Beginning the Process of Bringing Meditation into One’s Life
If we shift to the standpoint of the observer of the mind, we will notice that as conditions vary, the ‘mind-stuff’ (citta) takes on different characteristics based on our state of reactivity and interaction with perceptions, feelings, events or external circumstances. We may consider an image of a lake that can either appear perfectly still and have a glass-like and reflective consistency, or when whipped up by wind or other external factors sends up waves, whether steady and of measured amplitude, or extremely agitated. If we are worried, angry, frustrated or upset in some way, the mind-stuff sends up agitated waves. If we are in a state of peaceful awareness, the mind-stuff is very quiet and still. If we are focusing on a steady object of concentration or contemplation, the waves will tend to be consistent and coherent with a pattern of steady repetition. Scientists who measure brainwaves have reported that different types of waves, alpha, beta, delta, etc. appear in the brain as the individual undergoes different states of mind. These waves correspond to attentive awareness, dreaming, deep sleep etc. Those who are in a deep meditative state also exhibit specific wave patterns corresponding to the brain activity in that state.
With this background, we can see that as an individual begins the process of practicing meditation, the first steps are basically to achieve a rather calm flow of brain waves that are quietly attentive. This is most easily achieved in the early stages by finding a quiet location that does not provoke too many impressions of the senses. Texts on meditation recommend finding a secluded place, that is neither too warm or cold, too windy, wet or dry, and that allows the mind to quietly center itself. Initially, using the power of habit, it is recommended to try to meditate at a fixed time on a regular basis.
As the individual advances in the practice, there is the influence of the habit that allows the mind to come to the quiet, meditative status quickly, and eventually, it becomes possible to retain this state virtually constantly regardless of potential distracting influences. This also implies that the type of purifications known as yamas and niyamas in Patanjali’s yogic text have taken hold, as thoughts of desire, harm, anger, obviously disrupt the mind-stuff.
“Conditions internal and external that are most essential for meditation.”
Sri Aurobindo notes:
“There are no essential external conditions, but solitude and seclusion at the time of meditation as well as stillness of the body are helpful, sometimes almost necessary to the beginner. But one should not be bound by external conditions. Once the habit of meditation is formed, it should be made possible to do it in all circumstances, lying, sitting, walking, alone, in company, in silence or in the midst of noise etc.”
“The first internal condition necessary is concentration of the will against the obstacles to meditation, i.e. wandering of the mind, forgetfulness, sleep, physical and nervous impatience and restlessness etc.”
“The second is an increasing purity and calm of the inner consciousness (citta) out of which thought and emotion arise, i.e. a freedom from all disturbing reactions, such as anger, grief, depression, anxiety about worldly happenings etc. Mental perfection and moral are always closely allied to each other.”
- Santosh Krinsky
Institute for Wholistic Education (USA)
Keywords: Meditation, Brain waves, Agitation, Mind states, Stillness, Emotional purification, Mental perfection, Spiritual practice
Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Growing Within: The Psychology of Inner Development, Chapter V Growth of Consciousness, Means and Methods, pp. 86-87
Thanks, Santosh, for this thought provoking - and thought silencing! - blog post.
ReplyDeleteI think that a comment Sri Aurobindo made to Kapali Sastry has been - for me - one of the most powerful pointers to the ever-present Silence enveloping our lives, our world. He said don't try to silence your mind, notice the Silence which is all pervading and just relax yourself into it.
I have found this not only key for quiet, closed eyes meditation, but for quieting, if not silencing, the verbal chatter in the midst of the day.
I also find images and metaphors enormously helpful. Think back to when you were 3 or 4 years old and went outside to look at the night sky. You KNEW this Silence, vast, boundless, loving, all embracing, though you may not have been able to put it into words.
The most marvelous thing about it is that even if you're reading this post in a street cafe with throngs of people passing by - whether in Delhi, or Paris, or New York, or Buenos Aires - that Silence can be just as tangibly felt, touched, etc.
Sometimes if the mind is particularly agitated, shifting to sensory experience can be helpful - listening to sounds in the environment, whether the gentle fall of a leaf or the blaring siren of an ambulance whooshing by. Noticing body sensations can be helpful as well.
The shift from the mind's story to the present-ness of sensory experience can open us to that boundless Silence, and then tasting and savoring the Silence may open us to Her Presence, either simply surrounding us or even guiding our thoughts, our words, our actions.
Thanks Don for these beautiful words; very helpful for daily practice.
DeleteWords on Meditation is a great reminder and thanks Santhosh for writing about all your experiences ...It's Mother Mother Mother ....She is the beginning and end
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