Bliss You

Dr. Rajesh Bhola

India

Nov 02, 2012

  

In the language of neurological sciences, meditation is described as consisting of a behavioral discipline repetitively practiced through a stylised mental technique, for the purpose of attaining a subjective experience of heightened alertness, that is very restful and silent – often characterised as blissful. Meditation has been linked to a variety of health benefits. Meditation may produce physiological benefits by impacting our neurological processes. The practice of meditation is accompanied by a host of biochemical and physical changes in the body, that alter metabolism, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and brain activation. Meditation has been linked with various favourable outcomes, that include: effective functioning, academic performance, concentration, perceptual sensitivity, reaction time, memory, self control, empathy, and 

self esteem. 

When we sit in meditation we sit still. Many emotions and fantasies will start arising in you. You will be afflicted with all types of ‘perversions’: some violent, some terrifying, some lustful and some tempting. These emotions will keep flooding your mind and body, and assail you till you stop censoring them. Soon you will start experiencing how insubstantial and impermanent these thoughts are. Be observant to everything that arises. You will notice what comes out of the storehouse of the mind, as it emerges into consciousness. This is the awareness of feelings in the midst of feelings: the practice of meditation. You will soon see how the mind works, how the body gets impelled into behaviour by the mind. The arising of impulses cannot be prevented. Each impulse is like a seed, which if encouraged to grow could take over one’s life. Although nothing can be done to prevent them from arising, there is something we can do. By understanding their source and their effect we can change their consequences. They can be converted into positive thoughts, transformed into something beautiful – a garden of flowers, a rainbow, or a smiling face. If you find it very difficult to prevent the mind from wandering, start counting your breaths. Count from one to ten, and then count down again from ten to one. Count one for each complete in-and-out breath you take. Meditation is the full awareness of everything that comes up, contained within the posture of a silent sitting. The posture plays a vitally important part. By sitting up straight we exhibit the mind in the best state. We should not think of meditation as just a means towards enlightenment. It is an end by itself.

The unconditioned mind delights in the miracle of daily life, enjoys each breath, savours each taste, listens to the chirping of the birds, and looks quite naturally with eyes of love. The reason that we experience this bliss only rarely is that we are thoroughly conditioned. The aim of meditation is to allow our original nature to function. This original nature is not something we can construct. We need to stop doing what cuts us off from our natural happiness. Meditation will teach you to stop. When you feel angry, for instance, do absolutely nothing. Do not let your self be swept away by the wind; cultivate stillness. Return your attention to your breathing, and enjoy a few moments of being alive. Look at the way the sunshine is catching the wall of the building across the street. You will become simply whatever it is that registers beauty and peace –  the unconditioned. That is beyond good and bad, profit and loss, a beginning and an ending. It is not born and does not die. It is. You will feel relief. This is the meaning of meditation, if practiced on a regular basis. This practice puts us in touch with our deeper life, and strengthens us against the ravages of greed and hate. We learn to be happy in the midst of a daily life.

Dr. Rajesh Bhola is President of Spastic Society of Gurgaon and is working for the cause of children with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities for more than 20 years.