Meditating while fasting

Meditation cannot be taught, just as sleep cannot be taught – one just simply falls into it.

Meditation eventually comes by itself when one is ready. To be ready, the mind needs to be still. The art of meditation teaches that not only is it possible to control our thoughts, but one can learn to control them completely. This creates peace of mind and enables us to achieve what we want. To still the mind and enter silence requires daily practice.

There are certain steps that one can follow to establish a foundation and thus ensure success.

• Regularity of time, place and practice is important
• At dawn or dusk, the atmosphere is charged with a special energy, This is the best time to practise meditation
• If possible, have a separate room or space that should be used only for meditation
• Sit in a comfortable position, preferably cross-legged, with spine and neck erect but not tense
• Consciously regulate your breath, then slow it down to an imperceptible rate
• Do not force the mind to be still, simply disassociate from it and watch it like a movie
• Select a focal point: generally the space between the eyebrows (third eye/ajna chakra) can be chosen by a more intellectually-inclined person and the heart (anahata chakra) by one who tends to be more extroverted with an open and demonstrative nature. Never change this point
• Focus on an object of choice – eg the breath, a flame or a flower – something positive and uplifting