Q: A friend with whom I meditate bends forward and then jerks back into place from time to time. Is he falling asleep? Is he sitting incorrectly? Or his kundalini awakening? Should I touch his elbow and make him aware of this when it happens? It’s been going on for a year now.
A: Jerks and bending forward in meditation are signs of not having a steady mind and of not preparing yourself physically. Please encourage him to correct his dietary habits and learn to strengthen his desire for meditation. He will get over this problem. Keeping his head, neck, and trunk straight and sitting in an easy and steady posture are equally important. Falling asleep is because of inertia. Do not be misguided and think that this is a sign or symptom of Kundalini awakening. It is possible to awaken Kundalini, but steadiness, a one-pointed mind, and a strong desire to read the systematic path of this science are important.
Q: Is Samadhi attained or received? It seems the harder I try to mediate, the more it escapes me. But when I let go and just sit there, I go deeper. What technique is best to show an effort on my part but not be pushy?
A: Samadhi is neither attained nor received. It is the expansion of the individual mind to the realization of the cosmic mind. Do not struggle with your mind, and slowly learn to expand the consciousness. Do not overdo or miss your practices. They are to be done punctually, regularly, with firm faith.
Q: Can someone overdo karma yoga, or should some time be given for meditation as well?
A: Karma yoga is a must, and it should be performed selflessly and skillfully. Performing Karma yoga selflessly and skillfully is called meditation in action. Sometimes silences makes one aware of one’s own duty, and it is also essential.
Q: What should be done about intense feelings of jealously?
A: Jealousy is a poison one creates for oneself. It is a weakness that creates a barrier on the path of spirituality. Those who are self-centered and selfish are jealous of each others progress. This is an incompetency that should be removed by positive thinking and realizing one’s own weakness. Do not compare yourself with others. Watch your mind, action, and speech.
Q: How many incarnations must a person go through?
A: For an ignorant individual, reincarnation is the only way. One who is realized, however, obtains freedom from the chain of births and deaths. An enlightened one, if he choose to come to help others, can reincarnate, but this is his choice.
Q: why is it harmful to com-pare ourselves with others, especially in spiritual practice?
A: On the path of spirituality, there can be no such comparison. The path of self-enlightenment starts with self-analysis, then self-control, and finally self-enlightenment. Why do you want to compare yourself with others? Comparing yourself with the sages will positively inspire you, but comparing yourself with the mundane symbols of the world will mislead you.
Q: How can one build a trust that he is on the right spiritual path? What about fears that seem to hold one back?
A: Fear invites danger. Fear is the most important aspect of ignorance. It means non-trusting of the reality within. Self-reliance and constant awareness will help one in building trust.
Q: As one becomes aware of the negative tendencies in one’s thinking, how can these be changed into positive tendencies and cheerfulness?
A: Negative and positive tendencies exist in everyone. Those who practice spirituality and have some aim in life will focus on that aim and direct their resources to fulfilling it. For such a person, negativity becomes meaningless. Positive thinking helps one in all phases of life.
Q: Does a mantra link one with his or her chosen ideal
A: If a mantra is properly practiced, it becomes a staff of life and directs one at all times.
Swami Rama
(Excerpts from Inspired Thoughts of Swami Rama)
A: Jerks and bending forward in meditation are signs of not having a steady mind and of not preparing yourself physically. Please encourage him to correct his dietary habits and learn to strengthen his desire for meditation. He will get over this problem. Keeping his head, neck, and trunk straight and sitting in an easy and steady posture are equally important. Falling asleep is because of inertia. Do not be misguided and think that this is a sign or symptom of Kundalini awakening. It is possible to awaken Kundalini, but steadiness, a one-pointed mind, and a strong desire to read the systematic path of this science are important.
Q: Is Samadhi attained or received? It seems the harder I try to mediate, the more it escapes me. But when I let go and just sit there, I go deeper. What technique is best to show an effort on my part but not be pushy?
A: Samadhi is neither attained nor received. It is the expansion of the individual mind to the realization of the cosmic mind. Do not struggle with your mind, and slowly learn to expand the consciousness. Do not overdo or miss your practices. They are to be done punctually, regularly, with firm faith.
Q: Can someone overdo karma yoga, or should some time be given for meditation as well?
A: Karma yoga is a must, and it should be performed selflessly and skillfully. Performing Karma yoga selflessly and skillfully is called meditation in action. Sometimes silences makes one aware of one’s own duty, and it is also essential.
Q: What should be done about intense feelings of jealously?
A: Jealousy is a poison one creates for oneself. It is a weakness that creates a barrier on the path of spirituality. Those who are self-centered and selfish are jealous of each others progress. This is an incompetency that should be removed by positive thinking and realizing one’s own weakness. Do not compare yourself with others. Watch your mind, action, and speech.
Q: How many incarnations must a person go through?
A: For an ignorant individual, reincarnation is the only way. One who is realized, however, obtains freedom from the chain of births and deaths. An enlightened one, if he choose to come to help others, can reincarnate, but this is his choice.
Q: why is it harmful to com-pare ourselves with others, especially in spiritual practice?
A: On the path of spirituality, there can be no such comparison. The path of self-enlightenment starts with self-analysis, then self-control, and finally self-enlightenment. Why do you want to compare yourself with others? Comparing yourself with the sages will positively inspire you, but comparing yourself with the mundane symbols of the world will mislead you.
Q: How can one build a trust that he is on the right spiritual path? What about fears that seem to hold one back?
A: Fear invites danger. Fear is the most important aspect of ignorance. It means non-trusting of the reality within. Self-reliance and constant awareness will help one in building trust.
Q: As one becomes aware of the negative tendencies in one’s thinking, how can these be changed into positive tendencies and cheerfulness?
A: Negative and positive tendencies exist in everyone. Those who practice spirituality and have some aim in life will focus on that aim and direct their resources to fulfilling it. For such a person, negativity becomes meaningless. Positive thinking helps one in all phases of life.
Q: Does a mantra link one with his or her chosen ideal
A: If a mantra is properly practiced, it becomes a staff of life and directs one at all times.
Swami Rama
(Excerpts from Inspired Thoughts of Swami Rama)
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