Tame that unruly mind
LAST week, I was in India, that land
rich with ancient and mystical sciences. Mumbai, where I was, is the
capital of Maharashtra state and the city for Vasthu Sastra.
The mansions and
bungalows in Malabar Hill where the Bollywood movie stars live are
carefully built to incorporate the science of harmonious dwelling.
Advertisements of houses for sale or rent in major dailies like The
Times of India and Hindustan Times usually carry a footnote
that properties are Vasthu-compliant – they have to, otherwise, say real
estate agents, no one would buy or rent anything!
Besides covering a
maritime conference in Mumbai, I wanted to enhance my techniques on
meditation.
In India, many people
meditate to seek solutions to all kinds of illnesses and problems because
they believe that human beings are born with a great capacity for
self-healing.
Meditation can help
reduce allergies, anxiety, backache, depression, headaches (including
migraines) and it can help alleviate sexual dysfunction.
Indeed, research has
revealed that meditation seems to boost health in general. Studies have
shown that the meditative state is more restful than sleep even.
And that is the key
point: Our minds are usually working at full speed because of work
pressure, the rush to meet deadlines, targets, visions – all in the name
of material gain. Meditation, however, can calm the mind. It aims to unite
the mind in a single thought and free it of anxiety.
If you want to take up
meditation, you must prepare mentally and physically so that your body,
mind and spirit are in harmony. This is because meditation requires you to
be free from the pressures of the mind and the desires of the body.
Why meditate, what are
its benefits?
Meditation can connect
one with universal energies and help one attain moksha (liberation).
By practising regular
meditation, one attains self-realisation and divine manifestation in
one’s own heart.
One can not only heal
oneself but also energise the entire world if one is united in
consciousness with other meditators.
Meditation alleviates
stress and strain and bestows peace, tranquillity and bliss. It also
develops concentration, health and self-confidence.
The highlight of any
meditative experience is if one experiences a white light – this
indicates the highest vibration of energy. This light translates as love,
and when an individual experiences this status, he or she is filling up
with love.
How to meditate?
According to Vasthu
Sastra, the auspicious location for meditation is the north-east, the
spiritual quadrant. Once you have located this direction, sit with the
legs comfortably folded and eyes closed for several minutes.
Some people may require a
tutor, or a guru, to guide them, but, in most cases, any individual can
connect with the energy of the universe without any help.
Meditation is the art of
focusing the mind upon a chosen thought to remove impurities. Some people
do this by chanting mantras, while others do it by consciously
concentrating on one thought, or on silence.
Meditation is best done
after a shower in the morning or in the evening, or at sunrise or sunset.
Ideally, you should meditate daily. The meditative state allows nerves and
tired muscles to relax, and will calm heart rates and ease blood pressure.
It’s so restful that you’ll want to do it daily!
Seven steps
to meditation
1. Find a quiet spot.
2. Relax and sit
comfortably; lie down if you want to.
3. Play soft, relaxing
music or chant a mantra.
4. Close your eyes, drop
your shoulders.
5. Breathe slowly and
deeply, four or five times.
6. Think of something to
focus on. Do not think of worldly matters. If your mind wanders, return to
your focus.
7. Sit still for about 10
to 20 minutes, inhaling and exhaling gently and regularly.
Vasthu talk
The columnist will give a
talk on how to arrange a house according to Vasthu Sastra principles in
order to attain health, wealth, happiness and peace of mind on Oct 16 at
6.30pm at the Cinta Sayang Golf Resort in Sungai Petani, Kedah. Admission
is by contribution of RM10 to the Sungai Petani Rotary Club. To register,
contact Raja at 016-410 5662.
Another talk will be held
on Oct 22 at 7pm at Bon Ton Restaurant (No. 4, Jalan Ceylon) in Kuala
Lumpur. Admission is by contribution of RM10 to the Guru Dharma Society.
To register, contact Madeline Kuan at 016-384 8860.
T. Selva, The Star’s Maritime Editor, has spent years researching this ancient Indian science of construction, better known as ‘Indian feng shui’. He is a student of 7th generation Vasthu Sastra Master Yuvaraj Sowma from Chennai, India. He can be contacted at
tselvas@pd.jaring.my |
