A common question is, “but why should I meditate?” “Everything is still working fine without it. I can research on the self as on anything else.” Yes, this is especially important. Why does one wear specs when the vision is blurred? One can read and manage even without them. The answer is, that after wearing specs the letters become much clearer and it is easier to read, much less effort is required. When you prepare the mind and make it meditation worthy, it gains great clarity and focus and can dive deep to introspect.
Meditation then becomes (Sahaj) that which becomes easily your nature, and knowledge of the self becomes (Bhanam) that, which if once told is known forever. E.g. no one has to repeatedly tell you that you are a man or a woman. You live with that knowledge. Wherever your energy flows, that thing grows.
Safeguard your mind and give direction to your thoughts. Letting your mind roam free is a big mistake. It’ll run off at the smallest opportunity, dragging you behind. Unless we channelise this mental energy correctly it will spread sorrow in our life and ruin its peace. Mind is the bridge between the body and the intellect. If you learn to distance yourself mentally, not physically, from all objects, situations and relationships, as well as related actions, then nothing can touch you. Otherwise, as your mind, so are you. The mind is angry, you are angry, the mind is sad, you are sad, the mind is compassionate then you are compassionate. Watch it dancing. Slowly move from the gross to the subtle. Happiness will be yours, but “Are you ready to be happy?”
Prarthna Saran is President, Chinmaya Mission, Delhi.
