and more natural.

This path also needs purity in daily living. A disturbed life cannot easily produce deep meditation. Truthful speech, pure food, good company, selfless service, and control of desires help the mind become peaceful. If a person meditates for a few minutes but spends the rest of the day in anger, jealousy, and selfishness, progress becomes slow. Spiritual practice must enter conduct.

Meditate on the SELF does not make a person careless about duties. Instead, it helps one perform duties better. A calm mind works with clarity. A peaceful heart speaks with kindness. A person rooted in the Self does not escape life but lives with wisdom. Work becomes worship, family life becomes service, and every action becomes an offering when ego is reduced.

The practice also reduces fear. Fear comes because we feel attached to temporary things. We fear losing health, money, respect, people, and security. Meditation slowly teaches that the Self is beyond loss. This does not mean one becomes emotionless. It means one becomes stronger within. The devotee learns to face life with courage and surrender.

Meditate on the SELF also opens the heart to unity. When we identify only with the body and mind, we see separation everywhere. We think in terms of mine and yours, high and low, friend and enemy. But when we feel the same divine presence within all, compassion grows. We begin to respect others more deeply and serve without pride. Inner meditation becomes outer kindness.

Service is a natural expression of Self-awareness. When the ego becomes smaller, the desire to help becomes stronger. Feeding the hungry, comforting the sad, guiding the confused, and supporting the weak become sacred actions. The Self within us is the same light present in others. To serve others with love is also to honour the Divine within.

In the end, Meditate on the SELF is a sacred call to return to our real nature. It teaches silence, purity, discipline, awareness, and surrender. The body may change, the mind may wander, and the world may remain uncertain, but the inner Self is steady and peaceful. When a seeker turns inward with sincerity and lives with truth, love, and service, meditation becomes a doorway to divine realization.