Why do we choose ego activity over meditation?

Sometimes during my meditation I feel so serene and at peace with everything. I am however puzzled by the fact that instead of staying in such a state for a longer time, I always seem to distract myself quite soon out of it. Why am I doing that? Why is it apparently easier/nicer/more attractive for me to occupy myself with - often quite fruitless - thinking, than with being in this state?

This is what happens to most people. Ego wants to preserve its life, its view of reality, the possibilities of satisfying its needs and desires, according to its own view of reality. Therefore, whenever it has the chance to do that it will do it. To stay in the peace and serenity will mean ego death, and the end of the possibilities of satisfying its future ambitions and desires. It means turning the whole world and one’s values upside down.

So it is quite a radical change and requires a great deal of understanding and freedom to allow it in a sustained manner. But good luck; it is possible. It is most useful to inquire into the specific situations and factors that bring about the distraction, while learning to remember presence.

I have been meditating for 10 years on a mantra (Advaita Vedanta) and  since I joined Ridhwan I have taken up the kath meditation. It seems to have shaken my ideas about meditation. What is meditation really and how does it help us?

There are many kinds of meditation and different kinds have different functions. But they are basically ways of accessing or connecting with our true nature. Some develop certain capacities of the soul necessary for the inner journey. Some attempt an emotional or cognitive connection. Some aim at stilling the mind, either through concentration, awareness or breath, in order to have enough inner space to see the subtle manifestations of true nature. The kath meditation has several functions:

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