Spiritual Instruction - Practice [ Abhyasa ] - 9

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14. What is dhyana (meditation)?

It is abiding as one's Self without swerving in any way

from one's real nature and without feeling that one is

meditating. As one is not in the least conscious of

the different states (waking, dreaming, etc.) in this

condition, the sleep (noticeable) here is also regarded

as dhyana.

 

15. What is the difference between dhyana and samadhi?

 

Dhyana is achieved through deliberate mental effort;

in samadhi there is no such effort.

 

16. What are the factors to be kept in view in dhyana ?

It is important for one who is established in his Self (atma nista)

to see that he does not swerve in the least from this absorption.

By swerving from his true nature he may see before him bright

effulgences, etc., or hear (unusual) sounds or regard as real

the visions of gods appearing within or outside himself. He should

not be deceived by these and forget himself.

 

NOTE:

(i) If the moments that are wasted in thinking of the objects

which are not the Self, are spent on enquiry into the Self,

self-realization will be attained in a very short time.

(ii) Until the mind becomes established in itself some kind of bhavana

(contemplation of a personified god or goddess with deep emotion

and religious feeling) is essential. Otherwise the mind will be

frequently assailed by wayward thoughts or sleep.

(iii) Without spending all the time in practising bhavanas like 'I am Siva'

or 'I am Brahman', which are regarded as nirgunopasana

(contemplation of the attributeless Brahman), the method

of enquiry into oneself should be practised as soon as the

mental strength which is the result of such upasana

(contemplation) is attained.

(iv) The excellence of the practice (sadhana) lies in not

giving room for even a single mental concept (vritti)