1. Where to Meditate?
A renunciate seeker, one who desires liberation would prefer to meditate in a
solitary place like the peak of a mountain, a cave, or a river bank. Practice of
meditation becomes steadfast with less effort if one meditates in a place which
has natural beauty and is very quiet and suitable in all seasons.
How can one imagine the existence of flies or mosquitoes in such places?
Even if such a place is available, one will have to leave it or reject it if one finds
difficulty in procuring food and bare necessities. Finding no such difficulty, one
should establish a small hut there, keeping only the minimum requirement of
things.
If, by chance, more than one seeker is inhabiting that place it is all the better
because they will have the opportunity to discuss scriptures and exchange their
experiences with each other.
Now let us think about the seeker who is not a renunciate but lives in society.
Among such worldly seekers, those who are rich having palatial buildings and all
material facilities easily available, there is no need to worry. But those who are of
the middle or the poor class may have to face the problem of getting a separate
room for meditation. The house may not have adequate facilities, or the facilities
may prove to be of no use because of the large family. Some may hardly be able
to afford to obtain a room or two for the whole family. In such a situation, how can
one manage to sit for meditation in a separate room or in isolation?
It is true that a silent, holy, and isolated place is preferable for meditation, but
such a place is not easily available to all. However, this should not worry the
seeker. Enthusiasm to meditate is the main thing and if such enthusiasm is there,
the place becomes secondary. The imperfections of the place may be overcome
by creating silence, by ignoring completely the external sounds, and by believing
firmly through the introversion created that one is meditating. One can also
generate a holy atmosphere by remembering guru and God.