The Secret of the 18 Chants: A Pathway to True Meditation
The Leela
It began with a simple yet profound question from a seeker named Pawan. Amidst a world clamoring with various complex definitions and techniques of meditation, he sought clarity on a simpler path: 'Should we also meditate on the name of the Baba? Can you show us a way?'
The guide, acknowledging the confusion, steered the conversation away from dry, mechanical techniques toward the essence of devotion. The teaching offered was not about rigorous austerities, but about transforming the act of chanting into an experience of divine sweetness—a practice where the Name itself becomes more captivating than the world outside.
? The Conflict / Doubt
In a spiritual landscape obsessed with complex meditation methods, is it sufficient to simply chant the Name? How can one transform a simple repetition like 'Om Sai Ram' into a profound meditative state that silences the mind?
The Revelation
The guide elucidates that true meditation on Baba is not about the diversity of the Name, but the Love poured into it. The practice is centered on Namasmarana (Remembrance of the Name) combined with deep listening.
- The Sweetness of the Name: The chanting must transcend mechanical repetition. It should be performed with such intensity that the Name becomes delightful. In the face of this sweetness, worldly pleasures—food, drink, and sleep—should feel insignificant, even like 'poison' or 'dirt.'
- The Practice of 18: One does not need hours of empty ritual. The guide suggests a specific, manageable discipline: close your eyes and chant the Name just 18 times (or 12, or 6 if necessary).
- The Loop of Focus: The secret lies in the connection between the tongue and the ear.
"You have to speak with so much love and you have to listen with your ears to what you are saying with love from within... do not let the mind wander between speaking and listening."
- The Outcome: By repeatedly practicing this short, intense burst of 18 focused chants, the mind calms, and a spontaneous love for the Name erupts, creating a fortress that worldly desires cannot breach.
Watch the Discourse
It began with a simple yet profound question from a seeker named Pawan. Amidst a world clamoring with various complex definitions and techniques of meditation, he sought clarity on a simpler path: *'S...
Leela Narration
It began with a simple yet profound question from a seeker named Pawan. Amidst a world clamoring with various complex definitions and techniques of meditation, he sought clarity on a simpler path: *'S...