Disturbance during Meditation

 

Photo Credit: Quotesjin

Disturbance during Meditation

In the beginning when we start out on the spiritual path, we try to meditate, but it is very difficult. The moment our eyes shut our mind goes out of control with all kinds of thoughts shooting through the mind. Is what I am doing right? Will I succeed in my spiritual endeavour?

Swamiji in his discourses has mentioned that you will feel like scratching the moment you sit for meditation, you may pass gas, you will absorb all the external sounds and then you will think, “Hey, I cannot concentrate, this is not for me!” And then give up. But the trick is to hang in there, this is a practise, a sadhana and one has to do it with complete confidence and faith that at some point meditation will happen. And it does – for some it takes less time and for some more time, but happen it does!

During meditation you will suddenly hear the loud cawing of crows or the barking of dogs or maybe you children begin to fight and there is a racket – you get up angrily and try to shut the windows or scold your children for disturbing you. When you do sit for meditation initially, it just appears as if the universe is trying to discourage you. And guess who gets upset and angry? You? The ‘you’ is nothing but your ego. How can someone disturb me?

The very fact that you are getting disturbed proves that your entire focus even with your eyes closed is on the outer world and not the inner one. All your attention is on the outside – that is of no use. Initially with slowing down of your breathing or by focusing on your breath you can learn concentration, slow down your thoughts and then focus within. With time you will find your thoughts evaporating, your mind becoming calm, the external sounds become dimmer and dimmer and no longer disturb you, you start becoming centred within yourself.

The disturbances are now in the background, they no longer bother you. You start observing this – the moment you start ‘seeing’ this you start becoming a witness. You are beginning to lose your identity; you are beginning to merge with the void. Nothing disturbs you anymore as you remain centred in your being.

Your chitta is focused within, nothing disturbs you anymore – nothing makes you happy and nothing makes you sad – as you observe all the happenings with detachment – you remain blissful and joyous in the calm of your own nothingness!