It takes one to know one

[Guest guest]

I have been trying to meditate for a few minutes everyday. I know

first hand how difficult it is to silence the body let alone the

mind, even for a few minutes.

 

Yesterday, after Arati at the Mandir, we all settled down

to "meditate". Of course, a few minutes into the meditation, I had

to open my eyes to take a peep at what others were doing.

 

Swamiji was so still. Maa was not in yesterday.

 

I knew I couldnt meditate anymore so I decided to watch him. I was

sitting a little ways behind him and could only see his back. He

didnt move - for more than a half hour.

 

There were a lot of minor interruptions, late comers straggling in,

doors sliding open and shut,people fidgeting, a cough or two, and

the occasional snore. Things that get me distracted and unable to

concentrate. But not Swamiji, he stayed still for the entire

duration.

 

To try keeping my body still for more than a coupla minutes ... so

difficult. How many years of practice will it take to be still for

half hour so effortlessly? I dont know - but when I have examples to

follow, I sure am gonna try.

 

Thank you Swamiji for always being an inspiration.

[Guest guest]

Hi Latha,

I had a similar experience once. It was after arati and we settled

down into meditation. Usually these meditations were short... 5-10

minutes. After about five minutes I opened my eyes and looked

around... everyone looked serious, like they were really meditating.

I thought the time should be up but it went on. I thought "oh they

snuck a big one on us". So I tried to settle into the meditation.

After a while I couldn't stand it ... I thought "the meditation must

be almost over, I've got to see what Maa and Swamiji look like".

They were to my right up on a platform. I looked at Swamiji first.

He was radiant as usual but he had a big grin on his face. He looked

like he was going to burst out in laughter. I think he knew I was

checking him out. Then I looked at Maa. She looked totally at

peace... away...gorgeous. Then the meditation was over. I never

found it easy to meditate in those group meditations. I do a lot

better on my own.

Love to you,

Ardis

"Latha Nanda" <lathananda >

Mon, 02 Feb 2004 00:10:20 -0000

It takes one to know one

I have been trying to meditate for a few minutes everyday. I know

first hand how difficult it is to silence the body let alone the

mind, even for a few minutes.

Yesterday, after Arati at the Mandir, we all settled down

to "meditate". Of course, a few minutes into the meditation, I had

to open my eyes to take a peep at what others were doing.

Swamiji was so still. Maa was not in yesterday.

I knew I couldnt meditate anymore so I decided to watch him. I was

sitting a little ways behind him and could only see his back. He

didnt move - for more than a half hour.

There were a lot of minor interruptions, late comers straggling in,

doors sliding open and shut,people fidgeting, a cough or two, and

the occasional snore. Things that get me distracted and unable to

concentrate. But not Swamiji, he stayed still for the entire

duration.

To try keeping my body still for more than a coupla minutes ... so

difficult. How many years of practice will it take to be still for

half hour so effortlessly? I dont know - but when I have examples to

follow, I sure am gonna try.

Thank you Swamiji for always being an inspiration.

Sponsor

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[Guest guest]

lathananda

 

you are such a sweet person i want to respond to your post but if i

say anything that contradicts swami's teachings, please disregard.

 

if you focus on you inner intent to know/love god, the body will

eventually still by itself, as it is actually the body that follows

mind, not the other way around. but of course such a mind is both

very disciplined and inspired.

 

so eventually your body becomes sort of rigid in meditation, which

is not at all an unpleasant thing. then you don't worry about if you

move or not.

 

btw, if you think about amritananda mayi ma, who used to meditate

[actually she was in a deep samadhi] in a clump on the floor under a

blanket, then you can see there is more than one asana!

 

on the other hand the gita teachers a good asana, and swami clearly

demonstrates that. i believe that is a good thing, like keeping the

temple nice and clean, it is a matter of the order of nature, the

human form. it is very inspiring to see someone stand like that, he

reminds me of shivapuri baba that way.

 

peace to you,

 

steve c.

 

 

, "Latha Nanda" <lathananda>

wrote:

> I have been trying to meditate for a few minutes everyday. I know

> first hand how difficult it is to silence the body let alone the

> mind, even for a few minutes.>

> Swamiji was so still. Maa was not in yesterday.

>

> I knew I couldnt meditate anymore so I decided to watch him. I was

> sitting a little ways behind him and could only see his back. He

> didnt move - for more than a half hour.

>

> There were a lot of minor interruptions, late comers straggling

in,

>

> Yesterday, after Arati at the Mandir, we all settled down

> to "meditate". Of course, a few minutes into the meditation, I had

> to open my eyes to take a peep at what others were doing.

> doors sliding open and shut,people fidgeting, a cough or two, and

> the occasional snore. Things that get me distracted and unable to

> concentrate. But not Swamiji, he stayed still for the entire

> duration.

>

> To try keeping my body still for more than a coupla minutes ... so

> difficult. How many years of practice will it take to be still for

> half hour so effortlessly? I dont know - but when I have examples

to

> follow, I sure am gonna try.

>

> Thank you Swamiji for always being an inspiration.