Question & Answer sessions with HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – 2015
How to meditate ?
Question : According to the procedure taught at Datta Peetham, how should one meditate?
Answer : A good question. What is Meditation? It is deep concentration with remembrance. There are many procedures taught by different people. Mother has asked to be instructed on the procedure recommended by Swamiji. It is very good.
It is only for attaining success in meditation that Swamiji has introduced Pranayama to us and is having us practice it. First you get a grip on the practice of proper Pranayama. Focus steadily upon it. Then, meditation becomes easy. Since Swamiji is teaching Pranayama, please practice it. Through Pranayama, Dhyana will result. Nada is an aid for Dhyana/meditation. Swamiji’s music is widely available. One may meditate to the accompaniment of healing music, which means, focusing the mind on Nada, the sound of the music. Or, one may meditate to the accompaniment of a recording of mantra chanted by Swamiji, such as Lailitambikaayai Namaha, Om Namassivaya, OM Namo Narayanaya, or just OM (CD name Tatvam). Meditate for 108 repetitions of the Mantra. Focus on the mantra and meditate at first. Later on, you may proceed towards the state that transcends all, the Nadabindukalaateeta state.
First, begin meditation with sound, Nada-Dhyana.
In the path of Jnana, there is another procedure. It has to be learned directly from Guru. It is called Pancheekarana Dhyana. There is no higher step than that. This has to be learned as a one-on-one instruction, which will take place when the disciple is ready. One has to patiently wait for it.
Jaya Guru Datta