The True Purpose of Meditation

Between 900 and 500 B.C. some brilliant Indian intellectuals (MaNishinah) developed the technique of Meditation (Dhyana) to tame the unbridled minds of the upper classes of society consisting of Brahmins and Kshatriyas.

These two groups of people became obsessed with gaining power, fame, fortune and heaven by means of desire-driven Yajnas known as Kamya Karma. In these corrupt Yajnas, they sacrificed a large number of animals including cows, to satisfy their thirst for sense objects.

Decay of a noble Dharma: Due to their endless passion for these sense objects, Brahmanism decayed. The society was thrown into a great deal of turmoil. Several anti-Brahmanic religions arose.

Dwandwam: These intellectuals of the society theorized that when one’s mind becomes attached to sense objects such as power, fame, fortune and heaven, it becomes restless, and it loses its peace of mind. They called this restlessness of the mind ‘Dwandwam.’

Dwandwam consists of one’s mind liking something one moment and not liking it the next; wanting something one moment and not wanting it the next; and feeling good about something and not feeling good about it the next.

Loss of Wisdom: These intellectuals declared that Dwandwam arising from one’s attachment to sense objects results in the mind becoming disconnected from its inner wisdom (memory, knowledge, reasoning, judgment, insight, morals and virtues). Thus, deprived of the benefits of one’s wisdom, one indulges in self-destructive and antisocial activities. 

Yoga: Their remedy for Dwandwam was for these upper classes to “withdraw their senses” from sense objects, that is, gradually reduce their desire for, attachment to, and possessiveness of them. This technique they called Yoga. Yoga, as recommended by them simply meant, “Train yourself to detach your mind from these perishable sense objects.”

The Buddha: They said that the mind (Manas) of one who is able to withdraw one’s senses (Indriya) merges with one’s intellect (Buddhi) and becomes Buddhiyukta (steady). Thus Dwandwam disappears. Now one develops Equanimity, Equilibrium and Evenness of mind). Such a person becomes the Buddha. The Buddha is a person whose mind works on the software of Buddhi (Intellect).

The Buddhu: Money, power, women, etc. delude the mind of one who is unable to practice Yoga, and such a one becomes the Buddhu (MooDha). It was to train these MooDhas, who were unable to control their desires, attachment and possessiveness, that the intellectuals developed the technique of Meditation (Dhyana).

The Bhagavad Gita (BG) 6:33-34: Arjuna: This Yoga of Equanimity, taught by you, O Madhusudana- I do not see any continued steadiness of mind due to restlessness. The mind verily is, O Krishna, restless, turbulent, strong and obstinate. I deem it as hard to control as the wind.

Dhyana: To such a person Lord Krishna recommended Dhyana (Meditation) as the first step:

BG: 6:35-36: Doubtless, O mighty armed, the mind is restless and hard to control. But by practice and non-attachment, O son of Kunti, it can be controlled. Yoga is hard to attain, I concede, by a man who cannot control himself; but it can be attained by him who has controlled himself, and who strives by right means (Dhyana, Meditation).

Meditation is the first step: So, Meditation is only the first step in developing control over one’s mind by shutting out sensory stimulations –visual, auditory, tactile, taste and smell. The meditating person sits motionless in a quiet place to avoid distractions, and focuses his mind inwardly. 

However, Meditation is NOT an end in itself.

Change of lifestyle is needed: A person who practices meditation with the desire to prolong his life or regenerate brain cells is merely fooling himself and others. One must change his thinking and lifestyle as well. He should reduce his desire for, attachment to and possessiveness of all the sense objects: people, power, position, title, fame, money, gold, land, heaven, etc. His conduct in his business dealings should be above reproach. In his dealings with others, his allegiance should be to Truth alone, and not to anyone or anything.

Meditation as a tool to gain something: Unfortunately, today, most people who practice meditation do so for reasons other than to attain wisdom (Buddhi). Some go to meditation classes to meet people of opposite sex. Many women meditate wearing revealing dresses to attract men. Many executives of large organizations practice meditation on daily basis so they could concentrate better in making money. In their dealing with their clients, they indulge in every kind of chicanery. Others indulge in all kinds of antisocial activities immediately after the meditation session is over. 

Absolute Buddhus of India: Even people such as “Maharishi” Mahesh Yogi, who promoted the so-called Transcendental Meditation, and “Maharishi” Rajneesh, not to mention “the great” Sai Baba, amassed great wealth and indulged in sexual misconduct with those who trusted them implicitly. The fact is today it is extremely hard to find a single Swami or Guru in India who is not an absolute Buddhu.