Concentration of Mind and Spirit -- Attention -- Quality of Focus During Spiritual Practice, by Hazur Maharaj Rai Saligram - Light and Sound on the Path (Sant Mat)

 

Concentration of Mind and Spirit -- Attention -- Quality of Focus During Spiritual Practice, by Hazur Maharaj Rai Saligram - Light and Sound on the Path (Sant Mat)

IMAGE: Huzur Maharaj Rai Saligram, Radhasoami Satsang (Radhasoami, meaning, Lord of the Soul, is pronounced: “Ra-Dha -Swam-e”. Note: In the Book of Enoch the Most High Supreme Being is called The Lord of Spirits)

"How can, then, the spiritual practices, prescribed by Sants, which are extremely delicate and subtle, be felt enjoyable without the concentration of mind and spirit? Just as the food comes in contact with the tongue at the time of eating, yet its taste cannot be enjoyed if the attention is elsewhere, so if the mind and spirit of the practitioner did reach up to the Form or partially come in contact with the current of Shabd, no joy and bliss can be experienced in Dhyan and Bhajan, if the attention is directed elsewhere, i. e., engaged in worldly thoughts. It is, therefore, very important that the attention is kept under control at the time of devotional practices. In other words, joy would be experienced only, if the attention is focused on Form and Shabd, otherwise one would achieve nothing at the end of his devotional practice and would feel unhappy."

"If, at the time of Abhyas [meditation practice], a Parmarthi [spiritual devotee] turns his attention upwards internally and tries to fix it on the Form or Shabd or any particular region, as prescribed by Sants, the currents of mind, spirit and sight would, unfailingly, flow upwards and as long as no other thought causes a disturbance, i.e., no contrary current is set in motion, the direction of that current would remain upwards and some joy and bliss would surely be experienced, in consequence of this abstraction and withdrawal of the spirit current, because the higher region is one of greater joy and bliss, than the plane on which the Spirit is normally located in the wakeful condition."

Success With Inner Light Meditation Requires Tenacity of Purpose and Focused Concentration

 

Success With Inner Light Meditation Requires Tenacity of Purpose and Focused Concentration, By Swami Achyutanand Baba, Maharshi Santsevi Dhyana Yoga Ashram, Kolkata, India

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Swami Achyutanand Baba

The practice of drishti yoga [meditation upon the Inner Light] calls for utmost devoutness and tenacity of purpose. The practitioner who assiduously and patiently practices this meditation will discover that the fickleness or unsteadiness of their concentration gradually ceases and their mind becomes tranquil. It is thus that they shall, with the piercing thrust of their focused gaze, be able to break open the 'tila dwara' (the Third Eye). 

This is why Gurudev (Maharshi Mehi Paramhans) said, "Drishi yoga abhyasa atihi karatahi karata, kampani sahajahi chhutai praudha hovai surat. Tila darvaza tutai nazar ke jora se. Are han re 'Mehi' lage takataki khuba, jora barajora se." 

Translation: "Through regular, rigorous practice of 'drishti yoga' (Meditation on the Divine Light within), one's attention no longer remains wavering or unsteady, as the surat [the attention-faculty of the soul] slowly matures (becomes absolutely fixed, stilled)." Tila dwara (the Tenth Door or the Third Eye) will break open by the thrust of the focused gaze…So continue gazing inside constantly with all of your attention, says Maharshi Mehi Paramhans ji Maharaj."

The practitioner of drishti yoga [meditation] has to stop seeing outside, and begin to look within. As one's vision gets steadied, the grand expanse of light comes into view. This has been exquisitely portrayed by Sant Gulal Sahab: "Ulati dekho ghata mein joti pasara. Bina baje tahan dhuni saba hovai. Vigasi kamala kachanar, paithi patala sura sasi bandhau, sadhau trikutI dwara. Ganga jamuna ke wara para bicha. Bharatu hai amiya karara, Ingala pingala sukhamana sodho. Bahat sikhara mukha dwara. Surati nirati le baitha gagan para, sahaja uthai jhanakara."

Translation: "Revert within [invert] and behold the stunning spectacles of light within the body. Numerous melodies play there without the aid of any instruments. Flower-like lotuses and Kachanar (Bauhinia Variegata) blossom there. Dive deep within, rein in the Sun (the Pingla nerve or the Yamuna) and the Moon (the Ida nerve or the Ganga), and train your attention at the doors of Trikuti. In the centre of the Ganga (Ida) and the Yamuna (Pingla) lies the repertoire of elixir. Merge the currents of Ida and Pingla in the Sushumna, and lo! The stream of elixir is down-pouring from atop. When the surat (Soul) rises above and gets lost in the inner sky, spontaneously resonating currents of sound are heard."

As a matter of fact, the art of drishti yoga or vindu-dhyana is confidential and has to be taught by an adept Guru [Living One, Living Master, Sant Satguru], without whom this would be but an extremely arduous task. 

(Based on an English translation provided by Pravesh K. Singh)

Swami Achyutanand Baba