Problems in meditation for the beginner and how to solve them

1. One can pray to God in the temple, at home, at work or at any other place at any point of time. God is universal and all pervading. There is no place where HE does not exist. At a temple having many idols, focus on the idol or form of God which appeals the most. "Tad Ekam Sath, Vipraha Bahudha Vadanthi" -- "HE alone is real, HE is only ONE, the sages call him by various names".

2. As there is only one Lord, there is only one Yoga. The different means of approach to this one Yoga make it appear as though there are many types of Yoga. The fastest and most correct Yoga is that which consists of a combination of Karma yoga (surrendering the fruits of one's actions to God and performing actions as an offering to God), Gnyana yoga (delving into the truth behind "Who am I" or Adhyatma vichara), Bhakthi yoga (devotion to the Lord through love and surrender), and Raja yoga (as propounded by the Maharshi Pathanjali, see: http://www.davedavies.com/splanet/raja.htm)). All these ultimately lead to the one and same goal namely realization of non-duality between us and the Almighty.

A person who performs all actions rightfully, thinking of God, as an offering to God without craving for the fruits of actions. Who indulges in contemplating on the falsity of the world and the reality of the Atman (soul) through 'Adhyatma vichara' and 'Vairagya' (analysis of spiritual knowledge and non-attachment to objects), who cries with devotion, love and surrender while contemplating or thinking of the Almighty and who strictly follows the Yama-Niyama-s of Raja Yoga followed by Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara and Meditation derives the best and complete benefits of all Yoga-s. This combination of the essences of all Yoga-s gives the best and fastest results in totality. This is based on my personal experience.

3. Sit in Padmasana or Sidhasana with the lower back, spine neck and head in a straight line.

A. Perform 'Nirguna Dhyana' as has been explained before in past answers on the formless Almighty. Revert the mind back on HIM as and when it strays and think of nothing else except the formless, shapeless, colorless and invisible Lord of the nature of empty space.

If this is not achievable...

B. Perform 'Saguna Dhyana' (meditate on the Avatar of the Lord such as Lord Krishna, Rama, Jesus Christ etc..) or on Gods such as Siva, Vishnu, Ganesha etc..

If this is not achievable...

C. Chant a mantra such as "Om Namah Shivaya" or "Om Namo Narayanaya" or just "OM" silently and mentally with the eyes closed, concentrating on the Thrikuti (spot between the eyebrows) until concentration is strong enough to perform B. or A. types of meditation.

D. Keep the mind on the thought of God, performing all actions as service and offerings to him throughout the day. One's daily routine comprising of work and everything else is to be performed this way. We are here as an effect of HIS Leela (divine play). So our duty is to think of HIM as much as possible.

E. The truth (of reality) cannot be found out by the study (of the scriptures or Upanishads) alone. So there is no question of studying, finding out the truth and then meditating. All these should be done together setting aside some time for each simultaneously. Just as the body absorbs the essence of food eaten and discards the remaining, the essence of scriptures is to be absorbed and not mere words or literal meanings as written in the dictionary.

The incidence of negative thought, fantasy, imagination or unwanted feelings occurs in every person who occupies the stage of a beginner in meditation. One should replace these thoughts with the opposite thoughts of virtue, reality and truth when they appear. For example, if a meditator finds the thought of a woman and her body troubling him while meditating, he should remind himself of the reality behind the filth and refuse within her body and imagine how her body will appear at old age with a shrunken frame, wrinkled skin, dried up flesh, rotting teeth, scant hair, bad breath and a disagreeable smell emanating from all over with stool and refuse stored within. Let him remind himself of the weakness and debility he experiences on losing his semen through ejaculation on the body of a woman. Let him remind himself of the same signs of old age and decay which he will experience himself if he indulges in the sexual act for entertainment. This will neutralize the desire and produce Vairagya (dispassion). Then let him think of the bliss, purity and everlasting joy that comes from merging with God upon reclaiming his true state of existence. Then let the meditator continue with his efforts on meditation.

If thoughts about wanting excessive money, name, fame, friends and get-together-s is troubling him, let him remind himself that all these involve much stress, strain, anxiety, fatigue and ultimately sorrow. They make the mind irate, egoistic, angry, passionate, lustful and finally depressed. Let him remind himself that all these are a waste of time ultimately, for they leave him less happy than when he started and in sorrow and pain. They make negative Samskaras (impressions) stronger and cause lack of peace. This will neutralize the desire and produce Vairagya (dispassion). Then let him think of the bliss, purity and everlasting joy that comes from merging with God upon reclaiming his true state of existence. Then let the meditator continue with his efforts on meditation.

In this way, let him remind himself of the dangers of worldliness and the lack of benefit of attachment with worldly people and objects. Then let him persevere again and meditate.

This is how meditation is eventually perfected into Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. It takes many months or years of sincere and honest effort. One should adapt one's lifestyle and make it supportive to this type of Yoga as described. Then the past Samskaras (impressions) and Vasanas (tendencies) which support negativity gradually weaken and dissolve.

When negative traits manifest in day to day life, the same technique is applied and the mind reverted to Godliness. The Yogi uses his reasoning and feeds himself with reasons why worldly attractions are a waste of time leading to sorrow. Then he reverts his mind to Godliness though kindness, pleasantness, desire-less attitude and a general sense of peace and tranquility as regards himself and the world. Over the course of time, he becomes these very qualities in person.

4. If there is a feeling or tendency to indulge in Japa, then do Japa. Else, stick to the combination of Yogic practices as has been explained earlier with devotion to God and through performing actions as an offering to him in day to day life through the Yama-Niyama-s. When negative thoughts occur in the midst of Japa, use the same technique of reasoning as has been explained to neutralize these thoughts. Then continue with Japa. Japa is useful for some and not necessary for others. The decision is left to the practitioner.

On the whole, the technique is like cleaning one's house of dirt. We clean our homes everyday and live there. The next day, there is again dirt, so we clean again and live. This is a continuous process. With the Yogi, the dirt gradually reduces over the course of time spanning several years, eventually resulting in complete cleanliness of the body, mind and psyche whereupon self-realization occurs. Patience, perseverance and commitment are the keys to open the locks binding the doors of self-realization.

ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)