special equipment. You do not need to go anywhere special, or be a member of a fitness club or have certain machines to work with. You only need your own mind. First we hear about who we are from higher authorities, such as a spiritual teacher. Then we reflect on what we have heard and understood. Then we engage in meditation to allow the knowledge to unfold or manifest in our awareness. In this way, meditation acts as a channel to allow contact between the individual soul and the Supersoul, Paramatma, within us. In the first few weeks or months of meditation, the mind may not be willing to cooperate. You may have to spend time disciplining it. As you observe your concerns and the turbulence that goes on within the mind, you may be surprised that you even have such thoughts. Later, however, the mind will become more easily subdued, with fewer thoughts. And finally, after some experience, it may not take any time at all for you to calm and quiet the mind, which will become more accommodating for you to go beyond its influence. If you have your own house or apartment, it will be nice to have a separate or special room in which you do your meditation, yoga, or prayers and worship. Keep it sanctified with holy pictures, incense, maybe some candles, or flowers. Use it only for this purpose. Then go in when you have the proper time to engage in serious yoga, prayers or meditation. Only allow into it those who share the same interest and vibrations as you. Keep the vibration of holiness in it. Get so that whenever you enter the room, that vibration will uplift you. Furthermore, when you have practiced your sacred activities in the room and imbibed the holy atmosphere, learn to carry that holy vibration with you throughout the day.
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