I can't Meditate! Why? - The Circle of Solitude

The Circle of
Solitude
I can’t
Meditate!
Why?
© Puneet Srivastava, Feb 2015

So many of us find it difficult to sit for
meditation. Why?
We try to learn in this SlideShow.

At first we will try to understand where
our thoughts are consumed?
For this purpose, we may visualize
ourselves as a deck of concentric circles.

Each layer
represents a
specific
category of
thoughts.

Firstly, most
of us see
ourselves as a
social being.
The Circle of
Society

Thus our mind is occupied greatly in
social thoughts.
We are busy thinking of things and
activities our society bring to us.

Our name, fame, popularity, etc.; these
subjects dominate our thoughts.
We are constantly concerned about our
standing in the society we live.

Next, in
modern times,
our thoughts
are consumed
deeply in our
profession.
The Circle of
Profession

We use our profession to achieve our
social objectives.
In so many ways it is our professional
success that decides other things of life.

As a result we work hard to make
ourselves successful professionally.
It is not uncommon to see people
neglect family, health, etc. for this.

Third, in olden
days, people
will lay lot of
emphasis on
family. Now
also its
important.
The Circle of
Family

In countries like India, there will be
joint families previously.
People were known by the family they
belonged to.

Now also family is important for us. The
size may have become nuclear.
Thus a lot of things we do in our life are
done for the sake of our family.

Then next, we
are thinking
about
ourselves.
The Circle of
Individual

We are thinking of our likes, dislikes,
dreams, desires, emotions, feelings.
We are thinking of things we wish to
do, accomplish & build.

This circle is specifically important to
most of us in the current times.
Our thoughts are greatly captured in
this space.

These 4
thought
spaces
consume us
in modern
life.
Society
Profession
Family
Individual

Even things
like
Humanity,
Nationality,
etc., are part
of this.
Society
Profession
Family
Individual

Beyond these 4 circles, which are all
outward looking, there is one more…
This one exists within us and we know
of it as well.

The Circle of
Solitude
This is us
when no one
is watching.

The Circle of
Solitude
This is us
when we are
with our
truest
thoughts.

The Circle of
Solitude
This is us
when we are
untouched by
any other
kind of
existence.

The Circle of
Solitude
This is the
voice that
comes from
within.

Meditation is an activity of this space.

We cannot meditate because we are
busy all the time visualizing ourself as a
social, professional, family or the
person we may be.

We cannot meditate because we forget
there is a fifth level in us, as well;
The one which is within & is focused
inwards.

We cannot meditate because we
constantly deny its existence.
We are busy in thoughts that are
flowing outwards.

Now, does
that mean we
leave
everything
else?
???

For 15 minutes when we close our eyes
& sit still…
…if we can keep everything out or at
least in waiting, we can Meditate.

That is why no matter what meditation
we learn…
… they all focus on reducing number of
thoughts in the mind.

Anyone who can understand this, can
Meditate.

Meditation is when lesser external
thoughts disturb us.

For 15 minutes try be free of all external
/ outbound thoughts.

For 15 minutes try to be in your Circle
of Solitude.

For 15 minutes forget everything
outward about yourself & instead try
look inwards.

Do it! & Meditation shall happen.
Gratitude:
My revered teacher, Swami Amartayananda &
the message of SDM – Satsang, Disciplined Life &
Meditation.

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