What is Meditation?

As Meditation(Yoga) means union those who wish to attain this united state of being are recommended to explore the Self ('That') through meditation. The above extract is from the Bhagavad Gita and instructs the practiser how a state of meditation can be reached by controlling the mind and body, using concentration and having no expectations or attachments.

What is the Self or 'That'?

The Self or 'That' is 'That which cannot be named'. To experience the Self or 'That' meditation practices potentially offer practitioners a way of experiencing, understanding, trusting and knowing. The Self or 'That' cannot be written about, named or described within the limits of language ~ for further information see the translations of the classical texts 'The Upanishads' and 'The Bhagavad Gita', some of which are listed below.

Purpose of Meditation

There is only one purpose of meditation ~ to experience 'That' which is also known as Samadhi or enlightenment. And although there are many types, styles and paths of meditation such as, meditation in the Buddhist tradition, Transcendental Meditation, yogic meditation practices, meditation through religion, etc, there is always only one 'goal'. That final destination may be given other names or descriptions as there are many pathways ~ but there is only one outcome. Further it is recognised in the Eastern philosophies and in yoga texts that the unification offered through meditation may take many life-times. The purpose then of meditation is to experience the journey without the need for expectation or attachment to any 'goal'.

Meditation is offered as part of Raja Yoga

Meditation Practices

In yoga there are two main meditation practices ~ active and passive. Active meditation allows us to meditate in the midst of action ~ when we perform daily duties; when we walk, talk, eat, garden, shop, etc. Indeed this is the aim of yoga ~ to allow ourselves to meditate while being involved in the world. This does not mean that duties will not be carried out by us or with any less enthusiasm. Rather, we will offer more focus and attention with increased awareness put to the task.

Passive meditation is the aim of sitting with the spine in an upright position (or as erect as possible) and performing a meditation practice. The aim of these practices is to 'still' the ever-chattering mind and to make it eka grata (one-pointed).

Some British Wheel of Yoga teachers offer meditation practices as part of the class ~ usually at the beginning or end. Some British Wheel of Yoga teachers offer no meditation session while others only incorporate meditation practices with well-established classes for specific purposes. Some teachers may also wish to offer deeper practices for certain groups.

Some general passive yoga meditation practices or tools that can aid the practitioner towards meditation include:

Breath practices like watching the breath, counting the breath, observing pauses

Sound practices such as extended pranayama practices, mantra practices, japa, (japa-repetition meditation can be divided into four types; baikhari (audible), upanshu (whispering), manasik (repeated mentally) and likhi (written)

Sight practices 'trataka' ~ focusing on a candle/point, focusing on Yantras and mandalas (geometrical shapes), focusing on internal vision e.g. a lotus, light, other objects, Chidakasha Dharana (viewing the 'space of the consciousness'), visualisation practices

Observational practices like Antar Mouna (inner silence) and Yoga Nidra (psyhic sleep)

Precautions and prohibitions for practising meditation. In general your yoga teacher will offer meditation practices when she/he feels the class is ready. Certain preferred conditions are required of the practitioner that include a peaceful attitude, awareness of yamas and niyamas, some aptitude of discipline, the ability to maintain a firm, comfortable position and steadiness of breath.

There are certain practices which are not suitable for some mental and physical conditions such as the practice of trataka for those who have epilepsy. Other guidance includes regularly practising in a quiet, warm, non-draughty place.

Preferred conditions for personal practise are at certain times of the day and some teachers encourage the use of puja (worship) e.g. a puja table with spiritual images like yantras, some incense, a candle, a small bowl of rice, flowers, etc.

Glossary

Antar Mouna(Inner silence) : An observational practice developed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati;

Antar Trataka: Practice that uses inner mental focus with visualization on a certain object;

Bhaikhari: Audible japa meditation e.g. mantra practice;

Bhagavad Gita: Sixth book from the Indian epic, 'The Mahabharata', a spiritual text and backbone to yoga philosophy;

Chidakasha Dharana: Practice that involves watching images in chidakasha;

Dharana: Concentration and step six of the eight stages of Raja Yoga;

Dhyana Meditation and step seven of the eight stages of Raja Yoga Eka Grata One-pointed

Japa: Repetition e.g. repetition of mantra 'Om, Om, Om' with breath or mala beads, can be performed audibly, with a whisper, mentally or in writing Likhita Written practise of japa meditation;

Mala: Mala beads are a meditation tool used to help the meditator count e.g. rosary beads;

Manasik Mental repetition of japa meditation;

Mantra Man - thinking, tra - protection or from man - mind, tri - to cross;

Sanskrit syllables, words, phrases used to concentrate upon in meditation practice. Mantra also used by many religions e.g. in prayer. Often thought to be 'mystical' interpretations of sound heard by Rishis in meditation (see 'Meditations from the Tantras', Swami Satyananda Saraswati, The Bihar School of Yoga, 1983, ISBN 81-85787-11-5) Niyamas Five rules of observances or personal discipline as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Practitioner One who practises yoga

Pranayama: Breath awareness or generally used to mean breath control practises;

Puja Worship

Raja Yoga Royal Yoga; a path of yoga with eight stages that includes yama (personal restraints), niyama (personal observances), asana (posture), pranayama (breath awareness), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dhyana (concentration), dharana (meditation) and Samadhi (state of unity)

Self 'That' - eventual realisation of the 'Self' during Samadhi. Cannot be defined, named, catalogued or described.

Often referred to as 'God', 'Self', 'Consciousness', 'Nature' and 'Awareness'.

Trataka Meditation practice on an external object, e.g., candle flame, flower, etc

Upanshu Whispered japa meditation practice

Yamas Five self-restraints as explored in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Yoga From the Sanskrit 'yug' which means to join ~ union Yoga Nidra Type of meditation practice known as psychic sleep; developed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Yoga Sutras One of the earliest texts written by the sage Patanjali of Patanjali circa 2000 BCE about yoga ~ sutra is 'thread' in Sanskrit and relates to the thread of an idea/truth behind the yoga practices listed by Patanjali which are to be meditated upon.

Footnotes

1. The Bhagavad Gita, Eknath Easwaran, Penguin Arkana,1986, ISBN 0-14-019008-2

For further reading on meditation, take a look at the following references:

1. Bhagavad Gita, Eknath Easwaran, Penguin Arkana, 1986, ISBN 0-14-019008-2

2. The Upanishads, Eknath Easwaran, Penguin Arkana, 1988, ISBN 0-14-019180-1

3. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Sri Swami Satchidananda, Integral Yoga Publications, 1997, ISBN 0-932040-38-1

4. Meditations from the Tantras, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, The Bihar School of Yoga, 1983, ISBN 81-85787-11-5

5. Meditation, Eknath Easwaran, Penguin Arkana, 1986, ISBN 0-14-0179036-8

6. The Meditator's Handbook, Dr David Fontana, Element, 1992, ISBN 1-85230-320-4