SAI: Not true. We always have enough time to talk, visit the cinema, etc. There is certainly time for meditation.
A Visitor: After meditation, there is a feeling of strength. Where does that power come from and what is its relation to meditation?
SAI: The power is from God. The relationship between God and the devotee is love. It is almost impossible to be aware of the relationship with God. God is the subtlest of the subtle, and the relationship with Him is of the same subtlety.
A Visitor: Swami said that meditation twice a day is best?
SAI: Early morning is best. Mind is quiet and there is not the pressure of responsibilities.
H:Is meditation from time to time during the day all right?
SAI: There is difficulty during the day. People are around, and there is work. If meditation is attempted, even work suffers.
A Visitor: What is meditation?
SAI: Real meditation is getting absorbed in God as the only thought, the only goal. God only, only God. Think God, breathe God, love God.
Visitor: What about concentration?
SAI: Concentration means when all senses fall away and there is only God. The concentration of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was naturally so strong that he grew something of a tail when meditating on Hanuman, the monkey. His body was just a changing bubble, his concentration was so strong. Special work on concentration need not be a part of meditation. Concentration is already in force wherever mind, intelligence and senses are used. Without it you could not even walk. It needs no special practice. It is below the senses. Meditation is above the senses.
In between concentration and meditation, like a separation between the two, is contemplation; concentration to contemplation, then meditation. As long as one thinks 'I am meditating,' that is the mind and is not meditation. As long as one knows he is meditating, he is not meditating. In that absorption in God, one puts aside every form and merges into God. In that process the mind naturally stops.
A Visitor: Baba says to cut off (divine) form in meditation, but we worship Swami's form.
SAI: That is all right. But when one comes close to Baba, the visualization is abandoned. At this moment, you are looking at Baba directly. Are you still visualizing?
SELF ENQUIRY
A Visitor: What should I do? My meditation is the inquiry, 'Who am I?'
SAI: The Ramana Maharshi inquiry by itself is not good. It must be combined with meditation. Meditation for its proper practice, should be at the same place, at the same time. In that way, it surely will be successful. If one is away from home in travel, in his mind he can go to the accustomed place no matter where he is.
To search for truth is needless. Truth is in every place at all times. One must live truth, not search for it. 'Kohum' (Who am I) is the cry of the newborn child. After a life-time of sadhana, the old man says, 'Sohum' (I am God). When away from Swami, by remembering Him doing this or that, the battery is 'recharged'. That also is genuine meditation. Meditation is constant inner inquiry as to who am I, what is true, what is ego action, what is loving and what is harsh. Meditation is thinking on spiritual principles, searching out the application to oneself of what Baba says, and the like.
(From: SSSMC)
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