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| Meditation |
What is Meditation?
Meditation is the process of reuniting the soul with Spirit. The soul, descending
from the source into flesh, manifests its consciousness and life force through
seven chakras, or centers of light, in man's cerebrospinal axis.
Encased in the human body, the soul consciousness and life force become
identified with the physical vehicle and its mortal limitations . Real meditation
awakens the soul consciousness in the seven cerebrospinal centers. In a state of
divine recollection, the soul realizes its immortal nature and origin. The various
progressive states of soul awakening are accompanied by an ever increasing
accession of inner peace and joy. In the most exalted states, soul and Spirit
become reunited in ecstatic, blissful communion.
By meditation, then, we connect the little joy of the
soul with the vast joy of the Spirit. Meditation should
not be confused with ordinary concentration.
Concentration consists in freeing the attention from
distractions and in focusing it on any thought in
which one may be interested. Meditation is that
special form of concentration in which the attention
has been liberated from restlessness and is focused on God.
Meditation is concentration used to know God.
Meditation is the process of reuniting the soul with Spirit. The soul, descending
from the source into flesh, manifests its consciousness and life force through
seven chakras, or centers of light, in man's cerebrospinal axis.
Encased in the human body, the soul consciousness and life force become
identified with the physical vehicle and its mortal limitations . Real meditation
awakens the soul consciousness in the seven cerebrospinal centers. In a state of
divine recollection, the soul realizes its immortal nature and origin. The various
progressive states of soul awakening are accompanied by an ever increasing
accession of inner peace and joy. In the most exalted states, soul and Spirit
become reunited in ecstatic, blissful communion.
By meditation, then, we connect the little joy of the
soul with the vast joy of the Spirit. Meditation should
not be confused with ordinary concentration.
Concentration consists in freeing the attention from
distractions and in focusing it on any thought in
which one may be interested. Meditation is that
special form of concentration in which the attention
has been liberated from restlessness and is focused on God.
Meditation is concentration used to know God.
| "How To" Meditate |
Posture grounds...
One of the first requisites for meditation is correct posture. The spine should be
erect. When the devotee is seeking to direct his mind and life force upward
through the cerebrospinal axis to the centers of higher consciousness in the brain,
he should avoid stricture or pinching of the spinal nerves caused by improper
posture.
Those persons whose legs are supple may prefer to meditate sitting cross legged
on a cushion on the floor, or on a firm bed. You can sit on a straight chair with
your feet resting flat on the floor. Hold spine erect, abdomen in, chest out,
shoulders back, chin parallel to the ground. The hands, with palms upturned,
should rest on the legs at the juncture of the thighs and the abdominal region to
prevent the body from bending forward. The chair should be of comfortable height,
otherwise there is a tendency to lean forward or backward. If the correct posture
has been assumed, the body will be stable yet relaxed.
The chief aim of the meditation posture -- an erect spine, held stable without strain
or tension for the duration of the meditation period. You can make whatever
commonsense adjustments are necessary to your individual need; but, strive
always toward accomplishing the ideal posture recommended.
Breathing focuses...
When you are established in the meditation pose,
inhale slowly and deeply (through the nostrils)
until you feel yourself truely present and focused.
Then inhale, tensing the whole body and clenching
the fists. Relax all the body parts at once and,
as you do so, expel the breath through the mouth.
Repeat this practice six times. Then forget the breath.
Let it flow in and out naturally, of its own accord, as in ordinary breathing.
Attention defines...
With the eyes closed, look upward, focusing the attention as though looking out
through a point between the eyebrows. The upward gaze comes naturally when
one is relaxed and calmly concentrated. It is important to fix the whole attention at
the point between the eyebrows. This is the seat of the single eye spoken of by
Yahshua (Jesus): "the light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single,
thy whole body shall be full of light" (Matthew 6:22). When the purpose of
meditation is fulfilled, you find your consciousness automatically concentrated at
that spot, and you experience, according to your inner spiritual capacity... which
constantly grows, a state of joyous divine union with Spirit.
Making a steadfast effort, the beginner may in time perceive light, It is important to
note, however, that this is not a visualization. You do not imagine it by conscious
effort, it comes unbidden. Effort to imagine it makes it go away. The depth of
calmness and concentration necessary for this are naturally developed through
steady practice of concentration and meditation.
Whether you see a light or not, however, you should continue seeking deeply
toward the Source in the language of your heart. A good practice is to take an
affirmation or prayer (see the Daily Life Calendar) and spiritualize it with your own
yearning. Silently praying until you feel God's response as calm, deep peace and
inner joy.
_______________________ Namaste
(Paramahansa Yogananda wisely cautioned devotees against the erroneous
thought, "I am God." One should realize, rather, "God has become myself." The
soul is like a wave on the sea-bosom of Spirit. The soul wave is one with the Sea,
But the wave is not the Sea.)
Through daily practice, you can further develop your focus and meditation comfort.
This will enable you to dive ever more deeply in the great ocean of our Source's
presence. We all exist at this very moment in that ocean of Spirit; but, only by
steadfast, devoted, persistent meditation may we consciously perceive that we are
individualized soul waves on the vast ocean of God's bliss. It is worth it.
The meditation period should last at least thirty minutes in the morning and thirty
minutes at night. The longer you sit, enjoying the state of meditative calm, the
faster you will progress spiritually. Carry into your daily activities the calmness you
feel in meditation; that calmness will help you to bring harmony and happiness into
every department of your life.
One of the first requisites for meditation is correct posture. The spine should be
erect. When the devotee is seeking to direct his mind and life force upward
through the cerebrospinal axis to the centers of higher consciousness in the brain,
he should avoid stricture or pinching of the spinal nerves caused by improper
posture.
Those persons whose legs are supple may prefer to meditate sitting cross legged
on a cushion on the floor, or on a firm bed. You can sit on a straight chair with
your feet resting flat on the floor. Hold spine erect, abdomen in, chest out,
shoulders back, chin parallel to the ground. The hands, with palms upturned,
should rest on the legs at the juncture of the thighs and the abdominal region to
prevent the body from bending forward. The chair should be of comfortable height,
otherwise there is a tendency to lean forward or backward. If the correct posture
has been assumed, the body will be stable yet relaxed.
The chief aim of the meditation posture -- an erect spine, held stable without strain
or tension for the duration of the meditation period. You can make whatever
commonsense adjustments are necessary to your individual need; but, strive
always toward accomplishing the ideal posture recommended.
Breathing focuses...
When you are established in the meditation pose,
inhale slowly and deeply (through the nostrils)
until you feel yourself truely present and focused.
Then inhale, tensing the whole body and clenching
the fists. Relax all the body parts at once and,
as you do so, expel the breath through the mouth.
Repeat this practice six times. Then forget the breath.
Let it flow in and out naturally, of its own accord, as in ordinary breathing.
Attention defines...
With the eyes closed, look upward, focusing the attention as though looking out
through a point between the eyebrows. The upward gaze comes naturally when
one is relaxed and calmly concentrated. It is important to fix the whole attention at
the point between the eyebrows. This is the seat of the single eye spoken of by
Yahshua (Jesus): "the light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single,
thy whole body shall be full of light" (Matthew 6:22). When the purpose of
meditation is fulfilled, you find your consciousness automatically concentrated at
that spot, and you experience, according to your inner spiritual capacity... which
constantly grows, a state of joyous divine union with Spirit.
Making a steadfast effort, the beginner may in time perceive light, It is important to
note, however, that this is not a visualization. You do not imagine it by conscious
effort, it comes unbidden. Effort to imagine it makes it go away. The depth of
calmness and concentration necessary for this are naturally developed through
steady practice of concentration and meditation.
Whether you see a light or not, however, you should continue seeking deeply
toward the Source in the language of your heart. A good practice is to take an
affirmation or prayer (see the Daily Life Calendar) and spiritualize it with your own
yearning. Silently praying until you feel God's response as calm, deep peace and
inner joy.
_______________________ Namaste
(Paramahansa Yogananda wisely cautioned devotees against the erroneous
thought, "I am God." One should realize, rather, "God has become myself." The
soul is like a wave on the sea-bosom of Spirit. The soul wave is one with the Sea,
But the wave is not the Sea.)
Through daily practice, you can further develop your focus and meditation comfort.
This will enable you to dive ever more deeply in the great ocean of our Source's
presence. We all exist at this very moment in that ocean of Spirit; but, only by
steadfast, devoted, persistent meditation may we consciously perceive that we are
individualized soul waves on the vast ocean of God's bliss. It is worth it.
The meditation period should last at least thirty minutes in the morning and thirty
minutes at night. The longer you sit, enjoying the state of meditative calm, the
faster you will progress spiritually. Carry into your daily activities the calmness you
feel in meditation; that calmness will help you to bring harmony and happiness into
every department of your life.