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SECTION NINE
CONCENTRATION AND MEDITATION
Two Main Centres For Concentration
MOST people associate consciousness with the brain or mind because that is the centre
for intellectual thought and mental vision, but consciousness is not limited to that kind of thought or
vision. It is everywhere in the system and there are several centres of it,
e.g., the centre for inner concentration is not in the brain but in the heart,—the
originating centre of vital desire is still lower
down.
The two main places where one can centre the
consciousness for Yoga are in the head and in the
heart—the mind-centre and the soul-centre.
11-8-1934
Page-249
Postures for Concentration
THE sitting motionless posture is the natural posture for concentrated meditation—walking and standing are active conditions. It is only when one has gained
the enduring rest and passivity of the consciousness
that it is easy to concentrate and receive when
walking or doing anything. A fundamental passive condition of the consciousness
gathered into itself is
the proper poise for concentration and a seated
gathered immobility in the body is the best position
for that. It can be done also lying down, but that
position is too passive, tending to be inert rather
than gathered. This is the reason why Yogis always
sit in an āsana. One can accustom oneself to meditate
walking, standing, lying but sitting is the first natural
position.
13-3-1937
Concentration and Quiet
IT is better to make the deeper concentration when
you are alone or quiet. Outward sounds ought
not to disturb you.
1933
Page-250
Straining and Concentration
STRAINING and concentration are not the same things.
Straining implies an over-eagerness and violence
of effort, while concentration is in its nature quiet
and steady. If there is restlessness or over-eagerness,
then that is not concentration.
8-8-1936
Best Way to Still the Mind
THE more the psychic spreads in the outer being,
the more all these things (mechanical activity of the subconscious mind) fall
quiet. That is the
best way. Direct efforts to still the mind are a
difficult method.
8-11-1934
Page-251
Silencing the Physical Mind—Dynamic Realisation
FOR the buzz of the physical mind, reject it
quietly,
without getting disturbed, till it feels discouraged and retires shaking its head and saying, "This
fellow is too calm and strong for me." There are
always two things that can rise up and assail the
silence, — vital suggestions, the physical mind’s
mechanical recurrences. Calm rejection for both
is the cure. There is a Purusha within who can
dictate to the nature what it shall admit or exclude, but its will is a strong,
quiet will; if one gets perturbed or agitated over the difficulties, then the
will of the Purusha cannot act effectively as it would
otherwise.
The dynamic realisation will probably take place
when the higher consciousness comes fully down
into the vital. When it comes into the mental it
brings the peace of the Purusha and liberation and
it may bring also knowledge. It is when it comes
into the vital that the dynamic realisation becomes
present and living.
27-10-1938
Page-252
Meditation and Divided Consciousness
THAT is not called meditation—it is a divided state
of consciousness; unless the consciousness is really engrossed and the surface thoughts are only things that come across and touch and pass, it can hardly be called meditation (dhyana). I don’t see how the
inner being can be engrossed while whole thoughts
and imaginations of another kind are rambling
about in the surface consciousness. One can remain
separate and see the thoughts and imaginations
pass without being affected, but that is not being
plunged or engrossed in meditation.
4-2-1937
Meditation and Dullness
IF higher meditation or being above keeps one
dull and without any kind of satisfaction or peace
in sadhana, these are the only two reasons—ego or
inertia—I can think of.
27-5-1936
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