According to Swami Kriyananda, Paramhansa Yogananda often urged his students to be steadfast in meditation: "Practice night and day. It is the greatest key to salvation. Meditation is the most effective way of destroying temptation. Once you can feel the inner joy it gives you, no evil will be able to touch you."

The following tips will help beginning meditators to acquire a taste for the joys of which Yogananda spoke:

(See also: Meditation for Beginners, Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

Call to your guru in meditation. At the start of your meditation, ask one of these great souls to help you in your meditative efforts.

After your practice of the techniques, ask him to help you go deep in the Spirit, or to give you a clear perception of truth, or a solution to some spiritual problem.

Above all, pray to him, "Introduce me to God." Draw from him, by the magnetic power of your devotion, the power to become like him - an awakened child of the Infinite.

(See also: Meditation for Beginners, Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

We begin the process of Meditation as propogated by Swami Vishvas Ji.

Meditation is the natural, simplest and original form of meditation, very secular in nature. It is the most easy form, beyond all self efforts- a direct approach to the mind. We all have been blessed with the third eye or the Shiv Netra to look within directly. On closing the outer eyes, 80 percent of your energy is accumulated within, your awareness turns inwards and the inner eye starts looking within, automatically.

(See also: Meditation for Beginners, Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

Meditation is the best medicine, an instant medicine for mental health.

In order to understand the real approach and significance of Meditation, one must first understand what health signifies. Complete health is a symphony of both physical and mental well being.

(See also: Meditation for Beginners, Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

Meditation isn't some sort of magical panacea. It is a direct and powerful way to engage in your own growth and evolution.

The life-stories of most of the great saints and sages, from all cultures, show tremendous struggle and pain that comes into their life after they have progressed in meditation, not before.

There are both extra-ordinary benefits and extra-ordinary pains on this path. For meditation does what nothing else can it introduces you to yourself!

(See also: Meditation for Beginners, Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

You can meditate at bedtime lying down, making it more comfortable than sitting meditation, especially for those who are not in the best physical shape. Simply close your eyes and watch your mind. If thoughts arise, let them go. Don't let them engage you. Don't judge them. Don't identify with them. Just be a non doer and watch your mind.

(See also: Meditation for Beginners, Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

In order to understand the approach and significance of Meditation, one must first understand what health signifies. Complete health is a symphony of both physical and mental well being. Considering physical health alone as one's sole purpose is the highest form of ignorance, for it is very temporary. At the first instance of any adverse situation, if you are not mentally strong to face it, you will readily fall prey to stress that comes along with it and then, even all the physical health gained, will be lost.

(See also: Meditation for Beginners, Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

It is important to understand this simple distinction between meditation techniques and meditation itself. The techniques bring us to the point where meditation can happen. The processes are important and are helpful in bringing us to a point where meditation can dawn upon us. But, meditation cannot be forced upon me or you. It is always spontaneous.

(See also: Meditation for Beginners, Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

Meditation serves as a medicine for stress and provides sound mental health.

Stress can create havoc in our lives as it can lead to mental and heart ailments. In order to deal with it scientifically and practically, we must first identify the various factors that cause stress.

Swami Vishvas Ji explains: "Stress is a mismanagement of time! When we spend too much time in the past or future, it steals away our lovely present moments. A preoccupied mind can never be at rest. Traveling into the past or future can help us learn from past mistakes or set goals and visions for the future. But if we make the past or future our permanent home Ð the problem begins!

(See also: Meditation for Beginners, Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

 There are many misconceptions about "meditation." In fact, there are so many that you may not know if and when you are doing it. I point that out because most see meditation as a separate act, like sitting in the lotus position and chanting. Further, how you personally meditate may not be labeled or seen as meditation

Read more here: » Meditation: Meditation as a natural act of life

Buddhist Meditation: Meditation in Buddhism

Meditation is something that plays a part in virtually all religions, although some of them don't use the word meditation. And meditation is something that can be done with no religious element at all. Meditation involves both the body and the mind. For Buddhists this is particularly important as they want to avoid what they call "duality", and so their way of meditating must involve the body and the mind as a single entity.

Read more here: » Buddhist Meditation: Meditation in Buddhism

 This is a course in meditation. This course is for beginners and advanced alike. The process of meditation taught in these pages is easy and effortless. Anyone can do it because it is about finding out who you really are and bringing this realization into every moment of your life. We call this "Practicing the Presence." Your understanding will come from practicing the meditation taught here, and not from reading these words. The instructions in the lessons are as simple and straightforward as possible.

Read more here: » Introduction to Meditation: Introductory Class on Meditation

What is meditation?

Meditation can be considered a technique, or practice. It usually involves concentrating on an object, such as a flower, a candle, a sound or word, or the breath. Over time, the number of random thoughts occuring diminishes. More importantly, your attachment to these thoughts, and your identification with them, progressively become less.

Read more here: » Meditation: What is meditation?

How is meditation different from relaxation, thinking, concentration or self-hypnosis?

Relaxation: Relaxation is a common by-product of meditationÉ Thinking: Thoughts generally consume energy in the process of their formationÉ Concentration: Meditation begins with concentration, but after an initial period of concentration.. Self-hypnosis: Self-hypnosis, like meditation, involves at least an initial period of concentration on an objectÉ

Read more here: » Meditation: How is meditation different from relaxation, thinking, concentration or self-hypnosis?

What are the different meditation techniques?

Meditation involves concentrating on something to take our attention beyond the random thought activity that is usually going on in our heads. This can involve a solid object or picture, a mantra, breath, or guided visualization.

Read more here: » Meditation: What are the different meditation techniques?

Which is the "right" meditation technique right for me?

There is no "right" meditation technique for everybody. Some techniques work better for certain people while other techniques work better for other people. The important thing is to find what works for you.

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What are the abc's of meditation?

There are a few recommended guidelines for meditation:

* It should be done every day, preferably at the same time

* It should preferably be done before a meal rather than after a meal

* A spot should be set aside for meditation, which should be a quiet place and used for nothing but meditation

* One should sit with the spine straight and vertical (a chair is ok to use)

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Is there any religious implication or affiliation with meditation?

Meditation has been and still is a central practice in eastern religions, for contacting "God" or one's higher Self. Christianity also has semblances of meditation, such as the biblical statement "The kingdom of heaven is within you".

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Does meditation have any ethical implications?

In many traditions meditation practice is a means for reinforcing ethical qualities. In these traditions, calmness of mind, peacefulness and happiness are possible in meditation and in life generally only if they are accompanied by the observance of ethical norms of behaviour.

Read more here: » Meditation: Does meditation have any ethical implications?

What is the best time of day to meditate?

While meditation is beneficial at any time, most people who meditate agree that early morning is the best time to meditate. Part of the reason is that it is said that in early morning the hustle-and-bustle of the world has not yet begun and so it is easier to establish a meditative atmosphere. Having an early morning meditation also lets us carry some of the energy and peace of the meditation into our daily activities.

Read more here: » Meditation: What is the best time of day to meditate?