A STUDY ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDITATION

More and more people are interested in learning meditation. There are many techniques taught through different schools, ashram, organizations. The only question is which method to choose. I am here describing some of the commonly practiced meditation technique with special reference to Rajayoga meditation because it includes most of the other techniques. This is the meditation recommended in Sreemad Bhagvad Gita. Meditation is rigorous self– analysis that evokes realization about what has to be changed within. Meditation means awareness. Whatever you do with awareness is meditation. Meditation is not a technique but a way of life. Meditation means cessation of thought process. It teaches one to have concentration, single track thinking and instant recognition of deviation from our intended focus. Meditation enable us to distinguish between positive and negative thoughts. The word ‘Meditate’ stems from the latin root ‘Meditatum’, i.e. to ponder, to think, to sigh or murmur. The term meditation was introduced as a translation for eastern spiritual practices and referred to as ‘Dhyana’ in Budhism and Hinduism which comes from the Sanskrit root ‘Dhyai’ meaning to contemplate or to meditate. The term “meditation” in English may also refer to practices from Islamic Sufism, or other traditions such as Jewish Kabbalah and Christian Hesyschasm. A recent edited book about “Meditation”, for example, included chapter contributions by authors describing Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, and Taoist tradition. Scholars have noted that “the term” meditation’ as it has entered contemporary usage, is parallel to the term “contemplation” in Christianity. Data suggest that even at pre-historic times older civilization used repetitive, rhythmic chants and offerings to appease the Gods. Reference to meditation with Rishababa in Jainism go back to the pre-historic age with the Acarangasutra dating 500 B.C. Some of the earliest written records of meditation dates back to 1500 B.C in Hindu Vedantism. Around 500– 600 B.C Taoist in China and Buddhist in India began to develop meditative practices. The Islamic practice of Dhikr, involve the repetition of 99 names of Gods in Quran since 8th or 9th century. By the 12th century, the practice of Sufism included specific meditative techniques. The interactions with Indians on the sufis have influenced the eastern Christian meditation approach to Hesychasm. Between 10th and 14th century Hesychasm was developed on Mount Athos in Greece and involves the repetition of the Jesus Prayer Western Christian meditation progressed from the 6th century practice of Bible reading among the Benedictine monks called Lectio Divina– that is Divine reading. Its four formal steps are Lectio, meditatio, Oratio, contemplation- That is read, ponder, pray and contemplate. Western Christian meditation was further developed by saints such as Ignatius of Loyoler and Teresa of Avila in 16th century. By the 18th century, the study of Buddhism in the west was a topic for intellectuals– secular forms of meditation were introduced in 1950 as a westernized form of Hindu meditative technique and arrived in united states and Europe in 1960s. Secular meditation emphasis on stress reduction, relaxation and self improvement. Research on meditation increased dramatically during 1970 and 1980s In 2006 states that meditation refers to a family of self regulation practices that focus on training attention and awareness in order to bring mental processes under greater voluntary control and thereby foster general mental well being and development of calm clarity and concentration In 2006 meditation is used to describe practices that self regulate the body and mind, thereby affecting mental events by engaging a specific attentional set. Regulations of attention is the central commonality across the many divergent methods Meditation as a stylized mental technique repetitively practiced for the purpose of attaining a subjective experience that is frequently described as very restful, silent and hightened alertness often characterised as blissful Meditation as the need for the meditator to retrain his attention whether though concentration or mindfulness is the single invariant ingredient. As early as 1971 Naranjo noted that the word meditation has been used to designate a variety of practices that differ from one another Yoga and Meditation are interlinked. If dealt properly yoga can lead to meditation. Yoga is not a philosophy. Yoga is concerned with your total being with your roots. It is not philosophical. Meditation is a pure science just like mathematics, physics or chemistry. Physics is not Christian/not Buddhist. Yoga is a science. It is just accidental that Hindus discovered it just as Christians have discovered laws of physics. What is Meditation/what is not meditation? Meditation given us the laws of transformation the law of how to die and how to be reborn again Meditation is not contemplation– Meditation is not concentration, Meditation is a state of being. It is a state of awareness. Meditation is not about doing something rather it is about doing nothing. Meditation is experiencing emptiness and enjoying it. Mind oriented experience. Releasing ourselves from the clutches of our mind is called meditation. Meditation is not sitting in Padmasana (lotus pose) or just doing something or just standing upside down. Meditation is not breathing exercise. Meditation is transgressing the mind, witnessing the mind. This question is as good as why should I eat? Is it necessary to take a bath everyday? We know that meditation is as important as eating, breathing and bathing. Meditation gives right knowledge and right training to handle life. Meditation is a way of life. It is to be lived. We have a vast reservoir of energy in us lying unused, untapped. Once we get in touch with this energy, our life changes from just being an ordinary to a divine one. Meditation makes us see the world with clarity and wisdom. The peace experienced though meditation works as a balm, soothing the mind. Meditation is being with our true self. Being able to control all activities of the mind and senses as well as making the right choices. Meditation is an antidote to the mounting stress and tension The first chapter being the introductory chapter includes the history of meditation, definition and characterization of meditation. The second chapter deals with different types of meditation with reference to postures and asanas. Third chapter contain meditation based on religion or spiritual practice. In the fourth chapter, purpose and benefits of meditation are mentioned. In the fifth chapter I have paid attention on rajayoga meditation in detail as it is considered as king of yogas. Sixth chapter is conclusion where I have highlighted my suggestion and findings