Answer: By constant & long meditation, Medha Nadi is developed & felt. Medha Nadi definitely improves intelligence and memory. But, you have to do a long practice for it. Swamiji was an extra ordinary person. He was a born perfect. So, the things were easy for him. Brahmacharya has to be practised not merely physically but it must be also mentally. The mind has to be absolutely pure. Then only the intelligence grows.

Response to above Reply: Thanks for your reply. I have another query :

I have been practising meditation for several weeks. Initially there used to be problem in controlling the mind because other thoughts came into my mind but now there is no such problem as these thoughts no more come.
But the greatest hurdle that I face now is my breath. Every time I exhale there is a slight wavering of the mind and one pointedness cannot be achieved. I consider this the greatest hurdle in my practise. Do people who are competent in meditation hold their breath.
Also I want to know what is the role of Pranayama ? I mean Pranayama is a separate exercise but how does it help in meditation ?
I would be grateful if you reply.
Reply to the Above Response: I appreciate your sincerity in Spiritual Practice. If you are able to control your thoughts without observing the breath, try to do that. Otherwise, continue to observe the breath. Gradually the wavering will stop.
Pranayama helps only to concentrate the mind ultimately. If you are able to do it without it, there is no need for Pranayama. Some practise Pranayama for the awakening of the Kundalini & its observation. But that is not very essential.

Answer: 1. Continue your meditation, but see that you don’t fall asleep. So long you are alert, it is alright. There is not much difference between heart and the mind. So long you are able to control your thoughts going outside, it is alright.
2. If the breath becomes a problem, try to concentrate your mind on the breath itself. Gradually you will be able to overcome this problem.

Answer: The pain may be due to not being habituated to sit in that position. So try to change your position of sitting and experiment.
Don’t give much importance to seeing colours, etc., so that your mind will be more interested in concentration than seeing these things.

Answer: 1. The efficacy of Japa is to purify the mind. If you are concerned only about materialistic point of view, there is no necessity of Japa at all. By constantly doing Japa, more than concentration, it changes the whole personality internally and makes you a better and better man. You will reach a state where your personality will be – “Be good & do good”. When you reach that state, you will have absolute contentment and happiness.
2. The Mantra is the name of the Lord which has been spiritually charged with power by the Guru.

Answer: The religious paths are different, but the goal is same.

Answer: Your problem is quite understandable. Try to change the time whichever is convenient to you. It must be before you get totally exhausted.

Answer: I am not been able to understand your problem correctly. Do you mean you are short tempered? If so, there are two methods: You have to practise meditation everyday and try to control you mind through it. Secondly, give constantly auto-suggestion to your mind saying, ‘I should not become angry.’ Both are no doubt a long process, but you are sure to attain success. There is a small booklet, “Mind and Its Control”, published by Ramakrishna Mission. If you can get a copy of it and read, it will also help you.

Answer: Thank you for your letter & interest in spiritual practice. You should determine to spend fifteen minutes everyday in the morning before your work. Just sit and try to pray to whichever God you believe in for one or two minutes; and then try to concentrate your mind on ‘Om’ or on any light or on space. If you sincerely put your effort, you will be able to concentrate on it. It should bring peace. Continue it for one or two months and get back to me.

Answer: Religious History says that both Sannyasins (monk) and householders have realised the Self. Only it is easy for a Sannyasin, because of the non-botheration of the family. He can spend more time in his spiritual practices. But if a householder puts the necessary efforts, he also has the possibility of realising the Self.

Answer: Your question is very vague. However, there are four main paths in Hinduism for the realization of God. They are – 1. Jnana Yoga (the path of reasoning), 2. Karma Yoga (the path of action in the spirit of service to God), 3. Bhakti Yoga (the Path of Love for God), 4. Raja Yoga (the path of Meditation). I don’t know from where exactly you are writing. However, you may ask for a catalogue of books from any of our centre and know more about it.

RESPONSE to the Above REPLY : Thank you for responding. I have been able to get detailed descriptions of each of these Yoga paths that you named. I used the information as part of what I taught to a class of middle school children. I am a Buddhist and my own practice is very close to Raja Yoga. I have traveled in India and have great respect for your religion. My first meditation teacher was a Hindu. I have been reading about Raja Yoga in the works of Swami Vivekananda.