Make the New Year a new beginning

IT is the beginning of a new year and a time for re-resolutions; to take better care of oneself, be less stressed and angry, be happier, more focused in personal and professional life, etc. It might seem impossible but the solution to achieve all of this and more is simple; dhyana or meditation. You will wonder, with a busy life and no time even for loved ones, “Why should one get into Dhyana?” 

There are many types of meditation; concentration, mind-relaxation, meditation using tools like music, etc. The dhyana or meditation I speak of isn’t concentration or contemplation, it is a state of consciousness. A state of higher consciousness where one experiences an invincible sense of happiness and wellbeing. 

This is true dhyana and when practiced in the right way, automatically, concentration, better focus, 

and relaxation are achieved. These are the byproducts or fringe benefits of practicing real meditation. So how does dhyana really help? It makes one experience a state of calmness and peacefulness even in a disturbing situation and with disturbing people. 

Beyond alertness of the future, it brings an awareness of the present. One knows what to do in the present moment, instinctively. The world focuses on memory power; dhyana not only increases memory power, but it also helps one get into a state of intuition. 

And intuition is always positive. This sense might be new to you, but you will know with a certainty that the idea you have will change things for the better. It is the process of losing the self through the self and gaining unexplainable energy and support of the entire universe. Dhyana isn’t for God, it is for you. 

That’s the reason a religion like Buddhism that doesn’t believe in God still insists on meditation. Every religion has its profound system for meditation; to experience God and be God! This state cannot be gained by studying spirituality and meditation or having faith in them. It is only possible by practicing meditation or atma-dhyana. 

One needs to realise that practicing meditation isn’t for an emotional need, de-addiction, to increase memory power or concentration etc. but to simply be your true self. How does one know he’s on the right path of dhyana? It is when you experience inner bliss. 

True dhyana leads you to inner bliss and the confidence when you know everything will fall in place now and in the future. This state of inner bliss is your very existence. And knowing this is called self-realisation. It is also the only way to bring the positive change one wants in life. It is true progress. This New Year gift yourself a new life, a new beginning. 

Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year full of health, peace and happiness. Aham Brahmasmi!!