The meaning of meditation -- The meditative state -- The goal of meditation -- The benefits of meditation -- Meditation in the system of yoga -- Meditation in vedanta -- The sacred texts on meditation -- The three key factors in all meditation -- Objects of meditation -- Objects of meditation in yoga and vedanta -- Meditation on a divine form -- Meditation on a divine incarnation -- Meditation on the Lord as inmost self and supreme teacher -- Meditation on Virata Purusha, the cosmic person -- Meditation on the sacred word om -- Meditation on the Gayatri mantra -- Meditation on the great Vedic sayings -- Centers of consciousness -- The centers for meditation -- Dualism, nondualism, and the centers -- Methods of concentration -- Withdrawal and concentration of mind -- Posture -- Time and place, spiritual vibrations, and geographical directions -- Physical condition, eating habits, and exercise -- Self-analysis -- Mystic worship -- Japa, or repetition of a sacred word -- Pranayama, or control of breath -- Progress in meditation -- Milestones of progress -- Mystical experiences and realizations -- The transformation of character -- The sacred texts on progress in meditation -- Obstacles in meditation -- Obstacles in meditation and ways of overcoming them