Spiritual Portal

Although the mind gets in the way of meditation we can also use the mind as a mechanism for observing our breath. So it’s a bit like a double edge sword! I noticed this while practicing drums as well. You can repetitiously go over something over and over and not get too far, unless you observe with the mind what exactly is happening. Likewise we can be practicing a lot of meditation and not be aware of the fact that our mind is wandering aimlessly everywhere. So in the end the mind gets in the way of the true experience of meditation; however it is also necessary in observing what our practice is and has become!

How often do you think we should hold our focus on our breath vs holding no focus and letting the mind go where it wants? Is it healthy to strain our awareness without letting the mind roam- or is it healthy to let the mind roam, and bring our attention back to a point of focus when we realize we've gone to far?

Not saying I have an answer that is meant for you. This is my answer that suits me since your thoughts echo my own. Find the most peaceful surroundings and people to be around while meditating and in daily life, thus putting yourself in a place and circumstances that are not conducive to outside influences that cause strain. And… practice whatever techniques that lead to a more relaxed conscious awareness. People we allow into our lives that exhibit anger towards others-whether in the media or in our personal lives-become a source of disturbance in our meditation as well. On the other hand most of the most blissful meditation moments I have had were in the presence of Saints and calming natural settings.

On the other hand Saints, Masters and friends who embody peaceful and kind attributes also affect us in a calming manner that soothes the ruffles in our consciousness that cause strain. I understand your point here Eric and it is well taken. Sometimes though we do need to make a conscious decision to watch and observe our thoughts and awareness before we get unhinged. This I say as a result of my own personal experiences with irritations and how they can build up inside us. In daily life we often realize we have ‘gone too far’ after the circumstances played out… thus the importance of monitoring our thoughts, feelings and attitudes while at the same time observing when strain enters our attitudes and where it’s source originates.

Interesting.  :)

Well when I’ve heard you talk about your experiences with Masters I came to a similar conclusion. Anandamoya  Ma, Hazrat Khan and Gurunath .... I remember you relating  many of your magical experiences with them. It strikes me with the same awareness that some of my best meditations and spiritual experiences were in the presence of such beings. With their grace improbabilities become probabilities and realities experienced.

You cannot meditate effectively until you have quieted, by watching the breath, the noises of the heart and the lungs. These organs, like a noisy vacuum cleaner, keep the air and blood swirling and surging in your body with a steady rhythm as they clear away the dirt and impurities in the venous blood.

Paramahansa Yogananda SRF lesson 55; Why people do not find God and how to surely find him.