10 Tips for Meditation

1) Meditate. “Beloved God, since no earthly engagement is possible without using the powers borrowed from Thee, I will renounce everything that interferes with my engagement to meditate on Thee in daily awakened silence.” [*]

2) Push yourself a little. If you do too much you risk burnout. But doing too little puts you at risk of tracing endless circles on the dreaded “Plateau of Mediocrity.” Once a week meditate for twice as long as usual.

3) Deeper is more important than longer. Deeper means keeping your concentration at the Kutastha or spiritual eye with the mind absorbed in God or one of His qualities. “By deeper, longer, thirsty, guru-given meditation comes this celestial samadhi.”

4) Deeper and longer is better than either alone. Strive for both. “Meditate longer, with greater intensity, for otherwise the mind will only nibble and no realization will come.”

5) Techniques are vital. Do them daily with deep attention. But remember, techniques are the pathway, not the goal. Self-realization is the goal. Bliss is the goal.

6) Use your own, God-given, free will. You can’t rely on anyone, including the guru, to meditate for you. Yogananda said to pray, “I will reason, I will will, I will act, but guide Thou my reason, will, and activity to the right path in everything.”

7) Ask God and Guru to help. Rely on their love and divine friendship. Meditate in God, not to Him.

8) Attend group meditations. Group magnetism is helpful, especially in the beginning. If you are not near a group, consider joining Ananda’s Virtual Community.

9) Chanting is half the battle. When chanting inwardly try to feel the vibration behind the words.

10) Enjoy yourself. The bricks of self-discipline are held together by the mortar of enjoyment.

Towards deeper, longer meditations,
Nayaswami Jyotish