Question: Mother, what is real meditation?
Amma: Real meditation arises when the mind constantly flows towards the object of meditation. In that state the sadhak's mind will become firmly fixed on the form of his Beloved Deity during meditation.Meditation is not simply sitting with eyes closed. It is a state of unbroken concentration like an endless stream. At present, if somebody were to ask if we are meditating, we would say "Yes." Suppose we keep some water on the stove to make tea. If someone asks what we are doing, we would say that we are making tea. Actually, the water is only getting heated up; it is only the beginning. We have not yet added the tea leaves, milk or sugar. Even then, we will say that we are making tea. Likewise, we say that we are meditating, but it is only the beginning. We have not yet reached the state of real meditation. We will get spiritual strength only if we still the mind, which is at present revelling on the material plane. The mind will run around when we sit idle. "Where is my child? How is my wife? Has she gone to the office?" It will wander like this. Meditation is to stop such wandering. In the beginning stages of our spiritual practice, the mind may continue to roam about. This can be stopped only through constant and determined practice.
Children, you have been discriminating between the eternal and the non-eternal for a long time. God alone is eternal. Our life's goal is to attain Him. Son, you should not forget this.
-Mata Amritanandamayi Awaken Children! Volume II