September 19, 2023
Viçara (pronunced Vichara) helps meditation because viçara needs one-pointedness and introversion of the mind. The mind must be introverted so that both during the practice of meditation and at other times, the yogi may be aware of the thoughts and the emotions that arise in him. Whilst these thoughts and feelings are still there, is it possible to be aware of them? What are they, what are they made of? When this becomes clear non-verbally, then the question becomes "What am I?"
You are serious about this enquiry, you have tremendous energy. The energy is derived from the non-dissipation of the mind. You will find that that itself is enormous energy. If at that moment your spirit is high, the emotion is also participating in this, then the energy is tremendous. If your mind, your heart, the emotion and life itself all come together and function as viçara, there is nothing that this cannot achieve. They have an expression in English: "Thinking, feeling, willing." For us it is more appropriate "Thinking, feeling and living". In ordinary language, thought is in the head and feeling is in the heart. There is another expression called 'gut level'; that is what we are looking for. The energy is in the solar plexus. Actions really emanate at the gut level. That is the centre of vitality. If these three participate in this viçara, then there is tremendous energy and this awareness seeks the answer to the simple question: "What is this thought, this emotion?"
This awareness is interested in the truth, not in its description or analysis. In order to do this very effectively one needs not only inner peace and tranquility, but environmental peace and tranquility also. If we are serious, God's Grace will provide even that. This awareness is like a search-light looking, looking everywhere and when all the darkness of ignorance has gone from the surrounding area, then the same awareness turns upon itself. What am I? There is no answer to that - or perhaps there is an answer, but only you will know it!