Meditation and concentration,
Meditation and concentration are often treated as synonymous.
However, I have drawn earlier a distinct line between concentration
and meditation. In further explanation when one brings to bear all his
thought waves on a single point or spot like a laser beam where the
scattered rays of light are concentrated, it is concentration. Every
body needs concentration to understand, assimilate and apply any
information, any knowledge. When the concentration is prolonged for
144 seconds, it is called meditation and when extended to 144
multiplied by 144 i.e. 20736 seconds = 345.6 minutes, it is said to
reach the state of Samadhi. According to Ashtanga Yoga comprising two
main parts of Hatha Yoga-Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama covers the
first one, whereas Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi, is the
second part. There is no equivalent word in English language for
Samadhi. Concentration is the sixth, Meditation the seventh and
Samadhi the eighth and last stage of Yoga when the Sadhaka is united
with the Supreme Being. It shows that concentration leads to
Meditation, similarly prolonged constant meditation leads to Samadhi.
In other Yogas Manana, Nididhyasana, Upasana, Chintana, Dhyana-these
terms are used in different Yogas with subtle differences in their
techniques. Manana is a sort of reflection. It is just to chew the cud
slowly and nicely. It is done through into intense practice of Manana.
Chintana is also a sort of reflection and meditation to assimilate the
thoughts in consciousness for proper and significant impression with
profound understanding. Intense meditation on the Self or Brahman or
ANY SPIRITUAL ILLUMINED PERSONALITY is termed as 'Nididhyasana' . As
Saint Francis of Assisi did. 'Upasana' stands for devout meditation
which is being used in both i.e., Jnana Yoga Sadhana and Bhakti Yoga.
Upasana means 'sitting near by'. In Jnana Yoga Sadhana the seeker has
to sit near the Self or Brahman; whereas in Bhakti Yoga a devotee has
to sit by the side of God.
A keen and true regular practitioner (Sadhaka) will attain quick
and sure results, when he proceeds properly stage by stage under the
guidance of his GURU or master. The first four parts are meant to
purify the mind and keep the body strong and fit to receive and retain
the power of the DIVINE. Many moderns, however, equate Yoga with the
practice of few asanas and pranayamas. This is not sufficient for
spiritual uplift. Yet, it is better to practise asanas and pranayamas
for health's sake than not to do anything at all. But Yoga is really
first to withdraw one's mind from the objects of senses (pratyahara) ,
practice concentration, prolong the period of concentration under
proper guidance to reach the stage of meditation and finally become
one, unite (Yoga to join to unite) with the Supreme Reality, the
TRUTH.
Thus meditation is not meant merely for the recluse, the ascetic,
the renouncer. It is of utmost important in man's day-to-day life. It
is of immense help to a student, a youth, an old man. A man who can
meditate will become a better manager, a better businessman, a better
executive and, above all, a better man. Conversely, if a person cannot
meditate, he will lack composition, courage and confidence to achieve
his goal. Nowadays, several medical doctors and psychologists advise
to their patients suffering from nervousness, unusual irritation,
disordered mind, fear and inferiority complex and lack of self-
confidence to meditate in a specific manner along with the medical
treatment. So, the meditation is very necessary these days when man
leads a life of tension and complexity.
Every morning and evening, preferably at dawn and dusk, sit down
in a comfortable posture with your backbone straight, relax each and
every limb of your body, and then your mind, and sit unmoved, in the
same pose, as long as you can. It is always better to invoke your Guru
(master) and Ishta Devata first, when you sit for meditation for their
blessings and guidance and gratefully thank them again when you finish
the meditation. Gradually, increase the time of your meditation. It is
easier to relax your limbs of the body but not so easy to relax your
mind. This process of relaxation, stillness and body awareness will
automatically reduce the speed of your breathing, which, in turn, will
help in meditation. So many thoughts will cross your mind now and
then. They may even disturb you. Do not be afraid. Try to remain calm
and watch them with equanimity. Let them come, let them go. Do not
fight to free your mind from thought waves. Try to be indifferent to
them. But do not observe these thoughts with equanimous mind.
Gradually, automatically the flitting of thoughts across the canvas of
your mind will diminish. After sometime-sooner than later-you will be
absorbed in your Ishta-Devata if your meditation is objective, or in
your Being, if your meditation is subjective. Once, you get the taste
of it, believe me, you will like to taste it more and more and more.
May God Almighty and All-merciful and the Most Revered Gurudev,
help you, THEY WILL.
Meditation Practice
I. "Silence Is The Great Revelation"- Lao-Tse
1. Scripture as the revelation of God.
2. Discover the revelation that silence brings.
3. Silence offers, one must attain silence. It is NOT EASY.
Comfortable Posture. Close eyes for 10 minutes. Observe total
silence of Heart and Mind. Describe 'Silence' in terms of your
attempts. Experience may infinitely be varied. You have to still the
constant wandering of your mind. To quiet and emotional turmoil. On
approaching frontiers of silence there may be PANIC and WITHDRAWAL.
You may have frightening experience. NO REASON TO BE DISCOURAGED.
Wandering thoughts are a great revelation. Take time to EXPERIENCE
this wandering mind and TYPE of wandering it indulges. SOMETHING
ENCOURAGING- awareness of mental wandering, inner turmoil and inability
to be still shows that you have small degree of silence within you.
AGAIN close your eyes, become aware of wandering mind for two minutes.
Now sense the silence that makes it possible to be aware of wanderings
of your mind.
MINIMAL SILENCE-as it grows, it reveals more and more rather it
reveals yourself to you. You will have ATTAINMENTS- like WISDOM,
SERENITY, BLISS, GOD, PRECAUTION: you shall have no talk and no
discussion. Inhale and exhale deep and slow breathing throughout.
Again close your eyes for five minutes. SEEK SILENCE. Now see your
success-whether more or less. Don't seek ANYTHING SENSATIONAL. In
fact, do not seek at all.
Limit yourself to observing. Take in everything that comes to your
awareness whether big, small, trite or ordinary. CONTENT of awareness
is less important than the quality of awareness. As quality improves,
so silence deepens, you will experience. You will discover, to your
delight, that revelation is not knowledge. It is power: a mysterious
power that brings transformation.
II. continue to Body Sensations
A