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and awareness to rest in our essential, spiritual nature that is beyond thought

or ordinary states of consciousness. To intend to meditate in this way is first to

understand what it means and then to consciously decide that this is our focus.

To intend is to use our will power in combination with desire. We direct our

thoughts and our actions toward the goal we seek.
One of the important things about setting a clear intention to meditate super-

consciously is that we already know, at the soul level of our being, how to do that.

Clarity with our aim helps us strike a balance between directing the experience

of meditation in the initial stages and then relaxing into it as it progresses. Super-

consiousness is natural to us; it is the ground of our being. Perhaps you could

think of it like this—to intend to meditate superconsciously is like intending to

go home. You decide you’ll go, you determine which route to take, and you know

you are headed toward a place that is intimately familiar to you.

InSPIRATIOn fOR SPIRITUAllY COnSCIOUS lIvInG

Whenever the mind wanders, drawn away by the various objects, the senses or by
memory, one should bring it back gently. Whatever thoughts, ideas, or emotions arise
in the mind, they are not to be either driven out or allowed to take over. One should
simply let them have their play without any effort to direct them and should observe
them with detachment when they arise. Before long, one will understand the true
character and form of the intruding thoughts.

—Swami Rama

With a controlled mind and an intellect which is made pure and tranquil, you must
realize the Self directly, within yourself. Know the Atman as the real I. Thus you cross
the shoreless ocean of worldliness, whose waves are birth and death. Live always in
the knowledge of identity with Brahman, and be blessed.

—Adi Shankara

To overcome distractions in meditation, one should train the mind to rest upon a
single principle.

—Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra