How do I mediate? I don't understand?

Meditation takes place in the mind by concentrating on one single point or object. To do this one uses a sound vibration, called a mantra, to fix the mind on. Most new-age methods entails making the mind empty and to do that one stares at a flame or a circle one has drawn on the wall.

But it is not possible to empty the mind, for the mind is always full of all kinds of thoughts, feelings and impressions that constantly impose themselves. Just try even for a second to not think of anything. It's not possible.

In the classical yoga process - ashtanga yoga (the eight fold yoga process) one reduces the breathing cycle to quiet the mind. If one inhales very slowly, keeps it, and then exhales very slowly, one will find that the mind quiets down. This type of breathing control is called pranayama. There is even a common saying when people get upset - take a deep breath. And it works.

To concentrate the mind fully on one single point one uses a sound vibration, ie. a mantra. All Vedic mantras are composed of different names of God. The word mantra is a Sanskrit compound of two word - mana and trayate - meaning respectively mind and to set free. So the word mantra means that which sets the mind free.

Why a mantra is always composed of names of God is because the best object one can concentrate on is God. In the Vedic philosophy it is explained that God's name is non-different from God Himself. On the physical plane there is always duality. There is a difference between a word and the object a word denotes. For instance, there is a difference between the word ‘water’ and the substance water.

But on the spiritual plane there is no duality, so there is no difference between an object and the name of an object. In the spiritual world the substance water and the word water are the same.

Similarly, there is no difference between God's name and God Himself. In the Vedic process meditation therefore means to concentrate on God and that is done by focusing the mind on God's name.

This method of concentration on a mantra will enhance one's overall ability to concentrate. If one meditates even 10 - 20 minutes a day the result will be an overall mental calm and well-being.

This is a scientific process whose beneficial effect one can experience and measure. It doesn't matter what one believes or doesn't believe in, whether one is religious or not. A genuine mantra will benefit the mind under any and all circumstances.

The method is to repeat the mantra within the mind quite slowly and focus the mind on the sound. Every time the thoughts of the mind come in, which they inevitably will, one pushes them away by focusing on the mantra. In this way one can keep the mind from being occupied with all the thoughts, feelings, and impressions it's usually engaged in.

There are those who say that it doesn't matter what kind of sound one concentrates the mind on, but that is false. For example, you can try and meditate on the sound of Coca-cola or Mickey Mouse and see if it has the same effect. It doesn't.

The sound of God's name has a beneficial effect on the mind that no other sound can measure up to. Anyone can test and verify that.

The supreme mantra recommended for the present age of Kali - the age of quarrel and hypocrisy - is the Hare Krishna mantra.

hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare

hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare

" The above mantra, consisting of 16 words and 32 syllables, is the only means against evil in the age of Kali. After searching through all the Vedic literature, one cannot find a method of religion more sublime for this age than the chanting of Hare Krsna."

--- Kali-santarana Upanishad