Meher Spiritual University

Meditation has been a subject of considerable interest since times immemorial. This is particularly true for eastern spiritual traditions where meditation has long been seen as a vehicle for self discovery and gnosis. In the recent times, there has been a considerable and renewed interest in meditation due to which a number of techniques of meditation have been widely publicized. The stress on learning meditation however has largely centered on the potential health benefits of meditation in combating stress arising from the rigors of modern day living. Propelled by this understanding, many people practice meditation with the primary objective of achieving happiness in their lives through body fitness and mental tranquility.

While the stress on health benefits of meditation is fine, seeing meditation from the narrow prism of body wellness is probably undermining the true potential of meditation as a vehicle for spiritual growth and self discovery which most eastern spiritual traditions highlight as the real purpose of life. If the source of happiness is focused on maintaining body fitness, would not the same body become a source of sorrow and pain when it grows old? Lasting peace and happiness therefore cannot be based on the material world or its sensory objects as they are fundamentally transitory in nature. According to eastern spiritual wisdom, the foundation of real happiness must be based on transmuting ignorance through a process of self discovery that leads to freedom from illusory bondage. Meditation seen in this light fulfils a far bigger human need by becoming a vehicle of inner discovery and great spiritual progress. Meher Baba — one of the greatest spiritual masters of our time — has extensively discoursed on meditation and its potential as a vehicle for this great spiritual journey which pushes the aspirant on the spiritual path and rooting them in God .

This course is based on the wonderful and deeply insightful teachings of Meher Baba on this subject. The course, through well structured modules, provides an exposition of the theory and practice of meditation to the participants giving them an opportunity to build a completely new understanding towards the purpose and approach to meditation. It also provides the participants with considerable practical insights permitting them to integrate the practice of meditation in their daily lives in right earnest and with the right perspective.

The course is organized in three modules with each module comprising of lesson units.

Trudging through the world – unconscious of our true spiritual destiny – we lead lives where desires drive us into a never-ending spiral of inner conflicts, continually fuelled by egocentric thinking. This course brings a great message of hope encouraging the participant to take bold and courageous decisions about his/her life and make changes that harmonize the soul’s inner seeking to know itself and our life choices and actions. The material presented in this course brings authoritative spiritual insights from one of the greatest Spiritual Masters of our Time – Meher Baba – encouraging participants to understand and internalize their true spiritual destiny and change their lives to find answers to deeper inner conflicts emanating from true spiritual seeking.

This course helps the participant understand fundamental spiritual principles which provide her/him with requisite knowledge to realign their lives and bring it in tune with time honoured spiritual tenets. It provides insights that can help set into motion, value centric inner transformative processes that can help participants lead fuller and more meaningful lives. The course mainly draws from the teachings and life of Meher Baba. It also liberally refers to ancient spiritual texts like the Upanishads, the Bhagwad Gita, the Holy Bible and Buddhist literature to create an integral view of the purpose of life and how one needs to evolve a fresh perspective to live a spiritual life. Living spiritually thus, not only pushes the aspirant on an inward journey to self discovery but also helps evolve a robust framework which can provide a durable and loving relationship between the individual, God and creation.

Foundations of Spiritual Living will be of use to all those who wish to explore the need to reorient their lives propelled by a new and deeper spiritual vision helping them to live more meaningfully and respond to life situations with the assurance and comfort of being guided by God’s love.