Meditation with Gusto

Sometimes we find ourselves with no sense of direction in life. Even though we have a daily routine that includes meditation, we follow it half-heartedly, like a chore that needs to be done. So we ask ourselves, “Will I spend the rest of my life simply going through the motions of waking, sitting in meditation, and then getting on with daily life?”

But when we go through these motions mechanically and unenthusiastically, we are not really putting in much of an effort, are we?

Mere mechanical meditation will not help unless you live in that meditation, become part of that meditation, merge into the meditation. Your whole life should be that of love and meditation, not just one or two hours of trying to concentrate.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. II}

In other words, we need to actually live the Sant Mat way of life. From the moment we open our eyes in the morning till we fall asleep at night, we have to keep our spiritual purpose in mind and carry the same enthusiasm that we did when we first came on the path.

Why did we come on the path? Was it a difficult time in our lives? Was there pressure from the family, or did we actually want to find meaning and purpose to our existence on this earth?

Do we remember how we craved initiation? Let us recall our excitement during the first few months after receiving this precious gift, when we were eager to sit for meditation at every given chance. We would be looking forward to savouring every minute of the bliss and peace we felt. But how many of us still feel the same excitement as we did then?

Why are we not as enthusiastic as before? Perhaps it is because we don’t see progress. Progress cannot be measured, nor are we capable of recognizing it. Do we even think of thanking the Lord for the opportunity to do this seva? Doing our meditation is actually for our own benefit. Results are not in our hands, but the effort is.

We start analyzing ourselves too much: “How much love do I have? Now I have no more faith, yesterday I had too much faith.” Every day we judge ourselves. We are the judge, and we are the accused before the judge. The mind is just always running in a circle like this. This self-analysis doesn’t lead us anywhere at all. Self-pity – it depresses us sometimes. Let the Lord judge. Let him know what we need. Our work is to do our duty. Our duty is to knock; it’s for him to open the door. We can’t take on our shoulders his responsibility also. It is for him to open the door. We have to beg; it is for the householder to give.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. II}

Sitting in meditation should not be a chore or a burden that takes us away from the TV or from spending time with friends. We should be looking forward to it with the same gusto as we did during the initial stages.

Even if days, months, years or decades go by, as long as we approach our meditation, the core of spirituality, with a positive attitude, fervour and commitment, it can only get better and give us back more than we can imagine.

As with life, there are ups and downs with spirituality also. There will be good days and bad days. Over time, we learn to take it in stride and if we persist, we will eventually be able to master it. It takes the right attitude and discipline to be able to achieve our ultimate goal. Everything in our lives influences us.

Maharaj Charan Singh says regarding meditation:

It is not the simran, not the dhyan, not only the hearing of the sound. Meditation is living the life of Sant Mat. The whole of life is a meditation; making the mind pure – that is meditation. Good living, right type of living, living by the teachings, having good relations with everybody, having a sympathetic nature – and also giving your time to meditation. That is all meditation.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. II}

Everything we do throughout the day is either bringing us closer to the Lord or away from him. We know when we are doing right and when we are doing wrong. Our conscience always tells us the truth.

If we are disciplined in our actions and thoughts, then we will be building not only the right environment for a healthy, physical and moral life but also one for spiritual growth.

What is it that keeps us going? It is the love of our Master. Every time we see him, hear about him, attend satsang or do seva, we feel his presence, his love. We cherish that and then we go with the right attitude to do our meditation. If throughout the day we are living in his will, we will surely feel his love. That will help keep us going – and doing our meditation with gusto.