EXPERIMENTS WITH MEDITATION: AN INTEGRATED WESTERN AND EASTERN APPROACH by Jagtar Singh Grewal Brig

Author:Jagtar Singh Grewal, Brig
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Become Shakespeare
Published: 2016-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

PURITY OF MIND

Should one meditate only if the mind is pure or meditation itself purifies the mind is a question which haunts most of meditators. A simple answer would be that meditation helps in purifying the mind as well as in achieving the final objects. To understand this concept in-depth analysis is required.

Ancient scriptures mention that one should be free from ten faults to meditate as well as to gain from the power of mantras. A holy dip in the river Ganges is supposed to free a person from these ten faults. The day Ganges was born is called Dashara meaning the day, which removes these faults. This day is the Tenth day of waxing moon (increasing). As we discussed in the proceeding chapter, faults cannot be just washed away without penance. These faults (Dosh) are as follows: -

1. Criticism of a saint or Rishi.

2. Non-believer in God- Nastik.

3. No faith in surti or Naam recitation of God’s name.

4. No faith in the word of Guru.

5. Differentiating between Vishnu and Shiva.

6. While reciting lacks concentration.

7. Reciting wrong names.

8. Does not espouse naam.

9. Does not follow righteous path

10. Has no faith on scriptures.

However, waiting for becoming fault free will imply endless wait. As one progresses slowly purity of mind will be achieved. These faults are more for recitation mantras effectively than for meditation or attainment. It will be clear from the example below.

When Mahmoud Gazni invaded Somnath temple, Brahmins told the rulers that they would be able to protect the temple by chanting mantras, which would invoke power of the gods. However, nothing happened while the invader had a field day. This was because those who chanted the mantras were NOT free from these ten faults. When a pundit is called for by anyone for knowing the future, invariably he tells about problems ahead and recommends Hawan or puja or jaap extra, which he would do on one’s behalf. Invariable it does not change the situation because the Pundit is NOT free from these faults. Thus all activities performed by him are null and void. From meditation point of view purity of mind would imply following qualities embedded in the mind: -

• Compassion. This quality is not pity but a quality of heart. It means caring for others in all ways. Sometimes it may involve mild scolding or asking some one to do hard work which may not be to the liking of that person. Still one may insist that the person does something, which would put him on the righteous path. It could involve invoking artificial anger at times. Pity on the other hand means to help the other person to ride over a problem or assist a person monetarily or by providing subsidy.

• Speech. A meditator must be soft spoken without getting angry. He should always speak the truth. In rare cases if it helps a needy person, truth may be camouflaged. It is a very difficult decision to make whether to speak the truth in such cases.

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