Many of us have experienced the “roller coaster” effect of meditation – sometimes we feel like we are doing well, going deep and feeling great peace, and sometimes no matter what we do, we can’t get beyond the restless mind. At such times we can get discouraged and that can lead to a decreased enthusiasm for meditation and perhaps to even meditating less. We feel as though” nothing is happening,” and think that we should be “feeling something.” Sound familiar?
The key is to remember Yogananda’s counsel on meditation: While meditating, don’t concentrate on the results of the meditation. Meditate, rather, to Please God! If you seek results, you will be disappointed if they don’t come. Meditate without attachment to the fruits of meditation.
It is like planting a seed, watering it, and then the next day digging it up to see if it has sprouted! We need to plant our garden of peace in our meditations, not continually checking for the results, and then one day suddenly we will be there. Lahiri used to tell his disciples, “Doing, doing, at last the job will be done.”
This is good advice for all activities of daily life. Tune in, act, and give the results to God. Meditate because you know that it pleases God and Guru. That is all you need to do. Leave the rest up to Them.
Bless Your Meditations, Nivritti