The Bindu Sadhana 3

Concentration on the reddish yellow glow of the rising sun is excellent for Trataka. Full moon may also be tried as an object for meditation in this early phase of the Bindu yoga. Regular practice with sincerity enables the Sadhaka to perform Trataka without the help of any external source of light. The glow of the bright spot (jyoti) of light begins to appear on its own in the Ajna Cakra after practicing the Trataka for substantial amount of time with firm determination, devotion and mental engrossment. Initially this jyoti appears to be oscillating and shows different shades of light but gradually it becomes stable and glow of the interior of the rising sun) as this phase progresses steadily.

During the contemplation phase of the Bindu yoga, the Sadhaka has to control the flow of his thoughts and sentiments in a single direction, namely, that the divine glow is pervading from the Ajna Cakra and eliminating the darkness of ignorance, infirmities, illusion, fears and vices. Some people often doubt that this type of contemplation may disturb the concentration that ought to be maintained during a meditation-based Sadhana like the bindu yoga. These people should note that total thoughtlessness is required only in the practice of Samadhi or the thoughts within the domain of the focus and purpose of the Sadhana.

The holy river Ganges originates from the Himalayas and ultimately reaches its goal in the Ganga Sagara because, despite several turns, hurdles, drastic variations in its currents and disturbances due to the merging of other rivers etc, its flow does not loose its original direction. This example illustrates that it is not always the 'sharply focused concentration', rather, the consistency of the direction of the flow of thoughts which is important in an effective meditation.

The amazing performances of the artists in a circus become possible only by their dedicated practices with deep mental concentration. These experts have significant willpower but they are not yogis. On the contrary, the saints like Meera, Chaitanya, Suradasa, Kabira, Ramakrishna Paramahansa etc, who used to be in an emotionally charged state of devotion and used to sing and even dance in Bhakti, were equivalent to the yogis, although, they had not practiced any specific yogasana or steady meditation… This is because the flow of the emotions of these saints and every activity of their life was naturally dedicated to the devotion of the Omnipresent God.

In the Sadhanas like the Prana yoga, Hamsa yoga (Soaham) and Bindu yoga, although the initial phase involves meditation, the more important and effective component is - contemplation and realization of the goal of the Sadhana. The prescribed domain for the flow of thoughts and emotions is quite wide here. The Sadhaka has to think and feel within this domain instead of focusing upon a single point. This flow churns the ocean of consciousness in the inner self and purifies its hidden core.

The Saguna Upasana is performed with emotional linkage with God. it involves worshiping thou manifestations, chanting of the prayers and devotion songs. There is no need of specific mental engrossment or meditation in such modes of Upasanas. In fact, it is the Sadhaka's Sraddha and the depth of his devotional love that takes him to those high realms of spiritual attainments, which other yogis might reach via the successful practice of deep trance (Samadhi).

While pondering through the heart during the (last phase of) Sadhanas like Soaham and Bindu yoga, the Sadhakas often attain a state of yoga-nindra. Although physically it appears like a sleeping or an unconscious state, it is indeed a state of trance. It should be noted that the spiritual Sadhanas, if performed in a disciplined manner and with purity of heart (sentiments), mind (thoughts) and body (deeds), would never cause the extreme effects of excitations or dullness (or sleep). The yoga-nindra is a state of immersion of the individual consciousness in the supreme, eternal consciousness. Even if it is experienced for a few seconds, it brings enormous grace of that Almighty and excels the Sadhaka towards the goal of divinity.

The Soaham Sadhana and the Bindu yoga are simple, risk less and easy to perform. the Sadhaka's willpower, emotional strength and piety of character ensure that - if these Sadhanas are performed according to the guidelines laid above the Sadhaka would receive immense bliss during the final phases of contemplation and realization and gradually reach the ultimate state of evoking the divinity indwelling in himself.