To meditate, the most important thing one needs to do is to withdraw. In the modern language of computers and mobile phones, it means to unplug.
Now this moment, from the time we wake up till the time we go to sleep, we are plugged to the world. We are plugged to hearing many interesting things such as good music, world, national and local news, television serials which have a repeat performance of the same human emotions such as jealousy, anger, cunningness, revenge, greed, desire, delusion, fear, selfishness and many more. Serial after serial, the thoughts keep travelling in a loop of suspense and continuation the next week.
If we don’t hear, we like to see. We want to see good looking people, scenery and objects such as new mobile phones, laptops and many gadgets that make us feel very happy. We like to smell very special things, so with the senses of taste and touch.
When the experience is for the first few times, it seems to give a lot of energy and enthusiasm. However, if it is repeated daily, then the atmosphere gets boring. There is no inspiration and the life becomes stale.
The solution is to unplug from the senses. Retreats in ashrams with temples and places of worship where a divine atmosphere is created surrounded by trees, paved and clean walkways and gardens, a satsang hall, dining hall and small individual cottages or dormitories for taking care of our minimum needs is a healthy way.
In a retreat, there is a compact programme schedule drawn out by an experienced master, who knows the games that the ego plays.
He is also a person to whom the participating seekers surrender and submit themselves to a life of discipline for a period.
With a controlled atmosphere, the mind learns to unlearn, unwind and relearn the way to live, face situations, understand and interact with people and to use objects. The emphasis in retreats is on love, care, sharing, learning and empowering oneself.
So, next time you get an inner call which is matched by an outer suggestion for a meditation, yoga or a spiritual retreat in the silence, quietude and natural environment of an ashram surrounded by mountains, ocean, a river or a forest—do not miss such an opportunity. It is the nature’s call to you saying, “Come, relax and learn!”
The author is Acharya, Chinmaya Mission, Tiruchi (www.sharanyachaitanya. blogspot.in)