Very often, especially when we are new to meditation, we feel that we are responsible for the experience that we have in meditation – we feel that it is up to us to make something happen! Sometimes we push and pull and become discouraged, but as we progress in our spiritual journey, we begin to realise that meditation is something that occurs quite naturally and spontaneously from within – like a river that flows from a spring in the ground. We cannot necessarily see the source of the river, but we can see or, as it is with meditation, feel the results.

Practicing meditation is in some ways like a farmer and his crops. The farmer does not actually grow a crop – it is the forces of nature that accomplish the task. What a farmer does do is prepare the soil, sow the seed and then he hopes and, if he is wise, prays for the right amount of rain and sunshine. He has done all that he can and now it is up to nature to respond. And so it is with meditation. Our task is to prepare ourselves correctly by developing the capacity to keep the body and mind still for a period of time. Through our sincere efforts, when we become tranquil even for a few seconds, the river of consciousness flows from our inner depths and permeates our entire being. This sacred river offers to us its divine gifts – peace, joy, light and satisfaction – in abundant measure. This is real meditation.

In this weeks meditation exercise, Sri Chinmoy asks us to think of a river flowing – a river of consciousness that flows directly through our spiritual hearts.

When you meditate, please try to feel the river of meditation flowing through you without coercion or exertion. Let the divine Consciousness flow through you. That flow is the real meditation which you have had many, many times. You can always have the real meditation if you allow the river of Consciousness to flow in and through you. (Source)

Right after meditation you have to feel that the light from the heart is like a river that is flowing to all the parts of the being. The consciousness-water, the consciousness-river, has found a way to flow most satisfactorily into the other parts of the being. So there will be no fear at all. At that time you will feel a connecting link between the heart and the other parts of the being.
So when you meditate, meditate on the heart. And then try to have the peace, light and bliss of the heart percolate through the entire being. In the heart you have got peace, and like a flower it has to blossom petal by petal, here, there, everywhere. Then you have a flower of peace whose petals have blossomed in all parts of the being.(Source)

Question: Sometimes after meditating, I have so much energy that I really want to run around. I don't want to stay indoors.
Sri Chinmoy: Your whole being has been energised in such a powerful manner that afterwards you are bursting with spiritual energy. When this energy outburst comes, it is usually at one particular place, such as the chest area above the heart-not actually in the heart itself. Or it may happen that at one particular part of your head, such as your forehead, you will feel energy is trying to come out of your head, as if something is about to burst. If you are alone, at that time you can chant, you can read my poems aloud, or you can sing. If you are with others, then in silence very soulfully sing some spiritual songs that you know. Let this energy, which comes in a very exuberant way, flow from the soles of your feet to the crown of your head like a river. Do not try to hold it. Let it not be accumulated at one particular place. Let it take the form of liquid energy. You will see that automatically you will become calm and quiet again. By consciously trying to help the energy flow from one place to another inside you, you will be able to enjoy that divine energy. (Source)

My heart's consciousness-river
Every day is flowing
Towards my soul's illumination-ocean.
   – Sri Chinmoy