Understanding Meditation: A Journey Within
The practice of meditation in yoga is both profound and mysterious. It allows the restless mind to connect with the Spirit within, opening the door to an experience of delight in one’s own being—a state of inner joy beyond words. As expressed in Building a Noble World, meditation has the power to transform a person’s character, conduct, and behavior. Through its practice, lost energy is replenished, memory is sharpened, intellect is refined, and intuition is awakened. Meditation dissolves worries and tensions, leaving the mind clear and luminous.
The Journey of the Eight Limbs
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, meditation—known as dhyana—is described as the seventh limb of yoga. The eight limbs of yoga form an organic unity, a progressive journey toward self-realization in which each step builds upon the last. One cannot skip ahead; the foundation must be laid before true meditation can unfold. The path begins with ethical disciplines that guide how we interact with others, continues with practices of self-purification and discipline, and moves through physical postures, breath control, and the withdrawal of the senses. From there, concentration deepens into meditation, and meditation culminates in samadhi, the ultimate absorption in pure consciousness. Each stage naturally leads to the next, guiding the practitioner toward higher states of awareness and self-discovery. Though dhyana is often translated as meditation, it has no exact English equivalent, for it points to a state beyond ordinary thought.
Yoga: A Science of Inner Experience
Yoga itself is not a religion but a science of experience. Just as science relies on experiments, yoga relies on direct inner experience. Experimenting happens outside, while experiencing happens inside. Meditation is the heart of this science, calming the mind, bringing inner peace, and awakening love and compassion. Just as deep sleep refreshes the body, meditation rejuvenates the soul. Its ultimate purpose is to realize one’s true Self—the source of profound peace and eternal joy.
Discovering the True Self
The sages have described this Self in many ways. Swami Muktananda, known as the Guru’s Guru, taught that the Self is the one who understands the most secret things within us, the silent witness that remains even in deep sleep. Swami Vivekananda illustrated it with a beautiful image: the bottom of a lake cannot be seen if the surface is covered with ripples. Only when the waves subside does the lake become clear. The lake is the mind, the waves are thoughts, and the bottom is our true Self. When you realize this Self, you no longer identify solely with the body or the mind.
Meditation: The Art of Witnessing
Meditation, then, is not about thinking but about witnessing. Thinking is an action of the mind, just as running is an action of the legs. When thinking ceases, meditation begins. Witnessing is beyond action—it is simply looking, allowing the mind to move without attachment. You can either think or witness, but not both at the same time. Sage Kapil, in Sankhya Darshan, defined meditation as a state devoid of thought, a silence beyond the chatter of the mind.
Who Am I, Truly?
This leads to the timeless question: Who am I, truly? The mind is not the Self; it is only a tool, like a microphone is an instrument. The mind itself has four parts: the conscious mind (manas), the unconscious mind (chitta), the intellect (buddhi), and the ego (ahankara). Yet even when the mind is unconscious, as in deep sleep or under anesthesia, the Self continues to exist. Meditation is the path back to this source, the innermost Self or Atman. Chasing thoughts is mentation, not meditation. True meditation is returning to the origin of thought, the silent witness within.
Breath as the Bridge to Spirit
Among the natural techniques, the Hamsa method described in the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra is especially simple and profound. It teaches that the exhaling breath ascends and the inhaling breath descends, forming a rhythmic cycle. By focusing on the space between breaths, one enters meditation. Breath is the bridge between body and Spirit, and the pauses between inhalation and exhalation are gateways to stillness. In this stillness, one can enter Turiya, the fourth state beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep—a state of pure awareness, like the thread running through a necklace of beads.
Happiness vs. Bliss
Meditation also reveals the difference between happiness and bliss. Happiness is fleeting, dependent on external objects—a song, a sight, a moment. When the object disappears, so does the happiness. Bliss, however, is eternal. It arises from within, just as heat is intrinsic to fire. Meditation connects us to this bliss, which is our true nature.
Mind and Brain: Knowing the Difference
It is important to understand that the mind is not the brain. The brain dies with the body, but the mind carries forward, holding memories, impressions, and awareness across lifetimes. Meditation is not about changing religion or belief; it is about experiencing Spirit directly. Just as sleep does not require abandoning one’s faith, meditation is simply conscious sleep, a state beyond waking and dreaming. It belongs to everyone, regardless of background or tradition.
The Path to Your Innermost Self
Ultimately, meditation is the path to your innermost Self. The “I” or pure awareness is your true nature, whether you call it Self, Being, Consciousness, Guru, or God. Meditation cannot be grasped intellectually—it must be lived. When you meditate, you discover your divinity. You realize that you are pure Spirit, eternal, blissful, and divine. As the scriptures remind us: “Knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Meditation is the way to experience your deepest essence. It is your birthright.
Your Journey Begins Now
Through meditation, you not only transform your own life but also contribute to a collective shift in consciousness. Research has shown that such shifts can reduce violence, encourage cooperation, and create a more harmonious world.
May you experience true meditation and the boundless peace within you!