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Meditation
 According
to Swami VishnuDevananda, meditation is "a continuous
flow of perception or thought, just like the flow
of water in a river." A practice wherein there is
constant observation of the mind, meditation brings
awareness, harmony and natural order into life. It
helps you dig deep into your inner self to discover
the wisdom and tranquility that lie within.
Principles
of Meditation
The basic points to be kept in mind in practicing
meditation are :
- Have
a special place and specific time for meditation.
Try doing it daily.
- Choose
a time when your mind is not clouded with worries.
- Sit
up straight with your back, neck and head in one
line. Facing north or east.
- Condition
your mind such so as to remain quiet for the duration
of your meditation session.
- Regulate
your breathing. Start with 5 minutes of deep breathing.
Then gradually slow it down.
- Follow
a rhythmic breathing pattern - inhale and exhale.
- Initially
let your mind wander. It grows more restless if
you force to concentrate.
- Then
slowly bring it to rest on the focal point of
your choice.
- Hold
your object of concentration at this focal point
throughout your session.
- Meditation
happens when you reach a state of pure thought.
Even while retaining an awareness of duel self.
Followed
diligently you will soon be able to attain a super-conscious
state.
Tips
 on
Concentration
- At
the outset, it is hard to keep your attention
to keep focussed on one object.
- So
it is better to start off by limiting your field
of concentration to a category of objects.
- Choose
your objects with care e.g. any four flowers,
fruits, trees...etc. You must feel at ease with
what you choose.
- After
concentrating on one, you can move on to the next,
if & when your mind starts wandering.
This
style of meditative exercise will help you control
your mind down to a finer focus, teaching you the
principle of single point concentration.
 Meditative
Postures
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Yoni
Mudra
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Frontal
& Nasal Gazing
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Candle
Gazing
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Close
your ears with thumbs.
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Gaze
at a point between your eyebrows, seat of
the 'Third Eye' or at the tip or your nose.
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Place
a candle at eye-level in a darkened, draught-free
room.
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Cover
your eyes with your index finger.
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This
would improve your level of concentration.
At the same time, strengthening your eye muscles.
Nasal gazing has a positive effect on the
central nervous system.
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Close
your eyes and hold an after-image of the bright
flame.
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Close
your nostrils with your middle fingers.
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Remember
not to strain your eyes. Start with one minute
of gazing and then slowly build it up to ten
minutes.
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The
practice steadies the wandering mind, leading
you to focus with pin-point accuracy.
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Press
your lips together with your remaining fingers.
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Release
the middle fingers gently to inhale and exhale
while you meditate.
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