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Mind Offer impediments to Meditation |
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THE MIND |
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| The mind itself offers many impediments to meditation. In the beginning of practice, layer after layer of impure and negative thoughts arise from the subconscious mind as soon as one sits for meditation. Eventually they will all perish for negative thoughts cannot stand before positive thoughts. The very fact that undesirable thoughts create a feeling of uneasiness when they arise during meditation indicates growth and maturity, for at one time these thoughts were welcomed into the mind. |
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The mind must be watched,
particularly when it is relaxed. The dark waves of irritability,
jealously, anger and hatred are the enemies of meditation,
peace and wisdom. They must be countered immediately with
positive thoughts, for ill thoughts are destroyed by good
thoughts. Infatuation and attachment are serious obstacles
because they are subtle as well a powerful. When millions
of people are killed during a |
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war,
a man does not weep, yet he weeps when his wife dies. This is because
infatuation creates the idea of "mine", and the greater the attachment,
the greater the pain. Greed, which is closely linked with infatuation,
is insatiable, and it agitates the mind. Even though a man may be
a millionaire, he schemes to become a billionaire. If a man thirsts
for name and fame, this also is greed.
Another impediment to meditation
is memory or recalling past events. To understand this, assume for
a moment that one is meditating quietly in a solitary country setting.
This applies also to daydreams. Looking back to past experience
gives life to the memory-picture, reinforces it and pulls the mind
away from its true nature. A sage never looks back; he concentrates
only on identification with the Absolute. |
| CESSATION OF PRACTICE |
The mind wants
variety in the practice of meditation as much as it wants variety
in anything else. It rebels against monotony. When this happens,
the student can give the mind a little relaxation and variety by
changing the schedule of the practice, but it should never be given
up completely. The beginner, full of enthusiasm and zeal, often
hopes to acquire psychic powers in short time. When he does not
achieve them, he becomes discouraged and wants to give up. The practice
of meditation must be continued, but without any expecting. Growth
comes, but it is gradual. |
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