Contextual Meditation

Meditation is a method of mind engineering.  For, mind, the way it is made out, which varies from person to person, determines the functional mandate of a man, and drives his performing-self.  In fact, Meditation is a holistic exercise for integrated development of the self, from base level, through conscious efforts.  It covers energy, mind and body, the three primary constituents of a man, all included, at one go. 

Meditation is a process which

·        Perfects the imperfections within

·        Unfolds immense power of minds and inlaid potentials, invariably untapped, and make the most out of oneself

·        Builds character

·        Increases the  strength of mind

·        Expands the scope of vision

·        Expands intellect

A man thus empowers himself to take on the challenges ahead intelligently in all strength; and shape his course of destiny.   

But, why do we need to Meditate? 

For, inherently, we are all born imperfect, in a way that all of us put together makes out a perfect world.  It therefore implies that collective happiness is a prelude to individual welfare.  But, due to ignorance, more often than not, we remain stuck to our individual beliefs and passions, which crosses path with others.  Ostensibly, it often becomes difficult to relate to the environment with ease and comfort.   

The imperfections are at two levels:

·        The first is basic energy construct of a man, which varies from person to person, and which has relative bearing on almost all aspects of our performing-self. 

·        The second is in terms of impressions in our minds.  These impressions condition our mind a particular way.  The good ones reflect by way of one’s virtues.  The bad ones bring in negative traits, which in the first instance interferes with our potentials bloom out in full, and secondly, it mislead us to wrong track.  The form and content of the impressions laid down in mind, primarily determine a person’s desire and thereby behavioral pattern.  That in turn, excites our thought process, which determines the way we conduct ourselves in life.  Our actions finally translate into fruits, whether to our advantage or detriment, depends on the way thought process works. 

It therefore becomes incumbent upon us to work upon our imperfections, purify our thought process, and provide it the right direction. 

Now coming to the methodology, in the Indian tradition, there are two basic tools of Meditation:

(a) A Mantra

(b) A Visual-form 

These two respectively address the energy aspect and thought process.  It may be pertinent to note here that going by ancient India’s philosophic perception, the individual energy structure of a person finds reflection at the elemental level – Akasha (Ether), Vāyu (Air), Agni (Fire), Jala (Water), and Prithvi (Earth), the 5 microcosmic humors, which together constitute a man.  The excess or void of these micro-cosmic elements in the system, determine which basic attribute - Sattva, Rajasa or Tamasa - would be prominent in a person. This in turn forms the nature of an individual.

Sattva, the positive attribute, carries all the good – truth, purity, righteous tendency and a positive attitude.

Tamasa, the negative attribute, holds the key to all unworthy acts – inertia, indolence, ignorance, a negative mind-set, and directionless actions.

Rajasa is the activating quality which, when working upon either Sattva or Tamasa determines the functional traits of a person.

So, by addressing the imbalance, if any, in terms of one’s energy structure, the elemental balance gets restored.

A mantra acts at the energy level, which is actually a set of syllables placed in a logical sequence to create a particular sound effect. Every syllable recited generates echo from one or the other corresponding sensitive point within one’s body. That gets relayed through connecting nerves which excites the brain cells. In turn, the brain cells find connect with the relative source in nature, matching to the wavelength and frequency of the echo generated. Thus we access extra energy from the higher pool of energy to our advantage. The repeated recitation of a mantra brings in a continued stream of energy inflow into the system thus strengthening one’s energy structure.

A mantra has to be always individual-specific in that it corresponds to the void area of energy within the self.  The void area of energy in a person can be figured out from one’s astrological chart. It may not be out of place to mention here that depending on the basic fabric of one’s making, an individual’s absorption level of different energies extended by nature varies. Ordinarily, we draw some of the energies in excess and we are short of some others.    Evidently, we are all born invariably with an energy imbalance in our system. But, in order to cover up all aspects of our lives, we need to harness energies in right proportion from all nature driven sources. This, because, energies available from every source carries its own stamping, say in terms of wavelength and frequency, which has a corresponding reception point in the brain. And, every point in the brain administers set functions of the body, mind and psyche. This is how these energies influence our life systems. Hence, it is important to service our energy structure.

Visual-form, or Deity, as we understand in the Indian tradition, apart from being an object to focus upon, carries philosophic import relating to one or the other practical aspects of our life. The related message, that every visual form portrays, acts as an auto-suggestion, which in turn purifies our thought process. Evidently, the visual form too has to be individual specific, in terms of the particular attribute which needs to be addressed. It is pertinent to note here that Indian deities are all attribute specific, and therefore have no religious connotation whatsoever.

But remember, meditation in the above format must be done under the guidance of a qualified Guru.

This is not to suggest that we have no scope for modify the process.  We can very well innovate and invent the concept our own ways to suit every mind, which does not interfere with individual’s faith.

To sum up, meditation is a wholesome exercise to reconstruct oneself into a vibrant personality.  It is so designed as to make necessary corrections at the fundamental level, optimise one’s potential, and get the best out of one’s performing self.  Eventually, we qualify to turn life into a beautiful experience through conscious efforts.