What do you mean by proper meditation?"
more subtle becomes our understanding of the environmental impulse. Further, the impulse of whatever we do or want to do goes as a message to the brain where it is considered in, through and with all the conceptions already present there. After Thakur became thoughtful for some time, then said, "The continuous repetition of a particular word acts upon our central nervous system and increases the elasticity of the brain cells. Thus, the response which was beyond our comprehension gradually becomes comprehensible. Further, those sensitized brain cells begin to adjust; so they not only respond, but also retain; they become receptive ... of course, if one thinks deeply about Him through Whom the Name has been revealed — His desires, ideas and dicta."
"Oh, Thakur, I don't understand this at all!" The young woman shook her head in bewilderment. "This is completely foreign to our way of thinking."
Thakur continued patiently, "I think an impression is made in our brain by everything we see, feel, hear and think. Also, we have instinctive knacks and traits. According to the inter-action of these with the surroundings, our impression's and complexes react and store those reactions in various chambers of our brain. Thus, the impulse of the environment is comprehended at a particular time according to the specific stale of our body, conception and brain cells. The finer that state becomes, the this consideration, our nerves and muscles are instructed accordingly. So, the more the sensitivity and power of reception of the brain cells are developed, the finer of the external - world and our internal impressions. By then making a co-relation and our internal needs, we gain in understanding and knowledge accordingly. At least, this is the way I understand it."
"Can one repeat any name and achieve this sensitivity, Thakur?"
"Yes, I think so," Thakur commented, "any name has some effect but I think that those sounds which produce a higher vibration . . . words such as Hring, Cling, Om, Hrong, Bhong and so on ... the words which possess a creative force are more effective. That is, of course, if the repetition is done properly according to the instructions and under the guidance of a master."
"Thakur, this is really beginning to sound very esoteric. What in the world do you mean by sounds which produce a higher vibration?"
" I believe," Thakur explained quietly, "that subtle vibrations are created by the various actions and interactions in our system. These vibrations create sounds which can be heard within if the brain cells are stimulated in a specific way. Such sounds arise in the consciousness in stages or gradations from grosser to finer. Through the induced mental stimulation from repetition, the brain cells become excited, combustion takes place in them. The result is that those impressions stored in the cells are released and appear in the consciousness in different forms; colours, essences, sounds and so on. Again, proper meditation generates heat, so in India it is called ' tapasya'' (heat-process) . As the indication of heat from an external source excites the brain cells and causes us to feel hot; so also, the pressure on the brain cells from this internal pressure causes proper excitation and creates heat."
"How does proper meditation create combustion In the brain cells? What does this mean?"
"When you break a sugar crystal between your teeth," Thakur answered, "you can find at times that a spark is emitted. The inter-cellular combustion caused by the pressure of proper meditation is like that. Various colours are emitted. Sometimes they are red, at times yellow and at other times green is prominent. As this internal pressure increases, the cells break out of their latent, static state and gradually increase in elasticity. The internal nervous system reflects this transformation as a vision, a colour or a light. Further, this radiating stimulus excites the auditory nerve centre and creates a sound accordingly. Thus, the consequent excitement of the auditory centre through the repetition of a word having the creative force causes one to hear something internally but without any external stimulation. "
The elderly visitor showed obvious signs of interest. "Thakur, this is interesting, but I'm afraid such explanations wouldn't be appreciated by many of our theologians. "
"I don't understand theology," Thakur began, "but I understand the Logos - the invoking urge of life which turns into being. It is the inherent stimulus in everything ... in different ways and actions and with varied attributes. Further, I feel, to give life is to anoint the inner being of each cell with that Logos or stimulus or vibration."
"Stimulus, Thakur?" an Indian listener interrupted. "Your usage of that word is not too dissimilar to a comment of a modern young Soviet writer. One, V. Tenedeyakov, has said that he doesn't imagine God as depicted on icons. To him, God is a sort of spiritual principle - the stimulus to the emergence of the galaxies, the stars, the planets and of everything that lives and reproduces on these planets — from the most elementary cells to man. This isn't too far away from your description. "
"Thakur," the young American woman insisted, "but I think all you've said sounds something like yoga. That's not part of our western Christian tradition. The sitting cross-legged with eyes closed is a specialty of India, isn't it?"
Thakur shook his head, "But I understand the word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj' meaning to unite or attach. I feel that attachment to the Lord inevitably gives knowledge and power. So Christ said, " ' . . . my yoke is easy and my burden is light ..." which, I understand, means,'. .. let my yoga or attach ment be in you and such devotion will make your burden light . . . ' In a word, if I become attached to or interested in any object; if I think about it, analyze it and synthesize again, then knowledge about it increases. Crossing the legs, I think, merely concentrates the blood circulation in the upper part of the body and closing the eyes only minimizes disturbances. "
"But why do they suggest to concentrate the mind at the root of the nose between the eyes? Do you believe there is a third eye as many mystics claim?"
"It often happens," Thakur responded, "that when a man is in deep thought, he unconsciously puts his finger there. Thakur think it is often recommended to concentrate the mind on the third eye or the pineal gland because by proceeding under proper guidance with the right practice of meditation, the base of the brain becomes excited. This excitement affects the pineal gland so that many suppressed impressions float up into the conscious mind. Then through work and activity, they are adjusted accordingly. "
"Through work?" The young woman sounded disappointed. "Suppose one works a lot but doesn't meditate. What then?"
"Then, I think it is difficult for the unsolved thoughts and impressions in the sub-conscious and unconscious to be recognized and adjusted. This is why I Feel the root of 'pineal' in English means, 'the pinnacle of supreme knowledge' or supersensory perception."
"Still, Thakur," the elderly woman observed, "I've heard that a million years spent repeating these mantras won't bring a man to the pinnacle of supreme knowledge. Also, Christ has said: '. . . use not vain repetitions as the Gentiles do. . . ' "
Thakur's head bobbed up and down. "Yes, yes, because, think, there is no difference between the Name and Him Who has realised the Name. Ram, Krishna, Christ, Buddha ... the Name connotes the entity of the Realized One. If He be not a true Master and if there be no real love or devotion to Him, then the Holy Name alone cannot be fruitful. This is why it is said that a million years repeating the Name cannot bring realization. Without devotion to the realized personality, it becomes mere vainrepetition of empty phrases as Christ warned. Yet, this is also true: the exception Christ implied was proper repetition enjoined. For in the Lord's Prayer He began. '. . . Hallowed by Thy Name ...' And if we don't repeat It, how can it hallow us?"
"Thakur," the young woman was hesitant. "Some people out here have told me, that this meditation can completely upset one's brain, that it is dangerous. Do you agree with that?"
Thakur smiled. "If that happens, it can be understood that the person did not know what meditation is. If there be no concentration; that is, if all the sentiments, emotions and thoughts are not combined and focused at one Centre, then there is fixation. This can be dangerous to the brain. However, it is also true that improper exercise with gymnastic equipment can cause irreparable damage to the physical health. It is the same with mental exercises. Yet, this I know: if meditation is followed properly under the guidance of a master, then, the benefits derived from it can be had in no other way."
The girl relaxed. "How to know this name, Thakur?"
" I understand," Thakur said, "that the bestowing of the Holy Name - the vibrating link of love — by the Master Who has realized It, is initiation. Literally, to 'go into' the Self. Hence, initiation to the realized master is the yoke to know his Name, the way 'to be born again'."
"All right, Thakur, then how to know a realized master?"
Thakur smiled at the girl's persistence. "Just seek with no preconceived idea, with humility and honest, independent thought and have an earnest, yearning heart. Be careful: He can never be tested on the touchstone of pride, but, as if torn by the horns of a ram. He can be rent into pieces by real humility."
