Introduction – Threads Of Bliss
By His Holiness Satguru Maharishi Om
Of the innumerable experiences available to humans, transcendental pure Being is the ultimate one. It is essentially beyond the senses and the intellect, although its effects can be experienced at these levels. All the spiritual practices (such as yoga) aiming at the attainment of this state must culminate in meditation. All the meditations using various methods of visualization, focusing, or contemplation must culminate in a form of meditation leading directly to the transcendent. This book is a reminder and a practical guide: a reminder of the true goal of all spiritual practices, and the true value of meditation.
It is also a guide to various aspects and practices of meditation that will be suited for various levels of spiritual development. The teachings of this book are mostly practical and based on the Vedic tradition, probably the most ancient and complete spiritual tradition known on earth, and the main reference is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, considered by many to be the ultimate authority in that field.
Meditation has been practiced from time immemorial to help aspirants regain their natural state of bliss, where pure Being is first experienced occasionally and then gradually maintained along with other mental states in worldly activities. For someone engrossed in the whirlpool of the senses, or even the multifaceted avenues of the intellect, the above statements might make little sense, if any. Yet, perennial testimonies remind us of this glorious state and inspire us to realize it. To reach this goal, correct meditation plays a pivotal role in allowing the sense-based awareness to familiarize itself with transcendental awareness. It comes as no surprise that the transcendental nature of deep meditation remains abstract for the worldly minded who often associate such practice with some obscure and esoteric disciplines designed by and for ascetic monks, and thus ill-suited to the active ways of modern life. Contrary to such widespread beliefs, the state of pure Being can be gradually experienced more and more clearly through correct and simple meditative practices, because this state is at the core of our human nature. The challenge lies in removing the many layers of activities standing in the way of this completely settled and pure state of the mind, alert within its own essential nature.
We constantly stimulate our senses, keep our mind active on some thought or other, engage in physical activities, and often take foods or drugs to boost our capacity to perform, even hoping to reduce our sleep time in order to enjoy more and more of what we understand to be life worth living. This intention is perfectly legitimate, but, in this process, we forget the value of pure silence as a regenerative force and a basis for even more enjoyment and, ultimately, complete bliss. It might be worthwhile to recall that when we are sick, the first, simple, and most basic prescription of the doctor is to remind us to take some rest. A correct meditative practice can incorporate deep rest into our daily routine to help improve all aspects of our life. It can also move us beyond simple relaxation to make us more and more aware of our natural and fundamental state of pure transcendental Being at the basis of all our other more superficial mental and sensorial experiences.
Meditation has been known for a long time in the East, but its practice has often been limited to a few, or diluted, or even distorted, for the many; as a result, its beneficial effects remained unclear to most people. It has, nevertheless, made its way into our modern Western culture, mostly as a means to relax us from the vicissitudes of an all too often frenetic lifestyle. Modern science has also started to probe into the health benefits of meditation and found indeed, that some meditation practices do contribute to a healthier life. Relaxation and improved health are certainly welcome side-effects of meditation, and these alone are worth serious consideration by anyone looking for a simple practice that can improve his or her mental and physical health. This book, however, wants to go further and invite those who already practice some relaxation exercises, breathing exercises, or meditation, as well as those who might be considering these practices, to take a look at this field in order to gain a better understanding and appreciation of its depth and richness.
On the surface, meditation can appear simple, even simplistic, yet it is a direct way to expand one’s awareness and gain a deeper understanding of life without having to work out a multitude of painful experiences. There are already plenty of challenges in everyone’s life, and there is certainly no need to multiply and aggravate them. Meditation improves our general health, deepens and expands our awareness, allows for more effectiveness in action and facilitates the attainment of the real goal of life -- absolute bliss. Consciously or not, we all search for more happiness; but we usually end up seeking sensual pleasures, even of the most diverse and strange kind, instead of attaining the real and lasting happiness already present in its fullest blossom beyond the senses and intellect. Meditation is a powerful tool to achieve this ultimate goal. As you will see in this book, there are many types of meditation, each having its corresponding practices. They need not be all undertaken, but they all have the common purpose of settling the activity of the mind and senses, restore the natural balance of the physiology in order to allow the experience of a completely quiet yet alert state, in which the mind is fully aware of its own essential blissful nature. In this process, one gets more and more familiar with that pure and silent level of life, as deep worldly conditionings are eliminated and increased clarity of inner perception is gained and expanded.
Humans have the capacity to learn and accomplish innumerable things, but to realize them they have to be taught; this time-tested truth in worldly affairs is even truer in spiritual life. There are limits to what we can learn exclusively by ourselves, at some point we need a teacher and, whenever possible, a master. The more competent the teacher and the more alert, receptive, and dedicated the student, the better will be the teaching and the learning. Again, as in the world, securing the guidance of a good teacher will facilitate one’s progress. Such a teacher’s integrity and dedication to spiritual life should be exemplary, and preferably embrace most, if not all, of his life.
It is also a guide to various aspects and practices of meditation that will be suited for various levels of spiritual development. The teachings of this book are mostly practical and based on the Vedic tradition, probably the most ancient and complete spiritual tradition known on earth, and the main reference is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, considered by many to be the ultimate authority in that field.
Meditation has been practiced from time immemorial to help aspirants regain their natural state of bliss, where pure Being is first experienced occasionally and then gradually maintained along with other mental states in worldly activities. For someone engrossed in the whirlpool of the senses, or even the multifaceted avenues of the intellect, the above statements might make little sense, if any. Yet, perennial testimonies remind us of this glorious state and inspire us to realize it. To reach this goal, correct meditation plays a pivotal role in allowing the sense-based awareness to familiarize itself with transcendental awareness. It comes as no surprise that the transcendental nature of deep meditation remains abstract for the worldly minded who often associate such practice with some obscure and esoteric disciplines designed by and for ascetic monks, and thus ill-suited to the active ways of modern life. Contrary to such widespread beliefs, the state of pure Being can be gradually experienced more and more clearly through correct and simple meditative practices, because this state is at the core of our human nature. The challenge lies in removing the many layers of activities standing in the way of this completely settled and pure state of the mind, alert within its own essential nature.
We constantly stimulate our senses, keep our mind active on some thought or other, engage in physical activities, and often take foods or drugs to boost our capacity to perform, even hoping to reduce our sleep time in order to enjoy more and more of what we understand to be life worth living. This intention is perfectly legitimate, but, in this process, we forget the value of pure silence as a regenerative force and a basis for even more enjoyment and, ultimately, complete bliss. It might be worthwhile to recall that when we are sick, the first, simple, and most basic prescription of the doctor is to remind us to take some rest. A correct meditative practice can incorporate deep rest into our daily routine to help improve all aspects of our life. It can also move us beyond simple relaxation to make us more and more aware of our natural and fundamental state of pure transcendental Being at the basis of all our other more superficial mental and sensorial experiences.
Meditation has been known for a long time in the East, but its practice has often been limited to a few, or diluted, or even distorted, for the many; as a result, its beneficial effects remained unclear to most people. It has, nevertheless, made its way into our modern Western culture, mostly as a means to relax us from the vicissitudes of an all too often frenetic lifestyle. Modern science has also started to probe into the health benefits of meditation and found indeed, that some meditation practices do contribute to a healthier life. Relaxation and improved health are certainly welcome side-effects of meditation, and these alone are worth serious consideration by anyone looking for a simple practice that can improve his or her mental and physical health. This book, however, wants to go further and invite those who already practice some relaxation exercises, breathing exercises, or meditation, as well as those who might be considering these practices, to take a look at this field in order to gain a better understanding and appreciation of its depth and richness.
On the surface, meditation can appear simple, even simplistic, yet it is a direct way to expand one’s awareness and gain a deeper understanding of life without having to work out a multitude of painful experiences. There are already plenty of challenges in everyone’s life, and there is certainly no need to multiply and aggravate them. Meditation improves our general health, deepens and expands our awareness, allows for more effectiveness in action and facilitates the attainment of the real goal of life -- absolute bliss. Consciously or not, we all search for more happiness; but we usually end up seeking sensual pleasures, even of the most diverse and strange kind, instead of attaining the real and lasting happiness already present in its fullest blossom beyond the senses and intellect. Meditation is a powerful tool to achieve this ultimate goal. As you will see in this book, there are many types of meditation, each having its corresponding practices. They need not be all undertaken, but they all have the common purpose of settling the activity of the mind and senses, restore the natural balance of the physiology in order to allow the experience of a completely quiet yet alert state, in which the mind is fully aware of its own essential blissful nature. In this process, one gets more and more familiar with that pure and silent level of life, as deep worldly conditionings are eliminated and increased clarity of inner perception is gained and expanded.
Humans have the capacity to learn and accomplish innumerable things, but to realize them they have to be taught; this time-tested truth in worldly affairs is even truer in spiritual life. There are limits to what we can learn exclusively by ourselves, at some point we need a teacher and, whenever possible, a master. The more competent the teacher and the more alert, receptive, and dedicated the student, the better will be the teaching and the learning. Again, as in the world, securing the guidance of a good teacher will facilitate one’s progress. Such a teacher’s integrity and dedication to spiritual life should be exemplary, and preferably embrace most, if not all, of his life.