The benefits of a meditative mind

LETTERS TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Dear Daaji,

Why is it important to absorb the inner state of meditation and take it into our daily routine?

Dear Satha,

Navigating the demands and challenges of the objective world requires a meditative mind. Meditating at a certain time and then allowing the mind to wander aimlessly for the rest of the day is not what is meant by a meditative mind. Meditation must be completed so that the charge created lasts for an extended period. It is like charging our phones—we look for phones that require less frequent charging. The ideal phone would keep its charge for all our lives. Is this possible with meditation?

When working in an office, cooking, playing a game, conversing, studying, or being with your beloved in silence, all with a meditative mind, you will surely appreciate the beauty and power of meditation. 

With a meditative mind, you won’t have to maintain mindful awareness, or remind yourself to observe the breath, since you are “all awareness.” With a meditative mind, you become kind and compassionate; the heart finds comfort and contentment in being empathetic. You don’t have to adjust your breathing to find a comfortable niche in the heart. Instead, you allow the inner meditative state to become dynamic and change your behavior, including your breathing.

There is a fundamental difference between allowing the breath to create your mood and allowing the meditative state to regulate your breathing. Both bring about change, but the effects of the outside-in approach of focusing on the breath will last for only a few minutes. In contrast, the inside-out approach of creating a permanent meditative state will develop and intensify incrementally.

Godliness emanates from a simple and pure heart in the way the fragrance of a golden Champa flower fills the atmosphere. Godliness is all that is precious, simple, pure, and full of love. Does the word “godliness” not evoke a feeling of something noble? And, if I am going to allow the divine impulse to pervade my being, then is it not paramount for me to display its godly manner—like the conduct of a benevolent king, a friend sharing happiness, or a true nobleperson who is graciously indifferent to the imperfections of others and generous toward those who are miserable?

It means always acting from the depths of your being. In other words, while being meditative and pursuing spirituality, be steadfast in displaying your spiritual heritage and nobility—what revered Lalaji calls akhlaaq. The aim is to arrive at a natural state akin to a flower that can only radiate its fragrance. The whole pursuit is to arrive at this naturalness; it is the dream of every seeker.

With love and respect,
Kamlesh