This question “why meditate” is as good as asking “why eat”. Is it necessary to take a bath everyday? Why take medicine when we are unwell? Well, if we know the answers to these questions, then we know that meditation is as important as eating, breathing, bathing. Understand that life is a boon, a blessing. And you learn to live only when you meditate.

So, in a way, meditation gives right knowledge and the right training to handle life. A blind man needs a stick to walk safely, but if we can cure his blindness, then he can do without that stick. Most of us are metaphorically blind. The eyes of our mind are shut. We need to open up our inner eyes – the eyes of our mind and then we’ll be able to enjoy the every-flowing bliss of life. And then everything will be clear – meditation gives pristine clarity towards our life.

Meditation is a way of life. It is to be lived. We have a vast reservoir of energy in us, lying unused, untapped. Once we get in touch with this energy, our life changes from just being an ordinary to a divine one. Meditation is being in tune with our inner energy source.

Life throws up many challenges and if we do not have the right tools to face these, then we’ll fail in our task. These are tools of patience and tolerance. There are scores of people fighting mental problems – suicides are happening in large numbers. You cross the borderline and end up in a psychiatric ward.

Remember that in this fast-paced life, we have to live with competitions which are nerve-wrecking. Then there is a bombardment of advertisements on TV, newspapers, magazines and internet which puts a lot of strain on our minds. This explosion creates false desires. This is the century of exhibitionism – people earn to show off, vanity is on constant display. All this leads to immense pressure on the mind, resulting in a sense of insecurity and lack of trust. Relationships and families start breaking apart.

Meditation relieves you of all these pressures and artificial living. You begin to see the world with clarity and wisdom. When you see how fickle the world is and understand impermanence, it opens up new avenues for you. The peace experienced during meditation works as a balm, soothing the mind. Remember, no one gives you pain – it is you who have induced pain on yourself. See life retrospectively – how you have lived and what mistakes you made unknowingly. Once you do, then it will become much easier for you to make the transition from living ignorantly to living consciously.

Meditation is being with our true self; being able to control all activities of the mind and senses as well as making the right choices. Meditation is an antidote to the mounting stress and tension. The tremendous transformation that meditation can bring to you can be derived only by delving into its experiences with the child-like innocence.