Patanjali Yoga Sutra — dhyānaheyāstad vṛttayaḥ॥2.11॥

ध्यानहेयास्तद्वृत्तयः॥

(The subtler obstacles might breed subtler fluctuations in mind called vṛttis and) these can be completely and effectively annihilated by profound meditation.

Gross or subtle, good or bad, fully manifested or vestigial, fluctuations are always disturbances in the sādhana patha (Yogi’s path). Patañjali Maharṣi advocates meditation to be an effective way to totally quieten the mind from its subtler vṛttis or fluctuations. Meditation is both a means as well as an end for yoga sādhakas to still the mind.

We are not different from our thoughts or actions. Every thought or action we do will have its impressions and that is our samskāra. Vāsanas or samskāras are deep-rooted and they are registered into our sub-conscious mind also. When the surface or conscious mind is silenced in meditation, the sādhaka reaches subtler and deeper layers of his mind called sub-conscious mind. In this region, he can modify his thought pattern by planting divine or spiritual thoughts, so that he is now reorienting the very software itself by going to the ‘Source code’. sādhaka is substituting or swapping divine thoughts in place of mundane thought pattern, which is capable of altering his very samskāras. How we plant seeds? If the seed is just thrown on the surface, it might not sprout or germinate at all. Instead, we dig a little, we clean up the ground, remove the weeds, and then we put the seed and cover with soil. We also water it. Thus the seed sprouts and the plant grows slowly. Meditation is such deep implantation of divinity in our consciousness.

What is spirituality anyway? Or what are spiritual thoughts? The realization that I am imperishable spirit (Self) is spirituality. Paramātma is just an illusion for an atheist, but a faith for one who has reposed belief and a reality for realized sādhakas.

Dhyāna (Meditation) is possible according to Bhagavān when:

यदाविनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते।

निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा॥गीता ६.१८॥

yadāviniyataṁ cittamātmanyevāvatiṣṭhate.

niḥspr̥haḥ sarvakāmebhyo yukta ityucyate tadā॥Gītā 6.18॥

On having fully subdued the mind, when sādhaka is able to dwell upon only the ātman (destined as the only abode), all his hankering for worldly desires (good or bad) is said have been outdone and such a man is said to be an accomplished yogi.

Śrī Rāmatīrtha says, ‘meditation is thinking of unthinkable to become thoughtless’.