Practise Meditation

Practise Meditation

by Swami Sivananda

A neophyte should remember again and again some important Vedantic texts daily. Then only his doubts will be removed. Then only he will be established in the path. These texts are: Being only was in the beginning. One without a second Chhandogya Upanishad VI-2-1; In the beginning all this was one Self only Aitareya Upanishad VI-2-1; This is the Brahman, without cause and without effect; this Self is Brahman perceiving everything Brihadaranyaka Upanishad II-5-19; That immortal Brahman before Mandukya Upanishad II-2,7.

Concern yourself with the present only. Do not look back upon the past or the future. Then alone you will be really happy. You will be free from cares, worries and anxieties. You will have a long life. Destroy the Sankalpas through strenuous efforts. Meditate ceaselessly upon that Satchidananda Brahman and attain the supreme immaculate seat. May you prosper gloriously! May you live drowned in the ocean of Brahmic bliss in an illumined state!

This immortal Atman cannot be attained without constant practice. Therefore he who wishes to attain immortality and freedom should meditate on the Self or Brahman for a long time.

The real solitary place is Brahman who is one without a second. There is neither sound nor colour here. There is no disturbance of any sort here. The only companion for you in the beginning of your practice is Brahman. When you become That during deep meditation, you are left alone (Sivah Kevaloham).

Atman is the fountain-source of energy. Thinking on Atman or the source for energy also, is a dynamic method for augmenting energy, strength and power.

If you once think even for a second of the all-pervading, pure, immortal, Satchidananda Atman or Brahman, this is tantamount to taking thousand and eight dips in the sacred Triveni the junction of holy rivers at Prayag. This is the real mental sacred bath. Physical bath is nothing when compared to this internal bath of wisdom or knowledge.

Worship God or Atman with the flowers of Jnana, contentment, peace, joy and equal vision. This will constitute real worship. Offerings of rose, jessamine, sandal paste, incense, sweetmeats and fruits are nothing when compared to the offerings of Jnana, contentment, etc. These are the offerings given by ignorant persons.

Try to identify yourself with the eternal, immortal, ever pure Atman or soul that resides in the chambers of your heart. Think and feel always: I am the very pure Atman. This one thought will remove all troubles and fanciful thoughts. The mind wants to delude you. Start this anti-current of thought. The mind will lurk like a thief. Be careful.

Practise Meditation – Inner Silence, Concentration, and Spiritual Growth

Practise Meditation is a simple but powerful instruction for every seeker who wants peace, clarity, and self-realization. Meditation is not merely sitting with closed eyes. It is the art of training the mind, turning attention inward, and discovering the quiet awareness behind thoughts. A person may read many books, listen to many teachings, and speak about spirituality, but without regular practice, the mind often remains restless and uncontrolled.

The mind is naturally active. It moves from one thought to another, remembers the past, worries about the future, reacts to pleasure and pain, and follows desires. Because of this constant movement, inner peace becomes difficult. Meditation teaches the seeker to observe the mind and gradually bring it to stillness. When the mind becomes calm, wisdom begins to shine.

Practise Meditation does not mean fighting violently with thoughts. Many beginners become discouraged because thoughts continue to arise. This is natural. The mind has been restless for a long time, so it cannot become silent immediately. The correct method is patience. Whenever the mind wanders, gently bring it back to the chosen focus, such as the breath, a mantra, the divine name, or the feeling of pure awareness.

Regularity is very important. A few sincere minutes every day are more useful than long practice done only occasionally. The seeker should choose a clean and quiet place, sit at a fixed time, and maintain a steady posture. The body should be relaxed but alert. A regular routine slowly trains the mind to become ready for silence.

Practise Meditation begins with preparation. Food should be moderate, speech should be controlled, and daily life should be as pure as possible. If the whole day is filled with anger, gossip, greed, and distraction, meditation becomes difficult. A calm life supports a calm mind. Truthfulness, kindness, self-control, and simplicity are important foundations.

Breath awareness is a helpful method. The breath is closely connected with the mind. When the mind is disturbed, breathing becomes irregular. When the breath becomes slow and steady, the mind also becomes calmer. Sitting quietly and watching the natural breath can reduce restlessness and prepare the seeker for deeper concentration.

A mantra can also support meditation. Repetition of a sacred sound or divine name gathers the scattered mind. The repetition may begin softly or mentally. With devotion and attention, the mantra becomes a stream that carries the mind inward. Mechanical repetition gives limited benefit, but repetition with feeling and awareness purifies the heart.

Practise Meditation also means learning to witness. Thoughts, emotions, desires, and memories arise and pass away in the mind. Instead of identifying with them, the seeker watches them as passing movements. Anger may arise, but the seeker observes it. Fear may arise, but the seeker observes it. Slowly, the understanding grows that the true self is the awareness behind these changes.

Meditation helps in controlling desire. Desire pulls the mind outward toward objects, pleasures, praise, and possessions. When meditation becomes steady, the mind learns that peace is within. The need to run after every attraction becomes weaker. Contentment increases, and unnecessary cravings lose some of their force.

Practise Meditation also strengthens concentration. A scattered mind wastes energy. It cannot study deeply, work efficiently, pray sincerely, or understand truth clearly. Meditation gathers mental power and directs it toward one point. This concentration is useful not only in spiritual life, but also in daily work, study, relationships, and decision-making.

One should not meditate with selfish impatience. Some seekers expect visions, extraordinary experiences, or quick results. Such expectation becomes another distraction. The purpose of meditation is not display or excitement. Its real purpose is purity, steadiness, self-knowledge, and freedom from mental bondage. Quiet progress is often deeper than dramatic experience.

Meditation must also be supported by right action. If a person meditates but continues to live dishonestly, selfishly, or violently, the mind will remain disturbed. Daily conduct and meditation should support each other. Work done selflessly purifies the mind, and a purified mind meditates better. Thus, Karma Yoga and meditation are closely connected.

Difficulties may come. Sleepiness, restlessness, boredom, doubt, and laziness are common obstacles. The seeker should not stop because of them. Adjust posture, regulate sleep, keep the practice short but steady, and remain patient. Spiritual progress grows through perseverance. Each sincere sitting creates inner strength, even if the result is not immediately visible.

Practise Meditation in daily life also means carrying awareness into action. After sitting practice, try to remain mindful while speaking, walking, eating, working, and serving. Watch reactions. Speak with care. Act with attention. A meditative life is not limited to a cushion or room; it becomes a way of living with awareness.

The highest fruit of meditation is self-realization. As the mind becomes calm and pure, the seeker begins to recognize the witnessing consciousness. The body is observed, the breath is observed, thoughts are observed, and emotions are observed. The observer is different from all these. To rest in this awareness is the beginning of true freedom.

In the end, Practise Meditation is a call to return from outer restlessness to inner silence. Through regular practice, patience, purity, breath awareness, mantra, self-observation, and steady concentration, the mind becomes calm and clear. Meditation purifies the heart, strengthens willpower, and reveals the peace already present within. The one who practices sincerely moves from distraction to awareness, from anxiety to balance, and from mental bondage to spiritual freedom.

Vedantic Meditation