Yoga & Meditation
The Classical Yoga of the sage Patanjali consists of eight steps aimed at attaining liberation, also called moksha or nirvana. They are:
Yamas (5 Restraints)
Niyamas (5 Observances)
Asana (Exercises and Poses)
Pranayama (Breathing Techniques)
Pratyahara (Control of the senses through withdrawal)
Dharana (Concentration)
Dhyana (Meditation)
Samadhi (Super conscious state)
Meditation
Meditation (dhyana) is the seventh step of the eight principles of Yoga. Its practice with constant observation and awareness of mind delivers excellent results such as focus, one pointedness, better clarity and memory, peace and calmness of mind. However, it is necessary for you to concentrate on one point and to still your mind if you wish to have a glimpse of the ‘Real Self’. By practising meditation, people see a better sense of purpose in life and achieve greater will power. Meditation also helps you achieve mental lucidity, better concentration, and helps you discover the tranquility and wisdom within yourself.
Yoga and meditation are India’s matchless and exceptional gifts to humanity. They help calm and strengthen both the body and mind, provide inner peace and physical strength, improve our immunity to disease and help us live healthier and longer lives.
What is Meditation
Meditation is crucial to the practice of Yoga. Meditation (dhyana) is sustained concentration on an object, could be your breath or body sensations which help you explore deeper your inner self to find peace of mind, conviction, strength, confidence and clarity.
How Meditation Works
Meditation is a very important tool for those wishing to achieve clarity of mind and good physical and mental health. Meditation works both at the physical and mental level. At the physical level, the benefits accruing to peace of mind and clarity are felt by way of better healthy, improved immunity and good, undisturbed sleep.
Meditation Poses
There are quite a few meditation postures that you can choose from. Some of these include the Half Lotus Pose, Full Lotus Posture, Easy Pose and the Warrior Pose. But these are not all; the more you practice you will find yourself able to meditate in different poses and these also become meditative postures.
Principles of Meditation
There are many schools of meditation and each of them offer certain definite guidelines aimed at helping people understand and practice meditation. These also include lifestyle changes, diet, speech, places to visit and avoid, things to do and not to do and so on. The more a person practices meditation, the more the answers a practitioner receives with the guidelines, instructions and principles. For instance, practitioners of Vipassana Meditation start out with observing their breath, then proceed to observing body sensations. Over a period of time, with consistent, diligent practice, they are vouchsafed glimpses of themselves, their surroundings and their higher self in a manner that no instructions can offer.
Benefits of Meditation
Meditation contributes greatly to your physiological and psychological well-being. It also helps you develop a better and more positive outlook in life. The more you come to know the multifarious health benefits of Meditation, the more and more you are inclined to practice and avail of the benefits yourself. But it does call for patience, diligence and regular practice.
Getting Started with Meditation
Meditation involves quite a few different techniques, postures as well as exercises. For starters, you should begin with the basic techniques such as Vipassana or Breath Meditation. But, no matter what you choose, stick to it and don’t jump horses in mid-stream just because another style or technique starts to appeal to you. It won’t get you anywhere.
Types of Meditation
You can practise in different ways depending upon your aims and goals in life. Accordingly you have Vipassana Meditation, Tratak, Yantra, OM chanting, chanting of mantras, Light Meditation, Sound Meditation, so on and so forth.
