YOU ARE MEDITATION

The Source is our essential nature. It is the sense of being, Consciousness, Self, Allah, or God. We mistakenly believe ourselves to be the body–mind mechanism and lead the life of a limited individual. We then experience sorrow in our life. When we meditate, however, we reach the Source within. We then experientially know who we truly are.

Meditation breaks the belief that we are an individual. As we go deeper in meditation, the meditator dissolves and nothingness alone remains. The realization dawns upon us that we are meditation. Meditation, which is our essential nature, was already there from the beginning of the journey. The more we remain in this state of peaceful bliss and pure love, the more we remain centered in our core nature. Thus, meditation is also a kind of devotion where the limited individual surrenders himself in the devotion of the Self and allows Self to function through his body-mind.

Every person is a combination of vices and virtues. By focusing on virtues, those virtues can return manifold benefits in our life. Just as we can focus on the outside, so we can focus on the inside as well. When sitting in meditation, our thoughts, feelings and body sensations can distract us. However, if we train our focus of attention, then we can focus solely on the Source, regardless of distractions. This practice helps us to access the Source even within the din and roar of the marketplace.

This book serves as a guide in the journey of meditation. It is divided into three sections with 17 chapters.

SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
SECTION II – GETTING STARTED
SECTION III – ADVANCING FURTHER

The book starts with the basics of meditation. It aims to demystify meditation by examining both its superficial and its deeper benefits. It details the preparations required for practice at the body–mind level, covers the obstacles that can arise on the way, and explains the external and internal training required to master the body and mind. It answers all the possible questions you may have related to meditation and dispel your myths. Together with the theory, every chapter includes practical exercises to ensure that understanding of the intricacies of meditation can be gained through our own experience. Thus, this book serves as a systematic guide to lead you towards the ultimate goal of meditation.

The goal of meditation is to become stabilized in the timeless state of Samadhi. If we meticulously follow all the instructions and consistently practice the practical meditations, we can experience a glimpse of the state of Samadhi for ourselves.

Nevertheless, a true and serious seeker may not be content with only a glimpse of Samadhi. He or she may want to become permanently stabilized in it. If this is your wish, it is recommended that you read through this book over and again to fully imbibe the principles, and make them part of your life. Undertake the external and internal training, elaborated in Section II, so that your body-mind becomes instrumental for experiencing the Source. Consistency is the key to success, and this is true with meditation.

Wish you a happy meditation journey! May you attain the goal of stabilization!

— Sirshree