Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “Meditation is an art of doing nothing and letting go.”
Only when one is effortless and the mind is relaxed can it let go of worries and impressions. Meditation is a personal journey that is necessary for a peaceful and fulfilling life. When the technique and practice are correct, the experience is deeper.
A few guidelines to help you meditate correctly:
1. Simply follow
Have you noticed it’s much easier to dive deeper into meditation when guided with a few instructions? So while attending meditation sessions make sure you pick up the exact instructions on how to meditate correctly and at home, follow them to a tee. While meditating, as long as you follow the instructions properly, you are on the right track. Click here to get a few more tips on how to meditate?
2. All experiences are good
While driving you might have had days where your route has monumental bumper-to-bumper traffic. On others the drive might have been a breeze with a lovely sunset making it all the more glorious. Yet both comprise your driving ‘experience’. During meditation we could get random thoughts, heavy heart calmness, or light heartedness. All this constitutes as ‘an experience’.
You might have noticed that sometimes we pick up specific experiences and become judgmental about our meditation. Meditation is a journey. It is not a destination that can be identified with specific landmarks. There are no specific ‘right’ experiences to judge whether I am meditating correctly.
3. It’s new, already
Did you know the depth and effect of your meditation is manifesting in your daily life? Have you experienced more calmness, tranquility, clarity of mind and more sensitivity towards those around you? Do you sometimes feel happy and find yourself smiling for no reason? If yes, then know that you are meditating correctly. You may even pat your back.
Even if you are unable to feel any change, still you might be meditating correctly. You just need to be more aware! Also sometimes the changes are too subtle and we miss observing them. If you wish you may also speak to your meditation teacher about it.
4. Re-define meditation with these 9 words
Do you sometimes find yourself getting caught up in a cycle of desires and worries? Have you noticed when they overpower us; we end up losing ourselves to them? Eventually, we start carrying them in our head and make ourselves heavy in the process. Says Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, “There is no problem if you have desires, but don’t let the desires have you. Meditation happens with the attitude ‘I want nothing, I do nothing, I am nothing”.
5. Posture is key
Perhaps the first question that comes to mind: what is the correct posture to meditate in? It is always advisable to sit and meditate. It could be on a sofa, a chair or a carpeted floor. Make sure you do not lie down or incline your body while meditating. Horizontal or an inclined back (reclined / lying down) might not allow the mind to expand and meditate. In-fact you might end up feeling sleepy.
Sitting with your back straight is very important. You may also practice some yogasanas that will help develop your strength and flexibility. This will help you to relax in a particular posture for the duration of the meditation.
Inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's wisdom talks
Written by Nikhil Gupta
Based on inputs by Bharathy Harish, Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Teacher
