Meditation: Its Importance and Benefits

23. Meditation: Its Importance and Benefits Dispassion is the key to meditation. In such a state the mind is not hankering after materialistic goals or objectives. When the human mind drops all desires, it reaches a state of true jollity; it is sanguine and tranquil. In this state of stillness and quietude the mind is no longer manipulative or strategising. There is no feeling of restlessness. As Lord Krishna said, “An authentic yogi is one who drops all desires and hankerings and reposes in the self.” This is meditation. Question-answer session “O, Monarch of Zen, I have been privileged to listen to your erudite lectures for several years,” a mentee remarked during the question-answer time following an intense discourse, “however I am not perspicacious enough to imbibe the nuggets of wisdom that you have imparted thus far. Therefore, I would be truly beholden if you can encapsulate the essence of Buddhism in a single sentence.” This irreproachable comment provoked uproarious scenes among the other monks and novitiates at the Temple of Knowledge. However, the Zen Master cogitated on this comment, and soon a resounding silence descended on the monastery following the uproar. Finally, in an earnest and grave tone he said the quintessential truth of life is that everything is undergoing constant transformation and transmutation and therefore everything in life is impermanent. With that he signaled that he was ready to field other questions from the assembled gathering. Impermanence is an integral part of life Among the various aphorisms in Buddhism is the singular hypothesis that everything in life is impermanent. The Zen Master deftly and tactfully referred to the concept of impermanence by stating that “everything in life is ever changing.” This percipient teaching is the bedrock of Sakya Muni Buddha’s teachings and leads one to unearth the secrets of meditation. An individual could contemplate and muse upon this truth for hours together and yet be unable to grasp the pivotal and cardinal tenets of impermanence. It is a striking feature of all aspects of one’s life. An individual is impermanent, his/her emotions and feelings are transient, the family that he belongs to is evanescent, the dwelling place is momentary, even the majestic universe is not enduring. This is a formational aspect of life as it teaches us the art of detachment. In such a state one learns to become a witness or a spectator to the events unfolding around us without getting emotionally involved. The mind is at deep rest and ripe to meditate. If, however an individual clasps on to the platitudinous platform of permanence it leads to statis in life, where it is not evolving and consequently melancholia and dolor set in. Thus, an authentic seeker assimilates this exemplary and prototypical knowledge and is discerning enough to treasure the value of impermanence. The practice of mindfulness and awareness are twin techniques and characteristics to remain unattached to events, people, situations, possessions and emotions. The triad of awareness, mindfulness and detachment are the pivots from which emerges the ballast for an individual to meditate. So, what is meditation after all? His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the spiritual Guru, incisively captures the phenomenon and practice of meditation. The Spiritual Master has elucidated that effort is an act of the body, while meditation is essentially a state of no-mind, an act where there is no striving or assay by an individual. It is singular to state that through vigorous meditation human’s repose in themselves, reaching a state of deep rest. It is primarily an act of doing nothing. Benefits of Vipassana The skill of being able to consciously relax by unflinching practice of the unique rhythmic breathing technique of Sudarshan Kriya, Kriya Yoga, Sahaj Samadhi meditation or Vipassana helps one to slip into deep meditation. In such a state of jollity there is seemingly an umbilical cord with the Divine. Such a communion is the singular objective of meditation. This can verily be termed the Gangotri from where the Ganges of self realisation flows. Regular meditation helps in mastery of various subjects as it improves the concentration levels of the mediators. It must be appreciated that meditation is not concentration, but is primarily an act of de-concentration. As demonic thoughts and cobwebs get purged, the mind becomes unsmoked and unblemished. It is interesting to note that while awareness and mindfulness help in enhancing the quality of meditation, paradoxically the reverse of this is true too. Quotidian practice of meditation helps an individual to develop greater awareness and mindfulness. With enhanced awareness comes the ability to discover oneself and improve interpersonal relationship. Through the techniques of cogitation and introspection, individuals become benignant and clement to one another. We begin to see a mirror image of ourselves in fellow human beings. This enables us to metamorphose from animal instincts to more genteel ones. Authentic meditation teaches us compassion. It has been scientifically proven that meditation helps in assuaging frayed nerves and enhances physical and mental well-being of an individual. Studies have shown that meditation also helps in managing cholesterol levels by reducing LDL levels and increasing HDL levels. Regular meditation helps in reducing blood pressure and various coronary ailments too. Over a period of time through unflinching practice of meditation, individuals are endowed with humungous clarity of thought and perspicacity. The human mind attains the 3Es, of equilibrium, equipoise and equanimity. In such a state, it is not agitated and is always sanguine. Efficacious thoughts spring to the mind. With high levels of intuition, open mindedness, clear channels in our system, gargantuan mental diminution and composure, we are able to enhance our aura. This amplifies into unprecedented happenings. This is essentially grace bestowed on us by the divine cosmic energy. Buddha was once questioned as to how he had profited from meditation. He replied, “I have gained nothing!” However, Buddha went on to say, “Let me tell you what I lost: anger, anxiety, depression, insecurity, fear of old age and death.”