Ramana..The practice of meditation #1

[Guest guest]

M: What is meditation? It is to think about one thing. Therefore, in

meditation try to hold onto one thought, and all the other thoughts

will gradually go away. They may be present for some time but if you

resolutely hold onto your single thought, they will not trouble you.

Our minds are weak through habit, unable to concentrate. We must

make the mind strong so as to keep to one thought.

 

Q: Is there a time of day which is better for meditation?

 

M: Yes, meditation in the early morning upon arising is the best

time because the mind is then free of thoughts, care and worries.

But all these rules regarding hours of meditation etc, are only

for beginners. There will come a time when you will say, 'I have

given up meditation,' because then you will have realized that the

idea implies duality: the person who meditates, and the object of

meditation; you will perceive the standpoint of the true Self which

does not need to meditate.

 

Q: What about practicing in a group or alone?

 

 

From Conscious Immortality.. recorded by Paul Brunton and Munagala

Venkataramiah

 

M: The latter is advisable for beginners, but we must learn to

advance to the point where we create our own mental solitude, then

it will not matter where we are. We must learn to find solitude

(mentally) in the midst of society; we should not give up our

meditation because we among people, but carry it on even then. Just

do not be ostentatious about it- do it secretly. Do not make an

exhibition of the fact that you are meditating.

 

Q: It is said that the yogi should sit on a deerskin, as this

prevents the loss of magnetism during meditation.

 

M: It is not necessary. The earth will not rob you of the effect of

your meditation because you do not happen to use a deerskin.

 

Q: How can we overcome discomforts on the body, such as mosquito

bites, when sitting for meditation?

 

M: You wish to gain concentration? Then never mind what happens to

the body. Maintain the same train of thought and effort, and the

bodily discomfort will pass away. Do not think of the discomfort but

keep the mind firm on your meditation. If you are not strong enough

to endure the mosquitoes, how do you hope to gain realization? It is

like waiting for the waves of the ocean to subside before you enter

the bathe! Be strong and keep up constant effort.

 

 

From Conscious Immortality.. recorded by Paul Brunton and Munagala

Venkataramiah