Question
QUESTION: I have been meditating since 1973 (TM) I have never been sure that I am accomplishing my goal. What I mean is I dont know what I should be expecting, as far as a signs of a good meditation. Is there some feeling or indication to let me Know I am reaching the point of deep meditation that will help me most. I love my meditation time, and I feel it has improved my state of mind, but I feel I could improve.
ANSWER: Jerome, Thank you for your question.
The goal of meditation is a fulfilled life based on the full functioning of the nervous system.
For most of us, life has ups and downs, problems that need to be dealt with, distractions, hopes, and fears. All of these blocks to fulfillment are due to stresses stored in the nervous system. Remove these stresses, and the Divine light of life shines through naturally. Given a properly functioning nervous system, nothing must be done to live a satisfied and effective life.
Several questions naturally arise: what are these stresses, how do they limit functioning, where do they come from, and how can they be eliminated?
1. What are stresses?
Stresses are reversible abnormalities of the nervous system caused by sensory or cognitive overload.
2. How do stresses limit functioning in life?
If we look through dirty lenses, we will see dirt everywhere. Similarly, living with stresses gives us an abnormal, limited understanding of ourselves and of all activities around us. It starts from the very thoughts we think. Instead of being aware of the entire thought process, thoughts seem to pop into our mind from nowhere. Our ignorance of where thoughts come from is the basis of the concept of the subconscious mind. Without stresses, there is no subconscious mind; we can witness the entire development of a thought from the faintest impulse of desire to the most concrete and fully formed plan of action.
Living with stresses not only limits our comprehension, it is the source of all suffering. Suffering is based on the feeling of loss, which in turn is based on the identification with things, which is an illusion created by stresses. When we identify ourselves with our body, then any threat to our body is a threat to our entire self.
3. Where do stresses come from?
Stresses come from overloads. The nervous system is like a house that has a system of circuit breakers to protect it from electrical overloads. When a short circuit causes an electrical overload, a circuit breaker will heat up and switch off, breaking the circuit and stopping the electric current, preventing the possibility of a serious and damaging fire.
In the same way, when we are exposed to a traumatic episode such as being subjected to yelling or other physical abuse when we are an infant, or being in an automobile accident when we are an adult, some small part of our brain "switches off" to protect us from further trauma or damage. If this stress is not removed, it will limit our ability to function as a side effect of protecting us from trauma. Over time, this stress weakens our nervous system and makes it more susceptible to acquiring stress from less intense overloads. Eventually, our nervous system becomes so weak as a result of accumulated stresses that even common activities such as seeing a beautiful sunset are experienced as cognitive overloads that results in more stress. For most of us, this is our natural state: weak, filled with stress, and easily affected by the stressors from our environment at work, at home, in school, and wherever we go and whatever we do.
4. How can stresses be eliminated?
Circuit breakers can be reset. We remove the short circuit, which was the cause of the tripping of the circuit breaker, flip a switch on the circuit breaker, and the blockage to functioning is eliminated. The flow of electricity in the circuit is restored.
Similarly, the human nervous system has a built-in mechanism for removing stresses, called rest. Rest is the great rejuvenator, the great refresher, the great remover of stress.
However, our usual sleep at night is not sufficient to dissolve deep-rooted stresses. If it were, we would all be living enlightened, happy, effective, fulfilled lives. The problem is that the nervous system needs a deeper state of rest to dissolve deep stresses. We need nothing less than a fourth major state of consciousness (after waking, dreaming, and deep sleep).
This is where meditation comes it. Effective meditation generates a unique state of physiology known as transcendental consciousness (TC). The reason why our psychological research (www.nsrusa.org/research.php) on NSR Meditation, and similar studies on Transcendental Meditation, shows such a dramatic elimination of anxiety is that TC dissolves the deep-rooted stresses that are the source of anxiety. There is no doubt that TC dissolves stress effectively and efficiently.
Regular practice of any effective mental technique that generates TC gradually dissolves our stresses. We gain the ability to function using the full potential of our mind. We can plan and achieve any goal without waste of time or energy. We can fulfill our desires without hindrance because our mind is stronger and because our desires become more harmonious with our environment. Life can be lived in fulfillment, free of problems.
Obviously, this discussion has touched on only a few of the major points concerning the development of human consciousness. That doesn't matter, because knowledge is structured in consciousness itself, not in intellectual understanding. To learn about the taste of a strawberry we don't need to study it in words and understand it in depth intellectually. We simply taste it. That is direct experience.
Similarly, to understand the elimination of stress, we simply need to set ourselves to the state of transcendental consciousness twice a day, regularly, and actually get the deep rest to dissolve our stresses. We need to have the direct experience of TC. It is not difficult. Transcending actually works better the more effortlessly we do it. This characteristic is the opposite of all other activities, which seem to require more expertise or more effort to produce more results. TC is effortless, simple, easy, non-religious, and enjoyable.
Furthermore, effective instruction is readily available. Transcendental Meditation is explained at www.tm.org, and the cheaper alternative NSR Meditation is explained at www.nsrusa.org (a comparison between the two can be found at www.nsrusa.org/compare.php).
Jerome, if you need a more personal answer to your concerns, this public forum is not the proper place. Please send any further questions to me directly using the Contact Us form at www.nsrusa.org.
David Spector
President,
NSR Meditation/USA
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you very much for your answer. It was very insightful. But my question was about how to recognize when I have reached the most restful state of consciousness. Is there any way to gage your level of restfulness while you are meditating. Is there any way to tell weather I have reaching the level of restfulness needed to releave stress while I am in my meditative state. You are talking about the benifits of meditating. I am asking about the mechanics of meditating.
Answer
Jerome,
Specific questions about the mechanics of meditation should always be directed to me using the Contact Us form at www.nsrusa.org, rather than being discussed in this public forum. Those who are not yet experiencing transcendental consciousness may find such a discussion confusing.
Thank you for respecting my policy in this matter.
David Spector
NSR Meditation/USA
