I'm just beginning my journey into meditation and am wondering if its wise to spend time observing the flow of my breath while doing everyday things or especially when I catch myself thinking pointless or egotistical thoughts? or the same with repeating a mantra in my head like while sitting at work or something?
I do not want to go against your beliefs here and I am not an expert meditator but please just take it as an advice from a fellow sanathan dharm follower . if you think that identifying with your body is being "egotistical" or "selfish" then I think you are wrong, its not selfish. Its okay to identify with one's body because, you cannot be like a jnani all of a sudden and experience the bodilessness- maya will always pull you down before you get there. What you need to do is develop the devotion to the supreme lord. Accept that you are not capable of overcoming maya on your own and just develop bhakti. Don't go to self denial - this is very destructive and it is definitely not easy to succeed in spiritual life this way. I think if you worship Vishnu - the all pervading being then you will finally reach enlightenment. The thoughts that have to do with your inner ego are alright as long as they don't physically harm anyone else.. cope with them and in time you can mold them toward God and finally be free, but until then dont' stress yourself please. Spiritual life should be fulfilling and not stressful. enjoy life as it comes through the spirit of bhakti- devotion to God. Hope this helps...
no no I'm not saying its in any way stressful or even disturbing in any way....I mean for example...if I find myself getting irritated over something somebodey does or if I catch myself judging another person in a negative way(or in any way for that matter) I just redirect my thought to my breath or to a mantra in my mind......
tiki god, Hari om! It is wonderful if you can do what you descibed. Japa and meditation need not be done sitting down and counting beads etc. When your mind is occupied with work, concentrate on the work. Other times, when it is free, repeat the mantra, constantly, unceasingly. This develops single pointedness and is maybe the best thing you can do to develop in meditation. Also breath control, watching the breath, deep breathing etc help to calm the mind and bring it under control and are legitimate methods in dealing with anger and stress, or just to stem your thought flow. So far youre doing just fine. God bless you! Yours in Bhagavan, Bhaskar
ahh thank you for the advice...it was exactly what I was looking for... I'm also wondering if reading the bhagavad gita is more of a history lesson or actually something that will benefit me on my way as I have just started reading it (only into the second chapter) so as of right now it seems more of a history lesson then a guide....what do you think?
The bhagavad geeta is considerd the fifh veda, a synopsis of the highest philosophy of hinduism as given by lord krishna himself. I doubt if it would be as popular as it is if it were just a history lesson. patience.
your breath, is OUR breath, every breath fills you with life, Listen closely and you will hear God's giggle, you will roll down the cosmic hill in bliss, learning all the secrets of the universe on the way down, and the whole time you understand... deeper and deeper, stiller and stiller, you hear more, you see more, you are more, and the ego becomes a servant to the heart of eternal compassion!
We are love When we see that even for a moment, we realize the eternity of now, we cannot help but give it to all beings everywhere... For unconditional love is part of our true nature.
