YOGA MEDITATION
Yoga practices include what is commonly known as meditation. In fact meditation is for the mind ,what asanas are to the body.
Meditation begins with the process of directing the mind towards a chosen object Patanjali in his text “The Yogasutra,” says that the mental activities are so focussed that there is no distraction even in the face of the most tempting external stimuli.
How to go about it?
The svetasvatara Upanishad says: “With the body erect and symmetrically postured and the mind and the senses locked in the heart, the wise man should cross with the boat of Brahman, all the frightful flood waters (of birth and death). Like the chariot with unruly horses, one should control one’s breath, curb one’s movements, breathe through the nose, and thus control one’s mind. The place or spot should be pure – free from rubble and sand, fire, noise and the murmur of water. In such a place, where the mind is not disturbed,where the eyes are not troubled, a place protected from the wind one should start the a practice of yoga. Agility, sound health, absence of greediness, a clear face (or complexion), sweetness of voice, pleasant smell – in these yoga manifests itself first.”
Patanjali also insists on breathing exercises as a Poorvanga (preliminary step) to dhyana (meditation). Dhyana can be classified into two types, Savishaya and Nirvishaya. In the Savishaya type an object is in focus. The object must be shubh-asraya(Auspicious) and suitable yuktam(Suitable). The mind reflects on the characteristics of the object. If the object is exciting, the mind also becomes tranquil. Therefore the right object has to be chosen. For example,it is not proper to advise a pregnant woman, who is full of fears, to meditate on the ferocious form of a goddess. For her to meditate on a pleasant and comforting form of the goddess is desirable.
In the Nirvishaya type there is no object to focus on. The attempt is to reduce the thought process. This is done by letting the thoughts continue without interference until they recede or by suggesting thoughts that neutralise the unpleasant thought process that arises automatically. For example, if a person is angry towards a close friend who has cheated him and wants to fight it out with him, the suggestion is to initiate a thought process that will weigh the risks involved in such a fight and the benefits if the friend is given a chance.
If not initiated properly, meditation can become a way of escaping from reality. A woman from a joint family was unhappy with her mother-in-law. She found it difficult to sleep, had difficulty in dealing with her children. On advice from her Guru, she began meditation in the prayer room. Initially she had difficulty. But she found her mood better. She was more calm. However, when she came out of the pooja room and tried to relate with the family, she got irritated.
She began to spend more and more time in the pooja room. Other members of the family protested. They felt she was using prayer as a pretext to escape from family duty. Eventually, in desperation, the husband left the family.
Meditation can also create other problems. Marc, a german, had a job that took him all over the world. This was telling on his health. He consulted his psychologist who advised him meditation. He began to practise it twice a day as directed. He felt better and wanted to know more about his technique.He went to master who insisted that he should change his eating habits. He became a vegetarian. But this created problems: He could not always find the food he wanted. Once J.Krishna Murthi asked Sri T.Krishnamacharya, “what is yoga?” Santi – Santi of the body, Santi of the mind and Santi of the spirit”. Whether it is the yoga of the body or of the mind, it should be done with restraint.
Meditation begins with the process of directing the mind towards a chosen object Patanjali in his text “The Yogasutra,” says that the mental activities are so focussed that there is no distraction even in the face of the most tempting external stimuli.
How to go about it?
The svetasvatara Upanishad says: “With the body erect and symmetrically postured and the mind and the senses locked in the heart, the wise man should cross with the boat of Brahman, all the frightful flood waters (of birth and death). Like the chariot with unruly horses, one should control one’s breath, curb one’s movements, breathe through the nose, and thus control one’s mind. The place or spot should be pure – free from rubble and sand, fire, noise and the murmur of water. In such a place, where the mind is not disturbed,where the eyes are not troubled, a place protected from the wind one should start the a practice of yoga. Agility, sound health, absence of greediness, a clear face (or complexion), sweetness of voice, pleasant smell – in these yoga manifests itself first.”
Patanjali also insists on breathing exercises as a Poorvanga (preliminary step) to dhyana (meditation). Dhyana can be classified into two types, Savishaya and Nirvishaya. In the Savishaya type an object is in focus. The object must be shubh-asraya(Auspicious) and suitable yuktam(Suitable). The mind reflects on the characteristics of the object. If the object is exciting, the mind also becomes tranquil. Therefore the right object has to be chosen. For example,it is not proper to advise a pregnant woman, who is full of fears, to meditate on the ferocious form of a goddess. For her to meditate on a pleasant and comforting form of the goddess is desirable.
In the Nirvishaya type there is no object to focus on. The attempt is to reduce the thought process. This is done by letting the thoughts continue without interference until they recede or by suggesting thoughts that neutralise the unpleasant thought process that arises automatically. For example, if a person is angry towards a close friend who has cheated him and wants to fight it out with him, the suggestion is to initiate a thought process that will weigh the risks involved in such a fight and the benefits if the friend is given a chance.
If not initiated properly, meditation can become a way of escaping from reality. A woman from a joint family was unhappy with her mother-in-law. She found it difficult to sleep, had difficulty in dealing with her children. On advice from her Guru, she began meditation in the prayer room. Initially she had difficulty. But she found her mood better. She was more calm. However, when she came out of the pooja room and tried to relate with the family, she got irritated.
She began to spend more and more time in the pooja room. Other members of the family protested. They felt she was using prayer as a pretext to escape from family duty. Eventually, in desperation, the husband left the family.
Meditation can also create other problems. Marc, a german, had a job that took him all over the world. This was telling on his health. He consulted his psychologist who advised him meditation. He began to practise it twice a day as directed. He felt better and wanted to know more about his technique.He went to master who insisted that he should change his eating habits. He became a vegetarian. But this created problems: He could not always find the food he wanted. Once J.Krishna Murthi asked Sri T.Krishnamacharya, “what is yoga?” Santi – Santi of the body, Santi of the mind and Santi of the spirit”. Whether it is the yoga of the body or of the mind, it should be done with restraint.
1 comment:
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