Void Stage

Realization of the power of Meditation

For weeks, I studied tirelessly learning the intricacies of asana practice, pranayama breathing techniques to strengthen my core. At first, the exercises felt awkward and unnatural, but as I continued, I began to notice subtle changes within myself. My core muscles were engaging in ways they never had before, stabilizing my body and supporting my movements. With each breath, I could feel my abdominal muscles contracting and releasing, like waves rolling across the sand.

As I progressed through the series of postures, I noticed that my mind was becoming clearer and more focused. I was also able to master the concept of Lotus posture (Padmasan). My thoughts were no longer racing or scattered, but instead, they were calm and centered. It was as if my entire being was aligning itself with the rhythm of my breath.

By the end of each session, I felt transformed. My body felt stronger and more agile, while my mind was at peace and clarity. As I opened my eyes and stood up on the mat, I knew that this practice would become a regular part of my routine.

I was aware of meditation and I also used to practice daily. But I learned the new fact that the true power of purification can be achieved only through meditation. You go through all these processes of purification of the elements--making the one melt into the other, that into the next higher, that into mind, that into spirit, and then you are spirit.

So I decided to go into nature for my training. As suggested by the book I also started living on only a fruit diet from that day. I practiced daily but I was still failing to understand the true essence of Raja Yoga. I started getting depressed after half a year passed just like that. But then one day God sent someone for my rescue. There was a hidden cave from prying eyes, where a wise old guru resided. He was known for his mastery over the ancient practice of Raja Yoga, and many seekers had come to him in search of enlightenment. One such seeker was a young man named Ajay, who had been struggling to attain the elusive state of samadhi - the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga. Ajay had heard that the guru could help him achieve this state, so we set out on a journey to find him. After weeks of searching, he finally found the cave and entered into it, seeking the guru's guidance.

The guru looked at us with kind eyes and asked us to sit down. "My children," he said, "you have come seeking the ultimate truth, but you must first understand what it is that you truly desire. Do you seek knowledge? Or happiness?"

Ajay thought for a moment before answering. "I want peace," he said simply.

The guru shook his head. He said, "Not you, I am asking him". I felt uneasy because of the sudden question. Again he said, "I know what happened to you before you came to the mountains. You decided on your own that you are ready. But reality is you are still not ready yet and you were never before. Still some ego and stiffness left in your mind. You still have not passed over your greedy mentality." I got angry and woke up and decided to leave thinking, "Here comes the mockery of so-called frauds to cheat needy people. Good luck with your students.". He said, "I can see your wife, she is watching over you.". His voice was low and confident. At first, I had dismissed it as mere coincidence or a clever trick of the mind. But then he began to describe her, every detail perfectly accurate. He said, "She helped you to pursue your ambition again and you took an oath on her name". It was as if he could see right through me, into the depths of my soul. I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized that this man, this stranger, knew things about me and my wife that no one else could possibly know. How was this possible? What kind of power did he possess?

"How do you know these things?" I asked him, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned forward, and said, "I can see beyond the veil of the physical world, into the realm of the spiritual. She is stuck because of you in between the bridge of life and death. If you want to save her soul then first change your mind."

I didn't know what to make of his words, but I couldn't deny the truth behind them. He seemed to know things about my wife that even I didn't know. And yet, despite the fear that gripped my heart, I found myself drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.

"Tell me more," I urged him, my voice barely audible.

And so he began to speak, his words painting a picture of a world beyond our own, a world where love and loss were intertwined, and the boundaries between life and death were but a distant memory. "She could not leave because she was worried about you", he said. Finally I believed him. I nodded. "Please enlighten me. Make me your disciple". He added, "I can teach you the way of Raja Yoga. But first, you must learn to control your anger and feelings for her towards your inner God. It is the greatest obstacle on the path to samadhi as you are looking outside. And so began Ajay's and my training under the guru's expert tutelage.

For days on end, we practiced meditation and breathing techniques, learning to focus our mind and quiet our thoughts. Slowly but surely, he made us become more aware of our inner self, and around nature. My attachments, greed, and anger seemed to fade away eventually. One day, as I was sitting in deep meditation, I felt myself entering into a state of sleepiness without sleeping. Time lost all meaning. I woke up after almost more than a week because of hunger, but from inside It felt like only a few hours had passed since I sat. After emerging from the samadhi state, I felt transformed. My mind was filled with a sense of profound peace and clarity. Guru told me, "I knew you could do it. Heavens gave me signs after I first saw you. You have successfully reached the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga, and that nothing could ever shake you from this state of blissful awareness."

I understood the true nature of reality and achieved the purification of mind I had been seeking. Ravi was also able to enter Samadhi state although it was for a few hours. After perfecting my meditation in the next few months under master, I asked for his permission to take my leave. But Ravi decided to stay there to spread the teachings to others and help Guru as his disciple.