“I used to get agitated at little things around me,” said 25-year-old Suneet, adding, “Over time, I have found myself become more patient. I don’t lose my temper as easily.”
He attributes this change to the regular practice of meditation for a few months. “I still wonder how I have changed so much. Now, I look for ways to enhance my meditation,” he said.
Regular practitioners do have some doubts too. Although you are enjoying the benefits of daily meditation, there are a few common meditation questions that have been asked often. So, here are the answers to improve you with your practice.
#1 “I sometimes feel lazy. Sometimes, I think I’ll doze off while meditating, what should I do?”
You can start with doing some gentle warm-ups. This will energize you and remove stiffness from the body. It will help you come out of laziness or inertia. On the other hand, if you feel extremely restless and are unable to sit still, then the warm-ups will help you settle the restlessness too.
#2 How to quieten my mind where there is noise outside?
The key is in accepting because what you resist, persists. The more you fight with the outside noise, the more you want to get rid of it - the more it disturbs you. Once you accept, it will stop bothering you. So, become aware of the noises around you and accept them.
#3 Can I effortlessly slip into meditation?
Gurudev speaks about the three golden rules for meditation.
- I am nothing: If we think we are someone important, unimportant, rich, poor, intelligent, then we cannot meditate. Meditation is beyond all these identities. During meditation, we experience the freedom of being nothing.
- I do nothing: Do nothing for the next 20 minutes. Don’t concentrate on anything, don’t focus the mind on any thoughts: good or bad. Let them come and pass. Neither welcome thoughts nor resist them.
- I want nothing: For next 20 minutes say, ‘I want nothing’. Keep aside your desires.
#4 Does food affect my meditation?
It is commonly said, ‘you are what you eat’. Paying attention to your food habits could also be one way to have a better meditation experience. The kind of food we eat has a profound effect on our mind. If you eat a lot of fried, oily, spicy food, you may feel restless during meditation. If you eat stale, fermented, canned, and non-vegetarian food, then you may feel dull and drowsy. It’s best to eat fresh food and keep your stomach light.
#5 Can I have my personal mantra to go deeper?
Yes. Practicing meditation with your mantra will not only help you go deeper but also make you slip into meditation effortlessly. The mantra has the capacity to cleanse the mind of all unwanted impressions, leaving you fresh, rejuvenated, and recharged. You can find out about the next Sahaj Samadhi Meditation course near your place and get your mantra.
#6 Do I always need to meditate alone?
On the contrary, it is a good idea to form a meditator’s group. Normally, we are a part of a lot of groups and clubs, so why not have a meditator’s group? A group that will meditate together and shares the positive effects of meditation. If you meditate in a group, the effect is also manifold. Your group will also motivate you to keep up your practice and you are less likely to miss a meditation session.
#7 What else can I do to go deeper?
It is important to honor the practice. This implies regular practice with faith in the teacher, faith in the technique. Have faith that the technique works for you and have faith in yourself.
Inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's wisdom talks.
