Desires - Biggest Hindrance to Meditation and Sleep

August 6, 2007 by Vishal | No Comments

Bhagavad-Gita says that one’s mind should be free from desires before sitting to meditate. So true. Desires are one of the biggest hindrances to meditation. As long as you have desires, your mind cannot be at rest. Controlling such a mind becomes extremely difficult. On other hand, a mind free from desire comes to rest without much effort. Meditation comes almost naturally.

If you have lot of desires, your sleep is affected too. That’s the reason we are told to count our blessings and express gratitude before going to bed. When you count your blessings and express gratitude, you experience abundance. And when you experience abundance, there are no desires. Only then your mind is able to rest completely and you are able to experience deep sleep. When you have lots of desires before going to sleep, the mind never rests, busy planning on fulfulling those desires. As a result you’ll never experience deep, restful sleep. If this continues, health will be affected to a great extent.

Try it and you’ll appreciate the difference. Just before meditating or sleeping, recollect all things that you are grateful for in your life. Affirm the following with full sincerity - “I’m free of all desires, worries and anxieties. I’m content and at absolute peace with myself.” You’ll instantly feel a sense of relief and rest. It’s like unloading a huge weight off your shoulders.

Posted in Insomnia, Meditation

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