Recorded at the Vedanta Society of Western Washington on November 20, 2011.

Swami Brahmatmananda examines meditation as it is commonly presented in contemporary America—often for stress reduction or relaxation—and then turns to the deeper aim of Raja Yoga: training the mind for sustained concentration and, ultimately, absorption in the Divine. He notes that many sincere practitioners feel little inner transformation even after years of practice, and suggests that progress is hindered when the necessary foundations are overlooked. Drawing on Patanjali’s Yoga aphorisms and Swami Vivekananda’s explanations of pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi, he emphasizes that meditation is not a casual technique but a disciplined science of mind.

The talk outlines the traditional preparations for effective meditation, beginning with ethical restraints and observances that quiet inner conflict: truthfulness, non-injury, non-stealing, and non-covetousness, along with purity, contentment, and austerity. He describes how modern life—constant information, endless choices, and “decision fatigue”—aggravates restlessness, making inward focus difficult. Spiritual study and, for those inclined, surrender to God are presented as supports that reorient life toward its highest purpose. He concludes with practical guidance on posture, breath regulation, and the steady withdrawal of attention from sense impressions, as steps toward deeper peace and awareness of inherent divinity.