How to meditate and be fully alive

In this article I will give some guidance on how to meditate. But more importantly I will describe the attitude to be brought to meditation or awareness.

A story is told of a great sage and his disciple. The sage end his disciple to the court of King Janak to learn how to meditate. The disciple did not want to go. Here he was, a Brahmin, a monk who had renounced the world. What could a King who was only a Kshatriya teach him. But since the master had ordered him he went. When he reached the court of the King, he saw the King watching a dance in the company of friends and drinking wine. He was disgusted; a great condemnation arose in him. What could such a person have to teach a monk. He bowed to the king. King Janak saw his mental state and said that if he wanted he – the monk – could return the very next day. On this condition the monk agreed to stay the night.

King Janak took every care of the monk’s needs. After having him fed and washed he personally escorted the monk to the bedroom where he was to spend the night. As can be expected the bedroom was luxurious and comfortable. The monk got into bed and tried to sleep. Just then he saw hanging above him a sword suspended from above from a thin thread. The slightest touch of breeze and the sword could fall injuring or even killing him.

The monk spent the entire night in a state of fear and extreme alertness since he knew that if he stopped being watchful for even a moment he might lose his life.

The next morning King Janak asked the monk if he had spent a comfortable night. The monk grew indignant and asked what was the meaning of having him sleep under a naked sward. He said that he had not slept the whole night despite being very tired from his long journey.

King Janak replied that this was exactly the lesson on how to meditate that he had wanted the monk to learn. The monk had to be alert and aware the whole night. It was a matter of life and death to him. This was the teaching of King Janak. King Janak said that despite living in luxury with wine and dancing girls and all else he remained aware of the sword hanging over his head. The sword was invisible, but it was very real. It was his own impending death. Since King Janak kept the awareness of death in his mind, he was able to stay detached from his luxurious lifestyle. He knew that it could end any moment; that in fact it would inevitably end one day. In this manner he lived in the palace and yet was a hermit.

This is exactly the attitude to be brought when we are learning how to meditate or to life itself. You can remain unaware if you think that you will live forever. But how can you be unaware when you know that life can end any moment. You will be constantly aware – on your guard.

I remember a situation in my own life 21 years ago. It was the end of the year 1984. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had been assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguard and riots had flared up in the twin cities of Delhi and New Delhi. Despite the curfew I found myself one day some distance from home and had to make my way back. It was about 8 o’clock at night and the streets were deserted.

I was able to make my way back home safely but during the whole journey I was in a state of extreme alertness. My mind was sharp and clear, my senses were enhanced. I had absolutely no distracting thoughts and I was completely aware of my surroundings. According to King Janak this is the state through which we should approach meditation. This is how to meditate. If we can bring this quality of extraordinary alertness to our day-to-day lives we will make quick progress in our meditation practice and enjoy good personal and spiritual growth.

I still remember my journey then through the streets of New Delhi although more than 20 years have passed since than.

Bring awareness to every act. While walking on the road walk fully alert. While eating, eat with awareness. Whatever you do don’t let the past and future interfere. Be in the present. This is how t meditate and also how to be fully alive every moment of our lives.

I hope you enjoyed this article and that it will be useful to you.

If you have any comments or question please visit The Eastern Philosophy Blog and post them. I visit the blog daily and willreply quickly either through the blog or through e-mail.

Stay tuned for more articles in this continuing series.

For some more information please also visit this link on How to meditate.

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