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from gross to subtle, or from subtle to gross. Generally you will hear sounds in your right ear.
Occasionally you may hear in your left ear also. But try to stick to the sound of one ear. You will get
one-pointedness of mind. This is an easy way to capture the mind, because it is enchanted by the
sweet sound just as a snake is hypnotised by the note of the snake-charmer.
Keep a candle-flame in front of you and try to concentrate on the flame. When you are tired
of doing this, close your eyes and try to visualise the flame. Do it for half a minute and increase the
time to five or ten minutes according to your taste, temperament and capacity. You will see Rishis
and Devatas, when you enter into deep concentration.
VI
In a lying posture, concentrate on the moon. Whenever the mind runs, again and again bring
it back to the image of the moon. This exercise is very beneficial in the case of some persons having
an emotional temperament.
VII
In the above manner, you can concentrate on any star you may single out from the millions
of stars, shining above your head.
VIII
Sit by the side of a river where you can hear a roaring sound like OM. Concentrate on that
sound as long as you like. This is very thrilling and inspiring.
IX
Lie on your bed in the open air and concentrate upon the blue expansive sky above. Your
mind will expand immediately. You will be elevated. The blue sky will remind you of the infinite
nature of the Self.
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PRACTICAL LESSONS IN YOGA
Sit in a comfortable posture and concentrate on any one of the numerous abstract virtues
such as mercy. Dwell upon this virtue as long as you can.
Lesson IX
MEDITATION
Meditation follows concentration. Concentration merges into meditation. Concentration is
holding the mind on to some particular object. An unbroken flow of knowledge in that subject is
meditation. Meditation is regular flow of thought with regard to the object of concentration.
Meditation opens the door of the mind to intuitive knowledge and many powers. You can get
whatever you want through meditation. During meditation all worldly thoughts are shut out from
the mind. Meditation is called Dhyana in Sanskrit and is the seventh step in the Yogic ladder.
In Lesson VII you were advised to keep a separate room for practicing Pranayama, isn t it
so? Well, the same room will also serve the purpose of meditation. In fact, one room will be quite
sufficient for all spiritual practices Asanas, Pranayama, Japa,27 Kirtan,28 concentration,
meditation, and so forth. The room should be regarded as a temple of God. You should not allow
anybody into the room. You should enter the room with a pious and reverent mind. Thoughts of
jealousy, lust, greed and anger should not be entertained within the four walls of the room. All
worldly talks, also should not be indulged in there. For every word that is uttered, every thought that
is cherished and every deed that is done is not lost; they are reflected on the subtle layers of ether
encircling the room where they are done and hence affect the mind invariably.
Decorate the room with inspiring pictures of great Saints, Sages, Prophets and World
Teachers. In a prominent place in the room keep a beautiful photo of your tutelary Deity
(Ishta-Devata), either Lord Jesus, Lord Krishna, Lord Siva or Devi. Let the Deity face the East or
North. Spread your Asana (seat) in front of the Deity. Keep some religious and philosophical books
such as the Bhagavad-Gita, the Upanishads, the Vedanta-Sutras, the Ramayana, the
Yoga-Vasishtha, the Bible, etc., by your side. Wash your face, hands and legs before you enter the
room. Burn a piece of camphor and light some scented sticks immediately after entering the room.
Sit on the Asana in front of the Deity and repeat the Name of the Lord or sing some devotional
hymns. Then take to the practice of concentration and meditation.
Of course, even if you wander from pole to pole, you cannot get an ideal place that will
satisfy you from every standpoint. Every place has some advantages and some disadvantages as
well. So you should select a place that is more advantageous than others. Having once hit upon a
place, you must stick to it till the last. You must not think of changing the place, when some
difficulty stares you in the face. You must put up with the difficulty by all means. Rishikesh
27 Twirling the beads along with the repetition of a Mantra.
28 Singing the Names of the Lord or other devotional songs.
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MEDITATION
(Himalayas), Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Badrinarayan, Gangotri, Mount Kailas, Brindavan, Varanasi,
Nasik and Ayodhya are all excellent places for meditation in India.
The best and the most congenial time for the practice of meditation is unquestionably the
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