Mental Worship

Once the mind reaches a state of relative quietude, it should be led into contemplation. These days, there is a tendency to label everything as ‘meditation’. However, according to our Scriptures, meditation is abidance in the Self; it is when one’s mind has merged into the Truth or God.

Contemplation, nidhidhyasan or chintanam is the process by which one reaches the state of abidance. Mere repetition of a mantra is not meditation. It is a step towards meditation. The mantra is an invaluable tool to make the mind single-pointed and quiet.

In last month’s article, we saw how the physical actions of puja help in withdrawing the mind from external activities and narrowing it down to focus on activities at the altar of one’s devotion. This leads to purity of mind. As the mind becomes quiet, the subconscious mind starts throwing out its suppressed and repressed thoughts; its deep-rooted impressions and identities. Chintanam helps to uproot all these negativities so that we enter into the causal mind.

Unless we are able to penetrate the causal mind, the knowledge that we gain from listening to discourses remains at a superficial level. It makes no impact on our actions. The mind continues to follow its own earlier impulses. That is why, Pujya Gurudev insisted on pin-drop silence during his discourses so that he could take us to a higher level for knowledge to take root.

Chintanam is an essential prerequisite that transforms our belief patterns, our vasanas and creates brahma vasanas, impressions of the Truth. Therefore, this step-by-step sadhana is being pointed out – for us to follow. Knowing a recipe is one thing, but actually following it and cooking the dish is completely different!

Nature of Contemplation

What exactly is chintanam or contemplation? We are all familiar with chinta, worry. Constant thinking of our problems and the consequent disappointments are called chinta. So, in a sense, we are all meditators! But what are we meditating on? Is it the continuous thought of money, money and more money?

In chintanam, the object of contemplation is of great significance. We have to direct our thought flow towards the Truth or the Lord. It is a spontaneous, natural stream of thoughts towards Him. Ramana Maharshi has compared it to the continuous flow of molten ghee, to the natural movement of a river. Pujya Gurudev would elaborately discuss the preparation of ghee when he gave discourses on Atmabodh. He would dramatize it and lead you on meditative flights.

Why have the Masters chosen these two examples? Rivers flow spontaneously and effortlessly towards the ocean, but there may be some obstacles, spurts and starts. However, there is no such break in the flow of molten ghee or oil. Ramana Maharshi wishes to emphasize that our contemplation must be a continuous, unbroken flow of thoughts similar to the stream of golden ghee and the spontaneous and effortless flow of the river. This is called saral chintanam.

Another reason for the analogy of ghee is that its continuous flow is because the molecules stick to each other, without any gap. In the same way, our thoughts must be united to ensure a constant, uninterrupted flow towards the object of our contemplation. This uniting factor is sneha, love.

To sum up, chintanam is achieved when having reflected on the meaning of the mantra, on the meaning of the name of Bhagavan, on the knowledge given by the Guru, we turn all thoughts in love and devotion towards the Lord.

Dramatic Illustration

This continuous flow of thoughts in meditation towards the Truth is beautifully dramatized in the Ramayana.

Shri Ram is the manifestation of Supreme Bliss, the Infinite Reality. While He was in exile at Panchavati, Ravana’s sister, Surpanakha chanced upon them.

An extremely sensuous woman, ruled by tamasika instincts, she was smitten by the beauty of the Lord and his brother. She came up to Ramchandraji and said, “Will you marry me?”

Ramchandraji smiled at her, “But I am already married.”

Observe Surpanakha’s untruth and impudence. She was a widow, but claimed that she had, till then, “remained a maiden” because she had failed to find a suitable match for herself in all the three worlds.

In a similar vein, Shri Rama replied said, “My younger brother is single right now.”

She turned towards Lakshman and approached him. However, Lakshman pointed out that he was a servant and Shri Rama was his master. He asked her, “Do you want to marry a servant?” Reconsidering the matter, she went back to Ramchandraji.

Surpanakha represents an indecisive and fickle mind. In contrast, we have the illustration of Mother Sita who continuously and single-pointedly remembered only Shri Rama when she is held captive in Ashoka Vatika. Her mind had only one refrain “ Rama, Rama, Rama…” This is saral chintanam.

At the start of our spiritual practices, the mind will be distracted and fickle. But, through regular practice, we can achieve this spontaneous, unbroken flow of thoughts towards our goal.