Perhaps we don’t get what we want from our meditation practice because we are not doing anything differently from what we do day-to-day. You know that saying: “same actions - same result”.
I was taught from an early age, that to be successful, I need to strive - strive in my work, in my relationships, and even in my play. It is natural for me to bring this stance into my meditation practice. In my experience, striving during meditation only leads to more striving and more seeking.
It would be a nice change to hear someone say that they have found their way spiritually. What I most often hear is: “I am a spiritual seeker”. Who does not know someone who has been meditating for twenty years introduce themselves as a “spiritual seeker”?
Meditation is the practice of not striving and not seeking. If we are not striving and not seeking, what then are we doing? I claim, without seeking, we fall naturally into worship.
When, during my practice period, all striving and all seeking ceases, I find myself in a state of deepest peace that can best be described by the word worship - a state of willing surrender to the Creator and a feeling of gratitude for everything that is - just as it is!
The Quran states that worshipping God is the purpose of life - the sole reason we were created and placed here on earth. Why not align meditation practice with this purpose?
"I did not create the Jinn, nor mankind, except to worship Me."
[Quran 51:56]
So, during practice, try this: stop all striving, cease all effort, and simply ask God for help - help that you might be a “finder” right here right now. Then just sit.
And if those who worship Me ask you about Me, I am near; I answer the caller's call if he calls on Me. Therefore, they shall respond to Me and believe in Me in order to be guided. [Quran 2:186]
peace on you,
bob
