Sandeha Nivarini - Post 50

Chapter XVI. Meditation

Devotee: Some people practise meditation, but they are unable to know whether the meditation has progressed or not. What do You say about that?

Swami: Progress in meditation means attainment of concentration (ekagratha). Each one can judge for oneself, without doubt, how far one has been able to succeed in concentration, right?

Devotee: Some say that they see all sorts of things during meditation, and some hear all types of sounds. Do these indicate progress?

Swami: They are delusions. They handicap progress. They implant conceit and disperse concentration. The distraction of sights and sounds is no sign of meditation.

Devotee: Then what is to be done when such are seen?

Swami: Don’t allow the mind to wander on to them; never lose sight of the divine form that you have pictured for yourself. Be convinced that these are but obstacles designed to scatter your attention from the divine form. If you permit these sights and sounds to creep in, the original form will be dimmed, your ego (ahamkara) will increase, and you will lose your way.

Devotee: But Swami, some people do say that these things are signs of progress in meditation!

Swami: That means only that they themselves are not practicing meditation properly! Besides, not knowing what meditation is, they delude their disciples by talking like this, to please them. That is the only profit earned.

Devotee: Well, does it mean then that, by means of meditation, we cannot see the Lord?

Swami: Why not? Certainly, it is possible. If you fix  your attention on the sublimely beautiful form of the Lord and concentrate on That alone, you will receive His grace in that form Itself in various ways. 

While doing so, many a disturbance might intervene. You should not be deluded; be on your guard, never forget the auspicious form. Picture to yourself that all creation is immersed in it.

Devotee: But really, can we not know at anytime what stage we have reached in meditation (dhyana)?

Swami: You can identify the progress or decline of meditation only when you know this is stage number so and so, this stage is such and such etc., right? The form of meditation (dhyana-rupa) is beginning-less and endless, so its fruition also cannot be declared complete and nished.

Devotee: Then, do You say that meditation is endless?

Swami: What is generally called the end is the end of the I and the merging of all in the one form. Meditation has no end.