meditation for mindfulness

THE SPIRITUAL REALITY - Part 2

2010-03-08T03:19:00.000-08:00

Modern science seems to corroborate the presence of these, essences behind bodies. The world was once said to be made up of molecules or chemical substances. Further investigation revealed that molecules are not the last word and that they are made up of atoms. Research, again, proved that even the atoms are formed of certain substances, which have the character of both waves of energy and particles of force.They flow like waves and sometimes jump like particles. A great physicist has therefore preferred to designate them as ‘wavicles’. These have been named electrons, protons, neutrons, etc., according to their structure and function. Their essence is force. There is nothing but force in the universe.

There is only a continuum of energy everywhere. The Tanmatras of the Yoga system, however, are subtler than the energy of the scientist, even as the Prana is subtler than electricity. Just as behind the Prana there is the mind, behind the Tanmatras there is the Cosmic Mind. Beyond the Cosmic Mind are the Cosmic Ego and the Cosmic Intellect, the last mentioned having a special name, Mahat.

Beyond the Mahat is what is called Prakriti, in which the whole universe exists as a tree in a seed, or as effect in its cause. Transcending Prakriti is the Absolute-Consciousness, called Brahman, Paramatman and the like. So, whether we dive deep here or there, within ourselves or within the cosmos, we find the same thing-Consciousness. And the stages of manifestation in the individual correspond to those in the universe.

The purpose of Yoga is to effect a communion between the individual and cosmic structures and to realize the ultimate Reality. The Yoga places before us the goal of a union wherein infinity and eternity seem to come together.

The aim of Yoga is to raise the status of the individual to the cosmic level and to abolish the false difference between the individual and the cosmic. The cosmos includes ourselves and things. The individual is a part of the cosmos. Then, why do we make a separate reference to the individual? This is a mistake, which Yoga effectively corrects.

To regard the cosmos as an outer object would be to defy the very meaning of the cosmos. To imagine ourselves to be subjects counterposed before an object called the cosmos would be to stultify the comprehensiveness of the cosmos and to interfere with its harmony and working. The Yoga rectifies this mistake and hereby the mortal becomes the Immortal. As the individual is a part of the cosmos, this achievement should not be difficult.

The individual is not separate from the cosmic, but there seems to be some confusion in the mind of the individual which has caused an artificial isolation of itself from the rest of the universe. This confusion is called Ajnana or Avidya, which really means an absence or negation of true knowledge. Here we enter the realms of depth psychology.

From - The yoga system

THE SPIRITUAL REALITY - Part 1

2010-03-08T02:49:00.000-08:00

And what is this deepest? The physical body, being outside as a part of the physical world, should be considered an object like the other things of the world, and it is constituted of the five elements. This material body of five elements acts as a vehicle for certain powers that work from within. Our actions are movements of these powers.

There is an energy within the body which is other than the elements. This energy is called Prana or vital force. The Prana has many functions, which are responsible for the workings of the body.

The organs of action, viz., speech (Vak), hands (Pani), feet (Pada), genitals (Upastha) and anus (Payu) are moved by the motive power of the Prana. But the Prana is a blind energy and it needs to be directed properly. We know we do not just do anything at any time, but act with some, method and intelligence.

There is a directing principle behind the Prana. We think before we act. The mind is, therefore, internal to the Prana. But thought, again, is regulated by something else. We engage ourselves in systematic thinking and follow a logical course in every form of contemplation and action.

This logical determinant of all functions in life is the intellect, which is the highest of human faculties, and it is inseparable from the principle of the ego in man. All these functions of the psychological apparatus are, however, confined to what is called the waking state.

The human being seems to be passing from this state to others, such as dream and deep sleep. Though we have some sort of an awareness in dream, we are bereft of all consciousness in deep sleep. Yet, we know that we do exist in the state of sleep. This means that we can exist without doing anything, even without thinking.

The condition of deep sleep is a paradox for psychology and is the crux of the Yoga analysis. It is strange that in sleep we do not know even our own selves, and still we know that we do exist then. An experience, pure and simple, of the nature of consciousness alone, is the constituent of deep sleep, notwithstanding that we are not aware of it due to a peculiar difficulty in which we seem to get involved there.

In deep sleep, we have consciousness not associated with objects, and hence we remain oblivious of everything external. There is, at the same time, unconsciousness of even one’s own existence due to there being the potentiality for objective perception. The result is, however, that the deepest in the individual is consciousness, which is called by such names as the Atman, Purusha, etc.

This is the real Self.Now, what is the deepest in the cosmos? We learnt that there are five elements. But this is not the whole picture of creation. There are realities within the physical universe as they are there within the individual body. If the Prana, mind, intellect, ego and finally consciousness are internal to the bodily structure, there are also tremendous truths internal to the physical universe.

Within the five gross elements there are five forces which manifest the elements. These forces are the universal causes of everything that is physical, and are called Tanmatras, a term which signifies the essence of objects.

There is such a force or power behind the elements of Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Sabda or sound is the force behind Ether. But this sound is, different from what we merely hear with our ears. It is the subtle principle behind the whole of Ether, on account of which the ears are capable of hearing at all.

This is sound as Tanmatra. Likewise, there are the Tanmatras of Air, Fire, Water and Earth, called respectively Sparsa or touch, Page Divine Life Society, Sivananda Ashram, India Rupa or form, Rasa or taste and Gandha or smell. These powers are subtle energies immanent in the elements constituting the physical universe.

From - The Yoga System

PRANAYAMA AND ITS PARALLEL IN SPEECH, MANTRAYOGA - part 2

2010-02-06T03:46:00.000-08:00

The ideal mantra should be rhythmical, one might even say musical; but there should be sufficient emphasis on some syllable to assist the faculty of attention. The best mantras are of medium length, so far as the beginner is concerned.

If the mantra is too long, one is apt to forget it, unless one practises very hard for a great length of time. On the other hand, mantras of a single syllable, such as "Aum," are rather jerky; the rhythmical idea is lost. Here are a few useful mantras: 1. Aum. 2. Aum Tat Sat Aum. This mantra is purely spondaic.

II. {illustration: line of music with: Aum Tat Sat Aum :under it} 3. Aum mani padme hum; two trochees between two caesuras.

III. {illustration: line of music with: Aum Ma-ni Pad-me Hum :under it}

4. Aum shivaya vashi; three trochees. Note that "shi" means rest, the absolute or male aspect of the Deity; "va" is energy, the manifested or female side of the Deity. This Mantra therefore expresses the whole course of the Universe, from Zero through the finite back to Zero. IV. {illustration: line of music with: Aum shi-va-ya Va-shi Aum shi-va-ya Vashi :under it}

5. Allah. The syllables of this are accented equally, with a certain pause between them; and are usually combined by fakirs with a rhythmical motion of the body to and fro.

6. Hua allahu alazi lailaha illa Hua. {20} Here are some longer ones:

7. The famous Gayatri. Aum! tat savitur varenyam Bhargo devasya dimahi Dhiyo yo na pratyodayat. Scan this as trochaic tetrameters.

8. Qol: Hua Allahu achad; Allahu Assamad; lam yalid walam yulad; walam yakun lahu kufwan achad.

9. This mantra is the holiest of all that are or can be. It is from the Stele of Revealing.<>

A ka dua Tuf ur biu Bi aa chefu IX. Dudu ner af an nuteru. {illustration: two lines of music with: A ka du - a Tuf ur bi - u Bi A'a che - - fu Du - du ner af an nu - te -ru :under them} Such are enough for selection.<> There are many other mantras. Sri Sabapaty Swami gives a particular one for each of the Cakkras. But let the student select one mantra and master it thoroughly.

You have not even begun to master a mantra until it continues unbroken through sleep. This is much easier than it sounds. Some schools advocate practising a mantra with the aid of instrumental music and dancing. Certainly very remarkable effects are obtained in the way of "magic" powers; whether great spiritual results are equally common is a doubtful point. Persons wishing to study them may remember that the Sahara desert is within three days of London; and no doubt the Sidi Aissawa would be glad to accept pupils. This discussion of the parallel science of mantra-yoga has led us far indeed from the subject of Pranayama. Pranayama is notably useful in quieting the emotions and appetites; and, whether by reason of the mechanical pressure which it asserts, or by the thorough combustion which it assures in the lungs, it seems to be admirable from the standpoint of health. Digestive troubles in particular are very easy to remove in this way. It purifies both the body and the lower functions of the mind,<

Emphatically. It is impossible to combine Pranayama properly performed with emotional thought. It should be resorted to immediately, at all times during life, when calm is threatened. On the whole, the ambulatory practices are more generally useful to the health than the sedentary; for in this way walking and fresh air are assured. But some of the sedentary practice should be done, and combined with meditation. Of course when actually "racing" to get results, walking is a distraction.and should be practised certainly never less than one hour daily by the serious student. Four hours is a better period, a golden mean; sixteen hours is too much for most people.

From - MEDITATION THE WAY OF ATTAINMENT OF GENIUS

PRANAYAMA AND ITS PARALLEL IN SPEECH, MANTRAYOGA - part 1

2010-02-06T03:31:00.000-08:00

The connection between breath and mind will be fully discussed in speaking of the Magick Sword, but it may be useful to premise a few details of a practical character.

You may consult various Hindu manuals, and the writing of "K"wang Tze, for various notable theories as to method and result. But in this sceptical system one had better content one's self with statements which are not worth the trouble of doubting.

The ultimate idea of meditation being to still the mind, it may be considered a useful preliminary to still consciousness of all the functions of the body. This has been dealt with in the chapter on Asana. One may, however, mention that some Yogis carry it to the point of trying to stop the beating of the heart.

Whether this be desirable or no it would be useless to the beginner, so he will endeavour to make the breathing very slow and very regular. The rules for this practice are given in Liber CCVI. The best way to time the breathing, once some little skill has been acquired, with a watch to bear witness, is by the use of a mantra.

The mantra acts on the thoughts very much as Pranayama does upon the breath. The thought is bound down to a recurring cycle; any intruding thoughts are thrown off by the mantra, just as pieces of putty would be from a fly-wheel; and the swifter the wheel the more difficult would it be for anything to stick.

This is the proper way to practise a mantra. Utter it as loudly and slowly as possible ten times, then not quite so loudly and a very little faster ten times more. Continue this process until there is nothing but a rapid movement of the lips; this movement should be continued with increased velocity and diminishing intensity until the mental muttering completely absorbs the physical. The student is by this time absolutely still, with the mantra racing in his brain; he should, however, continue to speed it up until he reaches his limit, at which he should continue for as long as possible, and then cease the practice by reversing the process above described.

Any sentence may be used as a mantra, and possibly the Hindus are correct in thinking that there is a particular sentence best suited to any particular man. Some men might find the liquid mantras of the Quran slide too easily, so that it would be possible to continue another train of thought without disturbing the mantra; one is supposed while saying mantra to meditate upon its meaning. This suggests that the student might construct for himself a mantra which should represent the Universe in sound, as the pantacle<> should do in form. Occasionally a mantra may be "given," "i.e.," heard in some unexplained manner during a meditation.

One man, for example, used the words: "And strive to see in everything the will of God;" to another, while engaged in killing thoughts, came the words "and push it down," apparently referring to the action of the inhibitory centres which he was using. By keeping on with this he got his "result."

From - MEDITATION THE WAY OF ATTAINMENT OF GENIUS

Mind and Meditation - Part 4

2010-02-05T04:40:00.000-08:00

A child makes a toy-child (doll) of rags, and plays with it with motherly instincts of nursing and protection. The doll remains the same but the child develops the motherly instincts for future development and manifestation. Even so, a Bhakti in worshipping a Murty, develops devotion, Bhakti. Anugraha, Preeti, Viraha and Mahabhava and eventually Parabhakti. An aspirant can meditate on the physical form of his Guru.

Sit on Padmasana or Siddhasana in a solitary room. Close the eyes. Concentrate on the picture of Lord Vishnu in the heart. Imagine that Lord Vishnu is seated there with His four hands in the centre of a blazing sun of light, with conch, disc, mace and lotus.

Mentally visualise the picture, from head to foot as you have done in Trataka. Do mental Puja also. Offer flowers, Arghya, Sandal paste, incense; burn camphor, etc., mentally. Similarly you can meditate on Lord Siva, Krishna, Devi. Instead of concentrating at the heart, you can concentrate at the space between the two eyebrows (Trikuti). Practise this Saguna meditation for two years and then take to Nirguna meditation. You can do meditation while sitting or standing or walking. For beginners a sitting posture is necessary. Repeat your Guru Mantra or the Mantra of the Ishta Devata mentally. Associate the ideas of purity, infinity, eternity, immortality, Vyapaka, Paripurna, Sat-Chit-Ananda, Akhanda, Advaita, Chidakasa, etc., with Om repetition.

Samadhi

Samadhi is deep sleep with the full knowledge of the Self. You get this sleepless sleep when you have burnt the five Jnana Indriyas in the fire of Wisdom, when you have extricated yourself from the clutches of Avidya, Maya or ignorance and when you have controlled all desires. Tadevartha matranirbhasam Svarupa Soonyameva Samadhi —Patanjali Yoga Sutra.

Samadhi Samathovastha Jeevatma Paramatmano —Dattatreya Samhita. This is not a state of nothingness but a state of “everythingness.” You enter into a state of Absolute Awareness, in which time and place disappear; every place is here; every period of time is ‘now’; and everything is “I”. In this state you have obtained Bliss and Eternal Life. During cosmic consciousness, you are in touch with universal knowledge and life.

The Divine principle flows through you. Your little, individual personality is lost. Your individual will has become merged in the cosmic will or Ishvara’s will. You are aware of the oneness of life. You have the one consciousness—CHINMAYA—that the universe is filled with one life, that the universe is full of life. You have Tattva Jnana and you see the real universe, which is the essence or background of the universe of Matter, Energy and Mind. You are in a state of Bliss and Ecstasy beyond understanding and description. This is a cognitive trace or Turiya Avastha where Triputi (knowledge, knowable and knower) exists.
Philosophy Of Sleep

Study the condition of Sushupti Avastha or Jada Nidra, the state of deep sleep. There is neither the play of the mind nor the play of the Indriyas. There are no objects. There is neither attraction nor repulsion (Raga, Dvesha). Wherefrom do you derive the Ananda in sleep? The experience in sleep is universal. There is no difference of opinion here. Everyone says: “I slept soundly. I knew nothing. I was very happy in sleep.” During deep sleep you rest in Sat-Chit-Ananda Atman and enjoy the Atmic bliss which is independent of object.

The difference between deep sleep and Samadhi is that in deep sleep there is the veil of ignorance and in Samadhi this veil is removed. You draw four conclusions from sleep: (1) You exist. There is feeling of continuity of consciousness. (2) There is Advaita. (3) You are Ananda Svarupa. (4) The world is Mithya. Names and forms are illusory. The world is a mere play of the mind. It is only a phenomenal appearance.

When there is mind, there is world. If you can produce Manonasa (destruction of the mind) consciously through Yoga Sadhana, the world will disappear. You will feel the Atman everywhere. Even in the day time, you become one with the Atman whenever a desire is gratified. When you enjoy an object you become mindless (Amana) for a short time. You rest in your own Atman and enjoy the Atmic Bliss (spiritual Ananda). Ignorant persons attribute the happiness to the objects. Just as the dog which sucks a dry bone, foolishly imagines that blood comes from the dry bone,whereas in reality the blood oozes out of its own palate, so also foolish persons imagine that the happiness comes from external objects, while they actually derive the happiness from their own Atman within. They are deluded owing to the force of Maya and Avidya.

Mind and Meditation - Part 3

2010-01-12T02:25:00.000-08:00

At the initial stage of practice you can concentrate on the tick-tick sound of a watch, the flame of a candle or any other object which is pleasing to the mind. This is concrete concentration. There is no concentration without something at which the mind may rest. The mind can easily be fixed on any object which is pleasing. It is very difficult to fix the mind in the beginning on an object which it dislikes.

Sit on lotus-pose, Padmasana, with crossed legs. Fix the gaze on the tip of the nose. This is called nasal gaze. Do not make any strained effort. Gently look at the tip of the nose. Practise for one minute in the beginning. Gradually increase to 30 minutes or one hour. This practice steadies the mind. It develops the power of concentration. Even when you walk in the streets keep up this practice.

Sit on lotus-pose with crossed legs or in “perfected pose” (Siddhasana) in your meditation room and practise fixing the mind at the junction of the eyebrows gently for half a minute. Then gradually increase the period to half an hour. There must not be the least strain in this practice. This practice removes the restlessness of mind and develops concentration.

This is known as the frontal gaze because the eyes are directed towards the frontal bone of the forehead. You can select either the nasal gaze or the frontal gaze according to your temperament and capacity. If you want to increase your power of concentration you will have to reduce your worldly activities. You will have to observe the vow of silence every day for two hours or more. Practise concentration till the mind is well established on the object of concentration. When the mind runs away from the object bring it back again.

When concentration is deep and intense, the senses cannot operate. He who practises perfect concentration for three hours daily will have tremendous psychic powers. He will have a strong will-power.

There was a workman who used to manufacture arrows. Once he was very busy at his work. He was so much absorbed in his work that he could not notice even the big party of a King and his retinue passing in front of his shop. Such must be the nature of your concentration when you fix your mind on God. You must have the idea of God and God alone. No doubt, it takes some time to have complete concentration or attain one-pointedness of mind.

You will have to struggle very hard to have a single-minded concentration. Even if the mind runs outside during your practice in meditation do not bother. Allow it to run. Slowly try to bring it to your object of concentration. By repeated practice the mind will be finally focussed on your heart, on the Self, the Indweller of your heart—-the final goal of life.

In the beginning the mind may run out 80 times. After six months it may run 70 times; within a year it may run 50 times; within two years it may run 30 times; in five years it may be completely fixed in the Divine Consciousness. Then it will not run out at all even if you try your best to bring it out. It will be like a wandering bull which used to run to the gardens of neighbours for grazing but which now eats fresh grain and extract of cotton seeds in its own resting place.

Meditation

Meditation is an unbroken uninterrupted or incessant flow of the idea of the object that is concentrated upon. If you close your eyes when you do Trataka and mentally visualise the picture of the object of Trataka, it is concrete meditation or Saguna meditation. Concrete meditation on an object is necessary for an untrained mind, in the beginning. If you meditate on an abstract idea, it will constitute Nirguna meditation.

For beginners whose minds are engrossed in and filled with passions and impurities, meditation on a form is absolutely necessary. A Murty or any concrete form such as a Pratima is indispensable during meditation or Japa. Without undergoing a course of concrete meditation in the beginning, especially for the ordinary type of people, it is absolutely impossible to start Nirguna meditation at the very outset.

The vast majority of aspirants commit a serious mistake in jumping to Nirguna meditation all at once. They will only break their legs. The mind is so framed as it demands a form to cling to. Meditation on a Murty, i.e., a stone-image remains the stone as it is, but the devotion of the devotee goes to the Lord. He is pleased.

Divine Grace will surely descend. You will have to superimpose the attributes of God on the stone-image. You will have to imagine that there is the Antaratman hidden in the image, the all-pervading, indwelling presence, the pure consciousness, the Chaitanya at the back of it.

From - Yoga In Daily Life

Mind and Meditation - Part 2

2010-01-12T02:12:00.000-08:00

Yellow silken cloth the Pitambara, then to the golden Hara, the gem on the breast, then ear-ring, then the face, then the crown on the head, then the bracelets on the arm, then the disc in the right upper hand, then the conch in the left upper hand, then the Gada or mace in the left lower hand. This is the order. Then come down to the feet and start again to the upper parts. Do like this again and again. Whenever the mind runs away, fix it again and again, just as Lord Krishna says in the Gita VI-25:

“Yato yato nischarati manaschanchalamasthiram
Tatastato niyamyaitadatmanyeva vasam nayet.”

The conch representsO Mor Sabdha Brahman. The disk is the destroyer of the evil Vrittis or Vasanas, the mace represents the emblem of sovereignty, the lotus at the feet represents the world or universe. At the outset, you can do Trataka, after taking Asana, on a fine black point on the wall in front for 10 minutes. Slowly increase the time. Have a steady uninterrupted gaze on the dot without closing the eyes.

You can also do Trataka after closing the two ears with your two thumbs, on the Anahat sound that rises from the Akasa of the heart. This will lead to actual Laya, in the long run. Then you can do Trataka on Lord Vishnu, Siva, Krishna or any other Murthy.

Trataka practice gives tremendous power and removes a host of opthalmic ailments (eye troubles) and bestows Divya Drishti.

Practice Of Concentration
Fix the mind on some object either inside or outside the body. Keep it steady there for some time. This is concentration. You will have to practise this daily. Purify the mind first through the practice of right conduct and then take to the practice of concentration. Concentration without purity is of no use. There are some occultists who have concentration; but they have no good character.

This is the reason why they do not make any progress in the spiritual path. He who has a steady posture and has purified the nerves and the vital sheath by the constant practice of control of breath will be able to concentrate easily. Concentration will be intense if you remove all distractions. A celibate who has preserved his energy will have wonderful concentration. Some foolish, impatient students take to concentration at once without any preliminary ethical training. This is a serious blunder. Ethical perfection is of paramount importance. You can concentrate internally on any one of the seven centres of spiritual energy.

Attention plays a prominent part in concentration. He who has developed his powers of attention will have good concentration. A man who is full of passion and all sorts of desires, can never concentrate on any object even for a short period. His mind will be restless like that of a monkey. A scientist concentrates his mind and invents many things. Through concentration he opens the layers of the gross mind and penetrates deeply into the higher regions of the mind and gets deeper knowledge. He concentrates the energies of his mind and focuses them on the materials he is analysing and finds out their secrets.

He who has gained abstraction (withdrawing the senses from the objects) will have good concentration. You will have to pass on the spiritual path step by step, stage by stage. To start with, lay the foundation of right conduct, postures, regulation of breath, and abstraction. The superstructure of concentration and meditation will be successful only then.

You should be able to visualise the object of concentration very clearly even though it is not there. You must form the mental picture at a moment’s notice. If you have good concentration you can do this without much difficulty.

From - Yoga In Daily Life

Mind and Meditation - Part 1

2010-01-12T01:58:00.000-08:00

Mind and Meditation - Do not try to drive away the unimportant and irrelevant thoughts. The more you try, the more will they return, the more strength will they gain. You will only tax your energy and will. Become indifferent. Fill the mind with Divine thoughts. The others will gradually vanish. Get yourself established in Nirvikalpa Samadhi through constant meditation.

Three Doshas Of The Mind There are three Doshas or defects in the mind viz., Malam, Vikshepa and Avarana. The impurities of the mind such as Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya are termed Malams. This is removed by the practice of Yama, Niyama and Nishkama Karma Yoga. Vikshepa is tossing of the mind. It is removed by Upasana, Trataka, Yoga and Pranayama. Avarana is the veil of ignorance. This is removed by the study of Vedantic literature, meditation and Jnana.

Mind: Its Mysteries And Control

Mind is Atma Sakti. It is an illusory power of God or Brahman. The seat of the mind is heart. It is formed out of the subtlest essence of food. A Vritti is a wave that arises in the mind-lake. There are three Gunas in the mind, viz., Sattva (purity), Rajas (passion) and Tamas (inertia, darkness). Control the Vrittis. Increase your Sattva. If you entertain thoughts of hatred you are really a murderer of that man against whom you foster such thoughts.

You are committing suicide, because those thoughts rebound upon only you. Hatred ceases only by love and not by hatred. Your thoughts, sentiments, moods and emotions produce their strong impressions on the face. The face is like an advertisement board wherein is what is going in the mind is specified. As the first thought is the thought “I” and as this thought “I” is at the base of all other thoughts. Ahamkara is the seed for the mind.

Buddhi (Bheda Buddhi) is the cause for this differentiation (this little “I”, the self-arrogating false personality), and is again the cause of Ahamkara. Destroy this false egoism and the Bheda Buddhi by Brahma Bhava, Vichara and rest in your own natural Satchidananda Svarupa.

Trataka

Trataka is one of the Shat Karmas in the light of Hatha Yoga philosophy. Trataka also plays a very prominent part in Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Trataka is focussing of one’s own energy towards an object or thing or an idea and observing every detail and dissecting, analysing, consciously and subconsciously drawing to itself every possible bit of information regarding it both within and without. Trataka lies at the base of will-power.

This is a preliminary Sadhana for a Yogic student. A Jnani concentrates his attention on an abstract thought—“Aham Brahma Asmi. I am all purity. I am all power,” etc. It is really an up-hill work or a tremendous task for people of average intelligence to concentrate on an abstract thought. To begin with, you will have to concentrate on concrete object. Keep the picture of your Ishta Devata in front of you. I shall tell you now how to do Trataka on Lord Vishnu.

“Dhyeya sada savitri mandala madhyavarti, Narayana sarasijasana sannivishta; Keyuravan, Makara kundalavan, kirti harih hiranmaya vapuh; Dhrita sankha chakra gada pane dvarakanilayachyuta.”

from - yoga in daily life

NOSTRIL-BREATHING VS. MOUTH-BREATHING

2009-06-25T03:19:00.000-07:00

One of the first lessons in the Yogi Science of Breath, Is to learn how to breathe through the nostrils, and to overcome the common practice of mouth-breathing. The breathing mechanism of Man is so constructed that he may breathe either through the mouth or nasal tubes, but it is a matter of vital importance to him which method he follows, as one brings health and strength and the other disease and weakness. It should not be necessary to state to the student that the proper method of breathing is to take the breath through the nostrils, but alas! the ignorance among civilized people regarding this simple matter is astounding. We find people in all walks of life habitually breathing through their mouths, and allowing their children to follow their horrible and disgusting example. Many of the diseases to which civilized man is subject are undoubtedly caused by this common habit of mouth-breathing. Children permitted to breathe in this way grow up with impaired vitality and weakened constitutions, and in manhood and womanhood break down and become chronic invalids. The mother of the savage race does better, being evidently guided by her intuition. She seems to instinctively recognize that the nostrils are the proper channels for the conveyal of air to the lungs, and she trains her infant to close its little lips and breathe through the nose. She tips its head forward when it is asleep, which attitude closes the lips and makes nostril-breathing imperative. If our civilized mothers were to adopt the same plan, it would work a great good for the race. Many contagious diseases are contracted by the disgusting habit of mouth-breathing, and many cases ofcold and catarrhal affections are also attributable to the same cause. Many persons who, for the sake of appearances, keep their mouth closed during the day, persist in mouth-breathing at night and often contract disease in this way.

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 12

2009-05-20T03:35:00.000-07:00

Have the picture ofOMin front of you. Concentrate gently on this picture with open eyes till
tears flow profusely. Associate the ideas of eternity, infinity, immortality, etc., when you think of
OM. The humming of bees, the sweet notes of the nightingale, the seven tunes in music, and allsounds are emanating from OM only. OM is the essence of the Vedas. Imagine that OM is the bow, the mind is the arrow and Brahman (God) is the target. Aim at the target with great care and then, like the arrow becomes one with the target, you will become one with Brahman. The short accent of OM burns all sins, the long accent gives Moksha, and the elongated accent bestows all psychic powers (Siddhis). He who chants and meditates upon this monosyllable OM chants and meditates upon all the Scriptures of the world.
XII
Sit on Padmasana or Siddhasana in your meditation room. Watch the flow of breath. You
will hear the sound “SOHAM”, So during inhalation and ham during exhalation. SOHAM means I
AM HE. The breath is reminding you of your identity with the Supreme Soul. You are
unconsciously repeating Soham 21,600 times daily at the rate of 15 Sohams per minute. Associate the ideas of Existence, Knowledge, Bliss, Absolute, Purity, Peace, Perfection, Love, etc., along with Soham. Negate the body while repeating the Mantra and identify yourself with the Atman or the Supreme Soul.
XIII
Uddhava asked Lord Krishna: “O Lotus-eyed! How to meditate on Thee! Tell me what is
the nature of that meditation and what it is?” To which Lord Krishna replied: “Be seated on the
Asana that is neither high nor low, with your body erect and in an easy posture. Place your hands on the lap. Fix your gaze on the tip of the nose (in order to fix the mind). Purify the tracks of Prana by Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka, and then again in the reverse way i.e., first breathe in by the left nostril with the right nostril closed by the tip of the thumb, then close the left nostril by the tips of the ring finger and the little finger and retain the breath in both the nostrils. Then remove the tip of the thumb and breathe out through the right nostril. Reverse the process by breathing in through the right nostril, then retaining the breath in both the nostrils and letting out the breath through the left nostril. Practise this Pranayama gradually with your senses controlled.
From - SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 11

2009-05-20T03:30:00.000-07:00

V - Meditate on the magnanimity of the ocean and its infinite nature. Then compare the ocean to
the Infinite Brahman, and the waves, foams and ice-bergs to the various names and forms. Identify
yourself with the ocean. Become silent. Expand. Expand.
VI -This is another kind of meditation. Meditate on the Himalayas. Imagine that the Ganga
takes its origin in the icy regions of Gangotri near Uttarakasi, flows through Rishikesh. Haridwar,
Benares, and then enters into the Bay of Bengal near Gangasagar. Himalayas, Ganga and the
sea—these three thoughts only should occupy your mind. First take your mind to the icy regions of Gangotri. Then along the Ganga and finally to the sea. Rotate the mind in this manner for 10
minutes.
VII -There is a living Universal Power that underlies all these names and forms. Meditate on this Power which is formless. This will terminate in the realisation of the Absolute, Nirguna, Nirakara
(formless) Consciousness eventually. VIII - Sit on Padmasana. Close your eyes. Gaze steadily on the formless air only. Concentrate on
the air. Meditate on the all-pervading nature of the air. This will lead to the realisation of the
nameless and formless Brahman, the One Living Truth.
IX -Sit on your meditative pose. Close your eyes. Imagine that there is a supreme, infinite
effulgence hidden behind all these names and forms which is tantamount to the effulgence of crores of suns put together. This is another form of Nirguna meditation.
X - Concentrate and meditate on the expansive blue sky. This is another kind of Nirguna
meditation. By the previous methods of concentration the mind will cease thinking of finite forms. It will slowly begin to melt in the ocean of Peace, as it is deprived of its contents. The mind will become subtler and subtler.
From - SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 10

2009-05-20T03:26:00.000-07:00

Sometimes Devatas, Nitya Siddhas (eternally perfected Yogins) and Amarapurushas
(immortal beings) will appear in meditation. Receive them all with due honour. Bow down before
them. Get advice from them. Do not be frightened. They appear before you to give you all spiritual help and encouragement. “Having made Atman as the lower Arani (sacrificial wood) and the Pranava as the upper Arani, one should see the God in secret through the practice of churning which is Dhyana (meditation).” Dhyanabindu-Upanishad.Exercises
I -Place a picture of Lord Jesus in front of you. Sit in your favourite meditative pose.
Concentrate gently with open eyes on the picture till tears trickle down your cheeks. Rotate the
mind on the cross, on the chest, long hairs, beautiful beard, round eyes, and the various other limbs of his body; the fine spiritual aura emanating from his head, and so on. Think of his divine attributes such as love, magnanimity, mercy and forbearance. Think of the various phases of his interesting life and the “miracles” he performed and the various “extraordinary” powers he possessed. Then close your eyes and try to visualise the picture. Repeat the same process again and again.
II -Place a picture of Lord Hari in front of you. Sit again in your meditative posture.
Concentrate gently on the picture till you shed tears. Rotate the mind on His feet, legs, yellow silken robes, golden garland set with diamonds, Koustubha gem, etc., on the chest, the earrings, then the face, the crown of the head, the disc oh the right upper hand, the conch on the left uppe hand, the mace on the right lower hand, and the lotus-flower on the left lower hand. Then close the eyes and try to visualise the picture. Repeat the same process again and again.
III -Keep a picture of Lord Krishna with flute in hands in front of you. Sit in your meditative
pose and gently concentrate on the picture till you shed tears. Think of His feet adorned with
anklets, yellow garment, various ornaments round His neck, the necklace set with the Koustubha
gem, the long garland of beautiful flowers of various colours, ear-rings, crown set with precious
jewels of priceless value, dark and long hairs, sparkling eyes, the Tilaka30 on the forehead, the
magnetic aura round His head, long hands adorned with bracelets and armlets, and the flute in the hands ready to be played upon. Then close your eyes and visualise the picture. Repeat the same process again and again.
IV- This is one kind of meditation for beginners. Sit on Padmasana in your meditation room.
Close your eyes. Meditate on the effulgence in the sun, or the splendour in the moon or the glory in the stars.
From - SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 9

2009-05-20T03:18:00.000-07:00

As a clever cook in serving his master notes the kind of food that his master relishes and
henceforward serves it and gets gain, so the aspirant too notes the conditions such as nourishment, etc., at the moment of attaining meditation and Samadhi and in fulfilling them gets ecstasy again and again. Leading a virtuous life is not by itself sufficient for God-realisation. Concentration of mind is absolutely necessary. A good virtuous life only prepares the mind as a fit instrument for
concentration and meditation. It is concentration and meditation that eventually lead to
Sell-realisation or God-realisation. “A Yogi should always avoid fear, anger, laziness, too much sleep or waking and too much food and fasting. If the above rule he well and strictly practiced each day, spiritual wisdom will arise of itself in three months without doubt. In four months, he sees the Devatas; in five months, he knows (or becomes) Brahmanishtha; and in six months, he attains Kaivalya at will. There is no doubt.” Amritananda-Upanishad. During meditation some of the visions that you see are your own materialised thoughts while some others are real objective visions. In meditation new grooves are formed in the brain and the mind moves upwards in the new spiritual grooves. In meditation and concentration you will have to train the mind in a variety of ways. Then only the gross mind will become subtle.When you first practice meditation, lights of various colours such as red, white, blue, green and a mixture of red and green, etc., will appear in the forehead. These are Tanmatric (elemental) lights. Every element has got its own colour. Water has white colour. Fire has red colour. Air has green colour. Ether has blue colour. So the colourful lights are due to these Tattvas (elements) only Some times you may see a big blazing sun or moon or lightning in front of the forehead. Do not mind these. Shun them. Try to dive deep into the source of these lights.
From - SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 8

2009-05-20T03:13:00.000-07:00

During meditation you will get into rapture or ecstasy. It is of five kinds viz., the lesser thrill,
momentary rapture, flooding rapture, transporting rapture, and all-pervading rapture. The lesser thrill will raise the hairs of the body (like the goose-skin). The momentary rapture is like the productions of lightning moment by moment. Like waves breaking on the seashore, the flooding rapture descends rapidly on the body and breaks. Transporting rapture is strong and lifts the body up to the extent of launching it into the air. When the all-pervading rapture arises, the whole body is completely surcharged and blown like a full bladder. “Whatever he (the Yogic practitioner) sees with his eyes, let him consider as Atman. Whatever he hears with his ears, let him consider as Atman. Whatever he smells with his nose, let him consider as Atman. Whatever he tastes with his tongue, let him consider as Atman. Whatever the Yogi touches with his skin, let him consider as Atman. The Yogi should thus unwearied gratify his organs of sense for a period of one Yama (3 hours) every day with great effort. The various wonderful powers are attained by the Yogi, such as clairvoyance, clairaudience, ability to transport himself to great distances within a moment, great power of speech, ability to take any form, ability to become invisible, and the transmutation of iron into gold, when the former is smeared over with his excretion.” Yogatattva-Upanishad.
Just as a very skilful archer in shooting at a bird is aware of the way in which he takes his
steps, holds the bow, the bow-string, and the arrow at the time when he pierces the bird, thus
“standing in this position, holding thus the bow, thus the bow-string, and thus the arrow. I pierce the bird,” and ever afterwards would not fail to fulfil these conditions that he might pierce the bird, even so the aspirant should note the conditions such as suitable food, thus “eating this kind of food, following such a person, in such a dwelling in this mode, at this time, I attained to this meditation and Samadhi.”
From - SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 7

2009-05-20T03:08:00.000-07:00

If there is much strain in your meditation, reduce the duration of each sitting for a few days.
Do light meditation only. When you have regained the normal tone, again increase the period. Use your common-sense throughout your Sadhana. I always reiterate on this point. 70 MEDITATION “Though men should perform Tapas standing on one leg for a period of 1,000 years, it will not in the least, be equal to one-sixteenth part of Dhyana-Yoga (meditation).” Pingala-Upanishad. Those who meditate for four or five hours at a stretch can have two meditative poses. Sometimes the blood accumulates in one part of the legs or thighs and so gives a little trouble. After two hours change the pose. Or stretch the legs at full length and lean against a wall or pillow. Keep the spine erect. This is the most comfortable Asana. Or join two chairs. Sit in one chair and stretch the legs on another chair. This is another contrivance.
You must daily increase your Vairagya, meditation and Sattvic virtues such as patience,
perseverance, mercy, love, forgiveness, etc. Vairagya and good qualities help meditation.
Meditation increases the Sattvic qualities.
Considerable changes take place in the mind, brain and the nervous system by the practice
of meditation. New nerve-currents, new vibrations, new avenues, new grooves, new cells, new
channels are formed. The whole mind and the nervous system are remodelled. You will have a new heart, a new mind, new sensations, new feelings, new mode of thinking and acting and a new view of the universe (as God in manifestation).
From - SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

http://www.mysticamusic.com/meditation.php

THE ESOTERIC THEORY OF BREATH - Part 1

2009-05-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

The Science of Breath, like many other teachings, has its esoteric or inner phase, as well as its exoteric or external. The physiological phase may be termed the outer or exoteric side of the subject, and the phase which we will now consider may be termed its esoteric or inner side. Occultists, in all ages and lands, have always taught, usually secretly to a few followers, that there was to be found in the air a substance or principle from which all activity, vitality and life was derived. They differed in their terms and names for this force, as well as in the details of the theory, but the main principle is to be found in all occult teachings and philosophies, and has for centuries formed a portion of the teachings of the Oriental Yogis. In order to avoid misconceptions arising from the various theories regarding this great principle, which theories are usually attached to some name given the principle, we, in this work, will speak of the principle as “Prana,” this word being the Sanskrit term meaning “Absolute Energy.” Many occult authorities teach that the principle which the Hindus term “Prana” is the universal principle of energy or force, and that all energy or force is derived from that principle, or, rather, is a particular form of manifestation of that principle. These theories do not concern us in the consideration of the subject matter of this work, and we will therefore confine ourselves to an understanding of prana as the principle of energy exhibited in all living things, which distinguishes them from a lifeless thing. We may consider it as the active principle of life—Vital Force, if you please. It is found in all forms of life, from the amoeba to man—from the most elementary form of plant life to the highest form of animal life. Prana is all pervading. It is found in all things having life, and as the occult philosophy teaches that life is in all things—in every atom—the apparent lifelessness of some things being only a lesser degree of manifestation, we may understand their teachings that prana is everywhere, in everything. Prana must not be confounded with the Ego—that bit of Divine Spirit in every soul, around which clusters matter and energy. Prana is merely a form of energy used by the Ego in its material manifestation. When the Ego leaves the body, the prana, being no longer under its control, responds only to the orders of the individual atoms, or groups of atoms, forming the body, and as the body disintegrates and is resolved to its original elements, each atom takes with it sufficient prana to enable it to form new combinations, the unused prana returning to the great universal storehouse from which it came. With the Ego in control, cohesion exists and the atoms are held together by the Will of the Ego. Prana is the name by which we designate a universal principle, which principle is the essence of all motion, force or energy, whether manifested in gravitation, electricity, the revolution of the planets, and all forms of life, from the highest to the lowest. It may be called the soul of Force and Energy in all their forms, and that principle which, operating in a certain way, causes that form of activity which accompanies Life.
From : The Hindu Yoga

The Invocation

2009-03-18T01:53:00.000-07:00

Acknowledge The Creator
You say a prayer. Connecting with the world of sound, you focus your attention inward.
Om… (All; the universal vibration)
I bow to the lotus (symbol of unfolding enlightenment) feet of the teachers Who awaken in me the pure happiness of universal being. I take refuge in the jungle physician,
Who dispels the delusions of conditioned existence to reveal peace. I prostate my ego self before the wisdom of Patanjali
Who is depicted as crowned by a thousand white radiant serpents
(the symbol of kundalini, universal energy)
And as holding in his hands a conch shell
(the symbol of divine sound, AUM, and the planet’s breath in the ocean waves) As holding a discus of light (the symbol of infinite time, and the one sun which shines on all with equanimity) And as holding the sword of discrimination between illusions (of the selective attention of ego conditioned particularities) and universal truth.
Om…
from : ashtanga yoga manual

Drishti

2009-02-25T22:18:00.000-08:00

Eye Play The gaze is a focusing technique. By directing the gaze at specific points (the space just beyond the tip of the nose, between the eyebrows) the focus is directed inward. This brings more
concentration and awareness into the movement. Keep the gazesoft. Practice
Drishti 1. Pay attention to your wandering eyes. What distracts you?
2. Try to control the urge to look toward something moving in the distance.
3. Gaze at the space just beyond the tip of your nose for one minute.
4. Does sound distract your eye gaze? Smell? Notice how your senses direct your focus.
5. At different times during the day focus your gaze at specific points (the
space just beyond the tip of your nose, navel, a spot on the wall) and see what it takes to make you look away. The nine looking places are called nava drishtis
1. Nasagrai - the space just beyond the tip of the nose. This is used most often and is the primary drishti in the sitting postures.
2. Ajña chakra - the space between the eyebrows (ex. Purvottanasana/intense east stretch)
3. Nabi chakra - navel center (ex . Adho Mukha Svanasana/downward dog)
4. Hastagrai - hand (ex. Trikonasana/ triangle)
5. Padhayoragrai - toes (ex. Savangasana/ shoulderstand)
6. Parshva - far to the right (ex. Supta Padangusthasana/reclining big toe posture)
7. Parshva - far to the left (ex. Marichyasana C/Marchi’s posture)
8. Angushtha ma dyai - thumbs (beginning of Suryanamaskara/sun salutation)

From : Ashtanga Yoga Manual

Capturing Prana

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Uddiyana Bandha • The Flying Bandha
Movement of shakti in the body is described as a bird. Shakti is the personification of the feminine form of the Divine. Through the practice of the flying bandha, the great bird (Shakti) flies upward with ease, further directing the flow of prana toward higher states of consciousness. By contracting the lower abdomen and pulling it inward and upward, toward the spine, a powerful toning effect and internal strengthening occurs. This lifting helps push
up the diaphragm and expel the breath. Uddiyana bandha, the abdominal lock, also eliminates strain by helping to control the breath. Control of the breath controls consciousness. Bandhas are
a means of extending control over the breath and thus are a means to extend our access to consciousness.
Practice - Uddiyana bandha
1. Stand with feet about two feet apart. Bend the knees slightly and rest the hands above the knees, with the thumbs facing inwards and the fingers outwards. The spine must remain straight, not curved; the head should be kept up and eyes open. Inhale deeply through the nose, then exhale quickly through slightly pursed lips, but don’t be forceful. Having fully exhaled, bring the chin to the chest ( jalandhara bandha), raising the shoulders. Pull the abdomen and stomach inward toward the spine and up. Hold for a few seconds. Before inhaling, relax the stomach and abdomen, raise the head and stand straight. Then inhale through the nose slowly and with control. Before repeating another round, breathe normally for a minute or two. Start with
three rounds and over a period of a few months increase to ten rounds. 2. Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position ( padmasana, siddhasana or sukhasana, depending on your flexibility). Sit on a cushion so that the buttocks are raised. Keep the palms of the hands on the knees and the spinal cord upright and straight. Eyes may be open or closed. Begin as above, practicing
three to ten rounds, concentrating on the natural breath for a minute or two between rounds.
3. Stand up and experiment moving from the middle of your body, try walking as if there is a string attached to your navel pulling you forward. 4. Practice the bandhas at different times during the day. Notice the effect on your energy level. 5.Notice any fears that arise when you’re practicing the bandhas. 6. Connect the breath, mula bandha, and uddiyana bandha, and try to relax while maintaining the locks.

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 6

2008-11-27T03:03:00.000-08:00

Just as the light is burning within the hurricane lamp, so also the Divine Flame is burning
from time immemorial in the lamp of your heart. Close your eyes. Merge yourself within the Divine Flame. Plunge deep into the chambers of your heart. Meditate on this Divine Flame and become one with the Flame of God. If the wick within the lamp is small the light will also be small. If the wick is big, the light also will be powerful. Similarly, if the Jiva (individual soul) is pure, if he practices meditation, the manifestation or expression of the Self will be powerful. He will radiate a big light. If he is unregenerate and impure, he will be like a burnt-up charcoal. The bigger the wick, the greater the light. Likewise, the purer the soul, the greater the expression.
If the magnet is powerful, it will influence the iron fillings even when they are placed at a
distance. Even so, if the Yogi is an advanced person, he will have greater influence over the persons with whom he comes in contact. He can exert his influence on persons even when they live in distant places. The fire of meditation annihilates all foulness due to vice. Then suddenly there comes Knowledge of Self or Divine Wisdom which directly lends to Mukti or final emancipation.
During meditation note how long you can shut out all worldly thoughts. Watch your mind.
If it is for twenty minutes, try to increase the period to thirty minutes and so on. Fill the mind with thoughts of God again and again.
In meditation do not strain your eyes. Do not strain the brain. Do not struggle or wrestle with
the mind. Relax. Gently allow the divine thoughts to flow. Steadily think of the Lakshya (point of
meditation). Do not voluntarily and violently drive away the intruding thoughts. Have sublime
Sattvic thoughts. The vicious thoughts will by themselves vanish.
From - SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 5

2008-11-27T02:59:00.000-08:00

You have within yourself tremendous powers and latent faculties of which you have really
never had any conception. You must awaken these dormant powers and faculties by the practice of meditation and Yoga. You must develop your will and control your senses and mind. You must
purify yourself and practice regular meditation. Then only you can become a Superman or
God-man. There is no such thing as miracle or Siddhi. Ordinary man is quite ignorant of higher
spiritual things. He is sunk in oblivion. He is shut up from higher transcendental knowledge. So he calls some extraordinary event a miracle. But for a Yogi who understands things in the light of
Yogas there is no such thing as miracle. Just as a villager is astonished at the sight of an aeroplane or a talkie for the first time, so also a man of the world is stunned when he sees an extraordinary spectacle for the first time.Every human being has within himself various potentialities and capacities. He is a magazine of power and knowledge. As he evolves, he unfolds new powers, new faculties, new qualities. Now he can change his environments and influence others. He can subdue other minds. He can conquer internal and external nature. He can enter into super-conscious state. In a dark room if a pot containing a lamp inside it, is broken, the darkness of the room is dispelled and you see light everywhere in the room. Even so, if the body-pot is broken through constant meditation on the Self, i.e., if you destroy ignorance (Avidya) and its effects such as identification with the body, and rise above body-consciousness, you will cognise the supreme light of the Atman everywhere.
Just as the water in the pot that is placed in the ocean becomes one with the waters of the
ocean, when the pot is broken, so also when the body-pot is broken by meditation on the Atman, the individual soul becomes one with the Supreme Soul.
From - SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 4

2008-11-25T03:55:00.000-08:00

If you meditate for half an hour, you will be able to face the daily battle of life with peace
and spiritual strength for one week through the force of meditation. Such is the beneficial effect of meditation. As you have to move with different minds of peculiar nature, get the requisite strength and peace from meditation and be free from worry and trouble.
The wise cut asunder the knot of egoism by the sharp sword of constant meditation. Then
dawns supreme Knowledge of the Self or full Illumination or Self-realisation. The liberated sage
has neither doubt nor delusion. All bonds of Karma (action) are rent asunder. Therefore be ever
engaged in meditation. This is the master-key to open the realms of eternal Bliss. It may be
disgusting and tiring in the beginning, because the mind will be running away from the point
(Lakshya) every now and then. But after sometime it will be focussed in the centre. You will be
immersed in Divine Bliss. Regular meditation opens up the avenues of intuitional knowledge, makes the mind calm and steady, awakens an ecstatic feeling, and brings the Yogic student in contact with the SupremePurusha. If there are doubts, they are all cleared by themselves, when you march on the path of Dhyana-Yoga (meditation) steadily. You will yourself feel the way to place your footstep in the next higher rung of the Yogic ladder. A mysterious inner voice will guide you. Hear thou this attentively, O Yogananda! When you get a flash of illumination, do not be frightened. It will be a new experience of immense joy. Do not turn back. Do not give up meditation. Do not stop there. You will have to advance still further. This is only a glimpse of truth. This is not the whole experience. This is not the highest realisation. This is only a new platform. Try to ascend further. Reach the Bhuma or the Infinite. Now alone you are proof against all temptations. You will drink deep the nectar ofImmortality. This is the acme or final stage. You can take eternal rest now. You need not meditate any further. This is the final goal.

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 3

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Sitting on your favourite meditative pose and keeping the head, neck and trunk erect, close
your eyes and gently concentrate on either the tip of the nose, space between the eyebrows, the
heart-lotus or the crown of the head. When once you have selected one centre of concentration,
stick to it till the last with leech-like tenacity. Never change it. Thus, if you have chosen to
concentrate on the heart-lotus after having tried the other centres, stick to the heart-lotus alone.
Then only you can expect rapid advancement. Meditation is of two kinds viz., Saguna (with Gunas or qualities) meditation and Nirguna (without Gunas or qualities) meditation. Meditation on Lord Krishna, Lord Siva, Lord Rama or Lord Jesus is Saguna meditation. It is meditation with form and attributes. The Name of the Lord is also simultaneously repeated. This is the method of the Bhaktas. Meditation on the reality of the Self is Nirguna meditation. This is the method of the Vedantins. Meditation on Om, Soham, Sivoham, Aham Brahma Asmi and Tat Tvam Asi is Nirguna meditation. Put an iron rod in the blazing furnace. It becomes red like fire. Remove it from the fire. It loses its red colour. If you want to keep it always red, you must keep it always in fire. Even so, if you want to keep the mind charged with the fire of Brahmic Wisdom, you must keep it always in contact with the Brahmic Fire of Knowledge through constant and intense meditation. You must, in other words, keep up an unceasing flow of Brahmic Consciousness.
Meditation is the most powerful mental and nervine tonic. The holy vibrations penetrate all
the cells of the body and cure the various diseases that human flesh is heir to. Those who regularly meditate save the doctor’s bills. The powerful soothing waves that arise during meditation exercise a benign influence on the mind, nerves, organs and cells of the body. The divine energy freely flows like the flow of oil from one vessel to another, from the Feet of the Lord to the different systems of the practitioner.
From - SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 2

2008-11-25T03:48:00.000-08:00

Of course, even if you wander from pole to pole, you cannot get an ideal place that will
satisfy you from every standpoint. Every place has some advantages and some disadvantages as
well. So you should select a place that is more advantageous than others. Having once hit upon a
place, you must stick to it till the last. You must not think of changing the place, when some
difficulty stares you in the face. You must put up with the difficulty by all means. Rishikesh (Himalayas), Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Badrinarayan, Gangotri, Mount Kailas, Brindavan, Varanasi,
Nasik and Ayodhya are all excellent places for meditation in India.
The best and the most congenial time for the practice of meditation is unquestionably the
Brahmamuhurta i.e., from 4 to 6 a.m. That is the time when the mind is quite refreshed after an
agreeable slumber, when the mind is calm and comparatively pure. It is like a clean blank sheet of paper. Only such a mind can be moulded into whatever shape you like. Moreover, the atmosphere also is charged with purity and goodness at this time.
In the beginning you can meditate twice daily, from 4 to 5 in the morning and 7 to 8 at night.
As you advance in your practices, you can increase the duration of each sitting little by little using your commonsense and discretion, and also have a third sitting either in the morning between 10 and 11 or in the evening between 4 and 5.
In the Yoga-Vasishtha you will find: “The right course to be adopted by one who is in his
novitiate is this: Two parts of the mind must be filled with the objects of Enjoyment, one part with Philosophy and the remaining part with Devotion to the teacher. Having advanced a little, he should fill one part of the mind with the objects of Enjoyment, two parts with Devotion to the teacher and the remaining one with getting an insight into the meaning of Philosophy. When one has attained proficiency, he should everyday fill two parts of his mind with Philosophy and supreme Renunciation, and the remaining two parts with Meditation and devoted Service to the Guru.” This will eventually lead you on to meditation for twenty-four hours.
From - SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Meditation Follows Concentration - Part 1

2008-11-25T03:28:00.000-08:00

Meditation follows concentration. Concentration merges into meditation. Concentration is
holding the mind on to some particular object. An unbroken flow of knowledge in that subject is
meditation. Meditation is regular flow of thought with regard to the object of concentration.
Meditation opens the door of the mind to intuitive knowledge and many powers. You can get
whatever you want through meditation. During meditation all worldly thoughts are shut out from the mind. Meditation is called Dhyana in Sanskrit and is the seventh step in the Yogic ladder. In Lesson VII you were advised to keep a separate room for practicing Pranayama, isn’t it so? Well, the same room will also serve the purpose of meditation. In fact, one room will be quite sufficient for all spiritual practices—Asanas, Pranayama, Japa,27 Kirtan,28 concentration,
meditation, and so forth. The room should be regarded as a temple of God. You should not allow
anybody into the room. You should enter the room with a pious and reverent mind. Thoughts of
jealousy, lust, greed and anger should not be entertained within the four walls of the room. All
worldly talks, also should not be indulged in there. For every word that is uttered, every thought that is cherished and every deed that is done is not lost; they are reflected on the subtle layers of ether encircling the room where they are done and hence affect the mind invariably.
Decorate the room with inspiring pictures of great Saints, Sages, Prophets and World
Teachers. In a prominent place in the room keep a beautiful photo of your tutelary Deity
(Ishta-Devata), either Lord Jesus, Lord Krishna, Lord Siva or Devi. Let the Deity face the East or North. Spread your Asana (seat) in front of the Deity. Keep some religious and philosophical books such as the Bhagavad-Gita, the Upanishads, the Vedanta-Sutras, the Ramayana, the
Yoga-Vasishtha, the Bible, etc., by your side. Wash your face, hands and legs before you enter the room. Burn a piece of camphor and light some scented sticks immediately after entering the room. Sit on the Asana in front of the Deity and repeat the Name of the Lord or sing some devotional hymns. Then take to the practice of concentration and meditation.

From - SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Light Meditation

2008-11-15T02:56:00.000-08:00

Imagine that you are a lotus candle. Someone walks toward you and lights your wick. You are now giving out a small glow of orange light. Slowly, your whole body becomes an orange colour. Feel yourself giving out warm orange light. Someone lifts you up and places you on the shrine table. Your warm orange light is like the brightness of wisdom. You are now shining brightly, as bright as you can be, to drive away the darkness of ignorance. Your light symbolizes the Buddha’s teaching. His teachings help and guide us when we are in darkness. When we behave badly and get angry, it is as if we are in darkness. We need the light of the Buddha’s teaching to help us. Your light helps to remind people not to remain in darkness but to brighten themselves with the Buddha’s teaching.You are the bright orange light. Feel yourself , your light going out further and further, until it shines through the whole temple, then further until it shines through the whole country, and still further until it covers the whole world. You are as big as the whole world and your light breaks through all the darkness and your light shines out in every direction. Your light of wisdom is touching all of space. Continue giving out orange light in every direction.
From - Guided Meditation for Primary Students

the nature of the body is to be born - part 2

2008-11-08T03:49:00.000-08:00

That’s all you can do. So just be mindful, don’t beat up your self.About consciousness-awareness-knowing, remember and observe these things always:e arising and passing away of consciousness.at every mind that arises is another and new mind.Consciousness arises because of the object and passes away because of the object.It is consciousness that sees hears, smells, tastes, touches, and thinks, not ‘I’ or ‘me’ or ‘mine.’ It is consciousness, the mind, that experiences all sense objects.When you are not mindful you get gaps of ‘knowing.’Understanding comes to those who are not in a hurry to understand. Understanding is like a fruit tree. It takes some time to mature. One cannot force it to bear fruits.A person who is ‘role free’, ‘game free’, ‘I’ free. Accepting the truth frees the mind.Understand your limitations, you can only do so much. Seeing ones own limitations clearly is very important.How hard it is for me to see where I am stuck and how to become unstuck. Only when you see clearly where you are stuck, there is a chance that you might become unstuck.People behave like they are doing something and as if they know what they are doing. Do they really know what they are doing?You may stop thinking for a while just how important you are!Life is very short. ere are things to be done.Only deep understanding of attachment can free the mind from it.at’s all you can do. So just be mindful, don’t beat up your self.About consciousness-awareness-knowing, remember and observe these things always:e arising and passing away of consciousness.at every mind that arises is another and new mind.Consciousness arises because of the object and passes away because of the object.
From - Contemplation of the Mind

the nature of the body is to be born - part 1

2008-11-08T03:41:00.000-08:00

The nature of the body is to be born, decay and die.Don’t try to get calm or peaceful. Do just one thing. Watch the noting mind.If any questions come up in your mind just watch it and let go. e answer will come to you later.After you have watched your mind for years, you get to know it so well, recognise it so clearly; how stupid, tricky, jealous, foolish, covetous, bossy, overpowering, it can be and because you can be aware of it, it cannot carry you away.We cannot afford to be careless, always try to be very careful and use your sati as your compass.e mindful mind will always warn you when you are getting into trouble. No control, just simple bare awareness of mind. Can you hear the chattering, the monologue or dialogue going on in the mind, the comments, the judgements and so on.e mind is always tricky and craves for something, but is that what you really want to do? Run all day slaving for the mind?Just because many other people are running mindlessly after all kinds of stimulation?Watch how the mind creates its own problems. Most of our problems are mind made. Most problems will disappear just by the understanding of the mind.e present phenomenon is the only thing I have whether I like it or not. So it is more important for me.Having little distraction we can observe things easily. When you will become quite mindful you will know how to live your life. You will know what to do in any situation.Looking for satisfaction is looking for pain. Understanding this deeply we learn to let go.See how much you hurry yourself when you are upset. Be mindful. See anger as anger, not ‘my anger’.If you are upset because you enjoy music you are too demanding, you are asking and expecting too much of yourself.But if you see the enjoying mind and watch it with equanimity then only you will see it for what it is.Being upset which is a kind of aversion, is a close companion to greed and pride, because you think: ‘ I am a meditator so there shouldn’t be greed and pride arising in my mind.’But you should be thinking: ‘Now is a good chance for me to study and examine them!’A stream enterer still has greed and anger. But he has no identification with mind and body. Only non-returners and fully enlightened ones are free of greed and anger. Only the arahat is free from comparing oneself with others.Meditate also when you are restless when you think it’s impossible for you to meditate because your mind is crazy. at is the most important time for you to meditate.e Buddha said: ‘When the mind is restless he or she knows that the mind is restless’.You are not expected to do more than that. You don’t feel guilty because there is anger or greed, etc. You know anger or greed are happening, you don’t deceive your self.
From - Contemplation of the Mind

PRANAYAMA AND ITS PARALLEL IN SPEECH, MANTRAYOGA -Part 2

2008-11-04T23:09:00.000-08:00

This is the proper way to practise a mantra. Utter it as loudly and slowly as possible ten times, then not quite so loudly and a very little faster ten times more. Continue this process until there is nothing but a rapid movement of the lips; this movement should be continued with increased velocity and diminishing intensity until the mental muttering completely absorbs the physical. The student is by this time absolutely still, with the mantra racing in his brain; he should, however, continue to speed it up until he reaches his limit, at which he should continue for as long as possible, and then cease the practice by reversing the process above described. Any sentence may be used as a mantra, and possibly the Hindus are correct in thinking that there is a particular sentence best suited to any particular man. Some men might find the liquid mantras of the Quran slide too easily, so that it would be possible to continue another train of thought without disturbing the mantra; one is supposed while saying {19} the mantra to meditate upon its meaning. This suggests that the student might construct for himself a mantra which should represent the Universe in sound, as the pantacle<> should do in form. Occasionally a mantra may be "given," "i.e.," heard in some unexplained manner during a meditation. One man, for example, used the words: "And strive to see in everything the will of God;" to another, while engaged in killing thoughts, came the words "and push it down," apparently referring to the action of the inhibitory centres which he was using. By keeping on with this he got his "result." The ideal mantra should be rhythmical, one might even say musical; but there should be sufficient emphasis on some syllable to assist the faculty of attention. The best mantras are of medium length, so far as the beginner is concerned. If the mantra is too long, one is apt to forget it, unless one practises very hard for a great length of time. On the other hand, mantras of a single syllable, such as "Aum,"<> are rather jerky; the rhythmical idea is lost. Here are a few useful mantras:
1. Aum.
2. Aum Tat Sat Aum. This mantra is purely spondaic. II. {illustration: line of music with: Aum Tat Sat Aum :under it}
3. Aum mani padme hum; two trochees between two caesuras. III. {illustration: line of music with: Aum Ma-ni Pad-me Hum :under it}
4. Aum shivaya vashi; three trochees. Note that "shi" means rest, the absolute or male aspect of the Deity; "va" is energy, the manifested or female side of the Deity. This Mantra therefore expresses the whole course of the Universe, from Zero through the finite back to Zero. IV. {illustration: line of music with: Aum shi-va-ya Va-shi Aum shi-va-ya Vashi :under it} 5. Allah. The syllables of this are accented equally, with a certain pause between them; and are usually combined by fakirs with a rhythmical motion of the body to and fro. 6. Hua allahu alazi lailaha illa Hua. {20} Here are some longer ones: 7. The famous Gayatri. Aum! tat savitur varenyam Bhargo devasya dimahi Dhiyo yo na pratyodayat. Scan this as trochaic tetrameters.
8. Qol: Hua Allahu achad; Allahu Assamad; lam yalid walam yulad; walam yakun lahu kufwan achad. 9. This mantra is the holiest of all that are or can be. It is from the Stele of Revealing. A ka dua Tuf ur biu Bi aa chefu IX. Dudu ner af an nuteru. {illustration: two lines of music with: A ka du - a Tuf ur bi - u Bi A'a che - - fu Du - du ner af an nu - te -ru :under them

Hindrances to the spiritual path - Part 3

2008-11-03T02:54:00.000-08:00

This means that you have to face the situation at the beginning and not ignore it until it’s too late.Check very carefully your attitude: If there is wrong attitude there and you are able to see it clearly, acknowledge it, that ‘seeing’ by itself will change and turn in time that negative attitude into positive. Do not change object until your present object zeros. If sati is strong, usually the mental feeling will decrease to zero, then the mental attitude will change to upekkha-neutral feeling, and the mental image will disappear and bodily sensation will break up or it will be just another sensation.For a seasoned Cittanupassana meditator the looking at the mental attitude changing will cause the image to disappear and the bodily sensation to break up.So Zap it with the X rays of your sati!
from - Contemplation of the Mind

Hindrances to the spiritual path - Part 2

2008-11-03T02:48:00.000-08:00

Every breath, every thought, every image, every step or movement,
you experience is brand new.Mark the ending of experience carefully.Doubt: Before anything else see the teacher because different
methods apply. Look into this doubt mind, no reason to get alarmed, it’s a very natural thing, but if questions arise while you are practising don’t try to answer them. Leave them for later.Remorse: Again, see the teacher before anything else, because different methods apply. Don’t let it affect you, or the present moment.Doubt and Remorse will arise when the practice is good. Look directly into the mind that’s causing it.Sensual Desire: Ask sensual desire: Why do you arise? Who are you?Human life is the perfect environment for fighting and extinguishing defilement. Forget suppression, samatha practice and locking up yourself in a volt!Look repeatedly at the mental feelings, and the pictures in your mind until you can understand the composition of its characteristic feeling. (Don’t be surprised at this stage if the hindrance gets stronger). Also check your mental attitude: Do I desire this, or do I dislike it? Do I fear it ?At this stage upekkha will arise, then as you look back at the object, it will disappear. (is will do for beginners who find out the characteristics of desire for food for example. However the same method applies to desiring all kinds of things.)An experienced practitioner would check his mental attitude first and then check bodily sensations and would avoid looking at the mental image. Will drop the image immediately, and again and again if necessary.e difficulty one faces with the dropping of the image, shows the strength of the attachment.is last method works with all sense objects.is latest practice will help you understand how mental attitudes and mental feelings cause you to suffer.Sexual Desire: In this case check your mental attitude first, then chest-heart area for mental feelings, totally ignore image and keep checking as before again.If there is change in mental attitude you will feel it; i.e. mental heaviness, contraction (chest-heart area) or pleasantness and so on.Also use your wisdom, see the bad side in what seems attractive and desirable, think of the results or the price you have to pay for sense pleasure. Look at what’s coming, what’s following pleasant feeling. Observe that feeling (is does not mean start feeling guilty!)As you observe continuously, the unpleasant feeling will decrease. (Your observing has to be at present moment, but to be able to do that, your mental attitude has to be right.)Observe sensation until it goes down to zero. is is very important, because if it doesn’t work, it means sati is weak.To increase sati look continuously into sensation area persisting, increasing viriya; i.e. putting out fire: if its not much, a glass of water will put it out, if your whole house is burning a glass of water its useless.
from - Contemplation of the Mind

Hindrances to the spiritual path - Part 1

2008-11-03T02:44:00.000-08:00

A Quick Look At e Hindrancesere are pleasant and unpleasant hindrances. For example, pleasant visual hindrances such as the Buddha or the Sangha, Temples, Teachers etc. ey promote faith. But too much faith brings blind devotion unless it is balanced with wisdom.If there was wisdom in the first place one would have ignored the encouraging images.Pleasant Bodily Sensations: Just look at them until they disappear. Piti gives rise to joy; calm (passadhi) gives rise to comfort, to no pain, mental clarity inner happiness etc. (caused by samadhi).Note, observe, and do not get attached.Unpleasant Hindrances: sleepiness-restlessness-boredom-doubt-remorse (caused by lack of samadhi).Sleepiness: With good sati look at it directly without getting involved. If sati is weak look at the properties of sleepiness: dark, heavy, foggy and so on.By continuously applying your self you will be able to overcome it. Sleepiness is only a mental state.Restlessness: Return to rising and falling until your mind gets calm enough to overcome it. Check for tension in your body and mind. Tension is the mother of restlessness.B  : Restlestness

and worry: Look straight into the thinking mind. at will cause it to disappear. en turn your attention to the ‘rising and falling’ for three or four times and look right into the mind again checking for thinking/restlessness. If there is restlessness turn your attention again to the ‘rising and falling’ for a few breaths and look again into the mind checking for thinking. Work like this again and again balancing the mind until thinking mind is totally overcome.Boredom: Seeing repetition and getting bored. Remind your self that what you are seeing is always new.

from - Contemplation of the Mind

Dhamma Sukha Tawya

2008-11-01T04:04:00.000-07:00

Dhamma Sukha Tawya translates as Dhamma happiness hermitage. It is Shwe Oo Min Sayadaw’s second monastery. His International Center. Both Vipassana and Cittanupassana are taught in the center in the style of Shwe Oo Min Sayadaw.e main characteristics of the center would be:a) Not a tension factory!b) Definitely Dhamma conscious. In other well-known centers monks and nuns who are not ‘fast progressing’ according to certain expectations are simply and coldly told to ‘go somewhere else to practice’ or are looked down on, and so on.at’s not the case at all in Dhamma Sukha Tawya where patience and compassion are plenty for all. they also cater especially for people with depression problems.e schedule in this monastery is arranged in such a way that one can practice, without having to take a pause if one wishes, indefinitely.
from - Contemplation of the Mind

PRANAYAMA AND ITS PARALLEL IN SPEECH, MANTRAYOGA -Part 1

2008-10-29T04:21:00.000-07:00

THE connection between breath and mind will be fully discussed in speaking of the Magick Sword, but it may be useful to premise a few details of a practical character. You may consult various Hindu manuals, and the writing of "K"wang Tze, for various notable theories as to method and result. But in this sceptical system one had better content one's self with statements which are not worth the trouble of doubting. The ultimate idea of meditation being to still the mind, it may be considered a useful preliminary to still consciousness of all the functions of the body. This has been dealt with in the chapter on Asana. One may, however, mention that some Yogis carry it to the point of trying to stop the beating of the heart. Whether this be desirable or no it would be useless to the beginner, so he will endeavour to make the breathing very slow and very regular. The rules for this practice are given in Liber CCVI. The best way to time the breathing, once some little skill has been acquired, with a watch to bear witness, is by the use of a mantra. The mantra acts on the thoughts very much as Pranayama does upon the breath. The thought is bound down to a recurring cycle; any intruding thoughts are thrown off by the mantra, just as pieces of putty would be from a fly-wheel; and the swifter the wheel the more difficult would it be for anything to stick.
from - THE WAY OF ATTAINMENT OF GENIUS

Watch The Watching Mind

2008-10-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

Knowing mind is the mind that knows the object, watching mind or ‘one step up mind’ is the one that knows of both of them.
Most people don’t know the knowing mind, and don’t get to the point where they can see the knowing mind that knows the object.
These cittas-consciousnesses that arise one after the other and ‘know’ of the process of consciousness that proceed them can actually arise infinitely, according to the Abhidhamma, but to know just these two or three, is enough for you to be able to see that process and not confuse it with a ‘self’ or ‘personality’.
It’s only when you get to the mind that you get to real paramattha. When you get to reality you don’t see any more concepts. You see just the basic reality; only paramattha and you can see this only through the mind.
If you don’t see how the mind works you don’t know how the mind creates these concepts.

CONCEPTS ARE CREATED BY THE MIND

If you do not see that the concept is created by the mind you can’t stop it. (i.e. when we sit and we think that our bodies are going very big or very small and we don’t know that the mind is imagining this).
About the practice, when you are very high level and your sati and samadhi is very strong then what happens is, that you are looking at the knowing mind and the objects come to the knowing mind.
You don’t have to go looking for the object. The objects keep coming to the mind.
You are aware of this, you are aware of that; i.e. the rising and falling, or watching your object, something is always there.
Of course you don’t see a head or feet or hands or something like this, there is no concept involved, but some object is coming to the knowing mind.
It is not that we are aware of being aware of nothing, the object doesn’t disappear. The objects are always there, we don’t need to go down and focus on the objects, like you don’t have to choose what object you want to know; you know the mind and the mind knows objects continuously one after the other. Objects do not stop.
With Cittanupassana you have to have a teacher who teaches from experience, it can not be taught from the book.
To teach Cittanupassana effectively the teacher and the student must have a close relationship and close contact and the student must be very honest and be able to explain his experiences very clearly and openly.
The kind of mind and attitude one practices with is very important
From - Buddhist Meditation - Contemplation of the Mind

Meditation - A Way To Contemplation

2008-09-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

Meditation an ancient practice is rooted in Vedic Hinduism. It is a state in which the mind dissolves and is free of thoughts.

Full fledged in Western culture, meditation is a common practice known to everyone. It includes a wide variety of spiritual practices that masters on the mental activity of a person. Most of them approach Meditation for achieving peace of mind.

Types of Meditation: is on the basis of different religions-

• Bahai faith

• Buddhism

• Christianity

• Gnostic

• Jainism

• Hinduism

• Islam

• Judaism

• Sikhism

• Taoism

• New Age

Just thinking on one topic is Christian type of meditation. In this, mystics reach a state of achieving complete silence of mind known as contemplation. In Hinduism, meditation by the repetition of mantras is introduced that induces a positive energy. In Buddhism, meditation masters on breathing.

Repetition of Mantras help one to be free from thoughts and helps to reach a sound feeling peacefulness on mind. Different postures are followed for meditation. A comfortable position should be attained before practicing meditation that helps to relax oneself from the meddling matters of the daily life.

Meditation helps one to find a positive attitude towards mind and enriches personal growth.
Prayers: meditational prayers are related to one religious background. It is one of the contemplative prayers that connects one to the cosmic powers.

Declaration and visualization: makes one to deepen the relationship with the devotional powers. The positive visualization that one wishes to reach should be done along with the meditative prayers should be done.

Transformation through meditation: positive will of the person together with the meditation makes one to achieve developmental transformation in oneself.

Different techniques:

Many simple techniques are there that can be practiced. A place with little distraction preferably a prayer room with icons, incense or something is the finest place for meditation.

• Hearing the silence- with less distraction.

• A comfortable posture should be attained for better meditation.

• It is advised to meditate twice a day for better results.

Common postures:

1. Cross legged posture

2. Seated posture

3. Kneeling posture

4. Lying down posture

The three stages of meditations:

1. Dharana- complete concentration of mind

2. Dhyana- contemplation or worship

3. Samadhi- complete merging into a spiritual freedom

Benefits of Meditation:

• Controls stress- the person finds to manage the root causes of the stress in his life.

• Pain Management- the proper practice of meditation helps one to manage chronic pain that persists on and other psychic disorders connected to it.

• Physical healing- heals cancer, high blood pressure, infertility, respiratory problems, premenstrual Syndrome etc

• Gain repressed memories

• Handle pain attacks

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The Importance of Meditation for Procrastination

2008-09-25T21:54:00.001-07:00

It would be a better option to consider meditation for procrastination, especially for those people, who suffer from procrastination largely because their mind is replete with stress. It is estimated that meditation offers a best solution for stress, since it helps in decreasing the levels of tension from the mind. Hence, it is mostly used in the far eastern regions of the world with much success through all these years. Apart from its use for religious purposes, meditation has also benefited those workers, who procrastinate and even for those people who prepare for their exams. The main reason for a person procrastinating is the fact that they mainly involve a confused mind, which is largely unable to deal with the situation that is at hand. For such people, the best way is to embark on meditation for procrastination. This is largely because, the process of meditation helps in cleansing the mind. This, in turn, helps them in thinking rationally and clearly and without the undue influence of outside forces.

More on Meditation:

It is also estimated that the process of meditation for procrastination helps in the improvement in the levels of concentration. This is mainly because, majority of the people suffering from this disorder are those who face problems with the concentration of tasks at hand and are emotionally unstable. Meditation for procrastination helps in reducing the negative emotions and also, improves the self esteem of a person.

The other reason that needs to be considered for undertaking meditation for procrastination is the fact that, it helps in improvement of metabolism and gives a general promotion of well being, which allows students to concentrate better. In addition, it also proves beneficial to the adults as they feel better to work for an entire stretch in a day.

Miscellaneous benefits of Meditation:

It is up to the individual to understand, as to what it actually takes for meditation in addition to the purpose for which a person meditates. A person needs to be clear about his expectations out of the meditation exercises also. Once a clear idea is acquired, a person would be in a position to prepare a good meditation schedule such that it does not get missed anytime ever.

Overall, the moment a person undergoes deep meditation for procrastination, he would have a good peace of mind and would be in a better position of communicating with others. This would ensure that a person stops procrastinating once and for all and, becomes an achiever who would be in a position to complete whichever tasks are required to be performed. Apart from banishing procrastination, meditation has numerous benefits. The quicker a person meditates, the better it is for him.

If you would like to learn more about Procrastination and receive a FREE Newsletter on the subject visit the authors site http://www.procrastinationadvice.com

Mindfulness Meditation - A Path To Happiness

2008-09-15T01:48:00.000-07:00

Meditation has been found to have a positive influence on the body, mind, and spirit. Successful management of chronic pain, decrease in blood pressure, and reduction in stress hormones are a few of the physiological benefits of meditative practices. Meditation is also known to produce a variety of psychological benefits, including reduction of anxiety, enhanced sense of well-being, increased awareness of emotions, and a greater sense of self-actualization. Spiritual bliss and enlightenment are among the spiritual benefits of meditation.

Recently scientists have looked at the effect of mindfulness meditation (one type of awareness meditation) on the brain and neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to develop and change - essentially rewire itself - in response to training and/or experience. Richard Davidson, PhD at the University of Wisconsin has conducted research that indicates that meditation increases neuronal firings in the left frontal cortex of the brain – the same area associated with positive feelings and happiness. Studies involving very experienced meditators (Buddhist monks) have shown that these brain changes may be long lasting. In other words, mindfulness meditation may increase your level of happiness and the more you practice the happier you will be.

Rather than disregarding any distracting thoughts, those practicing mindfulness meditation simply observe their thoughts without judgment. The goal of this form of meditation is to increase awareness in the present moment. If you want to give this type of meditation a try, I suggest beginning with a mindful walking practice. This simply means that while you are walking, you keep your awareness on the experience of walking. Stay in the present moment and be aware of what your body feels like as you walk. Notice the sensations as you put one foot in front of the other. Notice the sights, sounds, and smells around you. Simply keep your awareness on your experience in the moment.

When other thoughts come into your mind (and they most definitely will come) simply observe them and let them go – without judging them. This is a key to mindfulness - rather than getting caught up in these thoughts or berating yourself for having distracting thoughts, it is important to be an impartial observer of the thoughts flowing through your mind. Remember… observe the thoughts and let them go.

As you gain experience with this type of meditation, you will gain the understanding that your true essence - your essential spirit - is not the contents of your mind, but rather the observer of the contents. This awareness will help you detach from intense emotions and allow them to flow freely and easily. When practiced on a regular basis, mindfulness becomes a way of life and a path toward greater happiness, peace, and joy.

By Kirsten Harrell, Psy.D.

Using Meditation to Manage Relief

2008-08-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from headaches you may have chosen to consider alternative treatments as an addition to medications or perhaps even as a replacement for them. Meditation is one such treatment and its roots are, in fact, very old.

has been used in cultures around the world and through many centuries. It is considered a form of mind and body healing and it is intended to balance a person's physical, mental and emotional states. Stress and tension are often implicated in headache pain and meditation is a way to decrease anxiety, leaving your mind and body relaxed and comfortable. Meditation can relax breathing patterns, lower blood pressure and reduce or remove stress, which can then reduce headache frequency and severity.

Concentrative Meditation

Concentrative meditation is a form of meditation that focuses on something simple such as a breath, image, or sound. The idea is to calm the mind and bring about a strong awareness and clarity within oneself. It essentially allows you to narrow your focus.

A basic way to try concentrative meditation is to sit quietly and calmly; you should focus your attention on just breathing. Since anxiety tends to yield labored, rapid breathing, the aim is to focus breathing and slow it down so that it is calmer and more regular. By focusing on the inhalation and exhalation of breath, you are practicing a simple but effective form of meditation. Your mind should then become more relaxed and clear as you continue to focus and you may experience a sense of tranquility.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is a way of training your mind to remain in the present moment. It's a way of taking note of both conscious and unconscious thought. With mindfulness meditation, you become aware of what is happening within your body as well as your surroundings. Try sitting in a place free from external noise or interference. Allow your mind to run freely and accept all of the thoughts that you experience. Try not to judge them or become too involved in them, but simply let them enter and exit your mind.

Stress Management

Meditation is thought to have many benefits on stress from different areas of life, whether that is home, work or personal related stress. By using meditation to cope with stress, your headaches will hopefully become a thing of the past.

Ease Pain

Frequent and intense headache pain can really decrease quality of life, affecting relationships and functioning in both work and home. Despite a great deal of research focused on new drug treatments as well as investigations into causes of headaches, many people still prefer a non-pharmaceutical approach to easing pain. Meditation is touted as an effective way to address pain without the potential side effects of conventional treatment. It's worthwhile to try meditation and see if it makes a difference in your headaches.

There isn't really a right or wrong way to perform meditation; the aim is to spend time on yourself. It's a way of giving your mind and body the care it deserves and you may find that a reduction in stress and headaches is only one of many benefits you experience.

Meditation And It's Benefits

2008-08-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

Many people have heard of meditation, but most may not be aware of the real benefits of what it can do. Many think of meditation as simply closing your eyes and doing some chanting. Many also think that meditation is closely related to religion. The most commonly known benefit of meditation is stress reduction. While this may be true, there are also many other benefits that most are not aware of. This article summarizes some other benefits that meditation can bring: The most known benefit of meditation of course, is that it is used to relieve stress and anxiety, and this is the reason why most people meditate in the first place.

Reduction of Blood Pressure

Studies have shown that regular meditation can lower your blood pressure. The reason for this is because the practice of meditation opens up the blood vessels, thus lowering the blood pressure.

Reduction of Cholesterol Level

Meditation can also reduce blood cholesterol levels, minimizing chances of heart disease. Meditation could be the answer to a healthy heart!

Reduction of Respiratory Problems

Have breathing problems? Try meditating! As part of meditation, you control and focus on your breathing. You may not realize, but your controlled breathing reduces airway resistance and increases air flow into the lungs. This makes for easier breathing and is beneficial for patients with asthmatic problems.

Reduce Heart Rate and Metabolic Rate

Meditation lowers your heart rate, and also lowers the metabolic rate, bringing you into a state of calmness.

Coping with Depression

Meditation can bring you into a more positive state of mind, making you feel happy and rejuvenated. Because of this, meditation is often used as an effective tool to cope with depression.

An Increased Emotional Stability

Meditation brings about emotional stability, enabling us to better control our emotions and feelings.

An Increase in Productivity

Meditation also helps to increase memory and alertness, giving us more clarity of thought to make better judgments and decisions. It makes us more alert and awake at work, thus increasing productivity in what we do.

Enjoy meditating!

By:Edwin Mah

A Short Guide to Meditation

2008-08-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

Meditation is an exercise and practise where we seek to discover our own inner Source. Through meditation we can learn to identify with a vast, infinite consciousness that embodies peace, light and abiding satisfaction. Everybody has these divine qualities of inner peace and joy, it is just that at the moment we are not aware of them. Meditation is our conscious effort to experience these qualities and make them part of our nature.

To practice meditation we don’t need to follow a particular religion; anybody can meditate, the only requirement is our conscious aspiration to silence the thoughts of the mind. At the same time if we can have the help of a qualified teacher and associate with others who meditate then our progress will be quicker and more assured. We gain inspiration by meditating with others and following a certain path of meditation.

There are many different approaches to meditation but ultimately the various teachings of meditation share a common objective; to stop our mental thoughts. In essence meditation is an experience where we are not using the mind to think. If we can empty our mind of thoughts, then we will be able to enter into a meditative consciousness. When we enter into this meditative consciousness we actually find our inner being, our inner pilot will spontaneously meditate on our behalf. In the beginning we may need to make an effort to silence the mind. However when we have achieved this task of silencing the mind we find meditation is something that is very spontaneous and natural.

To be able to be able to go from an ordinary mental consciousness to this elevated consciousness we need to master the practice of concentration. To concentrate we only focus on one thing at a time; we need to avoid getting distracted by thoughts and emotions. To help us achieve this there are various meditation exercises, which help us to silence the mind. These exercises can include the use of mantra, visualization exercises and concentrating on certain objects.

Unless we are very fortunate, meditation may not come easily, but if we practice regularly we will begin to increase our meditative capacity and over time we will learn how to experience the lasting peace and satisfaction that meditation can give us. As Sri Chinmoy says of meditation

“Meditation gives us peace of mind without a tranquillizer. And unlike a tranquillizer, the peace of mind that we get from meditation does not fade away. It lasts for good in some corner of the inmost recesses of our aspiring heart.” [1]

But to describe the experience of real meditation in words is always inadequate. It is one thing to talk about peace and love but it is only when we meditate that we can experience these qualities as a living reality.

Resources:

[1] Excerpt from The Seeker's Mind by Sri Chinmoy

R.Pettinger has studied meditation under the guidance of Sri Chinmoy for 7 years. He teaches meditation classes in his home town of Oxford. For more articles on meditation and spirituality see: http://www.writespirit.net/blog

Meditation Exercises

2008-08-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

Meditation can be practiced in many ways and there are several meditation exercises available for people with different objectives. For people who are body-oriented, there various physical forms of exercise can be used to get in touch with the inner self. For the heart-oriented, prayer is considered the best form of attunement; for the intellect-oriented, meditation is their path to enlightenment. All types of meditations follow the same pattern where they begin with transforming the body, then move through the heart, next they arrive at the mind and then they go beyond. Meditation exercises are designed for reducing stress, building self-confidence and self-esteem, and maintaining good health.

One of the most popular meditation exercises is the breathing exercise where the meditators have to focus on inhalation and exhalation. The idea here is to become aware of the gap between inhalation and exhalation that is present for a fraction of second. Breathing meditation is popular as it is easy to understand and practice. The benefits of this exercise are also visible after a relatively shorter span of time when compared with other meditation exercises. This type of meditation can be done either by quietly sitting in a posture or by coupling it with other actions such as walking and eating.

Another type of meditation is the objective kind of meditation where the meditators choose any object to look at and then meditate on its origin. Meditators can allow their thoughts to wander to the origin of the object, the process of its making and then various stages involved in bringing the object to its present situation. This type of meditation is ideal for beginners as they may find it easier to relate to things that they can see than to something abstract.

Meditators who may be unsure about the benefits or the way of performing meditation exercises can consult qualified health professionals, specialists, or reputed teachers for advice.

Meditation provides detailed information on Meditation, Meditation Techniques, Transcendental Meditation, Guided Meditation and more. Meditation is affiliated with Tai Chi Videos.

Mindfulness Meditation and the Law of Attraction

2008-08-14T00:11:00.000-07:00

Do you feel overhwelmed and at odds with your life? Does it seem like your mind rambles incessantly, as if you can never experience a moment of peace? Many people in our modern world describe their lives as frenzied and imbalanced. The good news is that it doesn't have to be this way. Many Asian cultures have understood something for the past several thousand years that modern people are gradually beginning to discover: That we have to learn how to work with our minds in a conscious and healthy way if we are to attract peace, abundance, and joy into our lives. Without a consistent method of cultivating awareness, we will be forever resigned to circumstances that feel out of our control. That is why so many modern people are struggling. We have lost the ancient practice of connecting our inner world of thoughts, feelings, and energy with our outer world of the circumstances we attract into our lives. Because of this, everything that appears seems to be random. We lose trust in the unfolding of the universe. As a result, our minds are filled with anxiety and worry, which only attracts more seeming chaos and confusion into our lives. Does this sound familiar?

The law of attraction states that what you focus on expands. If your thoughts and feelings resonate with anxiety and confusion, then you will attract more of those qualites to you through your relationships, work, finances, etc. The key is not to trick our minds into creating positive thoughts through affirmations or other methods, but to develop space around the workings of our minds altogether. Herein lies the magic of mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness is a method of becoming acutely aware of everything that happens within the scope of our perception. We shed light on what we think, feel, and sense. We make conscious all of the subconscious material that typically sabotages our good intentions. We don't try to change it. Instead, we just become extremely aware of it. We do this by sitting still and doing nothing but watching how our mind works without attachment or judgment. We just sit and witness what takes place within us and we start to draw parallels between what we believe to be true and what we are constantly attracting into our lives.

Many people, particulalry Westerners, try meditation for a period of time and then give up after getting frustrated with the process. This is because we are always looking for results. We are deeply attached to our expectations of what should happen. Most of us try to use meditation to shut our minds down, to dwell in a space of 'no thought.' If you try to use meditation to stop thinking, you are in for a rude surprise. You simply cannot do it. In fact, the harder you try to stop thinking, the louder and more obnoxious your thoughts become. This is not the way. The main intention of mindfulness is to be fundamentally OK with whatever arises as you practice. Whether you have a good thought or a bad thought, you give it the same attention. You remain neutral. By doing this, you stop feeding the energy of your thoughts. This is the first step in cutting through the vicious cycle of

thought-feeling-reaction that keeps so many of us habitually attracting the wrong kinds of energy, people, and circumstances into our lives. If we believe what we think, the energy of the thought will evolve into a feeling. The momentum of the feeling will cause us to react to it, which will create a cause in the world that will always lead to an effect. The effect will always be a reflection of that initial thought impulse. So, if your thoughts are habitually centered around negativity, greed, fear, or narcissism, then the effects you will see in your life will mirror this back to you.

Mindfulness is a process of becoming truly proactive for the first time in your life. Most of the time, we are just reacting to what we think and feel, which brings us endless cycles of conflict and disappointment. When we remain neutral to our thoughts and feelings, then we will gradually make contact with an aspect of ourselves that is spontaneous and awake. We will act (not react) from this place. We will attract what we truly desire into our lives based on a conscious process of heightening our senses. And, yes, at some point the mind does slow down. We experience wonderful and refreshing moments of peace and openness. The universe is naturally seen as a benevolent place.
Instead of our typical attempts to outsmart the universe, mindfulness is a humbling process of surrender and gratitude.

Cultivate space, endless space, around your thoughts and feelings. Allow your spirit to inhabit your body fully. Don't buy into self-defeating storylines and beliefs. Don't try to force yourself to see the positive in life or repeat useless affirmations that you have no innate connection with. Instead, taste the perfection of this moment as it is. If you can feel in your bones that you are fundamentally OK and that life is precious, you will attract much more meaningful relationships with people, better health, more fulfilling work and more prosperity on all levels of being. That is the power of mindfulness.

By:Kevin Doherty-6600

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

Paradise Lost - When Insights Slip Away

2008-08-11T22:22:00.000-07:00

We are meditating, or perhaps just walking on the beach, and WHAM! the insight strikes. Wow! But then what happens? In a millisecond, the interfering mind elbows right in, “WHAT WAS THAT? WHAT WAS THAT?” and our insight evaporates like ephemeral foam on a wave.

If only we could keep that meddlesome, nosy mind away for one more moment, then the insight would remain, and deeper and deeper we would go until there would be that immense flash that shifts our consciousness into glorious new levels.

But not our luck; we can’t even watch our breath for more than a few minutes before the manic mind takes over, let alone expect it to behave itself when a tremendous insight crops up. Our hyper mind must immediately identify the insight and figure it all out, completely destroying the subtly that all insights are.

So, what to do? How can we keep the mind quiet so that these insights can ripen? We can’t use a power play, where when an insight arises we force the mind away, because the one doing the forcing is the very mind itself, laughing at us and our pathetic attempts to quiet it. Let’s face it; our minds are powerful, and not easily tamed.

Okay, let’s try this; the mind gets involved because it is protecting us – that’s the mind’s job, and it performs that job well. If we are about to step on a snake, the moment the mind glimpses the snake our body will involuntarily jump back as a reflex, that’s how fast and efficient our mind is, and in many ways, this keeps us alive.

If this is the case, what chance do we have of ever convincing the mind to just leave us alone during insights - but perform it’s regular efficient job with everything else? Fat chance! It doesn’t work that way. So, what can we do? If we don’t solve this problem, our insights will never have a chance to deepen. Fortunately, there is a way to solve this predicament, and it involves a strict training of the mind.

The “jhana” levels of deep concentration meditation explain it best:

In regular meditation, the mind is still caught up in the busy mind with thoughts gone wild, but at the first level of jhana, there are periods where the thoughts subside temporarily, causing rapture and pleasure to suffuse the body. If an insight is experienced during first jhana, the insight will deepen for a long moment before the mind ruins it, resulting in a shift in consciousness.

At the second level of jhana, thoughts are no longer present at all, only feelings of unification, serenity, and internal confidence. Insights experienced at this level will remain for an extended period of time. One might understand, for example, that an awareness permeates all elements, cells and molecules, and that consciousness is the very protégé of this awareness, and therefore all beings, all things in the universe are connected, with no differentiation in any way at a fundamental level. This insight will remain, and manifest itself as unconditional love.

The third level of jhana involves a pleasurable feeling accompanied by equanimity. When insights arise now, the mind cannot jump on them as it has in the past. Now the mind is subdued, tranquil, and the insights go deeply within the meditator with tremendous shifts in consciousness that alter the meditator’s basic being.

At the fourth level of jhana, there are only equanimity and mindfulness, with a complete absence of pleasure and pain. There is only bright awareness now; the mind is now only a mosquito trying to bite an iron bull and cannot interfere with insights at all. The mediator’s insights now deepen dramatically, particularly when the meditator focuses his or her attention on such things as the body, feelings, consciousness, and truths.

Now the insights come non-stop, and the meditator, no longer encumbered by mind, holds on to none of the insights, and as a result, the insights come faster and faster, and still the meditator lets them all go. Then, one day, the great insight appears momentarily, and the meditator understands, in his or her heart, that they are now free.

So don’t be satisfied with that first insight, regardless of how powerful it is. It is only the beginning of what you truly seek – ultimate freedom. Don’t allow your mind to steal your insights, identify, and label them, or capture them and begin using them for its own purposes. Practice your meditation, calm your mind, and your fear will disappear while your entire life changes and has a new meaning. Now you will understand things that never in your wildest imagination had you ever thought of discovering.

Begin with only a few minutes of meditation each night before retiring. If you do it every night, no matter what, in time you will want to do it more. Then you will be on your way to tremendous insights, and a new life.

E. Raymond Rock of Fort Myers, Florida is cofounder and principal teacher at the Southwest Florida Insight Center, http://www.SouthwestFloridaInsightCenter.com His twenty-eight years of meditation experience has taken him across four continents, including two stopovers in Thailand where he practiced in the remote northeast forests as an ordained Theravada Buddhist monk. His book, A Year to Enlightenment (Career Press/New Page Books) is now available at major bookstores and online retailers. Visit http://www.AYearToEnlightenment.com

How to Approach a Thoughtless Person

2008-08-11T03:41:00.000-07:00

A “thoughtless” person can be very dangerous to ourselves, and unpredictable as well. Thoughtless people are all over the place, we seem to run into them constantly these days, and when we do, we must be prepared to respond in the appropriate manner.

Perhaps “thoughtless” is not the correct terminology here. When we typically think of a thoughtless person, we think of a person who is actually filled with thoughts, constant thoughts, and not thoughtless at all. They are filled with endless thoughts about themselves, so much so, that there is no room for others, or the opinions of others. This person is filled with himself to the point that he no longer notices others, or attempts to help them. He only helps himself. If he does happen to notice someone else, it is usually from the standpoint of contempt.

But this is not the thoughtless people that I am writing about. I am writing about truly thoughtless people – people who can see so clearly that they act without the burden of thought interfering with their actions. You know who they are; the soldier who falls on a grenade to save his buddies, the mother who gives her life for her child, our champions in the movies that so endear us with their selfless actions, the football heroes that sacrifice all personal safety to help their team win.

But when thought has a chance to interfere, we become careful. Thought is the protector and architect of our “self,” our ego, and as such will hesitate when it comes to selfless action. If Mother Teresa wasn’t a thoughtless person, she would have thought twice about risking her life in a disease ridden country to help poor kids that could never pay her back.

Therefore, thoughtless people are a danger to our “selves.” The reason they are a danger is because when we see how a thoughtless person’s actions are pure, without agenda, without consideration or cunningness to receive something in return, or save themselves, then our small “self” feels ashamed, and when our self feels ashamed, it begins to justify its cowardly actions.

So how should we respond to these thoughtless people that we run into constantly? I think that we should embrace them – recognize them for the heroes and heroines that they truly are. But since they are thoughtless, the praise that they receive will go in one ear and out the other, as will any criticism that they are in some way irresponsible.

They can’t help it that they are thoughtless, they just see life differently. They see life as it actually is, not merely tools for our personal security. The thoughtless person envisions all of us as one, and whatever they do; it is never considered to be a sacrifice. How could giving up a self, that doesn’t exist in a thoughtless person’s mind, be sacrificed for anything.

Mother Teresa could easily have died in India, and if she would have, she would not have felt that she was any better or different from the children she saved. This understanding only occurs to thoughtless people, because thoughtless people are humanity; not merely separate parts of humanity. Did Mother Teresa care if the children were Catholic, or Hindu, or Buddhist? No, she never asked; she knew that such unimportant things such as religious beliefs only mattered with thoughtful people, never thoughtless people. Thoughtless people only worried about their fellow human beings.

So as meditators, we watch our thoughts, and we are constantly asked how we can survive in this world without relying solely on thinking.

I ask in return; have you noticed the world lately, one that is completely ruled by thought?

Written By:-E. Raymond Rock

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E._Raymond_Rock

Health Benefits Of Meditation

2008-08-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

A lot of people I know laugh at it. Whenever I bring up the subject, they give me a smirk and change the subject. How could meditation have any kind of health benefits? Isn't it no different from sitting in a chair and watching some mindless TV? Well, in actuality, meditation, when practiced correctly, is a lot different from sitting in a chair and watching mindless TV. This article is going to share with you just a few of the many health benefits that come from meditating. I have no doubt that after reading this, you will see how meditation may just be the one thing that will improve your health considerably.

One of the main benefits of meditation, and maybe one of the most important is that it lowers your oxygen consumption. The reason for this is because meditation, when done correctly, actually slows down the heart rate. This in turn leads to shallower, more regular breathing, which is turn lowers oxygen consumption. This in turn is better for your heart as well as your whole respiratory system.

Another benefit of meditation is for heart patients. Those who have either suffered from heart attacks or who have heart problems benefit greatly from meditation because they build up more tolerance to exercise, which is important in getting back in shape after a heart attack.

Another great benefit of meditation is for muscle tension. Meditating regularly is great for relieving tension headaches and other muscle aches. It even helps in reducing the pain from arthritis. As a natural pain reliever, meditation is a near miracle. I overcame numerous painful earaches simply by meditating.

For women, mediation is great in combating pre menstrual syndrome. Many of the terrible symptoms of PMS are reduced from meditating, including cramps and headaches.

If you want to build up your immune system, mediation is an excellent way to accomplish this. By regular meditation, your cells will rebuild themselves quicker over time. In general, you will simply feel better if you regularly meditate.

There's a lot more but this should give you a pretty decent idea of how beneficial meditation can be to you. So while a lot of my friends are laughing, I'm feeling better than I have ever felt in my life.

Meditation: Try it sometime. You might find the results surprising.

To YOUR Health,

Steve Wagner

For natural treatments to a number of ailments, visit our website at http://www.natures-healing-remedies.com/ where you can get a free report on how the drug companies are killing us as well as get a 52 week series on a different ailment and treatment each week.

Meditation - Meditating for Instant Calming

2008-08-06T02:10:00.000-07:00

Stress can strike you at any time. It can hit you hard and the way you deal with a situation can be made a million times worse simply because of the stress build up. One of the cool aspects of meditation is your ability to use meditation to gain an instant calming affect even when you are not in the traditional meditation posture.

The first step in the meditation for Instant Calming is to practice your breathing. When you feel that stress is creeping up on you simply practice breathing lightly like a mouse in and out. Focus on the quality of your breathing; ensure that it is light and even. Then slowly make the breathing deeper.

Next in this process is to ensure that your posture is balanced and even. Keep your back straight and your head up. Many people who become stressed will slouch their back and have a hunched look.

Clear your mind. Imagine in you mind that you are bathing in a wave of relaxing waves. Consciously feel the waves flowing past taking away the anxiety and stress. Ensure that the waves constantly flow through your body.

The next important step is to acknowledge the stress and look at the root cause of the stress. The worst thing you can do with meditation is to deny the stress. In your mind during the meditation speak the words clearly in your mind, "This stress is real but I have the ability to hand it. Let me think straight and find a way to deal with this stress and to cope immediately with the challenges in front of me."

Continue repeating this statement in your meditations for a period not less than ten minutes. It is now time in this meditation to take control of this stress. Focus on the person who has caused this stress and robbed you of the control you have the right too. Take control of your mind and rid your mind of the stress.

Finally as you come out of this meditation focus on these words, "I have a right to a free and peaceful mind. Nothing anyone can do or say to me will rob me of this right." Speak these words each time you need this meditation.

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Best Meditation Methods

2008-08-03T23:05:00.000-07:00

Discovering the best meditation method for you is one of the highs you can experience in modern day life.

Too often, we are too stressed even to contemplate meditation, even though taking a few quiet minutes to meditate could be one of the best things we could do in our lives.

For the next week, experiment with a different meditation method each day and note down the effects. You'll then have a much clearer idea of the best meditation method for you.

Breathing meditation. This is one of the simplest meditation techniques and focusing on your breathing is quick and easy.
Walking meditation. Take a leisurely walk. Breathe in the air. Notice the sounds and smells!
High tech meditation. Put on your headphones and a binaural beats track. Sit back and let the technology do the rest.
Mantra meditation. Repeat your chosen mantra over and over, either out loud or in your head.
Candle meditation. Light a candle somewhere safe, sit down and focus on the candle flame. Let all other thoughts drift out of your mind. Keep focussed on the flickering flame.
Guided meditation. Put on your headphones and listen to a pre-recorded guided meditation talk you through the process of relaxing your body and clearing your mind.
Mirror gazing. No, you're not doing an impression of Narcissus! Simply gaze into your reflected image. Focus on the wall just behind your head. Let all other thoughts fall out of your mind.

Your feelings and daily journal will help you to quickly come to a conclusion as to which meditation method is best for you. You may even decide to "ring the changes" and indulge in several different meditations according to the day of the week and the time available in your schedule.

Read my review of the one of best meditation methods I've come across to date at http://personaldevelopmentreviews.org/index.php/2007/04/17/secrets-of-abundant-energy

Inner Guidance Meditation

2008-08-01T22:29:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to meditate. Some of the most popular ways of meditation include chanting a mantra while sitting and eyes closed. The mantra should be a word that has no meaning to you so that you do not get distracted by the meaning. For example if you chant "car' or "Toyota', you probably be thinking about what your next car going to be, although this might help you to manifest a new car quickly in the near future. If you have watch Ronda bryne's 'The Secret", you will know what I mean.

Another popular way of meditation is to focus on one object in your mind's eye, for example you can visualize a candle in front of your mind's eye. Keep your focus on the candle and gently let go of any intrusive thoughts like have I paid my parking fines.
Also another way of meditation is to visualize a clock on the wall in your mind's eye, and watch it tick second by second or minute by minute. This can help you focus your mind.

If you are looking for any insight into a problem or an issue, Mentally say to your self that you wish to know this or that. And continue doing the meditation. Sometimes after awhile, your subconscious mind you show you something. It will show you in the form of a image or feeling. When you are relaxed, you should be able to know that an insight is given.

I sometimes like to use a pendulum when doing meditation. A pendulum can be a ring with a string tied to it, or you can buy one from new age stores.

Before I start, I will test the response. You should already have calibrated it. You should already know the position for YES and position for NO. Most common position for YES is swing in front of you and side to side is NO.

Sit in a comfortable chair and hold the pendulum in one hand. It is preferable to have a chair that can support the elbow holding the pendulum.

There are too many things to ask your inner guidance, but after 5 minutes querying you inner guidance, you would naturally fall into a meditative state, you brain wave would have slowed down and you now feel relaxed.

I once ask my inner guidance if a certain area on my physical body has a past life problem, In the meditative stage, it show me a warrior who was impale from behind. It may be possible to query your inner guidance as to how to heal the problem. But you need to ask the right question.

By: Jack chua

Meditation Advantages

2008-08-01T03:08:00.000-07:00

The advantages of meditation are widely known, and as a practice it is garnering more and more respect amongst alternative and traditional medical professionals the world over. From high profile through to the swelling body of empirical evidence, meditation is quickly becoming seen as a viable way to improve well-being and to achieve personal healing on a spiritual and physical way. In this article we’ll look at some of the major advantages of meditation that you can enjoy after learning the process.

Inner peace
On a spiritual level, meditation is the fastest and most complete way to achieve inner peace and find yourself. With meditation training you can become one with your emotions and your problems, and overcome any underlying insecurities or worries to achieve an unprecedented level of inner peace and harmony. By learning the basics of meditation, you too can benefit from the spiritual advantages brought about by achieving a greater level of inner peace and well being in your own spare time, whilst enjoying the long-term health benefits of meditating.

Cure illness
Study after study coming from top worldwide research institutions is showing undeniably that meditation can have an effect on overall well being. Add to that the piles of anecdotal evidence available that suggest the overall benefits of meditation for numerous conditions and you’ve got yourself a powerful all natural remedythat can take as little or as much time as you like, and doesn’t cost the earth. Used in conjunction with conventional medicines, there’s no reason why your meditation shouldn’t help you on your road to recovery.

De-stress
Nowadays life can get tough, and we never seem to have enough time for anything. Why not escape from the stresses and strains of your daily routine by learning how to meditate, with a view to improving your overall well being and allowing you to completely रेल्स and forget about your worries and troubles. For de-stressing after a hard day, there’s nothing quite like a meditation session to realign the spirit and get you right back on track.

Decrease blood pressure
Amongst some of the more prominent medical benefits of meditating, decreasing blood pressure comes naturally as one of the major upshots of a devoted meditating ritual to improve your general health and help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke linked with elevated blood pressure.

Improve airflow to the lungs
Additionally, meditating on a regular basis can be a great way to improve the airflow to your lungs, which can eventually improve the flow of oxygen through the bloodstream which in turn can provide a wealth of health benefits off its own back, adding to the overall medical benefits of meditation.

Whilst it’s not at first obvious to the outsider, those in the know about meditation understand exactly what it can do for the body, and the wealth of benefits it can bring once you learn the basic process and begin to establish a routine of meditation within your day to day life।More www. meditationstore.net