Internal Liberation while Engaging in Meditation
The practice of fixing the mind on the Supreme Truth is the core of all spiritual disciplines, yet Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the most effective meditation is that which is centered on the personal form and activities of the Lord. In the contemporary age, this internal absorption is most easily achieved through the hearing and chanting of the holy names, which naturally elevates the practitioner to the platform of transcendental realization.
Meditation as a Path to Spiritual Realization
Authentic meditation begins with the engagement of the senses, particularly the tongue and the ear, in the vibration of the holy name. This mystic meditation is described as both easy to practice and highly effective for attaining the Supreme. Unlike artificial mental control, the path of bhakti-yoga directs the mind toward the lotus feet of the Lord, which purifies the existence of the practitioner and frees them from the burden of material contamination.
- By this practice of chanting and hearing the sound vibration of the Supreme Lord, one's ear, tongue and mind are engaged. This mystic meditation is very easy to practice, and it helps one attain the Supreme Lord.
- The process of worshiping the Lord is considered to be very easy and complete, for anyone can sit down anywhere and in any condition of life and simply chant the holy names of the Lord. By chanting and hearing, one automatically engages in meditation.
- In the Padma Purana there is a statement about remembering the activities of the Lord, "A person who is always engaged in meditation on the sweet pastimes and wonderful activities of the Lord surely becomes freed from all material contamination."
- Those who desire to purify their existence must always engage in meditation upon Your lotus feet, as described above. Those who are serious about executing their occupational duties and who want freedom from fear must take to this process of bhakti-yoga.
Examples of Divine and Sage-like Meditation
Vedic history is filled with accounts of great personalities who remained constantly absorbed in trance. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights how Lord Brahmā, the creator of the universe, performed meditation for a thousand celestial years upon hearing the instruction of the Lord. Similarly, Lord Śiva is perpetually seen in meditation upon Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa. These examples prove that even for those in charge of universal affairs, meditation is the fundamental method of maintaining a connection with the Absolute.
- Lord Brahma heard the occult sound tapa, but he did not see the person who vibrated the sound. And still he accepted the instruction as beneficial for him, and therefore he engaged himself in meditation for one thousand celestial years.
- Sometimes we see a picture of Lord Siva engaged in meditation. This verse (SB 5.17.16) explains that Lord Siva is always meditating upon Lord Sankarsana in trance. Lord Siva is in charge of the destruction of the material world.
- For the entire duration of his life - 4,320,000 x 71 years - Manu engaged in Krsna consciousness by chanting, hearing, talking about and meditating upon Krsna. Therefore, his life was not wasted, nor did it become stale.
- Rupa Gosvami, in his Laghu-bhagavatamrta, has quoted from the Padma Purana, that Laksmi-devi, the goddess of fortune, after seeing the attractive features of Krsna, was attracted to Him, and to get the favor of Lord Krsna she engaged herself in meditation.
Internal Fixation and the Protection of Devotion
A practitioner who consistently engages in the meditation of seeing Kṛṣṇa internally and externally reaches the perfection of samādhi. This deep level of absorption not only brings spiritual satisfaction but also grants divine protection in difficult circumstances. When a devotee’s mind is fully occupied by thoughts of the Supreme Person, as was the case with Prahlāda Mahārāja, they remain undisturbed by external threats. Eventually, such intense internal meditation can lead to the direct perception of the Lord’s form.
- Persons who are constantly engaged in the transcendental meditation of seeing Krsna, internally and externally, by thinking of Him playing the flute, entering Vrndavana forest and tending the cows with the boys have really attained the perfection of samadhi.
- Prahlada Maharaja was constantly and fully engaged in thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As it is said, govinda-parirambhitah. Prahlada Maharaja engaged himself always in meditation, and thus he was protected by Govinda.
- When the great devotee Dhruva Maharaja was engaged in meditation on the four-handed form of Visnu, all of a sudden his meditation broke, and he immediately saw before him the same form upon which he had been meditating.
- There were many devotees engaged in meditation on Lord Visnu under the big banyan tree.
Spontaneous Absorption Versus Mechanical Yoga
In the early stages of yoga, a mechanical system is often employed to control the life airs and subdue the senses. However, as one advances to the platform of pure devotional service, these artificial methods become unnecessary. True meditation is the natural result of developed love of God. When the mind is spontaneously drawn to the activities and pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, the devotee does not need to force their focus. This spontaneous absorption is the culmination of all meditational practices, where the practitioner is constantly and effortlessly connected to the Divine.
- In the mechanical system of mystic yoga, the airs within the body are controlled, and the senses are subdued and checked from being engaged in anything other than meditation upon Lord Visnu.
- At this stage of spiritual realization (of fully developed love of God) it is not necessary to engage the mind artificially - in meditation.
- In the beginning you must work very hard; you come to the stage of pure devotional platform. Then you can fully engage yourself meditation or chanting. Not in the beginning. In the beginning you should be very expert and active. That is wanted.
- When Lord Caitanya accepted the renounced order, Paramananda Puri offered Him the danda. Paramananda Puri was always engaged in meditation, and Sri Svarupa was always engaged in chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that while meditation is a fundamental spiritual tool, its true purpose is realized through devotional service. By moving beyond mechanical sensory control and into the realm of spontaneous love, a practitioner achieves the ultimate goal of yoga. Whether through the example of great demigods or the simple chanting of the holy names, the goal is constant internal fixation on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this way, meditation ceases to be a strenuous duty and becomes the natural, blissful state of the liberated soul.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Engaging in Meditation. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.