Art of Meditation - The self discovery of being SOULMAN

OUR BODIES ARE NOT BUILT TO MOVE MOUNTAINS. MAY BE WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO MOVE MOUNTAINS, LET'S KEEP THE SUPERMEN SAFE IN THE MYTHOLOGIES. LET'S RESPECT THE LAWS OF NATURE AND AT THE SAME TIME TRY TO BECOME SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT SHOW DISRESPECT TO ANYONE OR ANYTHING - SOULMAN.

Time has flown. Years have passed by. And have I just been a bystander waiting for

my stars to garland me in life, I wonder. And then more years have passed by with me watching the clock tick. It has been years since I used to be a little bloke full of passion for the books in the library, for the equipment's in my sports kit, and for the microphone box of

course. The ever ticking clock has changed almost everything though. The teenager who could cook himself under the beating sun for 9 long hours and get back to his bowling mark after 60 overs of bashing and bruising will take to profuse sweating and exhaustion after dishing out a couple of overs today. It's not just depletion in physical stamina but also heavy depletion in passion and love for the game. Unfortunately, active sports are not the only field in which things have hit the bottom. The microphone box that has been my bread and butter, I have completely lost the passion to explode upon it and fill the minds of the people with

colors. I used to be a proficient sports feature writer but that passion too has disappeared with the ever ticking clock. I hardly write now.

I remember how I compromised my studies and valuable friendships for the sake of my passions. And when my passions were paying me back with all their heart, I completely lost interest in them. I still wonder if overwork for more money, and the wild fire of rising up the career escalator had burnt me down. Unfortunately, I was never able to sense it in my aggression, in my penchant for targets, or in my hunger to brush shoulders with the best in

the business. I remember that when I was a little child, I used to dream a lot. As a young professional, I stopped dreaming and believed strictly in doing. The mantras of 'do

it now or die', 'make it big ASAP', led to long strenuous working hours. Mornings were meant for sleep followed by American breakfast whereas days and nights were all work. The result - In a few years, I found myself exhausted, bored, and annoyed. I found that what I got as a result of my hard work was not what I wanted. The facilities, the luxury, the work culture, the targets, the increased expectations from me, the luxurious vacations, the glamorous companions, nothing appealed to me anymore. I had taken to this world like a child takes to a pie but it all lost appeal so quickly. My mind had hit point zero and I wanted to know

what did I want? There were questions now, some very deep questions that I had to solve, spiritual ones. And so I went seeking out. It's tough to find answers to such questions but if you do your life becomes meaningful again. If you don't, then your descension will be rapid. In every aspect, you'll be hurt - body, mind, wealth, relationships and spirit. However, I believe that the coming of this state of mind is good because it makes you watch over your deeds and thoughts with observing eyes. It is the call of your heart and as they say, the heart never lies.

"It's all in the mind." I once heard these lines from a close associate of mine. And each time I contemplate upon the actions that happened at the end of a day, I find these lines reverberating in my ears. It's almost as if that associate of mine is repeating those words again and again. And all this because it's true. It's so, so true.

I may not be a wise man but I believe that like all other humans, I am an intelligent being. I have powers- power of the mind, the intellect, the memory, the body, and the spirit.

With these finite powers, I may not be able to move a mountain but I can certainly build one. My ancestors have proved that time and again. But there are times when I feel powerless as if everything has been taken away from me, as if I have forgotten everything. In such times, I draw a blank. In such times, I fail miserably. Without power, life becomes as good as hell. Nothing seems to be a rescuable force or tool during such times. Even meditation can draw a blank. The best thing to do at such times is to wait. Bad times always pass away just like good times. Perhaps that is why the saying - "Life has its ups and downs" exists.

But for some people at certain or many times, meditation works. Just pull the blanks down and thy may rediscover yourself. We are a bundle of amazing conscious energy. If we shut the outside world down for some time and divert the focus back towards our own inner self, peace would perhaps reign. It has worked for many people. May be it can help I, You, anybody or everybody as well. It is called meditation. May be it's the solution to our agony during the bad times. May be it's the key to discovering our greatest power - the power of the soul.

Our bodies are not built to move mountains. May be we are not supposed to move mountains. Let's keep the Supermen safe in the mythologies. Let's respect the laws of

nature and at the same time try to become something that does not show disrespect to anyone or anything - Soulman.

A human being is a soul, we all are souls. But have we really accepted, embraced and realized this fact? Are we living this truth or are we living in doubt? How many of us live like a soul - a pure one, in a human body on planet earth. We can find the answer in our lifestyle, in our karma, in our faith, in our connection with the energies, in our union or Yoga. Becoming pure may take time, may seem difficult at times, may even seem impossible at times, but the truth is that it is very simple and very much possible. The very existence of the practice of meditation leading to Yoga a proof. The very existence of magical amalgamations of Mudras, Asanas and Mantras as techniques of self help and transformation is a proof. When we find walking on the path of purity impossible, know that what you found is actually what your mind is telling you. The mind has its attributes of pessimism, overconfidence and imagination that can actually produce a mirage for you. Something that is not true. Thus I find the saying "It's all in the mind” brilliant.

Art of Meditation is like a journey into the unknown that has been called infinity by some and spiritual by many. These some and many are meditators - men of wisdom who have stood out as great examples of patience, perseverance, truthfulness, positivity, love and strength. They have understood and then described to us the laws of nature, the cycle of time, and the experience of blissful living.

Becoming a Soulman is actually a very exciting, adventurous and thrilling goal. It's something like knowing yourself fully. In fact, it is indeed what the concept of art of meditation and becoming Soulman means. And if you want to do this or have set out on this trip, don't even think of worrying or wondering about the consequences. The bad attempt of getting into the future is a big no-no.

Art of meditation is the key to controlling the mind which is like an ever wandering spirit. This practice has been elaborated in the Geeta, in the Yoga Sutra, in the Holy Bible. It is a practice that comes right from the doors of the Universal Consciousness and has elevated infinite souls (rather resurrection may be the right word). We all are like fallen stars, who have created their own hell through our overworking mind and intellect. This intellectophonia is like a net that we weaved, then jumped into it, and are now finding difficulty in coming out of it. The only way to come out of it is being one with the inner self. We can easily live in bliss and purity but

having succumbed to our ego and mind operations, are totally confused and unsure today. This is called suffering. The cycle of our minds is like a jumping jack. If we, as conscious souls, will follow it, we'll be doomed to further suffering. Thus, as preached by the wise seers, Yogic practice is the key to control the mind and initiate our ascension.

Just listen to your heart. Your consciousness will keep taking sharp and unexpected turns like a river. One situation or one conversation can make you crave for practicing your favorite set of Yoga asana. Another may make you crave to travel to the Himalayas. Live your life the way you are made, the way you are supposed to be. Listen to nature's call. Above all, don't forget to learn the art of living in the moment.

Yogic practice is not just meditation but actually a lifestyle that combines meditation twice a day for a minimum duration of 30 minutes a session (Sadhana), listening to discourse of the saints (Satsang), serving with complete faith & devotion (Seva), prayers (Prarthana Gaan), being on Satvik diet (vegetarian food, fruits & milk), performing some kriyas (cleansing of body parts), Asanas (physical postures in sync with the flow of breath) and Pranayam (regulated breathing) once a day, Swadhyay (reading the holy scriptures that are infused with divine energy), and Sadbhav (devotion & positive feelings) that will make you perform

Satkarm (good deeds).

Basic knowledge of Yogic principles is very important particularly for a spiritual seeker or meditator. If the practitioner is unaware of the principles and the truth about different Yogic experiences, then he/she can easily fall into the trap of misperceiving their meditative experiences. This precious wisdom can be known by studying the Yogic scriptures such as Hath Yoga Pradipika, and listening to spiritual discourses. One must also consult a

profound Yoga Guru (Master) in case there is any lack of clarity regarding an experience. If we follow this path, we can certainly begin the journey back to purity, back to actually realizing who we are - an Atman (Soul).

By Ishan Mukherjee Feature Writer

Vol.1, Issue 1, April May 2025- Rishikesh Yogalaya