Meditation has been practiced for centuries to calm the mind, connect with the divine, and purify one’s consciousness. However, not all meditation techniques are equally effective. According to Swami Mukundananda, the most powerful meditation is one that directly influences the subconscious mind. By understanding and implementing this practice, we can elevate our consciousness and attain a state of inner bliss.

In this blog, we will explore the key teachings of Swami Mukundananda on meditation, including the best time to meditate, the ideal posture, the role of visualization, and practical ways to overcome distractions. By the end, you will not only gain deep insight into effective meditation but also feel inspired to incorporate it into your daily life.

The Best Time for Meditation

"A person meditating in the peaceful morning hours, embracing calm and clarity."

One of the most common questions people ask about meditation is: What is the best time of the day to meditate? According to Swami Mukundananda, the most effective time is the Brahma Muhurta—the sacred period two hours before sunrise until sunrise.

Why is Brahma Muhurta Ideal?

  1. The Environment is Peaceful – At this time, the world is still asleep, and there are minimal distractions.
  2. The Mind is Fresh – You have just woken up, and your mind is like a blank slate, making it easier to imprint divine thoughts.
  3. Easier Retention – Whatever you meditate upon in the morning stays with you throughout the day, helping maintain divine consciousness.

However, Swamiji also emphasizes that if someone cannot meditate at this time due to work or other obligations, they should choose another time that suits them. The key is consistency rather than the exact timing.

Which Direction to Face While Meditating?

"Narsingh Bhagavan emerges in divine fury, shattering the pillar with his immense power, radiating righteousness and protecting dharma."

Some people wonder if the direction they face during meditation matters. Swami Mukundananda reassures us that in Bhakti Yog, there is no impure direction because God is omnipresent.

To illustrate this, he shares a powerful example from the scriptures:

  • During one of his incarnations as Narsingh Avatar, Lord Vishnu emerged from a pillar in a demon’s palace, proving that He resides everywhere.
  • The entire creation is His temple, so instead of worrying about direction, we should focus on the purity of our mind.

What is the Ideal Posture for Meditation?

"Sit alert, sit still, but sit comfortably, too tight distracts, too loose invites sleep. Find the balance, and meditation thrives!"

The way we sit during meditation greatly affects its effectiveness. Maharshi Patanjali, in his Yog Darshan, provides a simple yet profound instruction:

"Sit alert, sit still, but sit comfortably."

Why Does Posture Matter?

  1. Too restrictive? It creates discomfort and distracts the mind.
  2. Too relaxed? It induces laziness and sleep.

Swamiji humorously addresses a common question:
"Can I lie down and meditate?"

The answer is no, because the mind, if not disciplined, will tend to fall asleep. Sitting in an upright yet relaxed posture strikes the perfect balance.

What Should Be the Object of Meditation?

"Focus on God's beauty and love. Attach your mind to Him, and it will transcend material nature."

The most important aspect of meditation is the object of our focus. According to Swamiji, the best object to meditate upon is God because:

  • He is all-pure (pavanam pavananam).
  • When we focus on Him, our mind also gets purified.

This aligns with Shree Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita:

“But those who dedicate all their actions to Me, regarding Me as the Supreme goal, worshiping Me and meditating on Me with exclusive devotion, O Parth, I swiftly deliver them from the ocean of birth and death, for their consciousness is united with Me.” BG 12.6-7

How to Meditate on God?

  • Use the Power of Visualization – Bring the image of your chosen deity (Ishta Dev) before you as you close your eyes.
  • Imagine His Beauty and Kindness – Think about His virtues, actions, and divine love.
  • Engage in Manasi Seva – Serve Him in your mind as if He were physically present.

The Power of Manasi Seva

"In deep meditation, the devotee checked the kheer’s heat in his mind, only to find his finger burnt in reality."

One of the most profound meditation techniques Swamiji discusses is Manasi Seva, or serving God in the mind. He shares a fascinating story from the Brahma Vaivarta Purana:

A Brahmin devotee would sit down daily for meditation and mentally serve his Lord—bathing Him, massaging His feet, clothing Him, and offering food. One day, while mentally preparing kheer (sweet rice pudding) for God, he instinctively dipped his finger in to check the temperature. To his amazement, his actual finger got burnt!

Seeing his devotion, Lord Vishnu called him to Vaikuntha and asked him to explain to Goddess Lakshmi how his finger got burnt in meditation.

What Does This Story Teach Us?

  • Mental devotion is powerful – Our thoughts have the ability to deeply connect us with the divine.
  • God accepts sincere service – Even if we serve Him in our mind, He recognizes our efforts.
  • Meditation can become a real experience – With practice, meditation becomes so vivid that it manifests in our physical reality.

 Why Does the Mind Wander During Meditation?

"The man meditates with deep focus, battling his restless mind—just as Arjun did. With practice, peace will come."

Many people struggle with a wandering mind during meditation. Swamiji explains that this happens because:

  1. The senses are outwardly oriented and are attracted to external objects.
  2. The mind is made of maya (illusion) and naturally gravitates toward the material world.

Even Arjun, the greatest warrior and disciple of Shree Krishna, faced this issue. In the Bhagavad Gita, he admitted:

"The mind is very restless, turbulent, strong and obstinate, O Krishna. It appears to me that it is more difficult to control than the wind." BG 6.34

Lord Krishna acknowledged Arjun’s concern but reassured him:

"O mighty-armed son of Kunti, what you say is correct; the mind is indeed very difficult to restrain. But by practice and detachment, it can be controlled.” BG 6.35 

How to Overcome a Restless Mind?

Swamiji provides a step-by-step approach to control the mind during meditation:

  1. Detach from Material Distractions
    • Consciously remove worldly thoughts when they arise.
    • Remind yourself that external objects are temporary and will not bring lasting happiness.
  2. Practice Consistently
    • Redirect the mind back to God every time it wanders.
    • Repeat this process patiently without frustration.
  3. Develop Neural Pathways
    • With regular practice, meditation becomes a habit.
    • Over time, the mind will naturally seek the divine rather than the material world.

As Swamiji beautifully states:

"Success in meditation requires practice, practice, practice. There is no alternative to it."

Final Thoughts: Make Meditation a Daily Habit

Meditation is not just a practice—it is a journey toward divine consciousness. By meditating on God, engaging in Manasi Seva, and persistently training our mind, we can elevate ourselves beyond the influence of maya and experience true spiritual bliss.

Swami Mukundananda’s teachings provide a clear roadmap for mastering meditation. Now, it’s up to us to apply these principles and experience their transformative power.

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