Learn to meditate

For best results in meditation, it is necessary to contact a meditation teacher. However there are some preliminary steps which you can do before you meet a teacher.

1. You can practice regularly the deep relaxation exercise you learned in the class. After finishing the deep relaxation, sit up in a cross legged position. Keep your back straight and your hands folded in your lap and your eyes closed. Sit quietly like this for five minutes. Don't try to "accomplish" anything. Just sit in an alert but relaxed position.  Practice this twice a day for one week or more, and then go on to step

2. Practice meditation using a universal mantra.  As has been explained in other articles, a personal mantra is used in the Ananda Marga meditation system.  There is however a universal mantra which can be used by anyone. The mantra consists of three Sanskrit words: Baba Nam Kevalam. Baba means "beloved" and it refers to your deepest Supreme Self. Nam means "name", and Kevalam means, "only".  The meaning of the mantra is "Only the name of the Beloved". It is important to keep the idea of the mantra in your mind while you do the repetition of the Sanskrit words.

The Baba Nam Kevalam Mantra can be sung before you do silent meditation.  You can sing it to any tune you like or you can use a tune on one of our recordings. After singing for some time, you should get ready for silent meditation.  Sit comfortably with your back straight. It is best to sit cross legged on the floor. Close your eyes and begin to repeat "Baba Nam Kevalam" in your mind. As you repeat the Sanskrit words, also keep in mind the meaning "Only the name of the Beloved". If your mind wanders to other thoughts, just bring it back to the mantra, Baba Nam Kevalam.  Sit for 15 minutes. (Use a clock or watch to keep time; if you open your eyes before 15 minutes, then just close them and continue meditating. After some time your "internal clock" will be able to tell you when it is time to stop meditating. Consult our article "Tips for Better Meditation" (see below) and try to improve your practice. 

Do the meditation two times a day. In the morning after waking up and washing, sit for meditation and after that begin your normal daily activities.  In the evening, just before the evening meal, sit for meditation again.  If you can get into the daily routine of doing meditation you are on the way to success.

3. If you find the Baba Nam Kevalam meditation rewarding, then you might want to go on to our more advanced practices.  Please contact us to make an appointment with a meditation teacher.

Tips for  Better Meditation

Being not satisfied with the objective life, human beings dive deep into their subjective Self with the help of Spiritual science to transcend the limitations of the Relative World around them and enjoy the eternal bliss of the Self. This attainment is possible through deep meditation. 

What are the ways to better meditation ? 

This is an important question which has been attempted to answer in a practical manner.

1. Minimize Interruptions

Take the phone off the hook, let your friends and family know that during this time you don't wish to be interrupted; close the door, close your eyes and for the time being leave the ordinary world behind. This has tremendous psychological impact. If, while meditating, one part of your mind is listening for the doorbell, or is ready to jump up if the phone rings, or to come out if someone wants to talk, it will be very difficult to concentrate. Give yourself completely to the task at hand, letting the people around you know that it is important to you. They will learn to respect it too. Establish right away that during that period of time you do not wish to be disturbed, making whatever arrangements are necessary (childcare trade- offs, phone message arrangements etc.) and you will feel freer and happier in your meditation.

2. Meditate at the Same Time of Day

Experienced meditators  find that if they always meditate at, say, 6am and 5:30 pm, when that time of day occurs they naturally want to meditate. Optimum times are usually considered sometime around sunrise and again sometime around sunset.-

If one sincerely desires to explore meditation it is important to establish a habit of regular meditation. Twice daily, in the morning to tune in and charge up to start the day, and in the evening to establish a rhythm and harmony in our life. This twice a day meditation ties us in with the world's daily rhythms. It is important to maintain this regularity. Even if there is an "emergency" (like being late for work), take 5-10 minutes to meditate.

People beginning meditation frequently report having difficulty finding the time to meditate. Writing out your daily schedule and then "brain-storming" (figuring out possibilities and listing as many as you can) all sorts of different ways to make time may help to get over this hump. Experienced meditators frequently report a considerably reduced need for sleep (due to the deep state of physiological rest during meditation) and so may gain as much as 1-3 hours of usable time.

We should not forget that life is very meaningful. We have an aim in life. When we do not know our aim or goal in life, we are unable to get Ananda (infinite happiness).. Rich or poor big or small, educated or uneducated, most people today are suffering physically, rnentally or spiritually. Why? Because they are aimless in their lives. When people try to find happiness in limited physical wealth, they do not satisfy the human mind. 

3. Twice a Day, Invariably 

This is the key to success in meditation. If one sincerely desires to explore the heights and depths of meditation, it is important to establish a habit of never missing your practices. Meditation can be likened to a beautiful chain-each day we add delicate links; the overall effect is a strong and useful instrument. But if we miss a meditation we create a situation of a "missing link". In order to make the mind strong, try never to miss. Be uncompromising. Even in an emergency, it is possible to do your meditation for five to ten minutes if you resolve always to go it. Though difficult at first, in -the long run it becomes like brushing one's teeth or eating-some-thing one just does without thinking.
 

4. Meditate in the Same Place 

Try to arrange a corner or even a small room for your meditation p lace. Keep it clean and fresh and try to do your meditation there all the time. You will find that place becoming very meaningful for you. When you go to that spot your mind will naturally want to meditate. Of course you can meditate anywhere-in an off ice or a car, on the bus, outside-but it helps, especially in the beginning to have a quiet and special place.

5. On a Light Stomach 

After eating, the energies of the body are directed toward the digestive processes at the expense of the mental processes (we have all noticed the sluggishness that follows a heavy meal). Because meditation requires alertness, concentration, mental energy and "awakeness", it is helpful to meditate on a light stomach. If you are really famished take a glass of juice or milk or eat lightly. If your body is really hungry, your meditation may be distracted.

6. In a Comfortable, Erect Posture

When meditation proceeds properly, there is a tremendous f low of energy upwards through the spinal column. Slumping or slouching impedes this energy f low, impairs breathing, and diminished mental alertness. So it is important to sit as straight as possible. A firm surface is very helpful. Gentle stretches or warm-ups can help to prepare the body for meditation. Some people find that putting a small pillow underneath their seats alleviates pressure on the knees and induces better posture by elevating the spinal column.

It is important to be comfortable so that your mind is free to concentrate on the meditation
process. If sitting on a rug, cushion or folded blanket is not comfortable, you may want to meditate sitting in a chair. With twice daily practice of good sitting posture and some stretches and warm-ups to loosen the muscles, most people are amazed to discover how relaxed and flexible their bodies can become in just a few weeks time.

7. Associate With Spiritual People

One of the greatest supports through the ups and downs of your spiritual growth is time spent with others who are treading the path of meditation. Weekly group meditation are a must for the serious meditator.

Ananda Marga conferences and seminars offer meditators a chance to immerse themselves in their spiritual practices and learn more about the philosophy of yoga. 

8. Read Spiritually Elevating Books

The intellect, which has to keep quiet during meditation, also needs scope for growth and development. Therefore, it is recommended that one set aside some time each day for reading spiritually uplifting books. After meditation is a good time to take a few minutes for this, as the mind is clear and calm and more easily-absorbs ideas.

9. Talk to a Meditation Teacher

Teachers of meditation (acharyas) are always available in our centers. They can answer questions about meditation and teach you a personal meditation technique. Your yoga tyeacher can tell you when acharyas are expected and what kind of activities are planned (lectures, group meditations, etc.). Acharyas are highly trained women and men who are dedicated to the task of serving humanity. Their job is to teach meditation and spiritual practices to any one who sincerely desires to learn. Many problems or difficulties you may be having can be easily solved with the help of an acharya. So never miss the opportunity for a consultation with a teacher. Ask your class instructor or the person coordinating the acharya's visit to sign you up for a consultation. They can tell you what to expect so that you can utilize your consultation to the fullest.

10. Be Persevering

Many people experience a sense of discouragement or frustration when the results of their 
first few meditations do not measure up to their expectations or hopes. They may feel that it is their own fault, and even give up the practice with a sense of failure or inferiority. Everyone who has meditated has had to deal with this in some way. It is a great help to know that others are also having similar experiences, and to understand what is actually taking place during this time. Especially in the beginning, the mind may seem uncontrolled. A great Yogi, Ramakrishna, once said: "The mind is like a drunken monkey stung by a scorpion." You may find when you sit down to meditate that many thoughts arise in your mind; you set your mantra going and then drift off to something else. Sounds and noises from without may sidetrack your internal concentration and your body may become restless. At times like this, one can easily get discouraged and think nothing is happening. However, many of the benefits of meditation come from deep within the mind and do not show themselves immediately. By constantly bringing your mind back to the mantra, you are building up your capacity to hold your mind steady in the future

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