PURPOSE OF MEDITATION Several reasons: – Stress management – Peace of mind – Quiet time All are true but more: – Balance life’s activities – Spiritual purpose – realize inner Nature

WHAT IS MEDITATION As you think so you become. “Meditate” means to rest mind on one thought Meditation is having, prayer is asking Meditation is an activity and an event - waiting

Body, Mind & Soul Body, Mind and Soul are connected: – Exercise (Outdoor walking) makes you think clearly – Use of Will Power helps you to be disciplined with exercise – Soul or spirit can be freed to experience its real nature, if Body and Mind understand the real Nature of Soul and cooperate – Use the mind to regulate the mind – Use the mind to purify the mind – Use the mind to help the soul expand and soar

Created to Evolve? Nature of life: – It grows and changes – It has a purpose of evolution, from amoeba to being God-like – Up to human level it is automatic evolution – Humans are bestowed with Will and Determination – Choices are made till we become slaves of those choices

Characteristics of Life What are we today? – Choices, experiences, knowledge are nothing but what we are today… – our personality Characteristics of life – Human life should also evolve – No choice – It is an evolution of knowing and being who we really are, and ought to become – Freedom of will makes it challenging – Body is limited, mind is less limited and soul is unlimited. – How do we realize this?

Meditate “As long as we think we are what we are, we can not be THAT we can be” So, we think of THAT we can be and we have to be So, let us want to be THAT Let us remind ourselves of THAT Align our willed action with THAT

WHAT IS MEDITATION As you think so you become So, let us think about what we can become, becoming which we are content! It is not riches, beauty, intelligence – not all rich people are happy, not all beautiful people are good, and not all intelligent people are spiritual So, we meditate on Realizing our REAL NATURE – God-likeness or divinity

Natural Path So How does Natural Path (Sahaj Marg) work? – Open for all that is willing and able to practice – What is the practice? – Meditation, Cleaning, Prayer meditation – No fees charged – Balanced existence and Universal brotherhood – People from all walks of life leading a normal life with a divine sense of purpose

How to meditate? Done in the morning for a minimum of 30 minutes… preferably for an hour Try to do it first thing in the morning Sit in a comfortable position with eyes closed Begin the meditation with a prayer for spiritual elevation Begin with the IDEA that the heart is filled with divine light

What happens in meditation? Mind will wander… Ignore the thoughts Gently come back to the heart and the IDEA Transmission will be felt – Divine energy comes when a vacuum is created – It can be felt… feels like lullaby for the soul – Nourishes the soul, soothes the mind and quiets the body – Takes 3 – 6 months before one feels the transmission

How to do Cleaning? It is done in the evening, for approx. 30 minutes Preferably on returning from regular work Sit like in the morning, but now with the idea that we are cleaning ourselves of all the past impressions, thoughts, impurities, grossness, heaviness, etc. Think that these are going away in form of smoke or vapor from the back side Imagine that the divine energy is coming from the front filling up the heart

What happens in cleaning? The mind wanders as usual… ignore it Focus on cleaning. Use of will power is important to think the going away of the impurities and attracting divine energy from the front You will feel lighter at the end of the session and also feel transmission at end Cleaning complements meditation We forget what we need to forget and remember what we need to remember

Prayer Meditation Normally done at night as we go to bed Spend about 10 – 15 minutes… Introspecting and resolving to do better Today ends tonight and tomorrow is a brand new day Remind ourselves of the Divine Nature in us and meditate on the meaning of the prayer and go to sleep! We connect the morning meditation to this nightly prayer and sleep peacefully!

What is the prayer? “O, Master! Thou art the real goal of human life; We are yet but slaves of wishes putting bar to our advancement. Thou art the only God and power to bring us up to that stage” Who and what is a Master? – Both a principle and a person – One who has Mastered himself – Spiritual Master similar to Master Artisan, Master Craftsman and Master Physicist

Guru, The Master, The Teacher Realizing the need for a Guru – It is easier to be taught a practice than to invent on our own – Like a mountain guide… You need him till you return to the base! How to select a Guru – One who is not money, power, fame-minded – Serves humanity in the remembrance of God – Practices what he or she preaches – Leads by example

Benefits of this Practice No experience without practice No substitute for experience Experience will show – Better clarity of mind – Better health – Natural improvements in habits – Better relationships – Efficiency at work – Deeper inner abidance and beatitude – And in-the-world and not-of-this-world conditions

Support Individual sittings with the preceptors – Preceptors are trainers and practitioners – More like sponsors or mentors Group meditation – DaytimeVenue – SundaytimeVenue Support from the Guru –books and seminars Practice of Constant Remembrance

Reference Materials or write to Complete Works of Ram Chandra, Vol. 1 – By Ram Chandra My Master – By P. Rajagopalachari Sahaj Marg Companion – By Clark Powell

How to get started? If you are interested in trying this Natural Path system of Raja Yoga meditation: – You should be 18 years of age – No money is needed – Allocate minutes a day – Start with 3 individual sittings in 3 days – Call one of the Preceptors by contacting

Practice Towards Perfection! ! Practice Towards Perfection! Prayers for all the best!