SIVANANDA DAILY READING FOR 19 SEPTEMBER SAMADHI – TRUE AND FAKE

Do not mistake deep sleep for samadhi. The glory of the state of
turiya is ineffable. Its splendour is indescribable. If the body is
light, if the mind is clear, if there is cheerfulness, know that you
are meditating. If the body is heavy, the mind dull, know that you
are sleeping while meditating.

There is always a complaint among aspirants: "I have been meditating
for the last twelve years and I have not made any improvement, any
realisation. What is the matter?" They have not plunged themselves in
deep meditation in the innermost recesses of their hearts. They have
not properly saturated the mind with thoughts of God. They have not
done regular, systematic sadhana (practice). They have not
disciplined the indriyas (senses) properly. They have not collected
all the out­going rays of the mind. They have not made the self­
determination that: "I will realise God this very second".

They have not given the whole mind to God. They have not kept up an
increasing flow of divine consciousness.

Even if you do not feel any pulse in the sadhaka (seeker) when he is
in meditation, even if the breathing stops, do not think that he is
in nirvikalpa samadhi (unconditioned state). If he is, he will return
with super­sensual divine knowledge ­ then only can it be said that he
has attained real samadhi. Breathing and pulse may stop from various
other causes as well.

The sadhaka must have perfect awareness in meditation. There is not
much gain if he remains in mere jada (inert) state, even though he is
insensible to external sounds.

O aspirant, struggle hard. Make sincere efforts. Meditate regularly
and systematically. Enough of heated discussions and heated debates.
Retire into a solitary room. Close your eyes. Have deep silent
meditation. Feel God's presence. Repeat His name -­ Om ­ with fervour,
joy and love. Fill your heart with prem. Destroy thoughts, whims,
fancies and desires when they arise on the surface of the mind.

Withdraw the wandering mind. Fix it on the Lord. Now meditation will
become deep and intense. Do not open your eyes. Do not stir from your
seat. Merge in him. Dive deep in the recesses of your heart. Plunge
into the shining atman. Drink the nectar of immortality. Enjoy the
silence. Peace. Silence. Glory.