To join with other sincere seekers to commune with God is an invaluable blessing on the spiritual path. I am ever so grateful for the inner help I found in the group meditations that are the heart of the daily routine followed by devotees here in Gurudeva’s ashrams, and for the spiritual motivation and progress gained from our united efforts to practice the meditation techniques and deeply seek the Divine.
How pleased Guruji was when devotees gathered for meditation, whether it was scheduled or simply a spontaneous calling-together of divine friends. He related that his guru Swami Sri Yukteswar had advised him as a youth to meditate with good companions, to draw those “spiritual bodyguards” around him frequently. Useless distractions, restlessness, or inner lassitude can pull us away from our search for God, causing us to forget Him. But when we meditate with others, a wonderful atmosphere of devotion is created in which each devotee is reinforced by the enthusiasm and concentration of the rest. Our love for God grows and He becomes more real to us, more fulfilling than the temporary attractions of life’s ever-changing outer drama. “Group meditation,” Guruji has said, “is a castle that protects the new spiritual aspirants as well as the veteran meditators. Meditating together increases the degree of Self-realization of each member of the group by the law of invisible vibratory exchange of group magnetism.”
It brings me joy to know that many of you are attending meditations at your temples, centers, and groups; and to read your letters, describing the lasting benefits received. Keep on wholeheartedly with this vital part of your sadhana. Remember that not only do you help yourself, you contribute to a greater goodness and God-consciousness on this earth when you seek Him earnestly, lovingly, unconditionally. And in meditating together, you form an ever-deepening bond of friendship and harmony through the God-communion you share.
God love you,
Sri Daya Mata