Meditation that works in real life

• K VIJAYARAGHAVAN

FOR positive suggestions from within and all inspiring exhortations from without to make an enduring impact, it is necessary first to prepare the mind by cleansing it of the conflicts, aberrations and militating forces. This process is akin to first preparing the soil well, getting it rid of weeds and adding the needed fertilisers, whereby the seeds sown germinate well, yielding the desired crop and fruits. Even the best seed would not sprout unless the pre-requisites are taken care of. Applied to human aspirations being translated into reality, a sequential and practical course needs to be chalked out, depending upon the uniqueness of each personality. The basis, in this regard, is that of neutralising retarding impressions made upon the personality (bad past karma) through involving in the dynamic present, with positive actions (good present karma). This process could start with certain simple exercises in discipline such as on right food, sleep and day-to-day habits. By streamlining those aspects of life, which are under one’s direct control, the needed regulation is brought about in the working of the delicate psycho somatic mechanism, which, more often than not, is difficult to regulate or streamline directly. Involving in right and joyful physical exercises (in the spirit of sthirasukhamasanam), right associations (satsang), choosing hobbies and pursuits close to one’s heart and also eliminating unproductive activities, relationships and commitments — these would serve to add the needed power to other conventional spiritual exercises, such as prayers, meditation or right religious rituals. The process of evolving into flow, “ever widening thought and action” and delighting in oneself (atmaratih, atmanyeva atmanah thustah), could thus be a multi-pronged approach, based on an intelligent analysis, enabling the aspirant to “arrive” for evolving a stable and right approach. Exhortations on rising above circumstances and on using adversities and failures as stepping stones, besides the sublime messages on self improvement, which abound all over — these, in this state of self realisation, would no more be limited to mere theoretical expostulations, springing as they would into life, as workable and practical concepts, for reaping the true rewards of meditation and emerging into a life that is so glorious, radiant and eternally joyful!