Errors in Meditation by Swami Sivananda

A mixture of Tandri (drowsiness) and Manorajya (building castles in the air, reverie) is
mistaken by aspirants for deep meditation and Samadhi. The mind appears to be
established in concentration and free from Vikshepa (distraction). This is a mistake.
Closely watch the mind. Remove these two serious obstacles through Vichara,
Pranayama and light Sattvic diet. Be thoughtful, careful and vigilant. Stand for 10
minutes and dash cold water on the face and head, if drowsiness comes in.

Sometimes cupidity will stimulate a concentrated state. You are concentrated

elsewhere, but not on the Lakshya. Watch this and withdraw the mind. Deep sleep
state is mistaken by many for Samadhi. Samadhi is a positive, real state. It is all
knowledge. Do not make mistakes. During meditation, when the mind passes into a
calm state of Samata, when you feel a peculiar concentration-Ananda-think you are
entering into Samadhi state. Do not disturb this state. Try your best to keep it for a
long time. Mark this state very carefully.

Know things in their proper light. Do not be deluded. Emotion is mistaken for
devotion; violent jumping in the air during Sankirtana for divine ecstasy; falling down
in swoon on account of exhaustion from too much jumping for Bhava Samadhi; Rajasic
restlessness and motion for divine activities and Karma Yoga; a Tamasic man for a
Sattvic man; movement of air in rheumatism in the back for ascent of Kundalini;
Tandri and deep sleep for Samadhi; Manorajya or building castles in the air for
meditation; physical nudity for Jivanmukta state. Learn to discriminate and become
wise.

Do not mistake Tandri for Savikalpa Samadhi and deep sleep for Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
The glory of the state of Turiya or Bhuma is ineffable. Its splendour is indescribable. If
the body is light, if the mind is clear, if there is cheerfulness; know that you are
meditating. If the body is heavy, if the mind is dull, know that you were sleeping
while meditating.

There is always a complaint amongst the aspirants: 'I am meditating for the last 12
years. I have not made any improvement. I have no realisation.' Why is it so? What is
the reason? They have not plunged themselves in deep meditation into the innermost
recesses of their hearts. They have not properly assimilated the mind with the
thoughts of God. They have not done regular, systematic Sadhana. They have not
disciplined Indriyas properly. They have not collected all the outgoing rays of the
mind. They have not made the self-determination 'I will realise this very second.' They
have not given full 100% of the mind to God. They have not kept an increasing flow of
Divine Consciousness like the flow of oil (Tailadharavat).

Even if you do not feel any pulse in the Sadhaka when he is in meditation, even if the
breathing stops, do not think that he is in Nirvikalpa Samadhi. He should return with
supersensual divine knowledge. Then only it can be said that he has attained real
Samadhi. The breathing and pulse may stop from various other causes also. If one
abstains from food and drink and practises a little concentration or even if he sits in
the Asana steadily for some time, the breathing and pulse may stop. The Sadhaka
must have perfect awareness in meditation. There is not much spiritual gain if he
remains in a mere Jada state, even though he is insensible to external sounds.

Once two Sannyasins were deceived by another Sadhu who used to sit in meditation
without pulse and breathing for several hours. Later on, he turned out to be a
hypocrite. He cheated them and ran away with some money. You will have to be very
careful in your judgment.

During meditation do not allow yourself to pass into a Jada state. Do not mistake this
state for merging in the Lord or communion. Remaining in a Jada state for some hours
is not desirable. It is like deep sleep. This will not help you in your spiritual evolution.
If this time is spent in doing Japa, Kirtan, Mantra-writing and study of sacred books,
you will have quick evolution. Be on the alert. Watch vigilantly. If there is real
merging or real deep meditation, you must have peace, bliss and divine knowledge.
You must be free from doubts, fear, delusion, egoism, anger, passion and Raga-
Dvesha. Some dull inexperienced aspirants mistake this Jada state for Nirvikalpa
Samadhi. They get false contentment and stop their Sadhana.