definition meditation

Imported quote 14057

It is said that the transcendental name, form, pastimes and entourage of the Lord cannot be appreciated by the blunt material senses; therefore one has to engage himself in devotional service so that the senses may be purified and one can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Here, however, it is indicated that those who are constantly engaged in meditating on the lotus feet of the Lord are certainly purified of the material contamination of the senses and are thus able to see the Supreme Lord eye to eye. The word "meditation" is very popular in this age amongst the common people, but they do not know the actual meaning of meditation. However, from Vedic literature we learn that the yogis are always absorbed in meditation upon the lotus feet of the Lord. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginaḥ (Bhag. 12.13.1). This is the real business of the yogis: to think of the lotus feet of the Lord. Lord Siva therefore advises that one who is actually serious about purification must engage himself in this type of meditation or in the mystic yoga system, which will help him not only to see the Lord within constantly but to see Him eye to eye and become His associate in Vaikunthaloka or Goloka Vrndavana. (More...)

Imported quote 18845

Tattva means the Absolute Truth. "You are Absolute Truth. Who can understand the Absolute Truth without Your mercy?" Just therefore Krsna is merciful to Arjuna, and therefore He said... Sri bhagavan uvaca, mayy asakta-manaḥ partha: "My dear Arjuna, if you simply concentrate or meditate upon Me, Krsna..." Mayy asakta. Mayi asakta. Mayi means "unto Me, Krsna." Mayy asakta-manaḥ, "Those who are attached to Me, that is perfect yoga." That is yoga. The yogis... You have heard the names of so many yogis, meditation. The meditation is good, but most of them do not know what is meditation. Most of them. How? Now, they do not meditate upon Krsna. Meditation means to fix up one's mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. First of all they do not know who is the Personality of Godhead. But the yoga practice, according to sastra, is that. Here it is: mayy asakta-manaḥ partha yogam. This is yoga. In other Vedic literature that is also stated, the same thing. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginaḥ [SB 12.13.1]. Yogi means who meditates. It is the business of the yogis to meditate. But if you do not know upon whom to meditate, then what is the meaning of your yoga? Therefore I have seen practically in America, there are so many yoga societies. They close their eyes, and I do not know what they are meditating, but I have seen they are snoring. [laughter] And what they will do? Eh? [makes snoring sound] [laughter] This is yoga system. So don't be misled by these bluffers' yoga system. Don't be misled. Here is yoga, Krsna, because yoga means to meditate upon the Supreme, dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa, mind fully absorbed, and they see Krsna or Narayana, the same thing. So, (More...)

Meditation means to engage the mind in thinking of the form of the Lord, of the qualities of the Lord, of the activities of the Lord and of the service of the Lord. Meditation does not mean anything impersonal or void.

In the Nrsimha Purana there is a statement about meditation on the form of the Lord. It is said there: "Meditation focusing on the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead has been accepted as transcendental and beyond the experience of material pain and pleasure. By such meditation even one who is grossly miscreant can be delivered from the sinful reactions of his life." (More...)

In the Visnu-dharma there is a statement about meditation on the transcendental quality of the Lord. It is said, "Persons who are constantly engaged in Krsna consciousness, and who remember the transcendental qualities of the Lord, become free from all reactions to sinful activities, and after being so cleansed they become fit to enter into the kingdom of God." In other words, no one can enter into the kingdom of God without being freed from all sinful reactions. Sinful reactions can be avoided simply by remembering the form, qualities, pastimes, etc., of the Lord. (More...)

In the Padma Purana there is a statement about remembering the activities of the Lord: "A person who is always engaged in meditation on the sweet pastimes and wonderful activities of the Lord surely becomes freed from all material contamination." (More...)

Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/?qg=1814