Meditation and Breath

Meditation is the practice of turning the attention from outer awareness to inner concentration. In the practice of Kundalini Maha Yoga, meditation is much more than a relaxation technique. It is a way of easing resistance to the ascent of the Kundalini energy by quieting the fluctuations of the mind. Of all the forms of meditation, meditation through attention on the breath is the simplest and most direct way to Self-realization.

Read more here: » Kundalini Maha Yoga: Meditation and Breath

Mantra Yoga Meditation (MYM, Mantra Yoga Meditation technique): Form of silent meditation introduced to the West by Swami Guru Devanand and promoted by the Dr. Guervaz Ayurveda Center, in New York City. MYM guides one toward experience with the innermost part of one's cosmic existence.

(See also: Mantra Yoga Meditation, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Meditation: The emptying of the mind of thoughts, or concentration of the mind on just one thing in order to aid mental or spiritual development, contemplation, or relaxation. Although the practice originated in India, it is common to many religions. Hatha yoga is a form of meditation.

(See also: Meditation, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Meditation Experiences by Sarasvati Buhrman PhD - Part I

Sometime after 350 B.C. a great yogi sage wrote the "Yoga Sutra". This brief translation should wet your appetite. This describes the transformation of mind that will unfold over a course of sadhana (spiritual practice), focusing on the relationship between the mind and the object of meditation.

Read more here: » Meditation: Meditation Experiences According to the Ashtanga Yoga Tradition with Commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutra

Meditation Experiences by Sarasvati Buhrman PhD - Part II

Sometime after 350 B.C. a great yogi sage wrote the "Yoga Sutra". This brief translation should wet your appetite. This describes the transformation of mind that will unfold over a course of sadhana (spiritual practice), focusing on the relationship between the mind and the object of meditation.

Read more here: » Meditation Experiences: Meditation Experiences According to the Ashtanga Yoga Tradition with Commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutra - Part II

If there are two piles, one of gold and one of dirt, which one will you choose? The gold one. If there is only one pile in which the dirt and gold are mixed you would try to separate the gold from the dirt and take the gold. We need to do the same with our personality.

In the beginning yoga is a practice, then it becomes a way of life. When it becomes a way of life identification with and expression of the balanced, positive and optimistic nature takes place and then one attains physical, mental and spiritual wealth.

Read more here: » Meditation and Yoga: Aids to Positivity - Meditation and Yoga

Raja yoga, is the royal path of meditation. As a king maintains control over his kingdom, so can we maintain control over our own "kingdom"- the vast territory of the mind. In raja yoga we use our mental powers to realize the Atman through the process of psychological control.

The basic premise of raja yoga is that our perception of the divine Self is obscured by the disturbances of the mind. If the mind can be made still and pure, the Self will automatically, instantaneously, shine forth.

Read more here: » Raja Yoga: The Path of Meditation - Raja Yoga

 The word "yoga" often brings to mind a classroom of students attired in exercise clothing attempting to stretch their bodies into different postures. A more traditional yoga class will even include instruction in breathing techniques, concentration, meditation, and positive thinking. In the media today, yoga is often associated with health benefits such as stress reduction, lower blood pressure, and an overall decrease in illness and hospitalization rates. This is the Western idea of yoga. If we look to the Eastern approach, where yoga is a part of the great Hindu and Buddhist traditions, we find that yoga is all of these things but much, much more as well.

Read more here: » Yoga: Serve, Love, Meditate, Realize - The Inner Teachings of Yoga

What is Sahaja Yoga?

Sahaja Yoga is a method of meditation which brings a breakthrough in the evolution of human awareness. It was created by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi in 1970 and has since spread all around the world.

Read more here: » Sahaja Yoga: What is Sahaja Yoga?

Vipassana Meditation: The practice of the sound current in Vipassana meditation, also known as the divine sound, is a foundational practice of linking directly with the soul and I AM Presence. It comes from the Himalayan masters of ancient India, and is a foundation for the practice of nada yoga, sahaj yoga, Babaji’s kriya yoga, as well as Sikh practices like shabda yoga.

Read more here: » Vipassana Meditation: The Sound Current and Vipassana Meditation

Yogic sadhana is reminding yourself constantly to center and be aware. To identify with the "I AM", and to see your experience as a passing show, without identifying with it or becoming attached to it. Whether it be postures, pranayama, meditation, mantras or bhakti yoga, or jnana or karma yoga, the purpose is the same. To remind and to train your conscious to remain pure and free, until it becomes spontaneous and effortless.

Read more here: » Kriya Yoga: BABAJIÕS KRIYA YOGA JOURNAL EXCERPT

Hatha Yoga

Physical Yoga or the Yoga of postures is known as Hatha Yoga. It is the most popular form of yoga practiced in the West. This form of yoga consists of many different styles. The different styles of Hatha Yoga have common roots. The founders of three of the most popular styles, Ashtanga, Iyengar and Viniyoga were all students of Krishnamacharya, a famous teacher at the Yoga Institute at the Mysore Palace in India . This form of yoga brings together Pranayama and Meditation with physical poses in its aim to promote positive energy and good health of the body.

Read more here: » Yoga Branches: Hatha Yoga

Health benefits of Sahaja Yoga

On being asked as to why so many foreigners are coming to India, when advanced medicines are available with doctors of modern medicine all over the world, Dr. Rai added, "The doctors abroad don't have a treatment for the psyche of human being, except giving tranquillizers, sedatives and anti-depressant drugs. These are not only harmful, but also habit-forming. In view of this, Sahaj yoga, which can control the psyche of human being by meditation, has become very popular to the treatment and prevention of psychosomatic diseases like bronchial asthma, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, infertility, multiple scierosis and spondylitis, to name a few. It is all due to the blessings of Shree Mataji Nirmala Devi, who founded Sahaj Yoga centre, and has enlightened thousands of people all over the world."

Sahaja Yoga hospital featured in The Times of India (New Bombay Plus)

Read more here: » Sahaja Yoga: Health Benefits of Sahaja Yoga

Shaktipat Initiation - Awakening the Kundalini

Kundalini can be awakened by attaining perfection of certain hatha yoga postures called asanas, by certain breathing exercises aimed at controlling the breath called pranayama, by God's grace, by meditation or by intense devotion.

Another technique of great importance is Shaktipat, the transmission of energy. A powerful yogi can transmit energy to an aspirant and awaken the Kundalini. This is accomplished in one of four ways: by touch, gaze, sound or thought.

Read more here: » Kundalini Maha Yoga: Shaktipat Initiation - Awakening the Kundalini

The sage Patanjali postulated an eight-fold system of spiritual yogic practice for achieving the divine goal. It comprises:

Yam (Controls) Niyam (Rules and regulations) Asan (Bodily Postures) Pranaayam (Breath Control Exercises) Pratyahaar (Sense control) Dharana (Concentration) Dhyaana (Meditation) Samadhi (Mergence)

(See also: Patanjali, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

Read more here: » Patanjali: Patanjali System Of Yoga  

Kriya Yoga: The Path of Kriya Yoga

The Kriya Path is: Attaining eternal Tranquility by practice of Pranayam and continuing meditations on the Formless, i.e. Tranquility.

Increasing the practice of Kriya, doing all works without expectations for the results thereof, the path aims at achieving Tranquility, observing everything which is revealed in Yonimudra (Beatific Inner Revelation Kriya), and terminating all desired expectations, renouncing every desire before it originates, being freed from all thoughts.

Read more here: » Kriya Yoga: The Path of Kriya Yoga

We will now explain some pranayams of Maharishi Patanjali.

Patanjali kriya gets rid off all negative emotions and feelings and negative energies. It also strengthens the mind and the five 'prans' in our body (pran, apan, saman, vyan and udan). The five 'kosh' or bodies (annamay kosh, pranamay kosh, manomay kosh, vigyanmay kosh and anandmay kosh) within us are also purified with these pranayam.

Practise of these pranayam leads one to a thoughtless state (where one is without any thoughts) or the state of meditation.

Instructions and benefits for:

-       Bahyavriti Pranayam

-       Abhyantarvriti Pranayam

-       Stambhvriti Pranayama

-       Bahya-abhyantar visyakshapy Pranayama

(See also: Pranayama, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

Read more here: » Pranayama: Pranaymas of Maharishi Patanjali

Meditation is an intensely personal and spiritual experience. The desired purpose of each meditation technique is to channel our awareness into a more positive direction by totally transforming one's state of mind. To meditate is to turn inwards, to concentrate on the inner self.
There are many forms of meditation, such as chakra meditation, yantra meditation, vipassana meditation and mantra meditation. While the forms of meditation vary, they all use concentration techniques, which help us to becoming a witness of our thoughts. The idea is that when the mind is calm, like a lake without any ripples, we experience total peace and empowerment.

Read more here: » Meditation: What is 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?