Unveiling the Path to Self-Realization: Breathing Meditation and Subconscious Exploration

Can we achieve a self-realized state just by meditating on our breathing? While focusing on our breath can certainly be a powerful tool, it alone is not enough to reach the pinnacle of self-realization. To truly achieve self-realization, one must delve deeper into the subconscious mind, eradicating old habit patterns and uncovering the essence of the self.

The inadequacy of simply meditating on breathing

It is a common misconception that simply meditating on the breath can lead to self-realization. However, a definitive understanding requires more than just this practice. This method is only the beginning, providing a foundation upon which to build a deeper understanding of oneself. Only by accessing the subconscious mind can one truly eradicate old habit patterns and begin the journey of self-discovery that leads to self-realization.

Self-Realization and Divine Grace

Self-realization cannot be achieved through any means, processes, or chanting. It is a divine gift that is bestowed upon us by the Divine. As The Mother wrote, only by giving all that we are and have to the Divine can we be fully realized. This process is long and arduous, as one must uncover all the layers within themselves and offer them to the divine. It is a stupendous task that should not be underestimated, as all means and processes only prepare the outer being. It is only through divine grace that this state can be conferred.

The Role of Breath in Meditation

While the breath serves as a bridge between the body and the soul, it is merely the beginning of the journey towards self-realization. Focusing on the process of breathing and the sensations that accompany it can lead to a deeper understanding of the self. As one becomes more attuned to the breath, they begin to experience the entire body from within, almost like a comprehensive exploration of bone marrow sensations. This process helps one to observe the three intrinsic qualities of any sensation: impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and essencelessness. Similarly, one begins to realize that the contents of the mind are also subject to these qualities.

Meditating on the breath is a powerful practice that, if done correctly, can lead one to experience profound realizations. It is important, however, not to be misled by the “amazing things” that may occur. The journey to self-realization requires deep and consistent practice, not just fleeting moments of enlightenment.

The Role of Karma and Samskaras in Self-Realization

The main obstacle to self-realization lies in the accumulation of past karmas and samskaras, which serve as a veil that obscures the pure and divine nature of the soul. In order to transcend this veil and reach a state of self-realization, one must work to cleanse the soul of these accumulated karmas through various yogic practices or other methods.

Meditation itself is a process that helps to achieve a focused mind and the ability to understand the nature of any object upon which one focuses. However, it is not a tool that directly removes these karmas. The science of self-realization is simple when one understands all the elements that play a role in the process. If one does not comprehend these elements, they may continue to practice various forms of meditation without achieving the desired results.

Ultimately, the path to self-realization requires a combination of deep breathing meditation, subconscious exploration, and the purification of past karmas. Only through this comprehensive approach can one truly achieve the self-realized state that is so deeply desired.