I have been meditating for over 20 years. I started with a type of meditation, or Hatha Yoga, which was a little more physically difficult than what I practice now. We did a lot of asanas, or postures, literally putting our bodies in all kinds of positions. It was great for my health.
After studying Hatha Yoga for years with the group I was with, I realized I couldn't make maximum progress on this path without becoming like a monk. People on this path who continued eventually gave up all signs of outward "pleasurable" attachments, such as physical intimacy, pursuit of money and families. This outward renunciation did not suit me so after a few years I continued my search and happened upon "Surat Shabd Yoga", where the renouncing was more inward. This is where I truly learned to "Love."
In the olden days Surat Shabd Yoga was called the "Royal Path". To follow it one did not have to give up anything outwardly, so the kings and the queens in the old country would study this form of meditation. They wanted to study spirituality and by studying Surat Shabd Yoga they could continue to have their kingdoms, subjects, wives, and their children.
The Inner Sound and Light we focus on when we practice Surat Shabd Yoga is natural and is within everything. It is at a very high vibration in human beings. It is part of who we are. It is a part of us and we are a part of it. Many people call it Consciousness.
Our minds are like the monkey in the tree. It jumps around from idea to idea. It jumps from thought to thought, and rarely settles down. Even when we sleep the mind remains active, dreaming. It is not necessary to look at a candle, stand on your head or even focus on your breath when practicing Surat Shabd Yoga. Concentration on the Inner Sound and Light is all that is necessary.
The mind jumps around very fast. We can be in Chicago one moment and New York the next. We can then quickly be in Berlin because the mind, until we learn to control it, can jump around like a monkey.
There are three main ways to practice Surat Shabd Yoga meditation. I will talk about two of them here. The third is a more advanced practice. Repetition of warm, loving words or a word is the first practice. This repetition is designed to engage the mind and give it something to do. Focus on the Inner Sound and Light is the second practice, which is a little bit more advanced than the repetition.
We have to give the mind something to do or as usual it will take over. When we are repeating and a thought comes in, we should not beat up the mind and get angry at it. We should lovingly bring it back to the repetition. Eventually it becomes more and more one-pointed.
Most people think meditation is hard to do. It is definitely not easy to control the mind. If we want to become a master meditator we should practice and train the mind just like muscles in the body. It is worth it. The mind is a great servant but a terrible leader. As you grow in your meditation it will become more and more enjoyable to you. You will come to love it.
The ultimate aim of meditation is to allow us to experience more love in our lives. The Inner Sound and Light is the Source of Love and when we tap into it we become one with that Source. We start realizing that that Source is within all living things, and we begin relating to and identifying with that Source everywhere. "Love" in our life increases because we finally realize that the same source within us is within our very neighbor.
About the Author:
Tina T Willer, MBA is the author of Articles and E-books on Love, Meditation, Health, and Personal Finances. Great health covers all areas of our lives. Accept your FREE Ebook "Keep Your Love Alive", Here. Accept your FREE Financial Advice Newsletter Here.
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