Meditate, How to
Swami Sivananda: "Meditate on any form you like: Meditate on the form of a saint who is free from Raga-Dwesha (=likes and dislikes). Or, on any picture. On your own picture. On your own form and qualities. The form and qualities of your father. on Lord Jesus, lord Buddha, Rama, Krishna, Durga.
"...The difference between 'concentration' and 'meditation' is this: 'concentration is Dharana and 'meditation' is Dhyana --- try to fix the mind on any object, any Chakra in the body, this is Dharana. Then, allow the thought to run along that particular groove. This is 'meditation'. If the mind runs away from the groove, withdraw it and bring it back to the object of meditation, through Pratyahara (=abstraction).
"...After Dharana, Dhyana comes. In Dhyana, you allow the mind to dwell on the same thought. Meditate on rose. You allow your mind to dwell on all sorts of roses. But only one set of thoughts can be allowed to enter the mind."
(pgs. 18, 24, Yoga Samhita by Swami Sivananda)
Paramahansa Yogananda, at the same time, reminds us that "Your meditation should not be an oblivion of wandering thoughts, but an attentive, constantly increasing devotion to God—a deep joy arising from contact with Spirit. In the silence within, implore His presence again and again, with the yearning you have felt when you have wanted something very badly. With that most urgent desire, pray to Him and tell Him that you want Him. No matter how your thoughts may be running here and there, pay no attention. Bring your mind back to God with the constant prayer: "Reveal Thyself. Come unto me; come unto me. O God, just as Thou dost reveal Thyself unto Christ, reveal Thyself unto me. Reveal Thyself. Come unto me." The concentration of your mind should be like a flood, gathering volume as it moves toward the ocean of God's presence. Again and again increase your fervor. "We bow at Thy Lotus Feet of eternity, O Spirit! Reveal thyself!" (pgs. 356-357, Journey to Self-realization by Paramahansa Yogananda)
"...After Dharana, Dhyana comes. In Dhyana, you allow the mind to dwell on the same thought. Meditate on rose. You allow your mind to dwell on all sorts of roses. But only one set of thoughts can be allowed to enter the mind."
(pgs. 18, 24, Yoga Samhita by Swami Sivananda)
Paramahansa Yogananda, at the same time, reminds us that "Your meditation should not be an oblivion of wandering thoughts, but an attentive, constantly increasing devotion to God—a deep joy arising from contact with Spirit. In the silence within, implore His presence again and again, with the yearning you have felt when you have wanted something very badly. With that most urgent desire, pray to Him and tell Him that you want Him. No matter how your thoughts may be running here and there, pay no attention. Bring your mind back to God with the constant prayer: "Reveal Thyself. Come unto me; come unto me. O God, just as Thou dost reveal Thyself unto Christ, reveal Thyself unto me. Reveal Thyself. Come unto me." The concentration of your mind should be like a flood, gathering volume as it moves toward the ocean of God's presence. Again and again increase your fervor. "We bow at Thy Lotus Feet of eternity, O Spirit! Reveal thyself!" (pgs. 356-357, Journey to Self-realization by Paramahansa Yogananda)
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