Self Awareness Through Meditation

Author(s): Ranjitsingh Kumat
Publisher: Ranjitsingh Kumat

Page 45

SELF AWARENESS THROUGH MEDITATION
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in things that give pleasure or in the dream world of accumulation of riches. The first step towards meditation is to put restraint on this habit of mind to wander. Meditation has been divided in two parts—Dhaarna (To concentrate) and Dhyana (meditation). Dharna means concentration on self (on any part of the body-inside or outside) and Dhyana means continuity of the same for a longer period. Concentration on our body and its inner parts leads us to realize the truth about self.
Concentration is essential if we want to do anything efficiently. We are bound to spoil things if we are not concentrated. Even for doing bad things like theft or murder, one has to concentrate and plan properly. Hence, concentration is not enough for meditation. In order to meditate, one has to move inwards—from engrossment with material and worldly things to concentration on the self. Then only we can realize the truth about self.
Once we concentrate on our body, feelings and sensations, we realize the true nature of the world, the surroundings, the sensations arising on the body, and perceptions. Very soon we realize that all sensations arising on our body are ephemeral in nature. The body and the things around us are changing and nothing is of permanence and so attachment with them becomes meaningless. We, thus, realize that the true cause of our suffering is attachment with the ephemeral. Mind, once restrained from its outer wanderings, becomes quiet. The sense organs, which were overpowering the mind, come under control and then mind is not pulled in different directions or pursuits leading to dissipation of energy. The conserved energy enables the mind to concentrate and it becomes more efficient in thinking and realizing the true nature of things. One who has realized the true nature of things, the ephemeral nature of worldly possessions, also becomes aware of the futility of attachment with them. When there is attachment to a thing or thought, we are overtaken by passions like anger, pride, greed and deception, which not only cause hurt to others but create tension and turbulence in oneself, The detached view of things relieves us of these passions. Peace dawns automatically and the quiet mind realizes the true nature of the self.
To see the unreal is wisdom. The real bliss lies in giving up possessions that are unreal and concentrating on the self which is real. To know one's real self is bliss, to forget is—sorrow.47
CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS MIND
It is easy to understand at rational thinking level that attachment is the cause of suffering and passions like anger, pride, greed etc. are inimical not