As we grow up, we are taught how important our physical and mental development is. We begin to believe that happiness only lies in developing ourselves in these two areas. Life becomes like a rat-race in which we try to meet our physical needs for food, clothing, shelter, and comfort, along with sensual enjoyment, possessions, and love. We spend time developing our intellect by receiving a good education which leads to a rewarding career. We engage in hobbies and pastimes that bring enjoyment to our mind. We look for happiness in meeting our emotional needs for love and companionship through our relationships with our family, friends, and loved ones. We may look for a companion in life, and ultimately marry and raise a family. It has been the role of the spiritual adepts, the saints, and mystics to awaken us to the reservoir of bliss-giving nectar that bubbles within us.
The way to tap into this pool is simple. It is only a matter of our attention. We can direct our attention wherever we wish. We can place it on our body. We can focus it on our mind. Or we can concentrate our attention on our soul. Unfortunately, since our childhood, we have been trained to focus ourselves on our body and mind. Our senses naturally find it easy to become involved in the activities of the world through our eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and skin. Our parents and teachers have never taught us how to focus on our soul. Had they done so, we would have been proficient by now in tapping into the source of consciousness and bliss within.
Meditation is easy. One of the great spiritual teachers of this century, Sant Kirpal Singh, used to say that it is like closing one drawer and opening another. During the time of meditation, we merely put our thoughts of the world and our problems in one drawer and close it. Then, we open the drawer of meditation and concentrate only on that. When the meditation is over, we can then open the drawer of our thoughts and worldly problems and deal with them.
Meditation is focusing one’s attention at the seat of the soul, located between and behind the two eyebrows. If we can stop putting our attention on our outer eyes and ears for a while and concentrate at the seat of the soul, we will tap into the source of happiness and bliss awaiting us.
Those who learn to meditate can switch their attention to the source of happiness within even in the midst of sorrow. True, they still undergo the outer pains and sorrows of life, but they do not affect them. They are drinking from the inebriation from within that cushions the pain, and takes their attention off their sufferings.
There is nothing magical about meditation. It is something every person, from a child to an elderly person, can learn. Had we learned how to focus our attention within during our youth, it would have become a habit by now. We would be able to do it at will anytime we wanted. But it is never too late to learn this practice. By learning to meditate we can perfect the art of directing our attention to the source of happiness within us. Then we can drink from the eternal pool of happiness anytime we wish.
By learning to meditate and enjoying the joy within, we have protection from the pains and sorrows of life. We realize that this world is but a passing show. The ecstasy we experience within fills us with happiness and we are able overcome our problems.
As we meditate and come in contact with the source all love within, we begin to spread it to others. We will always be in tune with the happiness within and will radiate it to all who come in contact with us. Then we can spread joy wherever we go.
