| What does it take to become a master meditator? | | | | want to be a champion meditator and enjoy the |
| What traits and characteristics are a must and what | | | | benefits of that, then you too must back off from |
| attitudes must you adopt to achieve this lofty goal? | | | | endless self-aggrandizing pursuits and re-evaluate your |
| Since my teenage years I have had an incessant, | | | | time and ambitions. There is no end to ambition and if |
| deep, burning desire to become such a master | | | | you are not careful, you will end up old with nothing to |
| meditator and over the years, in the pursuit of this | | | | show for all your struggles except a big pile of junk. |
| passion, I have learned what it takes in order to be | | | | 3. Sacrifice: |
| such an expert. In this article, I would like to share with | | | | Unfortunately this is part of the equation as well. This |
| you my findings on that. Hopefully, this experience will | | | | can be especially hard for those who have many |
| help you on your own such journey in achieving | | | | varied interests and realize that to master meditation, |
| mastery of this highest of arts. | | | | you simply have to give up some of these hobbies in |
| 4 Requirements of Becoming a Master Meditator: | | | | order to make time. To make matters worse, if you |
| 1. Passion: | | | | are a perfectionist or one who insists on doing things |
| There is little chance of mastering the art of meditation, | | | | well, hobbies can become even more time consuming, |
| if you are not passionate about spirituality and the | | | | thus requiring you to sacrifice them at least for a while. |
| mysteries of life. A subtle art like meditation, and the | | | | In addition to giving up hobbies, other sacrifices are also |
| consequential changes it brings, needs you to be in for | | | | often required. You may have to do without certain |
| the long haul. It is unlikely that a quick excursion into this | | | | material amenities in order to work less, may have to |
| spiritual science will yield a champion meditator. So you | | | | give up certain friends who are incompatible with a |
| need the necessary interest to run the marathon | | | | spiritual life style, change your eating habits to have |
| required for this endeavor. | | | | better more refined energy, drop the excessive |
| You will notice conspicuously missing from this list will | | | | boozing and drugging so you can purify your system, |
| be willpower or discipline. This is because I feel that | | | | etc, etc. |
| strong, abiding passion will forge the necessary | | | | 4. Detachment: |
| practice you require for developing mastery in | | | | A certain freedom from material gains and certain |
| meditation. | | | | aloofness to physical discomfort are also key |
| 2. Leisure: | | | | elements of developing into a master meditator. The |
| Yes that is correct. For you to develop self | | | | process of spiritual evolution is not always pleasant or |
| knowledge, leading to self realization, you need free | | | | easy on the body, so it demands being able to bear |
| time to explore the inner walls of your mind. This may | | | | some of this pain of spiritual growth. In addition, not |
| be the leading obstacle for spiritual growth today. We | | | | needing immediate gratification and rewards from |
| are all just way too busy, and the little free time we do | | | | one's meditation practice, ensures you will be able to |
| have, we squander in mindless entertainment. The hard | | | | stay the course till the very end, patiently and |
| part here is that entertainment is also very important in | | | | persistently. |
| order to live a balanced life, so to keep that, as well as | | | | Summary: |
| have time for daily sadhana (spiritual work), you simply | | | | So if your heart is telling you that spirituality and God |
| need to find ways to simplify your life, slow down and | | | | are indeed the answer to life. Listen! Your heart is |
| get more leisure out of your day. | | | | guiding you well. This means, you have the passion |
| Time and again, I see great spiritual growth and peace | | | | already and now just have to put in the hard work. Go |
| permeate people's lives when they downshift and | | | | for it, the rewards are indeed worth the effort. You will |
| make time for meditation and daily sadhana. And if you | | | | not regret it. |