A 26-hour meditation session spread over two days was conducted at Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Ashram, Noida. The meditation, held in the Dhyana Mandir, began at 5 pm on October 13, 2017, and concluded at 7 pm on October 14, 2017. It included periods of chanting and singing of bhajans, interspersed with 40-45 minutes of meditation. Devotees could join for the meditation as long as they were able to.
The special meditation was conducted by YSS monastics and volunteer devotees as part of the YSS Centenary celebrations this year. Devotees from NCR and other places participated in this commemorative meditation. Earlier, a similar 26-hour-long meditation as conducted in YSS Noida Ashram on December 31, 2016 and January 1, 2017.
Swami Lalitanandaji led the first hour of meditation. At the outset, Swamiji pointed out to those present the uniqueness of the event, and the opportunity it provided for so many devotees to think of God and Gurus single-mindedly for the next twenty-six hours. He mentioned that during such special meditations the Great Ones are tangibly present and shower their blessings.
Swamiji urged devotees to make the most of this blessed opportunity and encouraged them to focus on and practise each meditation technique for a longer duration and to deeply enjoy the ensuing stillness. He also advised devotees not to overlook the body’s need for food and rest. Fruits, biscuits, and hot drinks were made available for devotees.
The total period of 26 hours was divided in segments of 1 hour each. Different leaders led the meditation for different time intervals. The format included a talk of Guruji or Daya Ma/Mrinalini Ma etc. for about 8 minutes followed by chanting cum bhajan singing totaling 25 minutes in the beginning of each hour. The remaining 35 minutes of each hour were devoted to meditation.
Energization Exercises followed by Instructions, Opening Prayer, Guruji,s talk, chanting and meditation. He led for two hours in the beginning. Thereafter, other leaders took over including Monks namely Br Dhairyanandaji and Br Sheelanandaji. The group leaders took shifts of two or three hours over the night.
In the morning at 7 am Energization Exercises were led by Br Sheelanandaji. Both the Brahmcharis also repeated the instructions in Hindi and English for the benefit of devotees who were not present in the beginning of programme. At 10 am the meditation we led by Br Dhairyananda ji for two hours. During this period, the total number of devotees participating touched 170 in the Basement Dhyan Mandir and Ground Floor Mandir. Otherwise, the average attendance was about 130 devotees during most of the time. Even during night hours, about 50/60 devotees were always present. At 4 pm on Sunday, 8th October, 2017, Br Sheelanandaji led for one hour and took Energization Exercise at 5 pm. Thereafter, at 5.30 pm he led a special guided meditation on Hong Sau. From 6 pm onwards, Sw Lalitanandaji took over and completed the 26 Hours Long Meditation programme with Arati, Healing Prayer and Closing Prayer. Thereafter, devotees joined for Dinner.
Throughout the long meditation, arrangements were made in the kitchen for tea and biscuits for the devotees. This arrangement was found popular amongst the participating devotees. Meal times were about 1 hours and 20 minutes each so that devotees could join out of different hourly shifts.
The devotees found the experience very encouraging. Very high vibrations were felt by most of the devotees and monks. The half hour conducted Hong Sau meditation was well appreciated by all the devotees. Devotees have expressed their desire for repeat of such Long Meditations.
