Yogi Baba Prem

The obstacles to meditation

By Yogi Baba Prem Tom Beal Veda Visharada, CYI, C.ay, C.va.

www.vedicpath.com

Many people in society consider obstacles to meditation to be a busy mind and the typical array of challenges such as time, and discipline. For the serious student of meditation the greatest obstacles can be meditation itself!

In the Vedantic tradition there are four obstacles a student must pass in becoming successful with intermediate to advanced meditation. These are called laya, vikshepa, kashaya, and rasavada.

Laya is a trance like form of meditation. It appears almost like a form of self-hypnosis. It is important to note that meditation is not actually hypnosis, though several western thinkers equate meditation with hypnosis. Beginner students gravitate toward this laya-oriented meditation, as it initially appears to be achieving the goal of meditation—thoughtlessness. But for most students the goal of thoughtlessness is not initially achievable and is usually only acquired with inquiry into the true nature of the self. (For more information on this consult with my article “Dhyana: New light on meditation.”

This laya form of meditation actually becomes tamasic or dull. It lacks insight, realization or direct perception. It is a delusional or illusional form of meditation. It can easily become a trap for the spiritual aspirant, as they perceive they are achieving the highest state of meditation. Though initially it can be beneficial as the student is practicing something, and committing time to their practice.

The second obstacle is viskhepa, which are distractions caused by material objects. These objects make manifest in the material world or in the inner world. This can be thoughts, sounds, and the attachment to experience. It can also manifest as desire, lusts (internal and external) and similar feelings.

Kashaya is the third obstacle and is the feeling or association of deep attachment for an object experienced long ago. As an example, if one were meditating and felt tremendous love in the meditation, then they do not experience this for some time. Often the student will remark that they long for that experience again. Though the experience was spontaneous and not something they were looking for, their longing and attachment for the experience denies the manifestation of the object that they desire in the first place, which is love.

Rasasvada is tasting bliss that arises when overcoming an obstacle in meditation. This can also be the experience of bliss while experiencing bliss during various visions. Again for the beginner student this is a critical step and important. They need the experience of bliss and the visions. But for the more advanced student it can become an attachment and hinder advanced progress.

The solution to these obstacles appears in a variety of texts ranging from the “yoga sutras of Patanjali” to “Gaudapada Karika”. The same solutions appear in a variety of other texts as well. One of the most important tools on the meditative path is detachment and discrimination. In fact, if these two qualities are functioning in their highest form, the four obstacles are never an issue. But for the majority of students of meditation this is not the case. So if you want to be a great at meditation, you must master detachment and discrimination. They provide an effective way of controlling the mind.

This requires detachment even from happiness, joy, and bliss. If the mind becomes dull or inactive (Laya) provide a focused, concentrated activity for it. If it becomes blissful, be an observer of bliss, detached to the blissful event. There are numerous ways to cultivate this such as study, practice, philosophical study etc. But possibly the most important approach would be to have a teacher and periodically spend time with that teacher. A strong connection with a wise and knowledgeable teacher can have numerous benefits.