What is Technique of Meditation ?
Meditation is the technique of inter-penetrating the five sheets(koses) of the Sadhaka to bend them into one harmonious whole. The body is known as the city of Brahma(Bhramapuri) with nine gates. These gates are the eyes , ears , nostrils , mouth ,anus & reproductive organs. All these have to be closed in meditation. The city is controlled by the ten winds(vayus), five organs of perceptions(jnanendriyas) , five action organs(karamendriyas) & seven chakras. As pearls are strung together on a thread to make a necklace , so have the chakras to be connected to the self to make an integrated person.
In meditation , the brain has to be well balanced in relation to the spine. Any unevenness in its position disturbs the quietness of meditation. The energies of the left & right hemisphere of the brain have to be brought to the centre. The thinking activity of the brain have to be brought to the centre. The thinking activity of the brain ceases. Just as one withdraws energy from a particular limb or part of the body to make it passive , so also the flow of energy to the brain must be reduced & directed towards the heart – the seat of the soul. The key to the technique of meditation lies in keeping the brain as a passive observer.
The various preparatory techniques of Yama , Niyama ,Asanas , Pranayama , mould the body & mind , purify & balance them. In a steady & stable posture , free from physical & mental disturbance , an even circulation of arterial & venous blood , lymphatic & cerebral-spinal fluid is maintained through the head & spinal column. Stimulation is kept minimal & as symmetrical as possible. This evenness of circulation & stimulation allows the brain & mind to attain a unification of knowledge & experience.
The brain is divided into three portions : the cerebral , cortex , hypothalamus & the cerebellum. The cerebral cortex functions in the process of thinking , speech , memory & imagination. The hypothalamus regulates the activity of the internal organs & imprints emotional reaction of pleasure , pain , joy & sorrow , contentment & disappointment. The cerebellum is the centre of muscular co-ordination. The back brain is regarded as that which functions in meditation ; it is the seat of wisdom & clarity.
The art art of sitting correctly & silently is essential to achieve physical & mental harmony while practicing meditation.any comfortable position may be assumed for sitting , though Padamasan is ideal. Raise the front & back portion of the body evenly , attentively & rhythmically , without jerking. Keeping the spine erect & the chest lifted up. This slows down the flow of breath , lessen the activity of the brain & leads to cessation of all thoughts.
Keep the body alert , with razor sharp awareness keep the Brain passive , sensitive & silent , like the thin end of the leaf , which shakes even in a gentle breeze.collapse of the body brings intellectual dullness & a distracted mind disturbs the steadiness of the body, avoid both. Keep the crown of the head parallel to the ceiling without tilting the head to the right or the left , forward or backward ,upward or downward.
If the head is down , the Sadhaka is brooding on the past , the mind is dull & tam sic. If it moves up, he wandering in the future , which is rajasic. When the head is held level , he is in present & this is a pure (satvic) state of mind. Close the eyes & look within . shut your ears to the outward sounds. Listen to the inner vibration & follow them until they merge into their source. Any absentmindedness or lack of awareness in the eyes & ears creates fluctuation in the mind. The closure of the eyes & ears directs the Sadhaka to meditate upon Him who is verily the eye of the eye , the ear of the ear , the speech of the speech , the mind of the mind & the lift of the lift.
Flex the arms at the elbows raise the hands & fold the palms in front of the chest with the thumb pointing towards this is called atmanjali or hadayanjaki mudra. Intelligence oscillating between the head & heart creates multiple thoughts. When the mind oscillates , press the palms to bring back the attention of the mind on the self. If the pressure of the palms becomes loose , it is a sign that mind is wandering. Again join them firmly to recollect the self.
Dhayana is integration of the body , mind , intelligence , will , consciousness, ego & self. The body is the external layer of the mind. Dhayana is the process of inter-penetration of all these sheaths , a merging of all that is known into unknown or the finite into infinite. The mind acts as the subject & self object : yet in reality the self is the subject. The end of meditation is to make the mind submerge in the self so that all seeking & searching comes to an end. Then the Sadhaka experiences his own universality , timelessness & fullness.
Stay in meditation for as long as one can , without allowing the body to collapse. Then do Shavasana.
In meditation , the brain has to be well balanced in relation to the spine. Any unevenness in its position disturbs the quietness of meditation. The energies of the left & right hemisphere of the brain have to be brought to the centre. The thinking activity of the brain have to be brought to the centre. The thinking activity of the brain ceases. Just as one withdraws energy from a particular limb or part of the body to make it passive , so also the flow of energy to the brain must be reduced & directed towards the heart – the seat of the soul. The key to the technique of meditation lies in keeping the brain as a passive observer.
The various preparatory techniques of Yama , Niyama ,Asanas , Pranayama , mould the body & mind , purify & balance them. In a steady & stable posture , free from physical & mental disturbance , an even circulation of arterial & venous blood , lymphatic & cerebral-spinal fluid is maintained through the head & spinal column. Stimulation is kept minimal & as symmetrical as possible. This evenness of circulation & stimulation allows the brain & mind to attain a unification of knowledge & experience.
The brain is divided into three portions : the cerebral , cortex , hypothalamus & the cerebellum. The cerebral cortex functions in the process of thinking , speech , memory & imagination. The hypothalamus regulates the activity of the internal organs & imprints emotional reaction of pleasure , pain , joy & sorrow , contentment & disappointment. The cerebellum is the centre of muscular co-ordination. The back brain is regarded as that which functions in meditation ; it is the seat of wisdom & clarity.
The art art of sitting correctly & silently is essential to achieve physical & mental harmony while practicing meditation.any comfortable position may be assumed for sitting , though Padamasan is ideal. Raise the front & back portion of the body evenly , attentively & rhythmically , without jerking. Keeping the spine erect & the chest lifted up. This slows down the flow of breath , lessen the activity of the brain & leads to cessation of all thoughts.
Keep the body alert , with razor sharp awareness keep the Brain passive , sensitive & silent , like the thin end of the leaf , which shakes even in a gentle breeze.collapse of the body brings intellectual dullness & a distracted mind disturbs the steadiness of the body, avoid both. Keep the crown of the head parallel to the ceiling without tilting the head to the right or the left , forward or backward ,upward or downward.
If the head is down , the Sadhaka is brooding on the past , the mind is dull & tam sic. If it moves up, he wandering in the future , which is rajasic. When the head is held level , he is in present & this is a pure (satvic) state of mind. Close the eyes & look within . shut your ears to the outward sounds. Listen to the inner vibration & follow them until they merge into their source. Any absentmindedness or lack of awareness in the eyes & ears creates fluctuation in the mind. The closure of the eyes & ears directs the Sadhaka to meditate upon Him who is verily the eye of the eye , the ear of the ear , the speech of the speech , the mind of the mind & the lift of the lift.
Flex the arms at the elbows raise the hands & fold the palms in front of the chest with the thumb pointing towards this is called atmanjali or hadayanjaki mudra. Intelligence oscillating between the head & heart creates multiple thoughts. When the mind oscillates , press the palms to bring back the attention of the mind on the self. If the pressure of the palms becomes loose , it is a sign that mind is wandering. Again join them firmly to recollect the self.
Dhayana is integration of the body , mind , intelligence , will , consciousness, ego & self. The body is the external layer of the mind. Dhayana is the process of inter-penetration of all these sheaths , a merging of all that is known into unknown or the finite into infinite. The mind acts as the subject & self object : yet in reality the self is the subject. The end of meditation is to make the mind submerge in the self so that all seeking & searching comes to an end. Then the Sadhaka experiences his own universality , timelessness & fullness.
Stay in meditation for as long as one can , without allowing the body to collapse. Then do Shavasana.
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