What is Meditation – 2

After practicing meditation for a year or so, people often find themselves feeling more miserable. What is this? It seemed better earlier with smoking, drinking, medication, and restless company. At least it was easier to forget oneself for a while. Remember the story of Sagar Manthan, before nectar comes to the surface, poison does. And who drinks the poison? Lord Shiva, the god of observation. Similarly, meditation brings everything to the surface – our hidden fears and anxieties – and demands our observation. It is indeed a painful process.

Observation is not as easy as it sounds because we are often unaware of inner conflict. We don’t know what is bothering us – often feel anxious and restless. One can easily react, get offended, and be carried away into unnecessary talking or loudness. Even if we are aware, we judge our own self “conceptually”.

What is observation? In simple words, I would say observation means tolerating oneself. 

To observe, one needs silence and to be silent – observation is needed. Both are interconnected. With the help of meditation techniques and sincere practice, the observation gets activated. A conscious awareness in the time of need. It gets into auto mode as a result of our tremendous efforts. 

We need the help of a physical teacher who has crossed this path. The teacher supports us if we are sincere in our practice. 

People are often not motivated enough to practice and pursue mediation for long, and they have their reasons. Sincerity happens when one has tried and tested all other possibilities and reaches a point where there is nothing left but to go inside. Once, a disciple asked the guru how much intensity is needed to practice. The guru took the man to a pond and held his head underwater. After a few minutes, the man desperately pulled his head out to breathe. The guru said, “This kind of intensity is needed.”  

It is not wise to push anyone to practice meditation; It is a need of the soul. When the time is ripe, it happens by itself.   

The path could be a little difficult for the first few years, but which path is not? Later, it becomes fruitful and looks like a beautiful journey. It is a long journey to make this silence our own inner nature. We must keep practicing without any expectation, like brushing our teeth.