Description

Dhyana or Meditation is a higher state of yoga that may be attained only after the practitioners have prepared themselves in a step-by- step manner. Meditation is a way to unite with our Supreme Nature and may be described as ‘fixing the mind on the Supreme with devotion and discipline’.It is the seventh of the eight steps in the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali and is part of the Antaranga or inner steps of yoga. Meditation is a transcendental state, where if there is awareness, it is “awareness of awareness itself”, a state beyond the mind.Meditation is the fruit of long and arduous effort. The mind is so trained in its focus that it naturally flows into the object of contemplation. A deep, vibrant quietness is the characteristic of meditation which infuses the entire life style with calmness and control.Meditation becomes a quality of mind that manifests in all aspects of our daily life. The mind develops the capacity to delve into every experience, thought, emotion and situation that arises, and this focused awareness produces Yogic skill in living.This presentation deals with various aspects of meditation including Meditative Asanas and Mudras, Trataka, Pranava Meditation, Anthara Japa, Anthara Dharana, Chakra Dhyana, Prana Kriya and Brahma Muhurta meditation as taught in the Gitananda Yoga tradition.Section-1: Asanas for Meditative Sitting: Sukha Asana, Siddha Asana, Ardha Padma Asana and Padma AsanaSection-2: Mudras for Meditation: Jnana Mudra, Chin Mudra, Namaskar Mudra, Anjali Mudra, Kailash Mudra, Bhairava Mudra, Bhairavi Mudra, Yoga Mudra, Bhumi Sparsha Mudra and Mahabhinishkramana Mudra.Section 3: Trataka: Yogic Gazes: Jyoti Trataka, Bhrumadhya Drishti Trataka and Nasagra Drishti TratakaSection 4: Anthara Dharana: Kshitijan Kriya, Eka Varna Kriya and Jyotri DarshanaSection 5: Pranava DhyanaSection 6: Chakra Dhyana: Chakra Pranayama and Chakra MeditationSection 7: Anthara Japa: Om Japa and Ajapa JapaSection 8: Prana KriyaSection 9: Brahma Muhurta MeditationSatsangha on Meditation: By Amma, Yogacharini Smt. Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani, Director ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India.