The True Purpose of Meditation
Between 900 and 500 B.C. some brilliant Indian intellectuals
(MaNishinah) developed the technique of Meditation (Dhyana) to tame the
unbridled minds of the upper classes of society consisting of Brahmins and
Kshatriyas.
These two groups of people became obsessed with gaining
power, fame, fortune and heaven by means of desire-driven Yajnas known as Kamya
Karma. In these corrupt Yajnas, they sacrificed a large number of animals
including cows, to satisfy their thirst for sense objects.
Decay of a noble
Dharma: Due to their endless passion for these sense objects, Brahmanism decayed. The society was thrown into a
great deal of turmoil. Several anti-Brahmanic religions arose.
Dwandwam: These
intellectuals of the society theorized that when one’s mind becomes attached to
sense objects such as power, fame, fortune and heaven, it becomes restless, and
it loses its peace of mind. They called this restlessness of the mind ‘Dwandwam.’
Dwandwam consists of one’s mind liking something one moment
and not liking it the next; wanting something one moment and not wanting it the
next; and feeling good about something and not feeling good about it the next.
Loss of Wisdom: These
intellectuals declared that Dwandwam arising from one’s attachment to sense
objects results in the mind becoming disconnected from its inner wisdom
(memory, knowledge, reasoning, judgment, insight, morals and virtues). Thus,
deprived of the benefits of one’s wisdom, one indulges in self-destructive and
antisocial activities.
Yoga: Their remedy
for Dwandwam was for these upper classes to “withdraw their senses” from sense
objects, that is, gradually reduce their desire for, attachment to, and possessiveness of them. This technique
they called Yoga. Yoga, as recommended by them simply meant, “Train yourself to detach your
mind from these perishable sense objects.”
The Buddha: They
said that the mind (Manas) of one who is able to withdraw one’s senses
(Indriya) merges with one’s intellect (Buddhi) and becomes Buddhiyukta (steady).
Thus Dwandwam disappears. Now one develops Equanimity, Equilibrium and Evenness
of mind). Such a person becomes the Buddha. The Buddha is a person whose mind works on the software of Buddhi (Intellect).
The Buddhu: Money,
power, women, etc. delude the mind of one who is unable to practice Yoga, and
such a one becomes the Buddhu (MooDha). It was to train these MooDhas, who were
unable to control their desires, attachment and possessiveness, that the
intellectuals developed the technique of Meditation (Dhyana).
The Bhagavad Gita
(BG) 6:33-34: Arjuna: This Yoga of
Equanimity, taught by you, O Madhusudana- I do not see any continued steadiness
of mind due to restlessness. The mind verily is, O Krishna, restless,
turbulent, strong and obstinate. I deem it as hard to control as the wind.
Dhyana: To such a
person Lord Krishna recommended Dhyana (Meditation) as the first step:
BG: 6:35-36: Doubtless,
O mighty armed, the mind is restless and hard to control. But by practice and
non-attachment, O son of Kunti, it can be controlled. Yoga is hard to attain, I
concede, by a man who cannot control himself; but it can be attained by him who
has controlled himself, and who strives by right means (Dhyana, Meditation).
Meditation is the
first step: So, Meditation is only the first
step in developing control over one’s mind by shutting out sensory
stimulations –visual, auditory, tactile, taste and smell. The meditating person
sits motionless in a quiet place to avoid distractions, and focuses his mind
inwardly.
However, Meditation is NOT an end in itself.
Change of lifestyle
is needed: A person who practices meditation with the desire to prolong his
life or regenerate brain cells is merely fooling himself and others. One must
change his thinking and lifestyle as well. He should reduce his desire for,
attachment to and possessiveness of all the sense objects: people, power,
position, title, fame, money, gold, land, heaven, etc. His conduct in his
business dealings should be above reproach. In his dealings with others, his
allegiance should be to Truth alone, and not to anyone or anything.
Meditation as a tool
to gain something: Unfortunately, today, most people who practice
meditation do so for reasons other than to attain wisdom (Buddhi). Some go to meditation
classes to meet people of opposite sex. Many women meditate wearing revealing
dresses to attract men. Many executives of large organizations practice
meditation on daily basis so they could concentrate better in making money. In
their dealing with their clients, they indulge in every kind of chicanery. Others
indulge in all kinds of antisocial activities immediately after the meditation
session is over.
Absolute Buddhus of
India: Even people such as “Maharishi” Mahesh Yogi, who promoted the so-called
Transcendental Meditation, and “Maharishi” Rajneesh, not to mention “the great”
Sai Baba, amassed great wealth and indulged in sexual misconduct with those who
trusted them implicitly. The fact is today it is extremely hard to find a
single Swami or Guru in India who is not an absolute Buddhu.
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