MEDITATION IN INDIA
Methods of Meditation: Taoist Meditation Methods, Metta Bhavana Meditations, Standing Meditation
Types of Meditation:Objective Meditation, Subjective Meditation
Major Yoga Meditation Destinations: Kerala, Uttaranchal, Bihar
Meditation is defined as a sustained and uninterrupted
concentration leading to a highly focused mind. Meditation begins with
concentration, which makes the mind steady. When prolonged concentration
leads to the continuous flow of the mind towards one object, this becomes
meditation. To maintain and deepen meditation, the mind must have
something on which to focus.
In ancient India meditation was a subject of deep study, research and
experiment. The followers of the Samkhya philosophy developed it into an
independent science of mental life. When properly concentrated on an
object, the mind undergoes certain changes. These changes are the same for
a particular degree of concentration whatever be the object chosen. In
other words, concentration follows certain universal laws. These laws were
discovered by the great yogis of ancient India. Patanjali codified and
compiled them in his famous Yoga Aphorisms. These laws form the basis of
upasana also.
So Shankaracharya defines meditation as "a process of unwavering
application of the same thought on some object, such as a deity prescribed
by the scriptures, without being interrupted by any alien thought."
Traditionally meditation was and it is still used for spiritual growth,
like becoming more conscious, unfolding our inner light, love, &
wisdom, becoming more aware of the guiding presence in our lives and
knowing more about our true self... our Spirit.
More recently, meditation has become a valuable tool for finding a
peaceful oasis of relaxation and stress relief from the demanding and
fast-paced world.
Types of Meditation
Objective Meditation
Objective
meditation is also known as upasana. In objective meditation, we
concentrate the mind on an object. The object may be the form of a deity,
light, sky, etc. or some qualities like love, compassion, strength or
one's own self objectified. Consciousness is focussed on the object by an
effort of will.
Subjective Meditation
Subjective meditation is called nididhyasana or atma-vicara. Here there
is no focussing of consciousness or effort of will. It is rather an
attempt to seek the source of consciousness, to trace one's "I"
back to its roots. It is a process in which the ego, instead of rushing
towards objects as it constantly does, withdraws into its own original
source-the atman.
Different Methods of Meditation
In simple terms meditation means concentrating your mind to
one point or at one place, where you feel detach from the worldly affairs.
This can be achieved by various methods that depend upon from person, time
and place. There are as many methods in which one can meditate as there
are waves in the ocean. Different forms of meditation are described from
both Eastern and Western perspectives.
Taoist Meditation Methods
Taoist meditation methods have many points in common with Hindu and
Buddhist systems, but the Taoist way is less abstract and far more
down-to-earth than the contemplative traditions which evolved in India.
The primary hallmark of Taoist meditation is the generation,
transformation, and circulation of internal energy.
Once the meditator has 'achieved energy' (deh-chee), it can be applied to
promoting health and longevity, nurturing the 'spiritual embryo' of
immortality, martial arts, healing, painting and poetry, sensual
self-indulgence, or whatever else the adept wishes to do with it.
The two primary guidelines in Taoist meditation are jing ('quiet,
stillness, calm') and ding ('concentration, focus'). The purpose of
stillness, both mental and physical, is to turn attention inwards and cut
off external sensory input, thereby muzzling the "Five Thieves".
Within that silent stillness, one concentrates the mind and focuses
attention, usually on the breath, in order to develop what is called
'one-pointed awareness', a totally undistracted, undisturbed,
undifferentiated state of mind which permits intuitive insights to arise
spontaneously.
Metta Bhavana Meditations - Developing Loving Kindness
"Bhavana" means "cultivation" or "development,"
and "Metta" is a word that means "love," "friendliness,"
or "loving kindness." So this is a meditation practice where we
actively cultivate some very positive emotional states towards others, as
well as to ourselves.
This practice helps us to bring more harmony into our relationships with
others, so that we experience less conflicts, resolve existing
difficulties, and deepen our connections with people we already get on
with. It helps us to empathize more, and to be more considerate, kind, and
forgiving. We can also learn to appreciate others more, concentrating more
on their positive qualities and less on their faults.In this meditation
practice, we also cultivate Metta towards ourselves, so that we experience
less internal conflict, and learn to appreciate ourselves more.
Standing Meditation:
This is a great exercise to practice proper breathing. All too many of us
take short and improper breaths. This is a simple way to concentrate and
regain the proper breathing techniques we had naturally as an infant. In
this method we stand comfortably with our spine straight and feet about
shoulder distance apart, open your left hand and place the thumb on your
belly button so the palm of your hand is against our lower abdomen. Now
place your open right hand over your left, also palm open and over the
back of your left hand. Breathe in slowly and feel this part of your lower
abdomen expand, which will naturally push your hands outward with your
belly. Hold the breath for four seconds and then exhale slowly and feel
your lower abdomen contracting inward as the air is released. Thoughts are
recognized without judgment and concentration is brought back to breath.
Vipassana Meditation
Vipassana which is derived from a Sanskrit word Vipasyanam means "
insight". It is an analytic method which involves constant
mindfulness and awareness of all experiences, good and bad. It is not a
withdrawal from life but an attempt to understand life and thus enlarge
one's self-awareness. The most authoritative scripture for vipassana is
the Satipatthana-Sutta included in the Buddhist Tripitaka.
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