Want to Find God? Meditate

Given 30 seconds to say what is most important in life, it’d be simple: give yourself to God.

God gets a mixed review, obviously a favorable spin from religious or spiritual types, but still one with vague undertones of uncertainty. The advice I gave sounds good but what does it really mean, why is it important, and how should one go about doing it?

Let’s cut to the chase. Life on earth isn’t easy. Even when wealthy or healthy, people may be miserable. With no way to know what’ll happen one minute to the next, control and security are illusory. Money, power, fame, sex, etc. promise happiness but inevitably disappoint because they lead nowhere. And more, they distract us from realizing the truth about life:

We are not meant to find lasting happiness on Earth. It isn’t home. We’re immortal souls temporarily incarnate in bodies and here solely to learn, grow, and awaken spiritually. After spiritual awakening, we graduate from the earthly school of life and return to our divine home of omnipresence.

Understand that these aren’t just my fanciful ramblings. No savior ever preached, “Increase thy net worth” or “Be thou a sexual dynamo.” Rather, they taught that life is a journey of maturation, a process of spiritual growth that culminates in reuniting with the source of unending joy- God. So stop chasing toys, creation, and turn your attention toward the divine Maker.

Why is this important? Because we all seek happiness, and lasting fulfillment is only found in God. Everything we think provides joy is either a mental projection or reflection of inner soul joy. Nothing produces joy; God is joy. As one gets warm by approaching a bonfire, so to is lasting happiness gained by going to its source, Spirit. All else withers, God alone endures.

How is this achieved? Meditation.

The biblical maxims “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God” and “the Kingdom of God is within you” reveal universal truths about life’s direction and purpose. There are various legitimate ways to meditate and that’s fine. I recommend finding a spiritual path that suits you, learning to meditate according to the discipline set forth by its master, and sticking to it. That’s what I’ve done for the past 24 years using the Kriya yoga meditation principles and technique taught by Paramhansa Yogananda.

Do I win any prizes? No. Has it delivered? Yes! It’s difficult to know what I’d be like without my practice, but I’m definitely a better person for the effort. Coupled with the blessings and teachings of a spiritual master, meditation is a life-enhancing activity that serves more than the individual practitioner. As one is uplifted, others also gain from that increased love, light, and compassion. Meditation, then, is what I consider the most direct way to realize oneness with God and draw from that connection an unending flow of inspiration, understanding, wisdom, and ultimately, Salvation or Liberation.

So again, meditate! It’s that simple and important.