Why Meditate - by Swami Vishnu-Devananda

excerpt from "Meditation and Mantras" by Swami Vishnu-Devananda (pg 5 - Why Meditate)

What is spirituality?  The past few decades have been called an age of alienation.  Old traditions and religions were rejected.  Thousands of “New Age” seekers began to experiment with a myriad of chemicals and philosophies.  There was a pervasive current of feeling that the Truth was someplace close at hand – but where was it?  Somehow it seemed necessary to broaden perspectives a little.

In each society, the organised religion contains cultural practices and techniques which are handed down from generation to generation.   It is when the means becomes confused with the end that its members begin to search elsewhere.  They look for inspiration that is alive, that has a practical and observable effect in their daily lives.   Whether a person lives a spiritual life on his own, or is part of an organised tradition, the goal is the same: the attainment of perfection, purity, and peace of mind, or Self-Realisation.

There is a Power, an Energy, which each person can tap into if he knows it is available.  This Force inspires, encourages, reinforces, and gives strength to those who seek to grow in a positive direction.  Many, however, are unaware of this resource, or they have misconceptions about it.  They are like the farmer who moved to a house in the city, and lived in darkness because he did not know what those strange boxes in the wall were.  The Light is there and available to all; we need only to connect ourselves with the current.

This source of wisdom is the Self.   The Self is not the individual body or mind, but that aspect deep inside each person that knows the Truth.   It exists in each being, and yet it exists independently also.  Some call it God.  Others call it Jehovah, Allah, Brahman, Cosmic Consciousness, Atman, Holy Spirit, or the Universal Mind.  The names and paths are many, but there is one Essence which pervades all beings.

The Self is impossible to understand with the limited senses and intellect.  The human mind cannot fathom the Infinite and the Eternal.  Therefore a visualisation is sometimes used to help one focus on the Supreme.  Christians may meditate on the image of a cross, or the form of Jesus Christ.  Hindus may picture Lord Siva (that Energy which destroys the old in preparation for renewal) as a very beautiful eternally youthful ascetic meditating atop the Himalayas.  Those who conceive of the Absolute in more abstract terms may concentrate on a candle flame, a chakra (energy centre of the body), or the sound of OM.   But these are only partial impressions of the Truth.

A highly advanced scientist may know the theory and mathematics of how large space is.  He may have studied how minute an atom is, or what the difference is between life and death.   He can explain them in detail and at great length.  But this is only theoretical knowledge; he can never really grasp the essence of these things.   There is no way to intellectually define or describe that which is limitless.  It is only through direct experience that Absolute Knowledge can be attained.   Through the protracted practice of meditation it becomes possible to still the outgoing mind, develop intuitive abilities, and touch that part of the Supreme that lies within all.