From the Editor’s Desk

Filled with inspiration after listening to Swami Mukundananda ji’s lectures or reading his books, this month we discuss a very interesting topic – Focusing During Meditation. You will learn about how to implement the Vedic knowledge (i.e., tatvagyan) to make a difference in your daily life. If you are already successful with maintaining your focus when you meditate, please email us at [email protected] to share your success story.

Vedic Wisdom & Application

Challenge of the Month

Focusing During Meditation

Reflection Questions

•    Why Meditate?
•    Why does the mind wander during meditation?
•    What type of meditation can help to focus the mind?

Why Meditate?

People meditate for a variety of reasons like improving physical health, increasing inner peace, enhancing performance in any aspect of life, and spiritual awakening. Some meditate on the breath, others on the center of the eyebrows, and still others on a light. Such meditation leads to increased focus and concentration, but the benefits are incomplete and not permanent. The true purpose of meditation should be to purify the mind, and this is achieved by focusing it on the all-pure God.

Meditation is not easy for beginners because it requires a steady body and mind. It is initially difficult to get into a comfortable seating position and focus the mind on the object of meditation. We find that our mind wanders off to the task list, family members, friends, or events that make us feel good or disturbed. 


Why Does The Mind Wander During Meditation?

Swamiji has explained in many of his lectures that the materially conditioned mind has a tendency to jump from one thought to another, often without control. This is because the material mind is made of maya, the formless, material energy of God which cannot be defeated by our own effort. No one can control the material mind without divine grace. Thus, it is not surprising that during meditation, the mind wanders toward worldly objects because the external world is also made of maya. The gravitational pull of all-powerful maya makes it very difficult for us to focus the mind during meditation.

Wherever the mind goes, is the realm of maya. Visualization can help us to focus the mind on God. Mind management requires us to detach it from worldly objects and attach it to God. While meditation can help to calm the mind, its goal is also to purify the thoughts through devotional sentiments. Swamiji says, “The mind is a gift from God and is meant to be engaged in His service. When we think noble thoughts of sacrifice and service during meditation, it naturally results in purification of the mind.” 

Mind management is necessary for spiritual progress because the mind is naturally drawn to maya. Using meditation to focus it on God through repeated practice will create neural pathways to strengthen the habit until it becomes automatic. Thus, meditation is the powerful tool for managing the mind and enhancing devotional practice.

 

What Type Of Meditation Should We Practice?

Novice meditators find it very difficult to focus on God because initially, the material mind does not experience much bliss in contemplation on God as compared to worldly objects (Bhagavad Gita, Verses 6.12 and 6.13).

Start your meditation by visualizing the personal and loving form of God or any of the myriad, attractive and divine attributes − names, forms, virtues, pastimes, abodes, and associates. The only way to cleanse the materially conditioned dirty mind is to attach it to the all-pure God by meditating on His divine form and leelas. These attributes are non-different from God and replete with all His energies. This form of meditation, called roop-dhyan, helps us to connect with God if our thoughts are filled with devotional love and absolute focus (Bhagavad Gita, Verse 6.15). In the Science of Mind Management, Swamiji says that we can contemplate on the divine qualities by thinking, “Lord Krishna’s form is so enchanting. He is full of beauty” or “I am indebted to my guru for the divine knowledge he bestows upon me” (p. 150).

With practice, when the mind is focused upon the form of God, we can enhance it further by contemplating upon His virtues − compassion, beauty, love, knowledge, benevolence, grace, etc.,  and advance in meditation by serving God in the mind (or mānasī sevā) (Bhagavad Gita Verse 6.15). In the Science of Mind Management, Swamiji provides examples of roop-dhyan like, “Radha Krishna are sitting on a swing, while clouds are gathered above, and a pleasant breeze is blowing. I am standing behind the swing and pushing it gently for Their pleasure” (p. 150).


Practical Strategies to Enhance Meditation

Based on divine knowledge presented in the Bhagavad Gita (BG) and Swamiji’s lectures, here are some practical strategies to improve focus and purify the mind with the practice of meditation.

 1. Time of Day: The best time to meditate is during Brahmamuharta (2 hours before sunrise until sunrise) when the mind is calm, free from the worldly burdens, when the will-power is strong, and the atmosphere has extra “prana” energy. If we implant the image of God at that time, then it will help us to hold on to the divine consciousness throughout the day (MMC, Day 20).

2. Location for Meditation: Find a secluded place, away from the worldly environment of activities, people, and conversations. Sit in any direction because devotional meditation has no such requirements. The location for meditation should be secluded, sanctified, and well-insulated (BG, Verses 6.10 and 6.11).

3. Seating Posture: Before starting meditation, become asana-sidh, that is, sit in an alert and still, but comfortable posture, and maintain the steady position throughout the meditation to stay awake. When meditating, we are trying to engage the material mind in the spiritual realm. So, it is better to keep the eyes closed but if open, focus on the tip of the nose to block worldly distractions (BG, Verses 6.12 and 6.13).

4. Visualize on the Divine Form of God: Start meditation by visualizing on the living form of God, His leelas and divine qualities to add dynamism. Think about your eternal relationship with God to experience deep devotional sentiments. By repeatedly meditating on a form that is appealing to us, the visual images will become situated in the mind and we will be able to create the bhav or divine sentiments needed for purification of the mind (MMC, Day 19). 

5. Do Not Give Up if Initially Unsuccessful: If it is difficult to focus the mind on God, we should not give up. In fact, we should expect the mind to wander toward worldly things because both are made of maya. Swamiji says that at the 1st attempt, if the mind succeeds in focusing on God for only 1-minute, be confident that on the 2nd attempt, it may increase to 2-minutes. Subsequently, it will keep on increasing as per the Law of Incremental Growth. Once we cross the 50% mark, further progress will be a lot easier and inspirational. 

6. Make a Commitment: Dedicate at least 15 minutes for meditation every day to elevate the mind toward God. Practicing meditation continuously for 21 days can change the configuration of the brain, enabling it to resist the gravitational pull of bad habits and developing good habits until they become automatic.

Tools for Your Personal Growth

Having learned about the basic practice of mediation, here is a checklist to track your daily meditation practice. A downloadable form is available for you below.

Blank Checklist for tracking document

We have provided a blank tracking sheet. You can keep a printed or e-copy of the blank sheet accessible.

Love to Hear from You

  • How did you apply the Vedic Wisdom?
  • What challenges did you experience in the process? 

Please share your comments under “Join the Discussion” below.

Gems of Wisdom from Swamiji

Here are a few YouTube video titles and related links where Swamiji describes how to prepare for and successfully engage in meditation.

•    How to sit in meditation posture correctly
•    The 4-Step Guide to Achieving Success in Meditation | Mind Management Challenge Day 20 
•    How to meditate On God 
•   Guided Meditation | Serve God in Mind 

Hold Your Breath! Check out Upcoming Events

We are very excited to announce three dynamite events this month, so save the dates!

Diwali Gala

Have you heard about JKYog’s Diwali Gala? It is becoming the Talk-Of-The-Town! What’s so special about it? 

Many well-known Bollywood artists are supporting the Diwali Gala championed by talented music director, Harry Anand. The program will be hosted by Karan Wahi while comedian Balraj Syal will give us plenty of fodder to laugh. From the comfort of our home, we can sing along with Jyotica Tangri or Mac Hardy, or dance with Tushar Shetty. If dandiya raas is your passion, dance to beat of Naitik Nagada. Think of this evening as a music, dance and cultural bonanza!

The Diwali Gala will support the construction of the Center for Indian Culture and Education. Since the Bhoomi Poojan in May 2020, the construction has been progressing at a very rapid speed and is heading toward completion. The 24,000 sq. ft. State of the Art building will be a milestone for current and future generations to appreciate our Indian heritage. It will be a Center of Excellence to educate the community about the Indian culture, the practice of devotion, the language of our scriptures (Sanskrit), and so much more. This Center will be a nucleus for Indian arts, culture and education in the US. 

Finally, we will have a silent auction to raise funds for construction of the Center for Indian Culture and Education. There are some truly priceless items in the auction. We invite you to be a proud partner and a building block of this noble mission! Donate today and help build the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas Phase 2 project. More Details

Bhagavad Gita Jayanti

JKYog is very proud to announce the celebration of Bhagavad Gita Jayanti on December 24, 2020. It is an all-day event that will be broadcast live worldwide from the Radha Krishna Temple and other locations. 

There will be a pooja of the Holy Scripture to symbolize our reverence and humility. The most exhilarating part of the program is the Keynote Address by Swamiji. This will be followed by recitation of the 700 verses across 18 chapters along with reading the translation of each verse. Let us experience the divinity of the Lord’s spoken words and ignite the light of knowledge and devotion. 

Stay tuned for details on the home pages of JKYog and the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas!

Launch of the Purpose of Life – 21-Day Challenge

Save the date for the best way to kick off the New Year! 

You will be very excited to learn that starting January 1, 2021, Swamiji will be delivering a new 21-Day lecture series called Purpose of Life. Similar to previous lecture series, this series will have 21 videos with 21 tools for application of the divine knowledge. The program is free and the knowledge is priceless! Participants will learn answers to quintessential questions like: 


•    What is the highest purpose of our life? 
•    How can we find meaning in the challenges presented to us? 
•    Have we found a cause that we are willing to die for? 
•    What is the difference between responding and reacting?
•    How can we develop and maintain a Growth Mindset?

Each of the videos for 21 days will be released on Swamiji’s YouTube channel

Voices from the Global Community

Let us introduce you to a member of our global community whose life has been impacted by Swamiji.  

This month, we feature Kate Eggleton who was born and raised in Iowa. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology from Iowa State University, and a doctorate in Microbiology from the University Massachusetts, Amherst. She pursued Post-doctoral studies at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the University of Wisconsin, McArdle Cancer Research Center. 

Kate has held faculty positions at various US Universities. She loves raising and training dogs, and trialing with them on weekends. Kate moved to Durant Oklahoma in October 2019 where she helped with the local Rotary Club charity programs, delivering for Meals on Wheels, and helping with distribution of food boxes from the Farmers to Families program. She found the Radha Krishna Temple and became a lifetime member and sevak a few short months ago. 

Please watch the video where Kate describes how she benefitted from Swamiji’s teachings. We invite you to share your inspirations and success stories with us at [email protected]

JKYog Transforming Communities

We would like to share the amazing activities and news about programs conducted by JKYog for the benefit of the global and local communities especially in these trying times of continued social distancing.

JKYog has been taking various initiatives to connect like-minded people empowered to inspire each other, and progress together on the spiritual path through devotional practice and self-improvement. We continue to offer numerous online classes for children and adults in the form of blissful Satsangs, magnificent festival celebrations, Bal-Mukund programs for children, dynamite youth seminars and leadership activities, and health webinars by medical professionals.

Amongst the most notable of these classes are the Bhagavad Gita study and recitation, classical vocal and instrumental music, yoga and meditation, and Sanskrit, Hindi and other language classes. All of these programs are free of cost for the global community, with the primary purpose of enhancing spiritual enlightenment, teaching the next generation to appreciate our Indian heritage, and educating the community about the Indian culture.

Many more classes will soon be added for children, youth and adults in the community. Information on all of these classes can be obtained through the JKYog and Radha Krishna Temple websites.

Glimpses of Past Events