We have a pet dog, named Leo. Sometimes when it gets sick, we need to give him pills (medicine). But it is challenging to make him take the medicine, as he doesn't seem to like the taste. So my mother hides the pills in between pieces of bread and he happily eats it. Slowly he gets cured.
But if Leo starts to think that he is getting cured just by eating the bread and not the pills, then he is not intelligent.
It is ok for a dog to be ignorant but ironically many times we, the intelligent human beings, behave like Leo. We tend to take out God (the Pill which cures us) and follow the externals only. Let us see how by few examples.
MEDITATION
Nowadays Meditation is a hot topic everywhere. Every other guru comes up with his or her formula of Meditation and gives it a cool branding name of so-and-so kriya. However, their process of meditation doesn't involve God anywhere. They focus on light or blank emptiness or imaginary objects like light on the navel or between the forehead. Let us see what guidance scriptures give to a yogi practicing meditation.
After sitting in the above manner, make the mind remember the three transcendental letters [a-u-m], and by regulating the breathing process, control the mind so as not to forget the transcendental seed. Gradually, as the mind becomes progressively spiritualized, withdraw it from sense activities, and by intelligence, the senses will be controlled. The mind too absorbed in material activities can be engaged in the service of the Personality of Godhead and become fixed in full transcendental consciousness. Thereafter, you should meditate upon the limbs of Viṣṇu, one after another, without being deviated from the conception of the complete body. Thus the mind becomes free from all sense objects. There should be no other thing to be thought upon. Because the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, is the Ultimate Truth, the mind becomes completely reconciled in Him only.
[Srimad Bhagvatam 2.1.17 - 19]
From the below verse of Srimad Bhagavad Gita we understand a-u-m is referring to none other than Krishna.
O son of Kuntī, I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable oṁ in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in a man.
[Srimad Bhagavad Gita 7.8]
Therefore the scriptural guidance for someone trying Meditation is to start with focusing on the impersonal form of the Lord and slowly as he grows with practice, he should try to focus on the beautiful personal form of the Lord. Whatever the stage of the meditator is, neophyte- meditating on impersonal a-u-m or an expert - meditating on the beautiful personal form of Lord, he must be having Lord as the object of Meditation. But how many of the modern meditation gurus or instructors or institutions abide by this philosophy? They simply take out the pills (the Lord) from the bread (the process of meditation) and think they will get cured (attain the highest goal). They cheat innocent people. If we simply sit for some time without doing any activity, close our eyes, breathe deep, automatically our body and mind tend to feel relaxed and fresh. Due to intake of more oxygen and giving rest to eyes. But this is not meditation nor is it the actual goal of meditation.
Meditation is practiced to seek the Higher Truth. A peaceful mind comes as a byproduct.
How is it possible to seek The Truth by rejecting The Supreme Absolute Truth???
CENTER OF OUR THOUGHT
Scriptures say Kirtaniya Sada Hari, always glorify the Lord
But we remove God from the statement and sing songs of glorification for everyone, our parents, children, spouse, country, corrupt leaders, celebrities, sportsmen, our boss, aliens, everyone but not God!!!
YOGA
Scriptures say Yoga means to connect with God. The purpose of Yoga is to Attain God-Realization and Yoga asana is to pacify the mind to attain the goal of yoga.
But we remove God and hit the gym or yoga classes to keep ourselves strong, fit and young. Goal? To be another slim, trim, handsome (and temporary) showpiece in the museum of Maya.
BROTHERHOOD FORMULA
Scriptures say Serve everyone, keeping God in the center and spread universal brotherhood.
But we remove God from the statement and try to serve others. Result? Exploitation and frustration. But we can see in institutions built around Krishna is a living example of having a universal brotherhood which transcends Nationality or Birth or Gender.
WHERE ARE WE GOING WRONG?
True spirituality means to include God or Krishna in everything we do or think. Practicing in such a way our consciousness gets embraced by Him. This state of constant remembrance of God is called Samadhi. Thus the highest goal of spiritual life is to attain God / Krishna Consciousness.
The living entities who dwell on this planet, trying to enjoy everything, ignoring or rejecting or forgetting God are called animals, as mentioned in Vedic Literature.
Eating, Sleeping, Defending and Mating, these acts of humans are similar to animals. Of them (humans), God Consciousness is the only special thing, without this humans are also animals.
[Mahabharat]
Not all animals are 4 legged, some are 2 legged too and some amongst these 2 legged animals take the role of preaching spirituality. Let us not fool ourselves by following the footsteps of such animals, who are teaching us animal life in the name of spirituality. We must be careful to choose the source of our Knowledge.
CONCLUSION
It is revealed by Krishna in Srimad Bhagavad Gita that the topmost yogi is His devotee.
And of all yogīs, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself and renders transcendental loving service to Me – he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.
[Srimad Bhagavad Gita 6.47]
Let us remember these 2 slokas always in our life and lead a life of a devotee 24×7, it won't matter if we are at home, temple, school or corporate jungle with sophisticated animals around.
Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform – do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me. In this way, you will be freed from bondage to work and its auspicious and inauspicious results. With your mind fixed on Me in this principle of renunciation, you will be liberated and come to Me.
[Srimad Bhagavad Gita 9.27 - 9.28]
Starting today, whatever we do, let us pause and think for a moment, are we taking the pill or dropping the pill, for let us remember it is the pill that will cure us not the bread.
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Hare Krishna!
Beautiful article… Came to know a some wonderful insights about the most famous process of meditation…
Thanks a lot….