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THE DYNAMICS OF MEDITATION
85 We use the mantras to quiet and engage the mind. In deep meditation, after practice, the time comes when we leave behind all the rituals and the mantras, and go free. This state is called dharma sanyasa. That comes when you are free from the shackles of the mind, free from the bondage of desires. Then you need nothing.
As long as the imprints of our longings are set in our mind, we are bound with the shackles of cravings and we are always comparing ourselves with somebody. This is the business of mind.
Using mantras we go inside for the first time. We experience deep calm. When that glimpse comes, you know you have really reached the state of meditation. Then you feel “I am here."
There are three stages as we go inward. In the first stage, your mind is reciting a mantram, but at the same time it is bringing many distractions. Then we use the word Kohum. Ko means "who" and hum means “I." "Who am I?” You ask yourself this question. Without knowing yourself, you will not reach yourself. It is our real Self we have forgotten.
Slowly put this mantram to your mind, saying: "Kohum.” Then the answer comes: “I am form. I am body. I am he or she." Your name comes. Your emotions come. Passion comes. You say, “No. This is not me. My name was given after I was born. Somebody has given me this name. What was I before then?" Then the answer is "the body.” But before the body, you were there. You entered the body. Who was it that entered the body? The body is constantly changing. Your body now is composed of completely different cells than your body as an infant. You are going deeper now. Kohum.
