Why Modern Meditation Methods Fail

Let us understand this by an example.

Say you get fascinated by the pictures of the Himalayas and decide to climb Mount Everest. Of course, you can climb it if you have the will to do it. So, you start by searching for professional help, and when you find one, you pay them the fee and excitedly travel to the base camp at the foot of the mountain.

The professional guide would give you some basic concepts, make you practice a bit, give you the climbing gear. Then, you might start the climb up to Mount Everest within a few days.

But the excitement of climbing dies quickly when the climbing starts to seem not working. Initially, for some time, you might try to convince yourself that you are enjoying yourself when you are not. That is when the whole attempt of having an adventure falls apart.

What went wrong in this example?

The thought of climbing the most difficult mountain would be commendable. And, we should aim for the highest. There is nothing wrong with that. But, what was missing were the years of training and preparation required for a successful climb. But, of course, the greedy guides would not tell you that otherwise, they might lose your business.

A successful climb would require years of exercise to make the body fit enough for climbing, a strictly healthy diet routine, and practice. And, of course, you also learn that success would not come without many failures in the beginning.

How does the above relate to meditation?

Meditating is focusing the mind often in the path of spiritualism.

Is focusing the mind too difficult? No, as long as the mind is not being concentrated spiritually. For example, you might have noticed that you can watch a movie with an absolute focus of the mind. But meditation is not like watching a movie.

Let us be honest with ourselves because that is the only way to succeed. The highest level of meditation in Yoga is called Samadhi. Yogis spend several lifetimes practicing before they can finally attain Samadhi.