Yoga Lifestyle

Meditation

According to Samkhya philosophy, meditation is "the liberation of the mind from all disturbing and distracting emotions, thoughts, and desires."

Patanjali: "When all thoughts get diverted to the point that the mind is fixed without creating any other flow of thought, it is called dhyana by wise people." It is the kriya (purification) of chitta (mind).

Swami Kripalu: "Meditation is the inner journey, the spiritual journey, the journey toward the Absolute, or the journey of divine love."

During meditation one is conscious only of the meditator, the meditation, and the object of meditation. Everything else is forgotten.

Meditation cannot be taught. It is a process, a happening from within. There are many methods and techniques to work with to prepare for meditation.

Purpose

The purpose of meditation is to draw mental energies inward in order to tap the sources deep within. This process of stilling and eventually transcending the mind will allow you to experience your true nature, which is revealed as truth, consciousness, and bliss (satchitananda).

Benefits

The benefits of the regular practice of meditation over many years are multiple: emotional and mental stability, which leads to clarity in decision-making; peace of mind that will influence communications and relationships; a freeing-up of creative energy; and a sense of self-worth rekindled. On a physical level, regular meditation has been proven to greatly influence the body's metabolic processes and reduce high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety.

Regular meditation may eventually lead to a change in eating habits and lifestyle. Practicing the yamas and niyamas is often a natural outcome of meditation. The food we eat, the thoughts we think, the things we do – everything is interwoven and influences the state of mind.

Process

As thoughts come and go, they consume energy and create emotional and other disturbances. The process of withdrawing the senses to a point of focus leads to concentrations, which then will merge into meditation. Methods of concentration include: Concentration on the breath (physical); concentration through mantra (mental); and concentration on the image of a deity (emotional, spiritual).

Prerequisites

The meditator needs patience, perseverance, enthusiasm, and sincerity. An attitude of non-expectation and constant self-acceptance is important. Meditation is meant to be a joyful process, although there may be painful experiences.

Physical and Mental Preparation

Choosing a particular place and time is most helpful in the meditation process. Body and mind will become accustomed to a regular time and allow the meditation to deepen. In the beginning, choose an amount of time which is doable, maybe 5-10 minutes, 1 time a day. Then it will become beneficial to take more time for meditation working up to a goal of a minimum of 25 minutes. An increase to one hour or more may eventually become a natural desire, and amazingly, life will arrange itself around your newfound practice.

The place you choose for meditation should be clean, comfortable, well-ventilated, and quiet, without stimulants such as sound and bright light. Sit either on a straight-backed chair or in a comfortable sitting position, allowing the spine to be erect. Use a cushion or a folded blanket to tilt the pelvis slightly forward. This is especially helpful when you sit for a longer time.

It is important to begin meditation with a relaxed body. Some preparatory relaxing (asana) and focusing breathing (pranayama) exercises will be helpful.