What is Meditation?

Excerpts from Sri Chinmoy's Book - Meditation.

By dictionary definition, "meditation" means to reflect upon, ponder, or contemplate. In the yogic context, meditation, is defined more specifically as a state of pure consciousness.

Meditation is the art of silently 'going within' of quietening the disturbances of the mind and discovering one's own unlimited Self. Of moving beyond doubts, fears or anxieties by discovering a deeper untapped source of inner harmony, silence and wisdom. Meditation leads us not only to totally new inner experiences, but helps us to transform our day-to-day life into a happier, more meaningful and more fulfilling existence.

Sri Chinmoy writes -

"When we meditate, what we actually do is enter into a vacant, calm, still and silent mind. We go deep within and approach our true existence, which is our soul".

Meditation is something wide and vast that ultimately expands into the Infinite. When we meditate, we throw ourselves into a vast expanse, into an infinite sea of peace , or we welcome the infinite Vastness into us. Meditation spreads. Meditation is constantly growing and expanding into peace, light and delight. When we meditate, we gradually see, feel and grow into the entire universe of light.

When you meditate,
Think of a morning flower
Smiling and smiling,
Radiating its beauty and
Offering its fragrance.
This is how you can make friends
With your soul
And fly with it infinitely higher
Than the confines of the mind.

~Sri Chinmoy

Next - Why do we meditate