thoughts on meditation

7/30/2019 Thoughts on Meditation

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Gita Society of BelgiumBranch of International Gita Society (IGS/USA)

© 2001-2012

Thoughts on Meditationby

Philippe L. De Coster, B.Th., D.D .

Gita Satsang Ghent, Belgium

© November 2012 – Philippe L. De Coster, Ghent, Belgium

(Non commercial, for personal and satsang use only)



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Thoughts on MeditationForeword – Happiness through Meditation

It is often said that meditation is the eye that sees the reality and exactness of thethings behind visibility. Through meditation the “Higher Self Within” (the soul)becomes fully aware of its evolution in the everlasting journey from the form tothe Formless, the finite into the Infinite. Through devotion and meditation onefeels the form evolve into the Formless, the finite into the Infinite. We see alsothe Formless evolve into the form, the Infinite into the finite, the perfect Unity.

Through meditation one hears the inner small voice, the language of silence. Theinner small voice is revealing. It reveals to the seeker, the devotee of a Deity as

Lord Shiva, the Lord Krishna, etc, that matter and spirit are one, the more that inthe astral there is no distance, time and space, as all is one. As such, it doesreveal that life can never be the mere existence of seventy-four years as I amnow physically, or more years between birth and death, but we are living oureternity even if after death we become an archetype in the collectiveconsciousness, and pass through the reincarnation until total perfection. Ourphysical birth is a significant incident in the Cosmic Absolute (Supreme) ownexistence. At one time one lives in the body, and at another time in the astral(spirit, the collective consciousness), and so on and forth.

Meditation means the recognition and at the same time the discovery of one’ sown true self, the divinity within (not without). It is through meditation that wetranscend limitations, worldly imperfections and bondage to the material.

At the other hand, in the quietness of ourselves, on the inner planes of consciousness, meditation is dynamism, and energy. Through meditation weenter the deeper part of ourselves, where heart and mind are involved.

Finally, meditation is self-transcendence, as being the message of the Beyond.Meditation tells you that Divine Reality is One. Meditation only reveals the One

and Only Truth. Through meditation is the vision of the Absolute yours, and theeloquent expression of the inexpressible.

Meditation does not mean just sitting there quietly for five or ten minutes, itrequires conscious but strainless effort. The mind has to be made calm and quiet;and, at the same time, it has to be vigilant, not allowing distracting thoughts ordesires to enter. When the mind is vacant and tranquil, we are open to the inneruniverse of Power and Peace, and where Light and Bliss enter in ourselves. Thisis meditation!



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Concentration

Concentration means inner vigilance and alertness. Concentration is the mind’sdynamic will that operates in us for our acceptance either of light or darkness, achoice between the two. However, darkness is not devoid of light. Take theexample of Lord Shiva being the Deity of destruction and restoration. There is adivine warrior in us. What concentration can do in our life is unimaginable; itcan separate good from bad, heaven from hell, so that we can live happily, not inthe perpetual worries, anxieties, and mental tortures. Concentration is the surestway to real the final purpose, whether it is God-realisation or just the fulfilmentof human desires.

When we concentrate we are like a bullet entering into something, or even like amagnet pulling the object of concentration towards us. To practice a profitable

meditation, there are four simple rules. Firstly, learn to keep all attentionfocused in the head through visualization, and through the steady practice of concentration, developing the capacity to live increasingly as a king seated onthe throne between the eyebrows ( pineal gland ). This is in fact a rule that can beapplied to your everyday affairs. Secondly, learn to render heart service and notan emotional insistence on activity directed towards handling the affairs of others. Thirdly, learn as you go to sleep, to withdraw the consciousness to thehead. This I do every night when I go to sleep, it does not take many minutes.This is a practice as a definite exercise as one goes to sleep. One should not

permit oneself to drift off to sleep, but should endeavour to preserve theconsciousness integral until there is a conscious passing out into the astralplane. Finally, in this third step, relaxation, close attention and a steady drawingupwards to the centre in the head should be attempted, for the seeker or devoteehas learned to be steadily aware of all processes in going to sleep and topreserve at the same time his positivity, his practice of meditation will not work properly, or slow down. One must meditate intelligently as described. Fourthly,record and watch all phenomena connected with the withdrawing process,whether followed in the meditation work or in going to sleep. However, it willbe found, as an example, that many wake up with an almost painful start just asthey have dropped asleep. The course, is the slipping out of the consciousnessthrough a web which is not adequately clear and through an orifice which ispartially closed. Others may hear an intensely loud snap in the region of thehead. This is caused by the vital airs in the head of which we are not usuallyaware and is produced by an inner aural sensitivity which causes awareness of sounds always present but not usually registered. Others will see light, clouds of colour, as they go to sleep. All these phenomena, are of no real moment, and arerelated to the vital body, to pranic emanations, and to the web of light.



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Meditation Practice along the Bhagavad Gita

ACTION IS A STEPPING-STONE TO DHYANA-YOGA

For the sage who desires to attain yoga, action is said to be the means. Forthe same sage, when he has attained yoga, it is said that serenity ( śamah ) isthe means. (6.03)

WHO IS THE YOGI?

For the one who knows no attachment to objects of sense and actions, whenhe has renounced all set purpose, then he is said to have attained yoga.(6.04)

Let him raise the self by the Self, and let him not lower himself; for trulyonly the Self is the friend of the self, and also the Self the self’s enemy.(6.05)

The Self is the friend of the self of him whose self is by the Self conquered;but to the unrestrained self, the Self will definitely act as an enemy. (6.06)

The Supreme Self ( higher self ) of the self-controlled, who knowstranquillity, is steadfast in cold and heat, in pleasure and pain, as well as inhonour and dishonour. (6.07)

The Yogi whose “self” is satisfied in knowledge learnt, who remains rock -seated, with senses subdued, he is said to be an integrated, and for whom alump of earth, a stone and gold are equal. (6.08)

Excellent he whose attitude is the same towards benefactors, friends,companions, enemies, the indifferent, the neutrals, the hateful, relatives, thegood and the evil ones. (6.09)

DIRECTION FOR THE PRACTICE OF MEDITATION

Let the Yogi constantly concentrate his mind on yoga, remaining alone in asolitary place, with mind and body under full control, free from desires andattachment to material possessions. (6.10)

Let him for himself set up a firm seat in a clean place, neither too high noryet too low, on the sacred kusa grass, covered with a deer-skin and over it acloth. (6.11)



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There let him sit, and making the mind one-pointed, with the motions of thought and senses restrained, fixed on his seat practise yoga for thepurification of the Self. (6.12)

Remaining still, holding the body, head and neck erect, let him fix his gazeon the tip of his nose, without looking around. (6.13)

Serene minded, fearless, firm in the vow of celibacy ( of the Brahmachari ),the mind controlled, thinking on Me in total concentration, with intent onMe as the supreme goal. (See also 4.29, 5.27, 8.10 and 8.12) (6.14)

So, the Yogi ever integrated in the Self, his mind restrained, attains to thepeace which has Nirv āna ( nirvāna…) as its end, and which subsists in Me.(… paramām ). (6.15)

However, O Arjuna, yoga is not for him, who eats too much, nor for himwho does not eat at all; nor for him who sleeps too much, nor yet for himwho stays awake too long. (6.16)

But, yoga is for him who is regulated ( yukta ) in food and recreation, who isregulated in all his deeds and gestures, who is regulated in sleeping as inwalking, achieving a yoga which destroys all pain. (6.17)

When the well-controlled mind is established in the Self alone, free fromlonging after all desirable things, then it is said, that the one is at peace.

(6.18)As a lamp may stand not flickering in a windless place – this has beenlikened with the disciplined mind of a Yogi, absorbed in the yoga of the Self.(6.19)

When the mind is at rest, quieted by the practise of yoga; when seeing theSelf by the Self, he finds fulfilment in his own Self. (6.20)

When he knows that utmost joy which, transcending the senses, can be

grasped by the intellect; when standing still ( in the Self ), he never departsfrom reality. (See also KaU 3.12) (6.21)

When, having reached it, he thinks that there is no greater acquisitionbeyond it; therein established, he is not dislodged by any sorrow, even inthe greatest suffering: (6.22)

That state is known by the name of yoga ( viyogan ), the unlinking from theunion with pain. This is the yoga which must be brought about with firmresolve and an undismayed mind. (6.23)



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How to begin?

From the spiritual standpoint, one has to know that every seeker or devotee is abeginner. He or she is the person who has the inner urge and aspiration to growinto something more spiritual, ever more illumining, and obviously ever morefulfilling. From the moment one wants to make continued progress throughmeditation and the spirituality around it, and as such surpassing oneself to enterinto the ever-transcending Beyond, from that very moment one is an eternalbeginner.

If you are an absolute beginner, the Bhagavad Gita, is no better Sacred Scripturefor direction. It will give you the inspiration you need. Also, works of theSpiritual Masters in whom one has implicit faith will be of an enormous help.Normally, the Spiritual Masters have attained the highest consciousness. Only

those who have realised the Truth will have the ability to offer the One Truth,the basic of all religions.

In the beginning one should not even think about meditation. Just try to set asidea certain time during the day when you will try to set aside a time when you willtry to be calm and quiet, and feel that these five or ten minutes belong to yourinner being and to nobody else. Regularity is of vital importance. What you needis regular practice at a regular or same time each day.

The best way to start to learn how to meditate is to associate with people who

have been meditation for some time as in Satsang gatherings. While everyone isdifferent, these people are not in a position to teach you, but they are in aposition to inspire you. If you happen to have some friends who know how tomeditate, just sit beside them while they are meditating. Unconsciously yourinner being will be able to gather some meditation power from them. You arenot taking anything from them, while your inner, psychic being is taking fromthem without your physical knowledge.

The most important thing is practice. When you meditate in your own home,you should have a place or at least a corner of your room which is absolutelypure and sanctified, your own sacred place which you use only for meditation.Here on your shrine you will keep a picture of your Deity as Lord Shiva, andyour Spiritual Master or Guru.

When you are doing your individual daily meditation, try to meditate all alone.This rule does not apply to husband and wife if they have the same Deity andSpiritual Master, it is proper for them to meditate together. Also, close friendsspiritually inclined, and who understand each other concerning their inner livescan meditate together. At other instances, it is not advisable to meditate with

others during your daily meditation.



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Collective or group meditation is also important, but for individual dailymeditation it is better to meditate privately at your own shrine.

Outer recommendations before meditation

Before starting with meditation, it is advisable if at all possible to take a showeror a bath. The purification of the body is an essentiality for the purification of the consciousness. If you are unable to take a shower or bath, before you startwith meditation you should at least wash your face and your feet. It is alsoadvisable to wear clean, lose and light clothing.

We do not advise to burn incense for meditation as it is a commercial initiative,and it may distract you in your concentration and one-pointedness. However, itis different if you are meditating, concentrating yourself with eyes open in frontof the effigy of your Deity and photograph or painting of your Spiritual Master(Guru). As such you can burn candles or oil-lamps, decorate with flowers, andadd your offerings in the form of food, which you eat afterwards. It is called“prasad”, fulfilling the law of giving and receiving.

As for meditation with eyes closed or half closed, the flame from a candle willnot in itself give you enlightenment; it is the inner flame that does the work.However, if you prefer burning candles and burn incense, so can do so. Themore, if doing this, it will help to recognize the Divine Flame in your innerbeing. The scent of incense may only in a religious sphere.

However, do know, that if someone is on the verge of God-realisation or hasactually realised God, then the outer things are of no value. However, if youknow that your God-realisation is still far from you, then outer aids willcertainly increase your aspiration in attaining the Sublime Goal.

The best time for meditation

According to Indian seers, sages and spiritual Masters, the best time formeditation is between three and four o’clock in the morning. This is called“Brahma Muhurta ”, the time of the Brahman which is the best time. However,at least in the West, if one goes to bed late, the best time will be five-thirty oreven six in the morning. However, I usually meditate after midnight, becauseliving in a penthouse at the seventh floor, at that time I am usually not disturbedby the noise of the engine elevator’s chamber. In this way, the precise hour is tobe settled according to the individual case and capacity.

While you can meditate anywhere as in nature, try to meditate indoors asdescribed earlier in the room or the corner set aside for the purpose. It is said,that it is better to go to bed by eleven o ’clock at night. However, necessity

knows no fixed law, so choose your best time.



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The importance of a correct posture in meditation.

Here,once

again, the rules found in the Bhagavad Gita, chapter 6 applies. When meditating,it is of crucial importance to keep the spine straight and erect, while the body isrelaxed. The body should never be in an uncomfortable position. When it feelsuncomfortable, automatically it will change its position. While one ismeditating, the inner being will spontaneously take the person to a comfortableposition, and then the position must be maintained.



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The main advantage of the lotus position is that it helps keep the spinal cordstraight and erect. However, it will not necessarily keep the body relaxed. So thelotus position is not necessary for proper meditation. Many people meditate verywell while they are seated in a chair as shown on the picture.

Sitting on a chair for meditation, one should stay away from the back of thechair, so that the spine supports itself. Some seekers like to meditate while lyingdown on the floor or on a bed, but this is not advisable for the beginner, noreven for those who have been meditating for a long time. This is only set asidefor the most advanced seekers and for realised souls. The danger of lying downfor meditation is that the seeker will enter into the world of sleep or in a kind of

inner drift or doze (snap).Usually, the seeker meditates with his eyes closed. Some stay awake for thewhole meditation session, while other fall asleep after five minutes. It is better tomeditate with the eyes partly open and partly closed. When you meditate withyour eyes half open and half closed, you are doing what may be called the lion’smeditation. Even if you are going deep within, you are focussing your consciousattention both on the physical plane and on the subconscious plan. Both thephysical world, with all its distractions; and, the subconscious world, the world



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of sleep, are trying to disturb your inner silence. But, you are fighting both of them.

Breathing in Meditation

Proper breathing is very important in meditation. The technique brought forwardhere is breath meditation. It is a good subject no matter what your religiousbackground. As my teacher once said, the breath does not belong to Buddhismor Christianity or anyone at all. It is common property that anyone can meditateon. At the same time, of all the meditation themes there are, it is probably themost beneficial to the body, for when we are dealing with the breath, we aredealing not only with the air coming in and out of the lungs, but also with all thefeelings of energy that course throughout the body with each breath. If you canlearn to become sensitive to these feelings, and let them flow smoothly andunobstructed, you can help the body function more easily, and give the mind ahandle for dealing with pain.

So let us all meditate for a few minutes. Sit comfortably erect as describedabove, in a balanced position. Just try not to lean forward or back, to the left orthe right. Close halfway your eyes and say to yourself, “May I be truly happyand free from suffering.” This may sound like a strange, even selfish, way tostart meditating, but there are good reasons for it. One, if you cannot wish foryour own happiness, there is no way that you can honestly wish for the

happiness of others. Some people need to remind themselves constantly thatthey deserve happiness — we all deserve it, but if we do not believe it, we willconstantly find ways to punish ourselves, and we will end up punishing others insubtle or blatant ways as well.

Two, it is important to reflect on what true happiness is and where it can befound. A moment's reflection will show that you cannot find it in the past or thefuture. The past is gone and your memory of it is undependable. The future is ablank uncertainty. So the only place we can really find happiness is in the here

now. But even here you have to know where to look. If you try to base yourhappiness on things that change — sights, sounds, sensations in general, peopleand things outside — you are setting yourself up for disappointment, likebuilding your house on a cliff where there have been repeated landslides in thepast. So true happiness has to be sought within. Meditation is thus like a treasurehunt: to find what has solid and unchanging worth in the mind, something thateven death cannot touch.

To find this treasure we need tools. The first tool is to do what we are doingright now: to develop goodwill for ourselves. The second is to spread that good



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will to other living beings. Tell yourself: “ All living beings, no matter who theyare, no matter what they have done to you in the past — may they all find truehappiness too.” If you do not cultivate this thought, and instead carry grudgesinto your meditation, that is all you will be able to see when you look inside.

Only when you have cleared the mind in this way, and set outside matters aside,are you ready to focus on the breath. Bring your attention to the sensation of breathing. Breathe in long and out long for a couple of times, focusing on anyspot in the body where the breathing is easy to notice, and your mind feelscomfortable focusing. This could be at the nose, at the chest, at the abdomen, orany spot at all. Stay with that spot, noticing how it feels as you breathe in andout. Do not force the breath, or bear down too heavily with your focus. Let thebreath flow naturally and simply keep track of how it feels. Savor it, as if it werean exquisite sensation you wanted to prolong. If your mind wanders off, simplybring it back. Do not get discouraged. If it wanders hundred times, bring it back hundred times. Show it that you mean business, and eventually it will listen toyou.

If you want, you can experiment with different kinds of breathing. If longbreathing feels comfortable, stick with it. If it does not, change it to whateverrhythm feels soothing to the body. You can try short breathing, fast breathing,slow breathing, deep breathing, shallow breathing — whatever feels mostcomfortable to you right now...

Once you have the breath comfortable at your chosen spot, move your attentionto notice how the breathing feels in other parts of the body. Start by focusing onthe area just below your navel. Breathe in and out, and notice how that areafeels. If you do not feel any motion there, just be aware of the fact that there isno motion. If you do feel motion, notice the quality of the motion, to see if thebreathing feels uneven there, or if there is any tension or tightness. If there istension, think of relaxing it. If the breathing feels jagged or uneven, think of smoothing it out... Now move your attention over to the right of that spot — to

the lower right-hand corner of the abdomen — and repeat the same process...Then over to the lower left-hand corner of the abdomen... Then up to the navel...right... left... to the solar plexus... right... left... the middle of the chest... right...left... to the base of the throat... right... left... to the middle of the head...(takeseveral minutes for each spot).

If you were meditating at home, you could continue this process through yourentire body — over the head, down the back, out the arms and legs to the tips of your finger and toes — but since our time is limited, I am asking you to return

your focus now to any one of the spots we have already covered. Let your



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Additional Visualisation Tips

1. When visualising, it is important to view the action from the first person --that is, see yourself achieving your goal through your own eyes, rather

than watching yourself from the outside. This method is very powerfulbecause this is the way you already see and experience everything.2. Less powerful is viewing your goal from the third-person perspective,

seeing yourself achieving the goal as if you were watching a movie. It stillworks, but it's not as effective as viewing from the first-personperspective.

3. Make visualisation fun -- the more real your image is, the better thisworks. Make the image not just a still picture, but a full-length moviestaring you. Replay it over and over, seeing yourself as the hero,achieving your goal. Create background music, pump it up, make it feelreal, and have fun with it. This is how you want to see your goal -- invibrant Technicolor on an IMAX screen -- not in dim, dreary, out-of-focus scenes shown on a shoebox-size theatre in the multiplex.

4. Your goal is a picture located somewhere in your mental image frame.When you close your eyes and see the image of your goal, determinewhere your mind is locating the picture: top, bottom, right, upper left, etc.Now, recall an important goal you have already accomplished, and findout where that goal is located in your mental image frame.

So now you have two goals in mind: one you have already achieved and one youwant to achieve. Note every little detail about these goals: Where are theylocated? What are the colours of the images? Are they big, bright, and clear -- orare they small, blurry, and distant?

How do these images feel to you? Does one make you feel happy, excited, andthrilled? Does the other make you feel depressed, wistful, etc.?

Once you have noted every detail about the two images, take the goal you havenot yet achieved and give it the same qualities as the goal you have achieved.Make it bigger and brighter; move it to the same location as the image of thealready-achieved goal; make it feel the same by inserting every detail. Adjustingyour mental image of the current goal to mirror one you've already achievedmakes your new goal seem easier and gives you the feeling that you havealready achieved it.

Physically act out your goal in action moves. For example, with your eyesclosed, envision yourself buying a new home, walking through every detail.First, you get on the phone and talk to your realtor; later you shake his or her



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hand (yes, pick up an actual phone and really shake a hand). Greet the realtorand explain, in detail, what you want your house to look like. Take them to thehouse you want to buy (yes, really walk in place and explain the details out loud,using lots of gestures). I know this seems silly, and you may feel like a kid

playacting, but this is a great visualization technique, not to mention a greatstress reliever. Go through all the motions and experiences, as if they were reallyhappening. Notice your emotions, and have fun with this!

Allow yourself ten to thirty minutes every day or every other day for visualizingyour goal. Set aside time to rest and remove yourself from everything else goingon. Find a quiet, uninterrupted area to perform these techniques. Remember, themore you focus on your goals, the sooner you will achieve them.

If the seeker knows the effigy of Lord Shiva well enough one should be able tosee the Deity with close eyes or half open through visualisation. Very importantin a Lord Shiva meditation.

Mantra

“Mantra” is a Sanskrit word. In Ind ian philosophy, spirituality and the inner life,“mantras” play a crucial role. A “mantra” is a syllable divinely surcharged withpower.

“Om Namah Shivah” is known as the great redeeming mantra also known asfive-syllable mantra

The meaning:

It means "I bow to Shiva." Shiva is the supreme reality, the inner Self. It is thename given to consciousness that dwells in all. Lord Shiva is the name of yourtrue identity- your self.

According to Hindu mythology there are three Gods who run this creation. TheBrahma - who creates the universe, the Vishnu - who preserves the Universe andthe Shiva- who in the end destroys the universe. Among the three deities, LordShiva, though considered as destroyer, also symbolise the - the inner self whichremains intact even after everything ends.

In this mantra the chanter (one who repeats the mantra) bow to Shiva- his trueself.



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“Om Namah Shivah” is a very powerful mantra. It has been said about thismantra that if this mantra vibrates continually in your heart, then you have noneed to perform austerities, to meditate, or to practise yoga. To repeat thismantra you need no rituals or ceremonies, nor must you repeat it at an

auspicious time or in a particular place." This mantra is free of all restrictions. Itcan be repeated by anyone, young or old, rich or poor and no matter what state aperson is in, it will purify him.

How t o repeat “ Om Namah Shivah ”

Sit in a comfortable and peaceful place and position as explained above. Startrepeating the mantra in your mind or loudly with the same speed as you talk:

Om Namah Shivah (Aum Nam-ha Shi-wha)

Repeat “Om Namah Shivay”, with the feeling that you are bowing to Lord Shiva- your true inner self. Repeat this mantra with respect. The inner self is the formof the Supreme in you . So as you say “Om Namah Shivah” i.e. “I bow to Shiva”you are actually bowing to the Supreme - The Great Almighty. The repetition of the name of (Cosmic) Supreme is equivalent to be merged in his very being.When you repeat Supreme's name in your mouth, in one way, you experiencethe Supreme itself. Just repeat this mantra with faith and it's powerful phoneticvibrations will start doing miracles for you. While doing this, feel the peace of

the Supreme.The Sacred Word “AUM” (OM)

I

All that exist is based on sound or the Word. Differentiation is the result of sound. On each plan or sphere of existence, the Word has a different effect.According to the note of the Word, or the vibration of the sound, will the work of building-in or casting-out be accomplished. The three fold Sacred Word

“AUM” (OM) has seven keys, with their own subtones.

On these basic facts lay hid much light on the use of the Sacred Word inmeditation. During meditation the seeker or devotee hear the sound “AUM”(OM), although they have not said it out loud and nobody in the meditationroom or Satsang has chanted it loud. This means that inwardly in the brain theDivine has chanted “Aum” (OM) or is chanting, and the meditation location haspreserved the sound.



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In the great original sounding forth of the Sacred Word “AUM”, the threeoriginal “Breaths”(notes), with their seven sounds, is the note different, and thesounds pitched to a different key.

The use of the “Sacred Word” or “Sound” in the formation of “AUM” (OOOM),help come on the use of the “Sacred Word” as the Gayatri Mantra does in thebuilding of the intuitional vehicle of ours, and the purification of the personality.

Having said all this, we will divide what we have to say under four heads, takingeach one separately:

1. The Sacred Word has a creative effect.

2. The Sacred Word has also a destructive effect (destruction andrestoration).

3. Its pronunciation and use, (a) in individual meditation before and after; (b)in group and Satsang work; (c) for certain specific ends, and its efficacyin effecting egoic alignment.

4. Its effect on the physical body and its centers.

“AUM” is a single, but indivisible sound; it is the vibration of the CosmicSupreme, and the Seed Sound in the Universe, for with this sound the CosmicSupreme I set in motion and is continually sustaining and renewing the creation.

The most powerful of all mantras is “AUM, AUM, AUM”, the mother of allmantras, following by the “Gayatri Mantra” is my daily experience. At everysecond creation is refreshed inside AUM. Without birth is AUM, and withoutdeath is AUM. Nothing else but AUM existed, exists and will forever exist.

“AUM” is a single Sanskrit character represented in the English language andother languages by these three letters, but pronounced as one syllable. Eachportion of it represents a different aspect of the Cosmic Supreme or Absolute.Let us say, that “A” represents and embodies the consciousness of the CosmicSupreme as the creating Energy. The “U” embodies the consciousness of the

Cosmic Supreme as Preserver, a nd the “M” embodies the consciousness of theCosmic Supreme, as the Transformer. Taken together, “AUM” is thespontaneous cosmic rhythm with which the universe is embraced. This shouldbe enough for today.

II

Today, we continue with the subject we were considering previously. Wedivided the Sacred Word “AUM” (Om) into four divisions, and we will nowconsider rapidly the first two, the destroying and the creative (restoring) effects



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of the “Word”, not only the “Sacred Word” but every word. It is good toremember here that the Lord Shiva is known as the Destroyer as well as theRestorer or Rebuilder.

First of all, let us repeat the truism that all the worlds are the effect of sound.First life, followed by matter; and, later the attraction of matter to the life forpurposes of its manifestation and expression, and the orderly arrangement of matter into the necessary forms.

Sound is the formation of the allying factor, the propelling impulse, as well asthe attractive medium. “Sound” in spirituality or occultism , and in the deeplymetaphysical sense, stands for that which is termed, “the relation between”; the“creating intermediary”, and the linking third and last factor in the process of manifestation. In direct relation sound” manifests itself as electricity, prana and

magnetic fluid. Sound is the agent of the law of attraction and repulsion or viceversa.

In sounding the Sacred Word “AUM” (OM) the seeker or the devotee seeksdaily a quiet spot where he can be free from any interference and interruption. Itis wise, to seek always the same spot, for he or she will build there a shellaround it that will serve as a protection and make the desired higher contacteasier The matter of that chosen spot, the matter of what one may term thesurrounding space, becomes then attuned into a certain vibration, which makes iteasier each time to start at one’s highest, and so eliminate a long preliminarykeying up. The one meditating composes him or herself to a position in whichone can be unconscious of the physical body, as described in the Bhagavad Gita,chapter 6, verses 10 to 23 as explained in another chapter, “Thoughts onMeditation”.

The chanting of “AUM” (OM) on the three following levels: Mental, Emotionaland Physical Planes/

On the Mental Level:

The contacting of the head centre (the Third-Eye), causing it to vibrate, and assuch stilling the lower mind, as does the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra as I dothree times before and after meditation.

On the Emotional Level:

The definite stabilisation of the emotional body through the contacting andsetting in motion of the heart centre.

On the Physical plane(s):



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Here the effect is very similar; however, the primary effect is on the etheric(astral, psychic) side, it stimulates the divine flow. It passes beyond theperiphery of the physical body, creating a shell that serves as a protection. Itdrives away discordant factors in the near environment.

In group work as in Satsang, the effect of the Sacred Word “AUM” (OM)chanted is intensified, provided the group is correctly constitutes as equalityamong the members.

The sound “AUM” (OM) is unique. Generally, we hear a sound when two thingsare struck together. But, “AUM” needs no such action. “AUM” is “anahata” asthe soundless sound. A yogi or spiritual master can hear the “AUM” self -generated in the inmost recesses of his heart and mind.

There are many ways to chant “AUM”, loudly or softly, even silently withinyourself. The universal “AUM” put forth by the Cosmic Supreme is an infiniteocean. The individual “AUM” chanted by the human is a drop in that ocean, butit cannot be separated from the ocean because it is its very own.

“AUM” has infinite power; and, just by repeating “AUM” one can come to God -realisation.

"The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and whichmen desire when they lead the life of continence … is Om. This syllable Om isindeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. Thisis the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this support isadored in the world of Brahma." - Katha Upanishad I –



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Meditating on the Spiritual Master Picture

My Guru and SpiritualMaster in the Light isBhagavan Shri RamanaMaharshi ever since Idiscovered Him round about1994 (since there is Internet).It is made plain in theBhagavad Gita that a devoteeor seeker should be under theguidance of a SpiritualMaster, your own personalguide. For this, it is preferableyou have a picture of theSpiritual Master forvisualization and enteringinto His Consciousness.When one is His devotee, heor she is not entering into aforeign element or a foreignperson, but one is entering inhis or her own highest part,

the true self.One has a mother and a father, maybe a husband or wife, and even children;now you can also add one more person to your family, and that is the SpiritualMaster. You must feel that you have someone who is your own, and not only inthis life but forever. If you feel your oneness with your guru, or Spiritual Master,he is not a foreigner but a member of your own family. At that moment, your“Highest Self” (your soul), will link up with your Spiritual Master. This veryassociation will be meditation for you.

The Spiritual Master does not have to explain outwardly how to meditate or giveyou a special form of meditation or a mantra. He will simply meditate on youand inwardly teach you how to meditate.

When we meditate in front of the picture of a Spiritual Master as Bhagavan ShriRamana Maharshi, one should try always to identify with the consciousness of the Spiritual Master which is embodied in the particular picture.

If one wants to identify himself with his consciousness, then the first thing onehas to do is concentrate on the whole picture.



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Doing as such, one should focus all attention to only the face, then between theeyebrows and a little above, which is where the spiritual wealth can be found.This is the Third-Eye (Pineal Gland), the place of vision, and the moment onecan identify with the vision of inner reality, one shall achieve the greatest

reward.For instance, if one wants to get purity as one looks at the picture, he or shemust imagine that he or she is breathing in simultaneously with the SpiritualMaster before one starts meditation.

Feel that the entire picture is prepared to give whatever is wanted. If one wantsPeace, then he or she looks at the picture with the inner feeling that the picturehas infinite Peace. If one wishes Light (Illumination), if one wants Bliss, or aDivine Quality, one has to feel that the picture of the Spiritual Master has it,

which is absolutely true.Some people may think that it is the height of folly for anyone to meditate on thepicture of a God like Lord Shiva or Lord Krishna, or any known SpiritualMaster. However, it is assured from time immemorial, that the effigy, thepainting, drawing or photograph of a Spiritual Master living in a very highconsciousness, a life totally in oneness with the Supreme, does not represent hisphysical body or human personality, but the Supreme Absolute, the EternalGuru. The Spiritual Master represents the Supreme Absolute, the Cosmic andEternal Guru.

When one meditates on the picture of a Deity or Spiritual Master, he should notthink of a human being, rather on the achievement and the consciousness thepicture represents. The picture of Bhagavan Shri Ramana Maharshi is therepresentation of someone who has attained ONENESS with the HIGHEST. If one concentrates on the picture of a Deity or a Spiritual Master with realdevotion and aspiration is being helped. To serve mankind are Their only reasonand ours as well on Earth. Let us be people of goodwill.



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ContemplationContemplation involves steady vision, one pointedly directed towards a specificobjective as on the photograph of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. By means of

the “Third -Eye”, the spiritual man (the man you are within the physical body)sees behind the forms of all aspects of divine expression. He is aware of the lightof the world, and contacts the soul within all forms. In the same way, thephysical eye registers forms, so does the spiritual eye registers forms, equallythe spiritual eye, the “Third -Eye” register illumination within those forms.“Illumination” is a state of being; it opens up the world of radiance.

The “Third -Eye” between the eyebrows,has a unique and peculiar function. The“Third -Eye” is often confounded withthe “pineal gland”. They are obviouslyrelated, but not the same, thoughgenerally accepted as being the same.The “Third -Eye” manifests itself as aresult of the vibratory interaction

between the forces of the “Higher Self”(Soul), working through the pinealgland, while the forces of the personalityare working through the pituitary body.

These negative and positive forces interact, and when developed enoughproduce the light in the head. In the same way as the physical eye came intobeing in response to the light of the sun, the spiritual eye also comes in responseto the light of the spiritual sun. As the seeker, the aspirant, the adept, the devoteedevelops through meditation and appropriate living becomes aware of the LightWithin. The more the awareness of this Light increases, in the same way theapparatus of vision develops, and the mechanism whereby he can see things inthe spiritual light comes into being. This is the eye of Lord Shiva, as fullyutilised in magical work, when the will aspect is fully controlled.

As we have said earlier, the “Third -Eye”is the eye of vision, and the controllingfactor of magical work made possiblethrough intelligent will. But, there is alsoa destructive aspect. The energy flowingthrough the “Third -Eye” can also have adisintegrating and destroying effect. Itcan, through its focussed attention,directed by the intelligent will, drive out physical matter. It is the instrument of



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the “Higher Self” (Soul) in the purificatory work of destroying and restoring. Itis also the work of the “Higher Self” (Soul), of destructing and getting rid of oldforms, of shaking out of the bodies matter all of an undesirable nature and thebreaking down the barriers and limitations to real “Higher Self” (Soul) activity.

The seeing of the light within all forms through the agency of the “Third -Eye”(brought to manifestation through the realisation of the light in the head, thespiritual light) is but the correspondence to the physical eye, revealing forms inthe light of the physical sun, and corresponding to the personality.

The aspect of control through magnetic energy, and the attractive force in theThird-Eye, which is the dominant factor in magical work, is the correspondenceto the Higher Self (Soul).

Having said all this, through contemplation we grow in the immense itself, andits consciousness becomes our very own. In contemplation we are at once in ourdeepest concentration and our highest meditation.

Definition of Contemplation:

The act of the mind in considering with attention; continued attention of themind to a particular subject; meditation; musing; study.

Sacred meditation.

The act of looking forward to an event as about to happen; expectation; theact of intending or purposing.

In contemplation we will gradually see that we ourselves are “God”, that weourselves are Infinity, Eternity and Immortality. If I am not the body, but whomam I?

Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi answers the question in the booklet of greatvalue, “Who Am I”. Hereby, quoted, the two first questions and answers:

1 . Who am I ?

The gross body which is composed of the seven humours (dhatus), I am not; thefive cognitive sense organs, viz. the senses of hearing, touch, sight, taste, andsmell, which apprehend their respective objects, viz. sound, touch, colour, taste,and odour, I am not; the five cognitive sense-organs, viz. the organs of speech,locomotion, grasping, excretion, and procreation, which have as their respectivefunctions speaking, moving, grasping, excreting, and enjoying, I am not; the fivevital airs, prana, etc., which perform respectively the five functions of in-



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breathing, etc., I am not; even the mind which thinks, I am not; the nesciencetoo, which is endowed only with the residual impressions of objects, and inwhich there are no objects and no functioning's, I am not.

2. If I am none of these, then who am I?

After negating all of the above-mentioned as 'not this', 'not this', that Awarenesswhich alone remains - that I am.

Now we are ready for the two following questions and answers:

3. What is the nature of Awareness?

The nature of Awareness is existence-consciousness-bliss

4. When will the realization of the Self be gained?

When the world which is what-is-seen has been removed, there will berealization of the Self which is the seer.

Old forms of thinking disappear before the clear light in which the real man (thespiritual man) is manifesting, as the “Old Commentary” puts it:

“One g lance the soul doth cast upon the forms of mind. A ray of lightstreams out and darkness disappears; distortions and evil forms fade out,and all the little fires die out; the lesser lights are no more seen.

“The eye through light awakens into life the nee ded modes of Being. Tothe disciple this will carry knowledge. To the ignorant no sense is seen fora sense of lacks.”

In contrast to meditation which is stilling the thoughts and through this stillnessbecoming aware of the unity of all things, contemplation is the act of focusing

on a particular idea and becoming one with it and using this idea as a vehicle forspiritual transformation.

It is wise to choose well what we are contemplating upon. We can also think deeply on a subject and that is deep contemplation. In contrast to meditationwhich is stilling the thoughts and through this stillness becoming aware of theunity of all things, contemplation is the act of focusing on a particular idea andbecoming one with it and using this idea as a vehicle for understanding. Readingspiritual/religious texts, taking in nature, listening to music are all acts of



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contemplation. You can pick a piece of text from a spiritual book and work withit over a period of time using the text as a guide to looking at the world.

Concentration is necessary before contemplation

Centre your attention, concentrating on something to take your attention beyondthe random thought activity that is usually going on in our minds. You can focusyour attention using a solid object, a picture or mandala, a mantra, your breathor a tape of a guided visualization.

Typical objects of concentration include a candle flame, plant or blossom. Somepeople use pictures, such as mandala, which are symmetrical paintings that helpto induce positive states of consciousness. Some people might use a picture of a

spiritual teacher. . Mantras are words/sounds which have a flowing, meditativequality and may be repeated out loud or inwardly. Perhaps the most commonfocus of meditation is the breath.

Destructive aspects of contemplation

Therefore we are wise to be aware of what we are reading, watching andlistening to. Awareness is extremely important. If we consistently "practice thepresence" then we will see more and more positive results in our lives. All that

we take into our consciousness is a contemplation of sorts. Thus it is wise tochoose well what we are contemplating upon. Contemplation means regardingmentally a single object, image, idea so that the knowledge about the object,image or idea may arise naturally in the mind by force of the concentration.

Making good choices in daily life

We find ourselves making choices in everyday life, in practically every activitywe do. Making thoughtful choices is something we need to learn to do.

When we make a firm choice in or about anything it is good to know that we onour own made that choice without outer influence. For in these moments of choice we could change our lives and perhaps not be fully prepared for theeffects.

We know if we have made a wrong choice, we feel it as we enter it living itself out in our lives. If it is only a small thing it will pass through our lives veryquickly without much noticeable effect. If it is a large choice and we findourselves as an example married to the wrong person, we then have to see that



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as we come to feel the wrongness of this choice not only do we effect ourselvesbut others in our lives. So here we use the tool of contemplation, and learn tomake conscious choices, choices that are good for you and your life and willharm no other.

In contemplation everything is merged in one stream of consciousness. In ourhighest contemplation we feel that we are nothing but consciousness itself (WhoAm I?). We are in oneness with the Supreme, and the Supreme is right withinus. In our highest meditation there is dynamic movement going on in ourconsciousness.

For contemplation is the practice of concentration and visualization important.

A Few Notes on Visualisation

Gautama Buddha said:

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With ourthoughts we make the world."

Visualisation is used by countless successful people in the world. It is used bymost people unconsciously and thus creates randomly instead of intelligently.Once we begin consciously directing and using this tool it becomes a powerfultool to enable us to achieve better results and create better lives. Visualisation isthe act of directed imagination. Seeing the results of your actions prior to takingaction.

The best thing to focus on is yourself. Write down what you want to changeabout yourself. Deeper Wisdom, deeper compassion, the ability to makeimportant decisions easily. These type of things will result in changes inyourself which will lead to major changes in your life. Do you want better

health? Visualise yourself having better health and doing the things that bringabout better health. Remember the tool of Goal Setting / Planning. You will bewriting down what you want in your life and then developing a vision of havingthat life. Start with "easier" goals, then you can work up to "harder" ones.



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Helpful quotations on contemplation

The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. (Aristotle)

What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action. (Meister Eckhart)

What a man takes in by contemplation that he pours out in love. (MeisterEckhart)

That pleasure which is at once the most pure, the most elevating and the mostintense, is derived, I maintain, from the contemplation of the beautiful. (Edgar

Allan Poe)A day spent without the sight or sound of beauty, the contemplation of mystery,or the search of truth or perfection is a poverty-stricken day; and a succession of such days is fatal to human life. (Lewis Mumford)

If we know the divine art of concentration, if we know the divine art of meditation, if we know the divine art of contemplation, easily and consciouslywe can unite the inner world and the outer world. (Sri Chinmoy)

The mysteries of faith are degraded if they are made into an object of affirmation and negation, when in reality they should be an object of contemplation. (Simone Weil)



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ContentsForeword – Happiness through Meditation 2

Concentration 3Meditation Practice along the Bhagavad Gita 4

How to begin? 6

Outer recommendations before meditation 7

The best time for meditation 7

The importance of a correct posture in meditation 8

Breathing in Meditation 10

Mastering Visualisation 12

Additional Visualisation Tips 13

Mantra 14

How to repeat “Om Namah Shivah” 15

The Sacred Word “AUM” (OM) 15

Meditating on the Spiritual Master Picture 19

Contemplation and Visualisation 21

Contents 27

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© November 2012 – Philippe L. De Coster, B.Th., D.D., Gita Satsang, Ghent,Belgium.

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