"Centre"

    The external world can be likened to an infinite horizontal circle. Our development of mind, or perhaps the awakening of the mind, can be likened to various lines at right angles to the horizontal circle all aiming at the centre. The circle represents the realm of time-space and the centre represents the realm of eternity, of timelessness. The centre is the very essence of our inner being. By giving our attention only to the outside world we remain on the circumference of the circle, totally unable to reach the centre. But by awakening our mind, while simultaneously living in the external world, we start to follow one of the perpendicular lines that leads towards the centre. The more we awaken the mind, the nearer we approach the central core of our being, the potential oneness of existence. So start your journey to the centre now. Don’t delay.

    Yes, but how? If one wants to explore the external world, the method is known. One merely uses a material vehicle, either one’s own body to go to the nearby park or countryside, or one goes by train or bus to the nearby town, or one travels by ship or aeroplane, even by spaceship if one wants to go to another planet. But how does one go inwards? The answer we have already mentioned – it is through meditation. Meditation is the vehicle which takes one on the inner trip. You don’t have to buy a ticket. The ticket is one’s mind. So start meditation now.

    Our general aim has been to show the possibilities open to the practitioner of meditation, the preparation that is necessary, how meditation relates to the different types of yoga, as well as practical methods, so that the reader can attain meditational experiences himself (after all, this is what meditation is all about). We feel that personal experience, even the slightest, is worth far more than any number of words. Words in themselves cannot begin to adequately describe what the meditator feels during meditation. The whole point of meditation is to transcend words and the rational mind, and not to become enmeshed in a web of empty platitudes. Words or any attempt at describing the transcendental experiences of meditation will not leave any deep impression on the individual, while a practical experience, even at a low level, can change his or her whole life. So we have given various practical methods and we ask you to try a few, not necessarily all, and find out what meditation is all about for yourself. Don’t live vicariously in other people’s experiences.

    We have emphasized the importance of individual effort to change the mind. Most of our thinking and reactions in life operate on an instinctive level. We are programmed to respond in fixed ways to different life situations according to our likes, dislikes, ego-motivated needs and so on. If the outside world and other people don’t fit in with our thought patterns, we become unhappy, depressed etc. These are serious impediments to meditation. Therefore, to attain success in meditation, it is essential that we change our mind.

    Meditational practices are an excellent method of confronting the complexes, phobias and conflicts which are hidden in the usually inaccessible recesses of the unconscious part of the mind. Each person can become his own psychoanalyst. Once the problems are recognized they can be removed by autosuggestion and by the system of psychic desensitization. As these problems are progressively removed, one’s life will simultaneously undergo a transformation towards integration and happiness.

    Meditational practices are an excellent method of confronting the complexes, phobias and conflicts which are hidden in the usually inaccessible recesses of the unconscious part of the mind. Each person can become his own psychoanalyst. Once the problems are recognized they can be removed by autosuggestion (given in chapter 4) and by the system of psychic desensitization. As these problems are progressively removed, one’s life will simultaneously undergo a transformation towards integration and happiness.

    A word of warning. Don’t expect to be able to attain a high state of meditation on your first attempt, for meditation, true meditation, is a high stage in spiritual life. Practice is required, but all effort is well worth it because of the illumination that it can bring. Speaking personally, I must admit that I was very skeptical about meditation when I was first introduced to it. I couldn’t quite understand how merely closing my eyes could possibly have any influence on me. Many times I had previously closed my eyes, apart from sleep, and nothing had ever happened, but with some practice my doubts and naiveté were slowly but surely removed. And again it must be said that no amount of reading books on the subject could have removed my doubts and made me realize what an indispensable part of life meditation really is. My gradual conversion to the regular practice of meditation was through personal practice and experience and nothing else.

    Remember, the practice of meditation though only performed for a short time every day (forgetting the great saints, etc., who are and were in an almost continual state of meditation) has vast repercussions on one’s daily life. The insight and bliss one will experience during meditation will affect one’s mental and physical state throughout the whole day. With constant practice of meditation, one’s whole personality and behavior will undergo an almost miraculous change in a positive direction. One’s whole existence will turn over a new leaf.