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Any technique in personality development, which
advocates shutting out thought to obtain concentration, ignores the basic
fact that thoughts and diversion are natural to any mortal. It is common
experience that the more one tries to concentrate, more would be the rush of
thoughts. Recognising this basic concept, particular techniques have laid
emphasis on awareness as the unfailing means to attaining the desired
objective.
Satyananda Saraswati, founder of the Bihar School of Yoga
rightly observes that meditation is not concentration but awareness. By
training oneself to be aware of the goings on within and without, the
aspirant is enabled to observe all issues in a detached manner, like a
witness, through sak-shi-bhava. This state naturally leads to the process of
being aware even of one's non-aware-ness, just as one could obtain focus on
his lack of focus to finally evolve into the state of focus.
Confusing and cliché-laden though these concepts' may appear, the process
centers on the simple, effective, practical and proven methodology of not
being affected by thoughts in one's pursuit to effectiveness, through
becoming free from the binding effects of thoughts. This is akin to a
pedestrian continuing his walk unmindful of the noise and traffic around. He
is aware of but unaffected by these.
In Mahesh Yogi's technique of transcendental meditation, the
aspirant is taught to merely think a syllable (mantra) in a natural and
effortless manner even amidst thoughts. The cycle involving different
situations ---- 'mantra and thought' or 'no mantra, only thought' or 'only
mantra, no thought' or 'no mantra, no thoughts' ---- these alternate
depending on the state of mind. That state of inner calm (antar-mouna) could
thus be experienced, even if this occurs rarely and only for a fleeting
moment. This is that state of least excitation, which is referred to by
Mahesh Yogi as the field of all possibilities.
Done with the sakshi-bhava, bereft of self-centeredness and
obsessive analysis, every waking activity and even sleep could thus become
exercises in meditation. The base is awareness, mindfulness, attentiveness
or alertness, by whichever term one may choose to call it. This is the
precursor to effectiveness. This verily is yoga, defined rightly by Bhagavad
Gita (II,50) as Karmasu koushalam, meaning 'skill in action'. |
