Mind and Meditation

Hislop: The Buddha’s way of slowing down the mind is given much attention to in Burma. Swami must have a better way.

Sai: The Buddha’s way of watching the breath as it enters and leaves the nostril is just for a few minutes before the meditation begins. There is no ‘better’ way to quieten the mind. There is only one way. Sitting in meditation, the question often comes up, ‘How long to sit?’ There is no answer. There is no particular time. Meditation is really an all-day-long process. The sun shines, and the sunlight falls here and there. What is the difference between the sun and the sunlight?

Hislop: There is no difference, Swami.

Sai: In the same way, all is God. Thoughts, desires, all are God. All thoughts should be regarded as God.

Hislop: But Swami, there is still the puzzle of how to slow down the activity of the mind.

Sai: Really, there is no mind; it is a question of what is desired. With God as the only desire, all will be well.

Hislop: But in meditation there is a fast rush of thoughts and ideas through the mind. Does this not need to be slowed down so there may be quiet in meditation?

Sai: Yes. The mind must slow down. At a certain stage it will come to a stop. If desire in meditation is turned toward union with God, the mind will naturally slow down. No method should be used; no force used. Desire should not be too fast, too strong. Even desire for God can be too hurried, too feverish. Start early, drive slowly, reach safely. It is possible to be too lazy. Fast then slow is also bad. The process should be steady.

Hislop: These thoughts that stream through the mind, are they material?

Sai: Yes. They are matter. All matter is impermanent.

Hislop: Where do thoughts come from?

Sai: They come from food and environment. If you have satwic [pure] food and have only desire for good, only good thoughts will come.

Hislop: Where do thoughts go?

Sai: They go no place because thoughts do not flow through the mind. The mind goes out and grasps and gets engaged in thoughts. If desire is for God, the mind does not go out. But the best way is to not have the problem of getting rid of thoughts. The best way is to see all thoughts as God. Then only God thoughts will come.

Hislop: Swami says that it is the atma [soul] that is unlimited power, yet in one’s daily life, the mind gives the experience of being a sort of relentless power.

Sai: The mind is passive, yet it seems to be active. It is active only because the atma reflects into it. It sometimes seems to be stronger than atma. Iron in its nature is not hot; it is cool and passive. The iron is heated in fire. Is it the iron that burns thus creating the heat? No, it is the heat that is put into the iron by the burning coals. The heat is added to the iron. Yet, when hot the iron seems even more hot than the burning coals.

Hislop: The mind has the tendency to plan ahead. No doubt this is a wrong activity?

Sai: In ordinary life, one makes plans and carries them out. This has to continue, with purity, and without harm to others. At length, a spontaneous divine thought will arise without planning. Such divine impulses will continue.

A Visitor: How can I tell what is right thought?

Sai: Here, in the ashram, you can ask Swami. In America, pray for the answer, then make enquiry in an impersonal way, and in half an hour you will have the answer. If you know what is right, don’t ask. Do it. That is confidence, God power. Put aside all relationships. Is the work right, regardless of who is involved?

Hislop: Swami says to keep a distance from the mind. What does that mean?

Sai: That means, do not be led by the mind.

Hislop: What are the acceptable mental functions?

Sai: First, find out what is right and what is wrong. If right, do that which satisfies you. If unsure, do nothing until sure.

Source: Conversations with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba