Keep in mind three simple principles while meditating: “I am nothing” (Akinchan), “I need nothing” (Achah), and “I am going to do nothing” (Aprayatna). (Credit: Pexels)
Dec 21, 2024 12:29 IST First published on: Dec 21, 2024 at 12:29 IST
Meditation is the key to unlocking the infinite potential within each of us. Every cell in the human body holds the capacity to encompass infinity. Yet, simply going through life — eating, sleeping, and performing daily routines like any other creature — does not fulfil our purpose. We must tap into the immense gift bestowed upon us: The ability to experience infinity and bliss within. For this, meditation is indispensable.
The United Nations declared December 21, the Winter Solstice, World Meditation Day. This long-overdue recognition underscores meditation’s unparalleled significance in addressing many of humanity’s modern-day challenges. Meditation holds the solution to mental health issues and has a social impact. It does much more than just heal; it transforms. It enhances perception, sharpens expression, and cultivates mindfulness naturally. You start feeling good from within. Positivity and enthusiasm arise, and many people have shared remarkable stories of healing through meditation. Beyond individual benefits, meditation fosters a profound social impact by bringing people together and establishing bonds of love and understanding. It bridges divides, creating harmony in society.
The question often arises: What is meditation? Is it focusing on the mind, concentrating on an object, or visualising something? No. Meditation is none of these. It is not tied to any religion or belief system; it transcends faith. Like yoga, it belongs to everyone. Meditation is the art of letting go — of effort, anger from the past and planning for the future. Planning holds you back from diving deep into yourself. Meditation is simply being in the moment, accepting it fully, and living it with depth.
Meditation is not visualisation. Visualisation involves effort, which is the obstacle to going deeper into meditation. Meditation is also not about eliminating thoughts. Thoughts are part of meditation. Just sit comfortably, close your eyes, and relax your body. Let go of all doing, and you will effortlessly slide into the practice.
Keep in mind three simple principles while meditating: “I am nothing” (Akinchan), “I need nothing” (Achah), and “I am going to do nothing” (Aprayatna). These three attitudes form the foundation for effective meditation. If you imbibe them, meditation will come naturally to you.
Meditation is like a seed. The better a seed is cultivated, the more it flourishes. Similarly, the more you practise meditation, the more it refines your nervous system and entire being. Over time, your physiology transforms, and every cell in your body becomes filled with prana, or life force. As this prana rises, you experience unshakable joy. Regular meditation prevents stress from entering the system while simultaneously releasing accumulated stress. It leads to happiness, fulfilment, heightened sensory experiences, and greater intuition.
Through consistent practice, you gradually enter higher states of consciousness. One such state is cosmic consciousness, where you perceive the whole cosmos as part of yourself. When you see the world as an extension of yourself, love flows naturally between you and the world. Anger and disappointments become fleeting emotions — arising momentarily, only to vanish like passing clouds. Life gains new depth, clarity, and resilience. It makes you beautiful yet strong — a delicate blossom that accommodates different values in life with grace and resilience. You grow into higher states of consciousness, becoming unshaken by life’s disturbances.
Meditation is about balance. It cultivates both deep rest and dynamic action. To rest deeply, you must embrace the perfection of the present moment, acknowledging that everything in creation is as it should be. This acceptance dissolves knots in the consciousness and allows you to experience bliss. On the other hand, in action, meditation sharpens your perception, enabling you to address imperfections with precision and skill. The confluence of these two — rest and action — makes life complete.
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If you are a beginner, guided meditation is an excellent way to start. Meditate for 15 to 30 minutes daily, ideally on an empty stomach — either before meals or at least two hours after eating. This timing ensures that your metabolism supports a deep and effective meditation practice. As you meditate consistently, duration matters less than regularity. Occasionally, you can explore longer meditations under expert guidance or join group meditations for a more profound experience. Meditating in a group amplifies positive energy, uplifting both the atmosphere and ourselves.
As we celebrate World Meditation Day, let us remember that meditation is not merely a practice but a way of being. It is the path to unlocking our infinite potential, harmonising with the world, and living a life of love, peace, and joy. It is not just about sitting in silence but transforming every cell of the body and mind into a vessel of positivity and bliss. Let us meditate, transcend, and uplift ourselves and those around us.
The writer is a spiritual leader and founder of The Art of Living Foundation. It is holding the world’s largest meditation gathering on December 21 at 8:00 PM IST on youtube.com/@Gurudev
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