Meditation is the process of going inwards. In this process, we withdraw consciously from all activity and just observe our thoughts and emotions. When the mind becomes still and equanimous, it is said to be in the state of meditation.
Being in a state of meditation every day for a prolonged period of time leads to overall physical and mental well-being. Clinical studies have shown that meditation practitioners experience significantly reduced levels of stress and anxiety. It also helps to develop other beneficial habits and feelings, such as positive mood and outlook, self-discipline and healthy sleep patterns.
But did you know that meditation is also like a prayer and a practice which can silence hatred and other negative emotions? Know the lesser-known facets of meditation from the masters of this practice.
Here are some quotes from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Maharishi Patanjali which shed more light on meditation:
1
“Meditation helps to change your perspective. It improves the way you perceive things. It improves your interaction with people around you –what you say, how you react and act in different situations; you become more aware.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
2
“Breathing & meditation uplift the spirit and bring clarity and strength to the mind.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
3
“If you can control the rising of the mind into ripples, you can experience Yoga.”
- Maharishi Patanjali (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)
4
“Distractions arise from habitual thought patterns when the practice (of meditation) is irregular.”
- Maharishi Patanjali (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)
5
“When there is no regret of the past, no want of the future, that moment is whole & complete. Meditation is living every moment totally with depth.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
6
“Being silent and knowing that the divinity is taking care of everything – that is the best form of prayer; the best prayer is meditation.
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
7
“It is only when the correct practice is followed for a long time, without interruptions and with a quality of positive attitude and eagerness, you can succeed.”
- Maharishi Patanjali (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)
8
“Be simple, natural and wise. In meditation, you can expand your consciousness.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
9
“When the mind relaxes, the intellect becomes sharp. A calm & collective mind is not docile; rather it is a source of creativity & dynamism.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
10
“Quietening the mind gives a sense of intuition, brings the mind to the present moment, brings balance.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
11
“In deep meditation, the flow of concentration is continuous, like the flow of oil.”
- Maharishi Patanjali (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)
12
“Prayer must culminate into meditation. If it doesn’t, it has not reached its goal.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
13
“In the beginning, you may find meditation very boring, but later on, you will find it so addictive. You will start enjoying it.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
14
“Nature of the mind is wavering. Joy is only when the mind is stable. With knowledge and dispassion, the mind becomes stable.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
15
“Here is, in truth, the whole secret of Yoga, the Science of the soul. The active turning, the strident vibrations of selfishness, lust and hate are to be stilled by meditation. By letting the heart and the mind dwell in the spiritual life, by lifting up the heart to the strong and silent life above, where it then rests in the stillness of eternal love and needs no harsh vibration to convince it of its true being.”
- Maharishi Patanjali (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)
16
“When you are steadfast in your abstention of thoughts directed towards yourself and others, all living creatures will cease to feel fear in your presence.”
- Maharishi Patanjali (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)
17
“Meditate. A few minutes of meditation will connect you with the ocean of intuition deep within you.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
18
“Meditation makes you feel so alive in the present moment. It disconnects you from all that which happened in the past.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
19
“The heart and the mind can find peace and harmony by contemplating the transcendental nature of the true self as the supreme effulgent life.”
