Using Meditation to Experience God — Swami Bhaskarananda

Recorded at the Vedanta Society of Western Washington on May 1, 2016.Swami Bhaskarananda discusses meditation as a means of experiencing God, beginning with a philosophical examination of the nature of God and the limits of human perception. Drawing from Vedanta, he explains the distinction between the formless, transcendental reality and the personal forms through which devotees relate to the divine. Using examples from dreams, perception, and everyday life, he describes how the world is understood in relation to maya, and how spiritual practice helps the mind move beyond ordinary awareness toward direct knowledge of the Self.The talk emphasizes purification and concentration of mind as essential disciplines for spiritual life. Swami Bhaskarananda explains the stages of meditation described in the Hindu tradition — withdrawal of the mind, concentration, meditation, and samadhi — while illustrating these ideas through stories, scripture, and practical examples. He also reflects on the teachings of Jesus, Sri Ramakrishna, and other great teachers, stressing selflessness, devotion, and persistent spiritual practice as the foundation for experiencing the divine presence in all beings.