This pamphlet consists of two alternating voices: the Mother is more direct and sensual, her co-guru lofty and theoretical. Both of them use terminology slightly different from Ananda Marga’s (my meditation group) – which makes me realize that although I’ve been meditating daily for 39 years, I don’t really know what it is, or what it should be. (Of course a pamphlet like this mostly describes what it should be.)
Here are two excerpts, chosen at random:
“There is another method, more direct and deep; it is to take this mental formation, this combination of words with the thought they represent, and to gather all your energy of attention on it, compelling yourself to concentrate all your strength on that formation.”
“There is no harm in concentrating sometimes in the heart and sometimes above the head.”
[The first was the Mother, the second Sri Aurobindo.]
I began to disagree with the Mother’s theories of concentration, then decided: “Who am I to debate these spiritual questions? My own meditation consists mostly of daydreaming and mild drowsiness.”