Disclaimer: [As these types of topics cannot be put down in very few lines and there are different methods and schools of thoughts regarding the same, I, being at the beginner level, trying to follow what great sages or swami has written, will be blogging all those materials which I have read and thought of useful. These are notes or scribing I normally take when I read a book or some stuff on net and is not intended for any commercial use and no claim is made by me on this written material. This written stuff belongs to the writer or publisher or organization but is blogged by me only to spread awareness about a good book or method so that the blog readers are encouraged to read the original books. Details about the book name, author, publisher, organization, price and the links are given below. ]
Meditation is a state of intense concentration. If the mind is made to flow in an uninterrupted manner to its object of thought for a prolonged period of time, it is called meditation.
“Tatra pratyaikatanata dhyanam” i.e., “Uninterrupted thinking of one thought is Dhyana or meditation.” – Yoga Sutras 3/2.
It is not true that we cannot concentrate. What we lack is the ability to concentrate our minds on everything, and under all circumstances. It is easy to concentrate on what is pleasant. The difficulty arises when we have to concentrate on something unpleasant. A student finds it hard to concentrate on a dull and uninteresting book and a parishioner feels drowsy when listening to a boring sermon.
Yet, all that is pleasant is not necessarily good. On the other hand, what is unpleasant may be good and beneficial. We must learn to concentrate on whatever we do, whether pleasant or unpleasant, as long as it is beneficial for us. Meditation – which is no other than training in concentration – can enable us to do this.
Concentration is indispensable in achieving success in life. Success in no area of human life can be attained without it. Swami Vivekananda used to say that the different between a genius and an idiot is in their power of concentration.
Benefits:
Some say that meditation is good for health. It removes stress by relaxing the body and mind. It reduces high blood pressure. It helps slow down the aging process and improves memory. Some also say that meditation helps in gaining supernatural powers. While all these claims may be true, the sages tell us that these are not the best reasons to meditate. Rather, meditation has a much higher purpose which is God-Realization or experiencing the Ultimate Truth.
Now a days, Yoga is often incorrectly known to be only some physical postures that can enhance health and longevity. In India, where all these techniques were originally developed – such exercises are called Hatha Yoga. The word Yoga has many other meanings. In the context of spiritual life, it means methods which help one in establishing communion with the Divine Reality, viz. Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, etc.
Man is a combination of
1. The physical body
2. The vital energy
3. The sense organs
4. The motor organs
5. The mind
These put together are called the body-mind-complex. Although involved with the body-mind-complex, the soul of man is not a part of it. The soul is eternal, changeless, infinite, and the only source of consciousness. Man’s body-mind-complex acquires consciousness by borrowing it from the soul. The soul is also called the Divine Spirit, the Divine Self, and the Divine Essence.
Methods of God-Realization – The Four Yogas
The Sanskrit word Yoga means a yoke or a link – a link between the spiritual aspirant and God, means a technique or path by following which we can establish communion with God.
Hinduism offers many different Yogas or techniques to reach God. Out of them, four are most important as they correspond to the four broad catagories into which Hinduism classes all spiritual seekers. These Yogas are:
1. Bhakti Yoga or the path of devotion. This path is meant primarily for people who are temperamentally emotional and respond easily to love and affection.
2. Jnana Yoga or the path of rational inquiry. This path is prescribed for people of rational temperament to whom reason appeals more than faith.
3. Raja Yoga or the path of psychic control. Raja Yoga is for aspirants who are of meditative temperament with a natural yearning to completely maser their minds.
4. Karma Yoga or the path of right action. The path of Karma Yoga is most attractive to people who are habitually very active.
All these paths, except for Karma Yoga, prescribe their own kinds of meditation to experience Divinity. The path of Karma Yoga teaches the practice of selfless action as a means to experience Divinity. It does not teach meditation. Raja Yoga, however, puts maximum emphasis on meditation.
Book: Meditation – Mind and Patanjali’s Yoga by Swami Bhaskarananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. Price Rs.75/-. Pages – 252.
For more information and guidance, visit http://www.ramakrishnavedantamath.org or ramakrishnavedantamath@vsnl.net
Note – The above points are notes I have scrubbed down while reading the book “Meditation – Mind and Patanjali’s” written by Swami Bhaskarananda. I am blogging this material only to encourage the readers who see my blog to read the book and is not meant for any commercial purpose. It is just sharing information about a good book.
Regards,
Tirumalanath
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