The Meditation of Constant Remembrance:
A factor in the integral path, besides moral re-education, to which we have not given enough weight in published writings--indeed have hardly mentioned--is self-recollection, the frequent remembrance of the Overself at all times of the day and amidst all kinds of situations. Such remembrance, during the long intervals between formal meditations, is an integral part of this quest. A brief sacred formula expressed in an invocation or affirmation, called "mantram," is most useful for this purpose and is given the disciple so that his remembrance is automatically aroused when habit causes him to repeat its words constantly and mentally. The mantram is a handy device for attracting him to this remembrance and making its achievement easier and sure. A constant technique throughout the day is usually lacking in the knowledge and practice of Western seekers, so they need to learn its efficiency and use. The long hours between meditation periods are wasted. As a sister exercise to the ordinary meditations, it will be useful to many students--whilst as a means to replace them for those students who find formal meditation too difficult or too inconvenient, it is most valuable. It is equivalent to the "right mindfulness" of the Buddhist eightfold path, to the Sufi "Dikr," and to the "correct polarization" in modern psychology.
In choosing a suitable formula for his own use, the student should bear in mind that it is not only remembrance that is needed, but loving remembrance. The mantram for such repetition must not only remind him of the Overself but attract him to it. Hence, it should be one that inspires devotion and uplifts character. It should embody spiritualizing thought and gather ennobling emotion around it. It may consist of a single-word name or attribute of God or of a chosen spiritual guide, but it is preferable and more powerful to use a phrase of three to ten syllables. This may be an invocation to Divinity, or to the guide, or be a beneficent auto-suggestion. It is better, however, to receive such a word or phrase from a qualified teacher at a personal interview, for he will not only choose one especially suitable to the student's spiritual need at the time and therefore apt and forceful but will also impart his own power into it.
The formula must be repeated many times a day and every day in the year. Yet its words should always carry vivid meaning and never be allowed to become mere parrot utterances. There is no fixed time and no particular posture necessary for the practice. It may be muttered half-aloud in the earlier stages, but should become silent and mental in the later stages.
The purposes, benefits, and results of this practice are several:
l. It has an intellectual effect by acting as a reminder or arouser in a busy material life. Thus, the first effect is to arouse thought, the second is to still it.
2. The constant repetition has a mesmeric effect: it lulls the senses and thoughts into semi-inactivity and sets the attention free to pass inward toward the soul and eventually induces the contemplative mood.
3. It develops an acute, growing self-consciousness of the right sort, a constant obsessive suggestion that there is a higher self.
4. It leads to the necessary concentration, which is a door to inner consciousness.
5. Its rhythmic activity aligns and then integrates the different parts of the personality. It also removes their restlessness.
6. It gradually establishes subconscious orientation towards the higher self, which keeps on breaking into the conscious field to the detriment of the lower self; thus it gives direction to thought and purification to character. It enables the seeker, therefore, to go on with everyday external living, knowing that God is working in him internally.
7. It becomes a focus for continuous concentration during active life, even whilst engaged in work, pleasure, or walking.
Forgetfulness of the quest, or of the Overself, besets most aspirants. Here is a valuable remedy. It brings the chosen goal, or the revered ideal, constantly back to their attention.
-- Notebooks Category 4: Elementary Meditation > Chapter 6 : Mantrams, Affirmations > # 4
