Emotional reactions are transcended and the mind is, therefore, left free to act in its own right. The result is a clarity of thought never before achieved, because the mind in ordinary activity is always associated with and affected by desire of some sort. In this state of consciousness desire is transcended, just as later in the stage of contemplation, thought is transcended. When the mind is stunned into inaction by inhibition or persistent repetitions, it cannot be transcended in contemplation, nor used in meditation. To practise making the mind blank, is not only foolish, but actually dangerous.
Meditation is the result of experience.
It is the instantaneous attainment of an attitude of mind as a consequence of long practice. Meditation is activity of a very intense kind and it will be found that all these five factors are involved. The material instrument which we have to use in meditation is the physical brain. Many people think that they must transcend the brain, reach some tremendous altitude and stay upon some pinnacle of thought until something transcendent happens, and they can then say they know God. What is really needed is that we should get control of the mind and of the brain processes, so that the brain becomes a sensitive receiver of the thoughts and desires of the soul, the Higher Self, as He transmits them through the medium of the mind.