Demystifying Meditation

De.mys.ti.fy.
ing Meditation
K a m l e s h D. P a t e l
Meditation is a process to create

a meditative state within us that
manifests our heart’s intrinsic
goodness. This expression of
goodness makes peace dynamic
and life-affirming, and in its wake,
brings unity and harmony to this
world.
T hirty-five years ago,

the countries of the United
Nations announced the annual
International Day of Peace to
commemorate and strengthen
the ideals of peace. That
declaration said that since wars
began in the minds of men it ART BY BRIGITTE SMITH
was in the minds of men that
the defences of peace must be constructed.
Despite the awareness that peace must first be conceived within the individual for it to
endure everywhere—from the inner life to the outer—deep-rooted passions still provoke
heady disputes within and around us, plaguing us, our relationships and even nations in
their affairs.
How do we acknowledge and resolve our differences in mutual respect and humility,
when beliefs, especially those that we cherish, are contested by trying circumstances
and people? There is a way.
Page 1
Why do we meditate?
Often people ask out of curiosity, “Why do you meditate?”
I may answer, “To regulate the mind.”
“Why do you need to regulate the mind?”
“To attain a state of peace.”
“But what will you do with a regulated mind, with the stillness and calmness that
exists within you when you meditate?”
This is a wise and stimulating line of inquiry.
What can we do with that meditative experience that helps us to rise above fickle
tempers and ascend the pedestal of a steady and unruffled peace?
A lot is possible.
When peace prevails within us, and our hearts are serene and content, can we fight
with one another? When we are in a calm state and we interact with family and
community members, co-workers and strangers, are we not more considerate of
their worries, their troubles and also kinder in our response? When we read a book
in a tranquil state, will we not understand its message better?
From meditation to
meditative state
Meditation, understood properly, is a process to create a meditative state. Once this
meditative state is achieved, where there is serenity, calmness and peace, we are
able to manifest the intrinsic goodness of our heart. This expression of our heart’s
goodness makes peace more dynamic and life-affirming, and, in its wake, brings
unity and harmony to this world.
A peaceful and meditative heart easily distinguishes what is good for all, detects the
cause behind an action and its effect, and screens our future actions by adjusting
our erratic tendencies.
Page 2 2 of 4
But when we don’t attempt to manifest our heart’s intrinsic goodness, even meditation
itself can become a bondage and weigh down the expansion of our consciousness. I
believe this happens because when we experience a profound contact with the quiet
inner life during meditation, we want that experience repeated, intensified and to last
longer the next time we meditate.
Caught up in liking and disliking experiences, we form a bondage that limits our
consciousness. In fact, in order to expand our consciousness, what we do with
our experience in meditation matters as much as observing and learning from our
experience.
If we meditate, feel peaceful and simply stop at that, it is, to say the least, a self-
centered pastime. The aim is to go beyond a day of peace for ourselves – and others!
All the same, how can we step beyond the everyday, every-minute fears, prejudices
and ego outbursts that numb our heart’s goodness?
What evolves when we meditate?

The laws of morphological evolution do not generally permit the physical body to
evolve quickly. So what is evolving when we expand our consciousness through
meditation?
It is the mind, intellect and ego, which have their existence in consciousness.
Consciousness is like a canvas to a painter and on this canvas the play of the mind,
intellect and ego is orchestrated daily.
Over time, a fervent, joyful practice of meditation regulates the mind, so that it goes
from a restless, turbulent state to stillness and one-pointed attention. The intellect
becomes more heart-based, guided by the heart’s intrinsic goodness.
Ego is often seen as the bad guy in almost all traditions, but it’s an essential element of
an active mind. It’s responsible for the doing, thinking function, and we need it in every
aspect of daily life. Ego gives us our identity but, like gravity, can also keep us overly
self-centred. As a result of meditation, the ego is refined so that the heart is able to
expand into a generous and altruistic state.
3 of 4 Page 3
Indeed, it would be wonderful to display the efficacy brought about by this meditation
practice. What is the result? An evolved state of consciousness where the expression of
the heart’s goodness is automatic and global peace is the natural choice.
The knowledge of peace thus acquired by direct experience in meditation allows neither
doubt nor contradiction to how precious peace is for human potential to flourish.
On the contrary, knowledge of peace without inner experience puts up a well-

intentioned but anemic defence in the face of chronic tribulations, and then the worthy
goal of peace among nations aborts.
Heartfulness meditation is fully geared towards the evolution of consciousness to the

highest level, within the demands of daily life. And this is achieved with a short heart-
based meditation in the morning, aided by transmission; a shorter unwinding in the
evening to remove daily stress, known as cleaning; and prior to bedtime, a prayerful
entreaty that allows you to heed the heart’s wise and unceasing guidance.
In the end, here is something to think about more deeply: Will I be at peace when
I know my family is not at ease? Will I be at peace when my city is safe but my
neighboring town is afflicted with some deadly disease?
World peace is possible only when all are at peace. Individual peace precedes the group
dynamics. Per contra, what if the whole world is at peace and I am not! One individual
at a time …
Published: 18 September 2016
Affectionately known as Daaji, Kamlesh Patel is the fourth

spiritual guide in the Sahaj Marg system of meditation,
facilitating Heartfulness Meditation worldwide,
www.daaji.org.
Please join us for meditation on

21 September 2016
International Day of Peace

and the following days.
To participate, visit: http://ipd.heartfulness.org
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Demystifying Meditation

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De.mys.ti.fy.

Meditation is a process to create

T hirty-five years ago,

I may answer, “To regulate the mind.”

“Why do you need to regulate the mind?”

“To attain a state of peace.”

This is a wise and stimulating line of inquiry.

What evolves when we meditate?

On the contrary, knowledge of peace without inner experience puts up a well-

Heartfulness meditation is fully geared towards the evolution of consciousness to the

Affectionately known as Daaji, Kamlesh Patel is the fourth

Please join us for meditation on

International Day of Peace

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