Active Duty

Just because we are sitting still in a corner without gadgets, books or papers does not mean that sitting during meditation is going to be a time to plan our day, solve problems, daydream, or take stock of our actions.

In meditation, it may seem like we are not doing much, but we are actually engaged in deep, vital and essential inner work. In fact, one could say that it is the most important thing that we could ever do because it is for the betterment of our true selves – our soul.

This work, therefore, requires a lot more care and attention than what we would give to our other important worldly tasks. Do we give as much attention to our meditation as we do to writing checks, administering medication, drawing blueprints, cutting someone’s hair, or even cooking meals?

Before we sit down to meditate, do we prepare ourselves mentally for what we are about to do, or do we just carelessly dust ourselves off from whatever had our attention before and grab our corner? Just because the meditative process is simple does not mean it is easy. We would do well to prepare ourselves physically and mentally before doing the most important task of the day.

Our minds often get carried away by random thoughts, and meditation is the practice of bringing our attention back to the eye centre again and again. The mind is used to working on autopilot and takes us wherever it pleases. It is our spiritual practice that helps to switch off autopilot mode and take the reins of stilling the mind into our own hands.

The following instruction given by Tibetan master Jamyang Khyentse to his disciple Apa Pant provides an explanation:

“Look, it’s like this: When the past thought has ceased, and the future thought has has not yet risen, isn’t there a gap?”
“Yes,” said Apa Pant.
“Well, prolong it. That is meditation.”
_{The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying}

The mind is bound to run off, and when it does, without any resentment or judgement, we must simply recognize that it has wandered away and gently bring it back to its resting place. Our bodies may be relaxed, but our mind has to be totally alert during meditation, constantly repeating the holy names at the eye centre.

To do justice to our meditation, we must be fully present in the moment, aware that we are doing our most important work and giving it our best. When we attend to our meditation, we are on active duty – like military soldiers that are alert, guarded and ready to strike while posted on enemy lines. We are definitely not on reserve duty, waiting to be called on to act or waiting for our attention to focus on its own.

It is a very strong fight with the mind…. Our enemy is within all of us…. And we never know when he may deceive, when he may betray us, when he may put us off the path…. So we have a constant struggle with the mind. We have to be watchful. We have to watch its activities, every day, every moment…. Ultimately, success is ours if we just struggle, just carry on.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. II}

During meditation, we are perfecting our innate ability to focus by strengthening our awareness muscle. This awareness will enable us to become more conscious of the Master’s presence in our lives; it will make us mindful of our own shortcomings and what we need to work on. It will give us a broader perspective on life’s problems and help us rise above the ties that bind us to this temporary, illusory world. Every bit of active meditation makes us more equipped to continue the struggle to tame the mind and finally become one with the Radiant Form of the Master.

To reach the eye centre and cross the starry sky, the sun, and the moon, and come face to face with the Radiant Form of the Master, is the duty of the disciple, whether he does it in this life or the next. It is his work and he is to do it. So why not do it now and why postpone it?
_{Maharaj Sawan Singh, Spiritual Gems}