Shadow of self

JUN 24 -

Dhyana yoga means a practice of meditation. In simple terms, it induces us to look into ourselves and observe what is going on inside us. It is not as simple to follow as it sounds because we are primarily outward-looking. We are used to looking around, talking about external things and are busy piling up knowledge about the world. However, steady practice can lead us to meditation and help us achieve mental peace.

Needless to say, these modern times are full of tension. We have to undergo a lot of tension on account of our jobs, security, supplies and travel. Those who cannot manage the tension suffer from inner disturbance, lose concentration of mind and, in the worst cases, cannot sleep well.

In such a state of physical and mental

stress, they soon get sick and need medical help. However, it has been widely

accepted, medically and otherwise, that meditation helps manage stress. It keeps the practitioners cool, collected and concentrated in their mental state. It not only helps them stay healthy and peaceful, but it also induces them to be positive and creative in their attitude.

The Gita has taken good cognisance of our mind, which, it says, is very restless. But by the gradual practice of meditation it can be brought under control. It has also described the technique of practicing meditation. It prescribes us to sit in a quiet posture by keeping the body, neck and head in a straight line and to focus one’s attention to the middle of the forehead with eyes closed.

Patanajali, the founder of yoga science, pronounced that yoga is for the control of mental waywardness. Among the eight features of his yoga principles, three relate to mental trends. One is pratyahara, which means withdrawal from external stimuli of the five senses. The second is dharana, which suggests concentration, holding attention on an object. The third feature is dhyana or meditation and sustained concentration upon one object.

There are several matters that need

to be decided regarding regular meditation. There may be many questions relating to place, time, body posture, inner guidance, rate of progress, etc. Of course, one can find these matters discussed in various books and magazines, but the question of confidence keeps on arising time and again. In order to be sure that one is following the correct ways in meditation, one needs proper guidance.

One way out of the hundreds, according to ancient scriptures, is to understand the inner phenomenon by comparing human life with a gigantic tree.  Seated at the top of this tree of life, but not supported by or depending upon it, is a bird, self-poised, self-illumined and self-contained. It is always blissful, always cheerful. It never depends upon anything for its existence, happiness, or knowledge. It is radiating

brilliance, effulgence; and that heavenly light illumines the tree beneath. This

bird never leaves its throne of glory at the top of the tree, for it has no desire, no wants. It has everything.

There is another bird, very similar in appearance, which occupies the body of the tree. It has no fixed place of its own. It is moving constantly and hopping from branch to branch. It is always hungry and restless. Oh, the greed of this bird. The more it eats, the hungrier it seems to be. Every moment is spent in finding and tasting new fruit. When it tastes a sweet one, it experiences a temporary feeling of joy and happiness. But immediately, that sense of satisfaction is gone—it is hungry again. It seizes another fruit, which perhaps is bitter. Then it receives a shock and, looking around, it catches a glimpse of the beauty and radiance of the self-effulgent bird above. It feels an attraction and aspires after it. But, in the next moment, it forgets and darts after another fruit.

While moving in search of fruit the restless bird, being attracted unknowingly by the other bird, is slowly moving towards it. When a sense of satiety and satisfaction finally comes, the bird begins to feel disinclined to go round and round in search of fruit. Sometimes it takes a direct flight towards the higher bird and reaches it quickly. But more often the process of approach towards the higher one takes place rather slowly and gradually.  Eventually, the lower bird comes very near the higher one, whose radiance and poise are reflected very distinctly on its personality. Finally, it is absorbed into the upper bird and loses its separate existence. It realises that the lower bird was only a shadow of itself. The only reality is the higher bird, which took no active part in the process of growth and development of the tree of life. Our real Self is the higher bird. The lower bird, or our physical and mental systems, is just the shadow of the higher one. The exercise o f relaxation consists in putting oneself in the position of the top bird.

There are numerous methods available for meditation. Widely known are Transcendental Meditation, Vipassyana Meditation, Rajayoga Meditation, Zen meditation, Passive Meditation, Mantra Meditation, and so forth. The purpose of all meditation is more-or-less identical. However, one may choose a method to suit one’s aptitude and conditionality. It is, by all means, essential to enter into it to derive benefits accruing from it.