BABUJI MAHARAJ's VIEWS on Duration of Time in Puja(Mediation)

Generally it has been noticed that the abhyasis feel upset if they do not sit in meditation for an hour. If an abhyasi sits in  meditation for an hour or more, he feels that his puja that day has been very good. This indicates that clock consciousness is more dominant in their minds which does not permit even love for Divine to remain there. This is misinterpretation of what Babuji Maharaj wanted.

Once I asked Babuji Maharaj, "Please tell me Sir, why you have put a limitation of time of minimum one hour for meditation?" Babuji Maharaj replied, "A new abhyasi when sits in meditation, I know that it is difficult for him to sit in meditation for an hour but still it is prescribed because in first 15 to 20 minutes, the abhyasi settles himself in meditation and only after that he starts feeling about Divine. However an hour does not mean time according to a clock because otherwise the abhyasi's attention will remain diverted more towards the clock instead of love for GOD. This actually means that before closing the eyes, the abhyasi should take a simple thought of Divine presence with love for Him in the heart and as there is Divine help in the form of transmission of Divine Grace, the abhyasi will himself feel preferring to close eyes and continue the meditation. The abhyasi should make efforts to sit in meditation for maximum possible time and moreover when abhyasi starts feeling satisfied, it is an indication from GOD that presently the spiritual hunger is satisfied and it is time now to stop meditation and open the eyes. After opening the eyes, the abhyasi should think for a while and make efforts to remain drowned in the Divine thought which he feels during meditation till he next sits in meditation. This also helps remaining in constant remembrance of God."

Saint sister Kasturi has provided a clarification on this point in simple words. She has suggested "to sit in meditation with efforts to feel drowned in love for God and to continue meditation till the abhyasi feels that his thirst for Divine has been quenched. Now the abhyasi can stop the meditation. In certain cases if abhyasi feels much disturbed, during meditation, by the flowing thoughts, he should open his eyes for a while and try to feel Babuji Maharaj and His Grace, the abhyasi will feel very soon to close the eyes and then again he may continue in meditation."

In fact a regular practice increases all round faculties of an abhyasi and gradually a time comes when the abhyasi starts feeling the Divine consciousness all the time whether he closes the eyes or not. This is what Babuji Maharaj wanted from an abhyasi.

So the duration of time in Puja is decided by the then circumstances. When our object is to be free from all the limitations, we should not bind ourselves by the clock time. We should make our living such which maintains a balance between spiritual and worldly life. With the increase in devotion and blessings of God, an abhyasi starts dwelling in the ocean of Divine love. He starts feeling Divine fragrance all the time which pushes him fast to attain his goal of God Realisation. All the Time becomes His Time.