Thanks for trying it out. I was feeling something beautiful by the end of it, a subtle calming and assured sensation. It sounds to me like you are bridging a gap between distinction and indifference. I am really happy to have met Swami V whose approach is both methodical and clear.
Indifference is not a quality we can live with long because, like it or not the events on earth will affect us in our everyday activities. And we all want to think of ourselves as distinct in some way even in our practices but in the ultimate sense do we know that we are unique and somehow blessed? Not really. If someone did, would they be bragging about it? And if they did; wouldn’t we be able to recognize it as ego?
I think the reason i have enjoyed guided meditation so much and appreciated it when I used to go to self-realization-fellowship is because the mind is so erratic and often needs guidance. Sometimes our own guidance just doesn’t seem to be enough. It feels as though we are forcing the issue upon ourselves. Somehow controlling ourselves instead of flowing unobstructed like a river flowing around all obstacles.
When someone else guides us thru their own higher awareness and inspiration or just a distinctive approach, it is often helpful to get out of our own head and be gently guided towards a doorway of peace and expanded awareness. That is why I always made a special effort to go to the guided meditations in Buddhism when going to college, at the Vivekananda monastery and retreat, and also many hundreds of guided meditations provided at the Self-Realization-Fellowship, at Amma’s Retreats and free programs as well as now at the guided meditation Eric has provided from Swami Vidyadhishananda. I have also given guided meditation to others in yoga and astrology classes. Teaching is never a one lane road. It always brings inner realizations. All of these guided meditations -at the very least- helped me focus awareness.
The Mind is Fickle
The Bhagavadgita puts a great emphasis on the control of the mind. The mind is likened to the sixth sense, and described as fickle and unstable by nature. As an aspect of Nature, the human mind personifies the phenomenal world, its impermanance and instability.
In Chapter VI, Verse 34 Arjuna compares the mind to wind and says:
"The mind is very fickle indeed O Krishna, turbulent, strong and obstinate. I think it is as impossible to control the mind as the wind."
And in the next verse, Lord Krishna concurs:
" Undoubtedly, O Mighty Armed, it is very difficult to control the ever moving mind. However, O son of Kunti, through sincere practice and dispassionate detachment (vairagya), it can be achieved."