So, without the madness, act out the madness! That's what we do in Dukkha Harana.
Now there is a therapy in the West called psychodrama – where you can act out all your violent emotions in a controlled environment – like using a punching bag. This helps you throw out all your emotions without harming others, and without internalizing it as disease.
During catharsis, you are free to act out all your anger, all your emotions - without fear, without shame or guilt. Just do it. You see, all the violence exists – but in a repressed form.
You are going to just throw it out. You are all going to be blindfolded, so there is no need to worry about being seen. Don't be afraid of the violence that is coming up from inside you. Once all the violence is spent, a peace will start blooming inside your Being. Without your knowledge, from deep inside your consciousness, you will experience a stillness, a silence arising.
At the end of 10 minutes, you will hear the word, STOP! At that point, just stop – in whichever position you are. Just become a frozen statue.
When you switch suddenly from frantic action to total silence, your mind is totally stopped, arrested for a moment. In that moment, you may even experience samadhi. This is especially possible in the master's presence. The moment your mind stops working, you will feel a tremendous energy rushing into you.
Actually, I make you all listen to me - for no reason! I have nothing to give you in words, nothing to tell you that is of any importance. If you are able to absorb my energy, you'll realize that I can give you much more in silence than I can give you in words. The reason I talk is this – if I don't talk, you will start talking with yourself!
If I ask you all to sit in silence in my presence, what do you think will happen? After a couple of seconds, you are sure to start talking to yourself! So to stop your inner chatter, I am forced to talk.
I talk to shut you up, that's all.
Returning to the meditation - in that tiny gap, when your inner chatter stops for a moment, my energy is able to rush into you.
After a few seconds, you will see that thoughts are again rising in you. Then just sit down, in a pleasant mood, and slowly start witnessing those thoughts. Breathe normally. Don't concentrate on anything. Meditation is not concentration. Meditation is awareness.
So just be aware of your thoughts, witness what happens inside your body and outside your body.
If you want to test the efficiency of this technique, go and have your picture taken today. After 15 days of practising this technique, have another picture taken and compare the two. I assure you, your face will look completely different! Your eyes will have become more pleasing. You will have blossomed.
Let us start.
(the group practises Dukkha Harana meditation)
At the end of half an hour, Swamiji chants slowly, signaling the end of the meditation: Om shantih shantih shantih! No more for today.
Carry this silence with you. Go to rest as early as possible. You will find that you will sleep beautifully and awaken in a peaceful mood.
Day 3: 16th April
Involvement
The crowd gathers and enters into an enthusiastic and informal discussion with Swamiji on general topics.