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21

11 Requirements for Becoming a Champion Meditator

How to Master Meditation

During my teenage years I spent many summers at the Arsha Vaidya Gurukulam, run by Swami Dayananda Saraswati.  It is an ashram devoted to the study of the Gita, Yoga, Ayurveda, etc., and is based on the principles of Advaita Vedanta or the school of non-dualism.  The one thing I still remember from my time spent at the ashram, even so many many years later , is that I had an incessant, deep, burning desire to become a master meditator.

Becoming a Champion Meditator

Over the years, in the pursuit of this passion, I have learned what it takes in order to be such an expert, and in this article, I would like to share with you my findings on that.  Hopefully, this experience will help you on your own such journey.  There may be some surprises in the list below, also, feel free to share your thoughts on this topic in the comments section if you like.

11 Requirements of Becoming a Master Meditator

1. Passion:

There is little chance of mastering the art of meditation, if you are not passionate about spirituality and the mysteries of life.  A subtle art like meditation, and the consequential changes it brings, needs you to be in for the long haul.  It is unlikely that a quick excursion into this spiritual science will yield a champion meditator.  So you need the necessary interest to run the marathon required for this endeavor.

You will notice conspicuously missing from this list will be willpower or discipline.  This is because I feel that strong, abiding passion will forge the necessary practice you require for developing mastery in meditation.  For a more entertaining and detailed treatment of this topic, you can head over to read the story and article: Stop the Madness of Self-Discipline.

2. Leisure:

Yes that is correct.  For you to develop self knowledge, leading to self realization, you need free time to explore the inner walls of your mind.  This may be the leading obstacle for spiritual growth today.  We are all just way too busy, and the little free time we do have, we squander in mindless entertainment.  The hard part here is that entertainment is also very important in order to live a balanced life, so to keep that, as well as have time for daily sadhana (spiritual work), you simply need to find ways to simplify your life, slow down and get more leisure out of your day.

Time and again, I see great spiritual growth and peace permeate people’s lives when they downshift and make time for meditation and daily sadhana.  And if you want to be a champion meditator and enjoy the benefits of that, then you too must back off from endless self-aggrandizing pursuits and re-evaluate your time and ambitions.  There is no end to ambition and if you are not careful, you will end up old with nothing to show for all your struggles except a big pile of junk.

For more on this topic, as well as how money can help, you can read the following article: Money, Money, Money and the Path to Enlightenment.

3. Sacrifice:

Unfortunately this is part of the equation as well.  This can be especially hard for those who have many varied interests and realize that to master meditation, you simply have to give up some of these hobbies in order to make time.  To make matters worse, if you are a perfectionist or one who insists on doing things well, hobbies can become even more time consuming, thus requiring you to sacrifice them at least for a while.

In addition to giving up hobbies, other sacrifices are also often required.  You may have to do without certain material amenities in order to work less, may have to give up certain friends who are incompatible with a spiritual life style, change your eating habits to have better more refined energy, drop the excessive boozing and drugging so you can purify your system, etc, etc.

4. Detachment:

A certain freedom from material gains and certain aloofness to physical discomfort are also key elements of developing into a master meditator.  The process of spiritual evolution is not always pleasant or easy on the body, so it demands being able to bear some of this pain of spiritual growth.  In addition, not needing immediate gratification and rewards from one’s meditation practice, ensures you will be able to stay the course till the very end, patiently and persistently.

Here is a deeper look at this topic: 4 Word Sacred Mantra to Trigger Enlightenment.

5. Adequate Intelligence:

Ultimately, to master meditation you will have to learn to watch your thoughts very carefully and comprehend them via direct perception from moment to moment.  Don’t be intimidated by how that sounds.  In general, the human being has this inherent capacity, although it is only developed by a few of us.  To get a taste for what I am referring to and learn this highest form of meditation, you can head over and study the following technique: Silent Mind Meditation Technique.

6. Courage:

Meditation, can be defined in many ways and one way to look at it, is as a process of letting go.  This letting go, also means being open to the unknown, which requires courage and heart.  It is easy to stay within the safety of your seeking, but to drop seeking, means to be totally open and vulnerable to what life has to offer.  This is the essence of courage.  Here is an inspiring Osho quote to inspire you to live courageously: Osho Quote to Help You Life Courageously.

7. Self-Confidence:

This is closely related to courage above and is also almost as important.  Finally, the journey back to the Source is a road walked alone.  Teachers, gurus, guardian angles, spirit guides, etc, etc, can only take you so far.  Finally, you have to cross the bridge, into the now, all by your alonesome.  In addition, each journey to awakening is unique, which means you will have to trust yourself in finding your own way.  Believe in yourself, rely on your intelligence and inner voice,  and you will be fine.

Some nice yogic techniques to help you build your self confidence are the following.  Archer’s Pose to Build Self Confidence and Eagle Pose for Powerful Aura.

8. Urgency:

If you want to be a Rafael Nadal of meditation, you can’t be postponing starting or doing your daily spiritual work.  Procrastinating your meditation practice, means you are putting on hold developing your real human potential.  If you need inspiration check out the results of the following survey which asked the readers what their biggest mistake in life was: Important Life Lessons from the Biggest Mistakes in Life Survey.  Also, read The Golden Rule to Stop Excuses and Start Meditation Now.

9. Health:

A certain degree of good health is needed to meditate well. You do not have to be Bruce Lee, but for effective meditation you do need energy for which a healthy system is important.  Don’t be discouraged though if your health is not is tip-top shape, just embrace your spiritual practice as best as you can, as that itself will help your body heal and rejuvenate.  If you need help getting your body fit and healthy, here is a link to the free online yoga and meditation classes to help you get started.

10. Humor:

Yup, a good sense of humor will not only get you many dates , it will also get you through some tough phases you are sure to encoutner on your spiritual journey.  Being able to laugh at these situations and your petty little mind will go a long way in helping you stay sane on this roller coaster like journey.  I discuss this more in the following article:  The Importance of Humor on the Road to Enlightenment.  

11. Basic Needs:

This may not occur to many of us who live relatively wealthy lives, at least relative to the world poverty line, but let me tell you that it would be very difficult to devote yourself to mastering meditation, if you and/or your children were hungry and cold.  So food, clothing and shelter, which is basically all you really need to survive, are also prerequisites to becoming a champion meditator.  Here are some more of my thoughts on this topic: Greed vs. Peace.

Summary:

The above requirements are not just for mastering meditation, in fact I guarantee that for mastering almost anything in life, you will need most of these characteristics.  So even if meditation is not your passion, the list above most probably still applies to what you need in order to master that interest of yours.  Of interest to you might also be the article, 4 Keys for Developing Mastery in Anything.

One final word, is that you will notice that many of these requirements are developed by meditation itself.  So if you feel you are lacking, don’t worry, jump in and just ask life for help.  She is more generous that you realize .

22

Important Life Lessons to Learn from Biggest Mistakes In Life Survey

Life Lessons

Life Coach

Important Life Lessons

I am not sure about you, but I was quite curious about what the results of the survey from last week regarding Your Biggest Mistakes in Life would yield.  This survey received quite a bit of interest and I think the results teach us some very, very important life lessons.

Before I jump into my thoughts on these results, here they are below.  Since multiple answers were allowed for each participant, the percentages will not add up to 100%, but instead reflect the ration of that response to the total number of participants.

Biggest Mistakes in Life Results  
Value Count Percent %
Delayed your spiritual practice 37 44.58%
Made bad financial decisions 30 36.14%
Did not follow your passion 28 33.73%
Took too few chances 24 28.92%
Did not take care of your health 23 27.71%
Chose wrong life partner 21 25.30%
Other 18 21.69%

 

Life Lessons to be Learned

From these results, we can see that the winner was “Delayed my Spiritual Practice,” followed by, “Made bad financial decisions,” then passion, risk, health, etc.  What jumps out to me is that I wonder how many of the other mistakes could have been avoided if we just had not made number one .

I feel, to a large degree, once you start your spiritual practice, you begin to tune into your real purpose in life, and it then guides you, helping you avoid other pitfalls and mistakes.  That being said, I really think the above mistakes should be a wake-up call to you if have not made them yet or are young and getting started.  

There are many articles on this website that actually go into each of these topics in significant detail and here are those links for you to reflect upon.

Procrastinating Spiritual Practice:

Golden Rule to Stop Making Excuses and Start Meditation Now

10 Keys for Turning Ideas Into Reality

Finances:

Money Money Money and the Path to Enlightenment

Role of Money, Pleasure & Career in Spirituality

Passion:

Stop the Madness of Self-Discipline

Risk:

Osho Speaks on Courage

New Kundalini Yoga Classes & the Courage to Live Dangerously

Health:

Please take a look at the free online classes and the articles on Ayurveda

Free Online Yoga & Meditation Classes

Ayurveda Category

Relationships:

The True Purpose of Relationship

Final Word:

An important final word I do want to make, is that the purpose of this survey is to ensure you make thoughtful decisions and don’t rush into commitments that are then hard to get out of.  Of course, all challenges are learning opportunities for us, so technically there are no “mistakes” in life, but it is also up to us to live intelligently and try to do our very best always.  The results are, of course, always in the Lord’s hands. 

23

3 Simple Tips to Invite Enlightenment

3 Practical Tips for Enlightenment Experiences

Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

The vast majority of humans go through life without ever experiencing Reality beyond what the ordinary dualistic mind projects.  Bound tightly by the ego-centric mind, they live their entire life stuck in mediocrity, mostly struggling for this or that, while experiencing a few fleeting joys.  One of the things that I hope to accomplish on this website, is awaken in you a passion for the Supreme, for the highest, and to that end, I think having an enlightenment experience or two can go a long way.

Enlightenment experiences are glimpses of that aspect of life and your being, which are beyond time, space and self.  These enlightenment experiences come in infinite variety, and in addition to giving you deep insight into the True Nature of Reality, they also inspire you to live life at your highest potential. 

Simple Tips to Invite Enlightenment

Seeing the Truth of Singularity makes you question the nature of duality and thought, while experiencing the utter freedom of these states, makes you question the value of your attachments.  So how can we go about facilitating these experiences?

Enlightenment experiences are not subject to your will.  In the article Understanding Non-Duality, Hinduism, Buddhism & Enlightenment, we went into how enlightenment experiences occur when there is a shift of awareness beyond the ego-centric mind, and defined life as an opportunity for setting the stage for such shifts to take place.  In this article I want to explore this idea further.

Mastery of Meditation is of course full of tools, techniques and tips to help you create a vessel into which infinity can descend.  Some of the best tools for creating such a vessel are without a doubt, Meditation, Pranayama and Yoga.  But, in this article I want to share with you some simple everyday tips, which I have noticed through personal experience help create situations that are conducive to enlightenment experiences occurring.

3 Simple Tips to Invite Enlightenment Experiences:


1. Napping:

Yup that is correct, you read it fine – napping.  I have noticed time and again, that when I end up napping during the day, the phase between wakefulness and sleep invariably opens the doors to infinity.

It does not matter where I nap.  On the bus to New York, on the sofa, in bed, does not matter.  This has been true for a very long time for me.  I actually don’t chase enlightenment experiences, so I have not used napping consciously to help bring them about, therfore these naps are always due to a lack of sleep for whatever reason.  Having said that, I am well aware that as I drift off, if I maintain my awareness, I am in for a treat.  So usually when I nap, I remain alert as sleep comes and see what magic takes place.

I want to mention here that I have had the same experience with simple nighttime sleep as well.  Although, the probability of a shift in awareness is less than napping, I have noticed that the phase when the ordinary wakeful mind is diminished and sleep is yet to come, is a very conducive time to penetrate veil of the dualistic mind. 

In addition, if you can develop a habit of meditating prior to sleep, this transitory phase and overnight sleep itself can become a very spiritual, precious and cherished time for you.

2. Long Nature Walks:

In the article 10 Things to do Everyday for Enlightened Living, item number 4 was “Spend Time in Nature”.  Taking long walks in natural surroundings, or spending time in the beauty of nature, I have also found to be very helpful in developing and finding spirituality.

These walks, if possible, should be taken alone and if they are taken with company, then should not be full of conversation and chatter.  Instead, just walk with simple awareness of the surroundings.  Take in everything and be sensitive to the moment.  Just watching life and being with life.  You will find enumerable emotional, mental and physical benefits from this simple activity, and of course, if you are lucky, you will be showered with blessings from beyond.

3. Read Enlightened Material:

I have found the direct words from enlightened masters to be automatic triggers for uplifting your awareness and giving you direct insight.  Here one has to be a little careful though, as reading endlessly can also just be an escape from life and also, it can be hard to be sure, if the author is really an evolved being or not.  Having said that, good books certainly carry spiritual vibrations and their content is without a doubt, one of the most inspiring sources for spiritual growth.

Authors whose work I have read and subsequentially found myself immersed in the boundless are masters such as J. Krishnamurti, Osho and Nisargadatta Maharaj, to name a few.  At the very minimum, such books I have found to be very helpful in “keeping my eye on the ball” so to speak.   There can be times when I don’t read for many many months, but then, if I find I am in need for spiritual realignment, I will pick up a good book and use it give me the right perspective again.

Of course, in today’s day and age, perhaps good spiritual blogs also carry high vibrations and can be helpful to inspire and uplift you ;-).

Summary:

So there you have it.  For enlightenment, take a long walk, sit under a big tree and fall asleep reading a good book :-D.  Well not quite, but I couldn’t resist.  I hope the above practical tips give you the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Ultimate Reality and are useful to you in your journey back to the Source. 

If you have some tips for inviting the Wonder and penetrating the mundane, please share them with us as well.  I am sure it will be beneficial to all.

24

Understanding Non-Duality, Hinduism, Buddhism, Enlightenment & Life!

Non-duality, Hinduism, Buddhism & Enlightenment

Advaita Vedanta & Zen Buddhism 

I did a google search for the term “non-dual” on this very site and got 742 hits!  So I thought it was high time I wrote something on this topic :-D.

Actually, a reader asked if I could help him understand what all this business of non-duality was all about, as he was not quite sure he was grasping it properly, and as understanding non-duality is absolutely key for real spiritual growth, here is hit number 743.

For those who understand Hindu Philosophy, non-duality is Creation (Param Brahman).  From there, emerges multiplicity as Creation pours out into Existence (Bhuh, Bhuvah & Swaha).  But, in my view, to really grasp deeply what is meant by non-duality, philosophical discussion or debate is not the best approach.  I think it is better understood from the point of view of experience, and I will delve into my own personal experiences with non-duality to help clarify this most profound of concepts and phenomenon.

Understanding Non-Duality

Hinduism (Advaita Vedanta) & Non-Duality:

Non-duality is best understood in Hinduism and Advaita Vedanta by the phrase Tat Tvam Asi, or Thou Art That.  I have described in the article, The Miracle of Self Awareness – I AM ALL, my experience with this Truth.  The true nature of reality is that all is just you.  Everything is you.  It is actually how it is. 

The apparent sense of separation of “me” and “you” is actually false.  There is no you.  There is only me, or as put forth by Advaita Vedanta, there is only “I AM”.  The “I” referred to here though is not the ego, but the True Self.  Everything is a part of this big “I”, and when awareness shifts from the egocentric “i” to the real “I”, you actually see that all is just you.  Then there is no duality of any kind.

Another article which goes into Advaita Vedanta, specifically from a meditation and experiential point of view is, Enlightenment via Who Am I – Advaita Vedanta Neti Neti Meditation.

Buddhism (Zen) & Non-Duality:

Buddhism looks at non-duality also as the absence of the sense of a separate ego.  Simply because that is the Truth, it is not Hindu or Buddhist, it is simply the Truth.  Instead of asserting that “You Are All”, Zen simply stops at the negation of the false sense of separation.  This sometimes helps prevent the confusion of the small “i” versus big “I” concepts in Advaita and Hinduism.

In both cases, a shift of awareness is what creates an encounter with the non-dual nature of Reality.  Such a shift of awareness can produce an experience such that one encounters the emptiness or absence of the sense of separate existence.  There are states where the organism continues to function, with each sense organ working perfectly, but there is no center or “i” to be found.

So in my view, Hinduism and Buddhism only differ in the nature of the non-dual experience.  If you are experiencing the natural working of the organism, without any sense of separation, you are enjoying a Buddhist enlightenment experience, while if you feeling the expanded sense of the Oneness with everything, you are experiencing enlightenment from the Hindu perspective.  Of course I may be over simplifying it a bit, but I think you get the idea.

At the end, it does not matter what you label it, and if you wish to argue it differently you may.  The point is that the roots of non-duality lie in the absence of the sense of separation and to help you understand it all even better, let’s expand this idea of no-self even further.

Understanding Enlightenment Experiences of Non-Duality:

You will notice the common ground of non-duality, is the fact of no-self.  But, above you will notice one other common denominator between the Hindu and Buddhist versions of this experience, which is that both result from a shift of awareness.  From here we can formulate the following definition of enlightenment experience (non-dual experience) which I think is very valuable.

A shift of awareness outside of the ego-centric mind, produces an enlightenment experience.

Predominately, we live consumed by our little lives and little self.  All the time dwelling on our personal drama and struggling for a little more pleasure and security.  Those who are lucky, get a chance to experience cracks in this shell of the ego, and when that happens they get a glimpse of what lies beyond the self-obsessed mind.  That experience of Reality, absent of ego-centric thought, is an enlightenment experience.

Such experiences are wide and varied and the nature of these experiences can form the basis of great philosophies and religions.  Here I want to point out that the experiences do not have to always be mind-blowing to be significant.  Any glimpse of the non-dual nature of Reality, is indicative of cracks in the shell of the ego and will provide the inspiration for further challenges to this apparent dualistic reality.

These non-dual (or enlightenment) experiences can range from being swept away by the enormity of the mountains, the flow of great love, the ecstasy of sexual union, to experiences with the greater sense of Self (Big Mind in Zen Meditation), Bliss, Divinity, Natural Spontaneous Living, etc.  So from here I can even come to a definition of life which I am comfortable with…

Life is an opportunity to set the stage for this shift of awareness to occur.

This shift of awareness is something that happens to you.  As explained in the article, Interesting Osho Quote on Enlightenment, the mystic sage Osho simply defines enlightenment as the reward for living a mindful life.  This is echoed by great spiritual masters throughout history.

Enlightenment, or the necessary shift in awareness, is not something you can force or create in any way.  What you can do though, is help set the stage to facilitate it’s occurrence.  This is where meditation, yoga, self-study and spiritual living comes in.  They are the tools for preparing the soil such that the flower of Truth can blossom.

Additional Reading on Enlightenment & Non-Duality:

There are many articles that expand on the ideas above to help you understand more deeply the concept of non-duality and enlightenment.  Here are a few of these for you… 

Zen Definition of Enlightenment 

Jiddu Krishnamurti on the Flowering of Goodness

Shunryu Suzuki Speaks on Enlightenment and Zazen

The Secret to Enlightenment

The Day When My Identification with Anmol Mehta Snapped

The Secret to Compassion

25

Dangers of Kundalini Yoga

Is Kundalini Yoga Dangerous?

Dangers of Kundalini Awakening

Is Kundalini Yoga dangerous?  Ah yes, the question I get asked more and more as people learn about Kundalini Yoga is general or discover this website.  Kundalini Yoga is certainly a powerful science and if not approached with intelligence and respect it can produce some challenges and difficulties for the practitioners.  That is not meant to discourage you from taking up it’s practice, it is meant to help guide you so that you undertake Kundalini Yoga practice safely and thus, enjoy the enormous benefits that this form of yoga bestows (See Rapid Benefits of Kundalini Yoga Practice & Top 10 Health Benefits of Yoga Practice for more details on the benefits of yoga).

Kundalini Yoga is favored over other forms of yoga, because of the rapid gains that can be made by those who practice it sincerely.  What this means in practical terms, is that Kundalini Yoga can more quickly purify your energetic channels, charge and balance your chakras (energy centers) and awaken in you greater and greater flow on kundalini shakti (energy), than other forms of yoga.  Thus, it is the fast track to spiritual growth and enlightenment.  This is great, but herein also lies the danger.  Improper Kundalini Yoga, coupled with incorrect lifestyle and preparation, can unleash more energy in you than you are ready for.

Dangers of Kundalini Yoga

This premature awakening of kundalini or excessive flow of shakti (energy), before the body is ready to handle it, is the danger with improper Kundalini Yoga practice, or with kundalini shakti in general.  The reasons for kundalini awakening are vast and varied, and sometimes have nothing to do with yoga practice at all.  You can read about the difficulties that sometimes arise with such kundalini awakening in the popular article Symptoms of Kundalini Awakening

Ideally, you want kundalini to awaken as per your body’s capacity to handle her and to that end, there is no better approach to preparing the body than intelligent yoga practice, and specifically intelligent Kundalini Yoga practice.

So what is intelligent Kundalini Yoga practice and how do we go about awakening kundalini safely and wisely?  In many articles on this blog I have provided such important safety guidelines and in this article I would like to put all that wisdom together so that it’s easily accessible for all who are interested. 

Below are these important guidelines to help you minimize the danger of premature kundalini awakening and thus, avoid the problems that this condition can sometimes cause.

Guidelines for Safe Kundalini Yoga Practice:


1. Don’t Over Strain:

This is rule number one for minimizing the danger of premature kundalini awakening by ensuring you are not going further than what your body is ready for.  This applies to the practice of all forms of yoga.  Weather you are doing yoga breathing exercises (pranayama), yoga poses (asans) or kundalini yoga sets (kriyas), you should not push excessively.  Of course some challenge is good, but you are looking to develop your capacity systematically, so keep that in mind and aim for steady progress.  Remember, the turtle beat the hare.

Two more important safety notes when it comes to doing your Kundalini Yoga practice.  First, be sure to warm up before doing any difficult kriyas (sets) or asanas (postures).  Second, be sure to work around injuries and use modifications for advanced poses whenever necessary. 

2. Don’t Do Excessive Chakra Meditations:

I constantly have yogis reaching out to me, both online and at my studio, who have focused exclusively on Chakra Meditations and thus, created imbalances for themselves.  I have given some powerful Chakra Meditation techniques in the following 2 articles, The Top 3 Chakra Meditation Techniques and the very popular AUM Mantra Meditation for Opening the Third Eye Chakra, and although, I expect you to learn and use these techniques, I have advised that they should not be the only focus of your Kundalini Yoga practice.

Chakra Meditation techniques, directly stimulate and open the chakra points, which then creates the greater flow of kundalini to take place in the respective regions.  The danger of course, is if the nerves, glands, organs, psychic pathways (nadis), etc, are not strong enough to handle this flow. As thhen it can create imbalances and issues for you.  So the advice is to practice such direct techniques only after you have sufficiently developed your level of fitness, health and strength of internal systems.  This of course you can accomplish by practicing Kundalini Yoga Kriyas Sets, Hatha Yoga Asanas and/or Yoga Breathing Exercises (Pranayamas), regularly and sincerely.

3. Danger of Using Drugs:

Unless you are a wandering naked sadhu (Naga Yogi) or a developed Aghori (see article Nude Yoga Exposed), it is very unlikely you are a master of how to use narcotics.  The techniques of how to prepare, mix and use narcotics (and certain rare herbs) for awakening kundalini, is still held in great secrecy and if you want to learn this alchemy, you are going to have to take a trip to India and get initiated.  There are other ancient religions that also know some of these secrets (like the varied use of tobacco by the American Indians, etc.), but most of that knowledge is also not easily available.  So, I suggest you just stay away from drugs all-together.

Besides recreational drugs and tobacco, even alcohol, which has a strong affect on kundalini can be dangerous to a practicing yogi and therefore, should be approached with care.  Overall, I am not an advocate of the use of chemicals to facilitate kundalini awakening as more often than not, the end result of such attempts is bad.

4. Get Healthy First:

Before jumping into any advanced Kundalini Yoga practice, you should first try to heal yourself from any serious diseases or illnesses.  Of course, yoga itself is very helpful in this matter, but what I am saying here is that you should not jump ahead to doing advanced yoga if you are suffering from serious health issues.  Resolving the health issues should be a priority and during this healing phase, only use gentle yoga techniques instead.  This will minimize the danger of complicating your health issues with kundalini imbalances.

In addition to practicing gentle yoga to help heal yourself, you should employ Ayurvedic treatments as well.  Ayurveda is the ancient science of health and healing, and goes hand in hand with Kundalini Yoga practice.  You can get more information on Ayurveda via the following links: Introduction to Ayurveda – The Science of Self-Healing and Ayurveda Category Articles

You will find Ayurveda to be an invaluable resource on the path to enlightenment and healthy living.  It will not only help you achieve optimum physical health, but will also help you find emotional and mental balance, both of which are also prerequisites to advanced Kundalini Yoga practice.

5. Make Time & Space:

Kundalini awakening is not a predicable process.  It affects each of us differently and it is advisable to give yourself time and space to allow this process to run it’s course when required.  I am not suggesting here that you need to join an ashram, but I am saying that if you have awakened kundalini, then there will be times you need to just rest, relax and be alone.  By not providing such down times, you increase the danger of imbalances as kundalini is not able to complete the work she is doing within you.

6. Attitude of Gratitude & Prayer:

Don’t underestimate the value of right attitude when it comes to eliminating the danger that kundalini shakti can pose as she awakens.  It is perhaps the best tool at your disposal, to help you make safe and graceful progress on the path of full kundalini awakening.  Be respectful, appreciative, devoted and humble and the great Shakti, as well as the Universe, will cooperate with you.  Here is a nice vedic mantra to express your love and devotion, but feel free to use your own methods as well:  Greatest Vedic Mantra to Express Gratitude.

In addition, before doing your Kundalini Yoga practice always start by asking for protection, guidance and inspiration.  This ensures you are approaching these cosmic forces with the correct state of mind and heart.  Here are 2 articles detailing how to do this: AUM Mantra Video for Starting Kundalini Yoga Class & Can a Guru Help with Enlightenment.

Summary of Danger of Kundalini Yoga Practice:

 

Life is dangerous.  There is no getting around it.  You can, if you wish, hide in a cave and play it safe until Yama Raj (Lord of Death) comes knocking, or you can choose to embrace the adventure.  Kundalini Yoga & Meditation practice are doors to infinity and they are an exploration of the unknown.  In fact, they finally take you to the doorway to the Great Void, at which point knowledge and mind end, and to enter requires the faith and courage to just let go. 

Kundalini Shakti is the wave you ride on this journey to the beyond.  There are certainly dangers on the way, but if you follow the guidelines above it will go along way in making your journey safer and smoother.  My best wishes are always with you.

More Helpful Articles on Kundalini Yoga Safety:

10 Important Guidelines for Kundalini Yoga Practice 

Essential Beginners Guide to Yoga Practice

Beginners Guide to Yoga Breathing Exercises 

Osho Quote on How to Live Courageously

26

5 Key Principles for Living an Enlightened & Good Life

How to Live a Good Live

I think it’s time to update the famous Yamas (Dos) & Niyamas (Don’ts) spelled out by the great Yoga Sage Patanjali.  These observances are the ethical and moral requirements generally accepted by Yogic teachings.  Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of Patanjali and the Yoga Sutras, but frankly, I was never very impressed with the Yama Niyamas that he laid out in the Sutras.  Furthermore, recently I am seeing many attempts to broaden and reinterpret the meanings of these observances to make them “fit” better and be more comprehensive, and I think these wranglings are getting a bit out of hand. For example, “celibacy” is being translated as healthy sex with your partner if you are married and between the ages of 25 and 50 with no adultery.  I mean come on, let’s just be brave and come up with a new model.  It could very well be that in Patanjali’s time these Dos and Don’ts made sense, or it could be that they were meant for a different purpose than what is currently thought (I suspect Ashram rules to assist in the study of Yoga), but, in any case I think it’s time to put forth a new set of principles for enlightened living and that is the focus of this article.

Principles for Living

The 5 Universal Principles below for living an enlightened and good life is the result of decades of spiritual exploration, experimentation and self-study.  These are the principles that I live by.  They are my mantras, my vows and I have found them to be extremely helpful in navigating the waters of spiritual living and help forge a sweet life.  First, I will just briefly list the original Yamas & Niyamas of Sage Patanjali, which can also be found in the article Introduction to the Universal Principles of Yoga, and then I will go into my 5 principles for living an enlightened and good life.

Original Yamas Nyamas from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:

  1. Yamas:  Yamas are self-restraints.  They are non-violence, truth, control of sexual energy, non-stealing and non-covetousness (non-greed).
  2. Niyamas:  Niyamas are self-observances.  There are 5 niyamas.  These are contentment, self-study, austerity, purity and devotion to the Lord.

Updated 5 Key Principles of Living an Enlightened and Good Life:

1. Relax:  This principle is not to be brushed over.  It is the key to developing the right approach towards life and all the twists and turns that inevitably come your way.  If you can stay relaxed you will have a chance to break the reactive pattern of automatic response to conditions, thus, meeting more of the moment with more of your being.  It all begins will having this ease of being.  To relax means to not be easily swayed by the pull of dualities.  Neither buying excessively into the promises of gain nor fearing excessively the consequences of loss.

Here are some articles that explore the concept of relaxation in more detail: Embrace Reality and Let the Universe Fulfill Your Desires, Shunryu Suzuki Speaks on Enlightenment & Zazen Practice and Today I Finally Passed the Test & Officially Became a Man.

2. Witness:  This is a big ask I know.  No human being ever has or probably ever will be able to bear witness constantly to all that is taking place within their mind and body.  That being said, the more you can do it the more awareness will illuminate the inner walls of your mind, thinking and emotions.  At the end witnessing is really all that is needed for enlightenment, so devote yourself to this practice of mindfulness.  As Osho and Gurdjieff describe it, look with double arrowed awareness.  One arrow observing that which is being done, thought and felt, while one arrow observing the doer, thinker and feeler.  This is the secret to self-knowledge and being a light onto yourself.

In addition, witnessing is the basis of all insight meditation and you will find more details, hints and tips on this practice in the following articles:  Brain Development & Enlightenment – Insight Meditation – Part 3Silent Mind Meditation Program – The Silent Mind Meditation Chapter 12 and The True Meaning of Laziness.

3. Affection:  Forgive, be kind, be thoughtful, be nice, be good, be sensitive, be loving, be compassionate.  All in all, it’s the practice of Loving-Kindness Meditation.  Let me tell you the hard part here.  It is easy to do all of the above when things are going your way, but, can you do all of the above when things are not?  As they say a well fed dog is friendly, but the real nature will be revealed when he is hungry.  So it is with us.  We can put up our best when all is good, but, can you do the same when you don’t get what you want? When someone insults you?  When your ego takes a hit?  Will you be able to side with affection under duress or will the subconscious, hidden, egotistical nature take control?  That is the real test of adhering to this principle of affection and be warned it is not easy, but if you wish to ascend this practice must be mastered.

4. Honesty:  Absolute honesty I should say.  In word, deed and behavior.  You will have fun with this one.  Just give it a try and you will be amazed by how much you learn about yourself.  How hard the mind works to manipulate perception and procure security, without any consideration to what is true.  I have gone into this concept in more detail in the following article so head on over to read the nitty gritty:  Silent Mind Meditation Program: Honesty – Chapter 6

One additional helpful tip.  In the article, 10 Things to do Everyday for A Happy, Meaningful & Good Life, which I hope you are all following religiously :-), item #7 speaks of doing your daily accounting at the end of the day.  This is a great time to reflect on all the times during the day you were dishonest, insincere, hypocritical and pretentious.  Please don’t start judging yourself, simply maintain a healthy sense of humor and learn about the antics of your ego and mind.

5. Courage:  By courage here, I also mean self-confidence and self-belief.  Courage is important on 2 fronts.  First, the path to enlightenment is ultimately walked alone.  Without courage you will not get very far, as at the first sign of danger you will balk.  Second, to live a good life means to live according to your passion and if you lack courage you are going to play it safe always and never take the necessary chances to follow your heart.

This is another topic on which you can find lots more information here on Mastery of Meditation.  I would suggest the following 4 articles to help explore this concept more:  Silent Mind Meditation Program: Confidence – Chapter 5, Inspiring Osho Quote on How to Live Courageously, New Kundalini Yoga Classes & the Courage to Live Dangerously and How to Escape Your Suffering – The Blind Man vs. The Cripple.   

Conclusion:

So there are my 5 golden rules for living an enlightened and good life.  I try to review them every morning and have them posted in handy places as reminders as well.  If you have a set of observances you follow or other techniques which have helped you in your life, please share them with us below so others can benefit as well.

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New Kundalini Yoga Classes and The Courage To Live Dangerously

How To Live Courageously

This past weekend was blessed and charged with 3 yoga and meditation classes at the Silent Mind Meditation Center.  The new Saturday Kundalini Yoga class, the Sunday Gentle Yoga and Meditation Class and the original Sunday Kundalini Yoga Class.  The new class was well received and served its purpose perfectly.  It has been launched as the Sunday Kundalini Yoga is full and can no longer accommodate any new students.  So new students wanting to learn the powerful science of Kundalini Yoga, now have the opportunity via the Saturday Class.  In addition, the new class gives current students another option if any given Sunday is busy for them and it also gives those students who wish to expand their practice a second class to attend if they so desire.  This was exactly the composition of the new class.  There were new students, students who could not make it on Sunday and students who wished for more yoga.  I would like to thank all those who attended and made this class a success.

Kundalini Yoga Classes

None of this would be taking shape, though, if I was afraid of failure.  As some of you know, I used to teach a popular Kundalini Yoga class in Jersey City and run the Zenmind Yoga & Meditation studio in Hoboken, before my wife became pregnant and we moved to Old Bridge to be as close as possible to my dear parents who live here.  This move has been a huge blessing for my family, all three generations are benefiting from the proximity, but, it also meant taking a break from my teaching days.  The last three years have brought us the joy of 2 magnificent sons and although I have continued my personal practice, it wasn’t till this spring that I felt I had the time to commit to teaching Kundalini Yoga classes publicly again.

Setting up a Yoga Studio and teaching Yoga & Meditation is, in my opinion, one of the most honorable professions one can embrace.  That being said, it is not necessarily easy to do.  Specially if you want to do it well and really make an impact in people’s lives.  In this article I don’t want to go into all the details on what goes on behind the scene to run a successful Yoga Center, but, what I do want to discuss is the risk factor involved in actually offering the classes.

So many doubts and fears can paralyze this process.  “Will anyone sign-up?”,  “Do I have enough time and energy?”,  “Will students like Kundalini Yoga?”,  “Should I do the class on a weekday instead?”,  “Will Yoga generate interest in Central New Jersey?”, “Will it be perfect?”  etc, etc.  Who knows!  We will find out and the only way to find out is by trying it.  You must act on your passions despite any doubts or insecurities that you have and that is what courage is.  To not try because of the fear of failing or the fear of making a mistake is the biggest mistake.  The future is unknown, there are no guarantees and the key to dealing with this truth is to embrace uncertainty.  Once you can do that you can take the plunge.  Otherwise you will never let go of the edge and never experience the current of life.  So open your heart, don’t worry about being perfect, don’t try to always play it safe, be adventurous and as Osho puts it in the title of his book, discover the “Joy of Living Dangerously”.

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Meditation Techniques, Types and Practice – A Comprehensive Guide

Best Meditation Techniques, Types & Practice

Guide to Meditation Practice & Types of Meditation

There are as many types of meditation techniques as there are wonderful flavors of ice cream.  This allows each person to find a flavor that is delicious to them.  This article is the combined result of the 3 part series “Comprehensive Guide to the World of Meditation Practice”.  I created this one article out of those three to provide a single document which one can refer to for an introduction to all the important meditation techniques and types available.  This article provides this overview of all the significant meditation techniques and hopefully this will help you find the style that is sweetest to you.

Some meditation styles suit those of an intellectual disposition, while others are more attractive to those who prefer the path of love and surrender.  Still others, with an active approach to life, may like the meditation techniques involving movement, while those with a strong mind would enjoy the approach of thought, mantra, visualization or concentration.  Overall, there are several broad categories under which we can capture most of these different meditation practices and this article will explore each of these types of meditation techniques.

Meditation Techniques

1. Insight Meditation Techniques: 

These are the meditations of choice for the Gyan Yogis or those drawn to the intellectual path.  It incorporates the advanced meditation techniques from the Zen school of Buddhism, the Advaita Vedanta school of Hinduism, certain schools of Western Religions among others.

  1. WHO AM I Meditation Technique:  This technique comes from the school of Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism / End of Knowledge).  The meditation was popularized by Shri Ramana Maharishi and is based on negation of the false self in order to realize one’s True Nature.  Here is an example of my experience with WHO AM I Meditation Practice.
  2. Koan Meditation Technique:  These meditations come from the Zen School of Buddhism and are designed to break down the ordinary pattern of conceptual, dualistic thinking.  By breaking down the interference created by the thinking mechanism the practitioner is brought to confront the non-dual reality of “what is” directly and thus Awaken.
  3. Contemplation Meditation Technique:  These meditations utilize introspection, self-study, reflection, study of spiritual texts and contemplation to cut through the layers of false conditioning and false understanding that deludes the mind.  These meditations have their roots in many Western Religions and are also a part of Eastern philosophies.
  4. Silent Mind Meditation Technique:  This meditation technique is my contribution to this category and it involves directly perceiving the fact of what is by acute observation of the thinking process.  This is the flavor that I enjoy best and I have explained it in detail in the The Silent Mind Meditations, which are part of the Silent Mind Meditation Program.  These meditations are an extension of the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti.

2. Sound (Mantra) & Thought Meditation Techniques: 

The meditations that fall under this category use the science of sound and thought vibrations (Naad Yoga), along with rhythm and music (Laya Yoga) to purify the heart and mind.  These meditations have a wide range of applications, from bestowing Enlightenment, to improving health, wealth, happiness, peace etc…

  1. Mantra Japa Meditation Technique:  This meditation method uses the repetition of a mantra (a particular sound, word or phrase) verbally or mentally to create the necessary conditions for purification, refinement or expansion to take place.  Mantras are essentially keys which allow one to tune into the individual energy field or tune into the Universal Energy field to produce certain desired results.  Here is an example of using OM Mantra to activate the Third Eye Chakra.
  2. Rhythm Meditation Technique: This form of meditation uses the combination of rhythm, chanting, music and breath to calibrate and perfect the system.  The excellent Three Step Rhythmic Breathing (3srb) meditation technique of Sage Pantanjali and many Kundalini Yoga meditations fall under this category, among others.
  3. Meditation via Song:  Most of the meditations from the path of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga) and Love, designed to dissolve the ego belong in this category.  This is a path most dear to those who are emotional in nature and feel a deep love for the divine.  Christianity, Gospel, Sufi Meditations, Hare Krishna Meditations, Kirtans and Bhajans are some examples of techniques in this category.
  4. Meditation via Prayer: All religions have meditations involving prayer and worship.  This may be the most practiced form of meditation.
  5. Thought Power Meditation Technique:  The power of thought is becoming well recognized world over and many of the ancient Eastern techniques using this science are starting to gain popularity in the West now as well.  Meditations that use the power of intention, law of attraction, desire manifestation, self-hypnosis, positive thinking, laughter as meditation, etc. belong in this category.  These meditations can be useful to everyone.
  6. Feeling and Emotion Meditation Technique: In these meditations one uses the combined power of feelings and attitude to produce the desired affects.  This type of meditation technique is usually combined with and is a part of other types of meditations, but can be done independently as well.  Meditation such as Zen’s Loving Kindness, Osho’s crying meditation and many meditations which deal with maintaining an attitude of surrender, giving, gratitude, forgiveness etc, fall under this category.

3. Concentration and Visualization Meditation Techniques: 

These are probably the most common and well know of all the meditations and often meditation is defined by these kind of meditations exclusively.  They are closely related to the Insight Meditation Techniques with the difference being that Insight Meditation Techniques utilize the active application of intelligence and discernment, while the Concentration Meditation techniques use the power of focused attention to a greater degree.  To some extent these meditations lay the groundwork for the Insight Meditations which need a high degree of concentration as a prerequisite to being effective.

  1. Breath Meditation Technique (Zazen):  The heart of Zen Meditation is Zazen, the meditation of the Buddha.  In this meditation awareness and concentration are brought to the breathing process to help build mastery over the mind and free the system from dualistic thinking.  An in-depth look of this meditation can be found in the popular article Zen Meditation Technique (Zazen) – Free Book of Guided Meditations.  Another breath based meditation is Vipassana.  In Vipassana one extends one’s awareness from one’s breath, to the body and the sensations that rise and fall within it.  The objective being to have insight into the workings of the mind through self-observation.  This form of meditation is also called Insight Meditation as it helps one develop insight into the true nature of things.
  2. Concentration Meditation Technique: There are many meditations that utilize an external object as a focus point for the mind.  Zazen/Vipassana belong in this sections as well, but due to their widespread use I mentioned them separately.  The objects of focus can be anything from a point on the ceiling, to a flower, to external sounds in the environment.  These meditations all develop focus, concentration, self knowledge, calmness and the witnessing consciousness.  Their ultimate objective, though, is to have the meditator finally drop the object of concentration and encounter the non-dual nature of Reality directly.  Some examples of these meditations can be found in the following articles: Sound Awareness Meditation Technique and candle flame gazing (Trataka) as described in Brain Development and Enlightenment – Awaken the Senses.
  3. Visualization Meditation Technique: This meditation technique is suitable for those who are creative and perceptive.  In this technique the meditator uses visualization techniques to produce the desired results.  These can range from simply moving awareness to various areas of the body, to visualizing internal flows of light, to imagining mental places etc.  Many internal Chakra Meditations, Kriya Yoga Meditations, Kundalini Yoga Meditations, Yantra (geometric shapes) Meditations fall under this category.  In additions meditations on the image of God, visualizing places of power or peace, etc, belong in this category as well.
  4. Mindfulness Meditation: This is a wonderful meditation technique and one that can be practiced throughout the day.  Mindfulness meditation means to have moment to moment flowing awareness of your physical, emotional and mental activities.  In other words, to be aware of what is transpiring in the here and now.  This is ultimately the goal of all meditation — to awaken you to the present.  Others definitions of this meditation are J. Krishnamurti’s Chioceless Awareness, Osho’s Double Pointed Awareness, Gurdjieff’s Self-Remembrance and S. N. Tavaria’s Awareness of the Divine Fragment.  An article demonstrating this meditation technique in action is The True Meaning of Laziness.

4. Body Meditation Techniques: 

These meditations and practices may suit those inclined to physical activity, but as you will see from the list below there are meditation techniques using the body which can easily by enjoyed by all.  In addition, the meditations of this type almost all have the added benefit of keeping us fit and healthy.

  1. Yoga as Meditation: All forms of physical yoga are meant to be done with full awareness of the postures and movements.  In addition breath is combined with the movements and poses to help open up the energy channels and free the system from the debris of the past.  There is no prerequisite for the practice of Yoga, such as flexibility or diet, and all can benefit from the blessings this ancient and powerful technique bestows.
  2. Walking Meditation Technique:  This form of meditation should not be underestimated.  It is really a treasure.  In Zen, walking meditation has been formalized and is called “Kinhin”.  There are many styles of walking meditation, but for all these styles, awareness is a key component.  In walking meditation you can either be fully tuned it to the physical process of walking, or you can be fully aware of the environment, either inner or outer, as you just walk.  It either case, the objective is be in the present moment as best you can.
  3. Dance Meditation Technique:  The only prerequisite to Meditation by dance is that you are alive.  The range of this meditation done via this technique is quite remarkable.  There is the Dervish dancing of the Sufi mystics, the Dance Meditation of Master Gurdjieff, Osho’s famous meditations using dance and movement, Lord Shiva’s Cosmic Dance — the Tandon and the list goes on and on.  Dance Meditation is not only for celebrating life, but is a valid and powerful method to build awareness, induce catharsis and encounter Reality.  An article that gives my experience with dance meditation technique is My Time at on Osho Retreat when my Body Disappeared.
  4. The Martial Arts as Meditation:  “Grasshopper… life is a dream within a dream.”  For those of us who grew up watching the TV show “Kung Fu” know well the intimate relationship between the martial arts and meditation.  Zen Archery, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and other related techniques all belong here in this category.  Common to all these techniques is understanding the intimate connection between the breath, the life-force it contains (Qi, Chi, Prana), the mind and the concept of Oneness.
  5. Sex as Meditation (Left hand of Tantra): No I did not forget this most profound, yet very misunderstood, type of meditation.  Tantra and tantric sex have been gaining notoriety over the past few decades as spirituality, tantra yoga and enlightenment have moved into the mainstream, where now most aspirants are married and sexually active.  This meditation technique requires first the disciplining of the mind and control over one’s passions.  Then one can learn the techniques of vajroli and sahajoli along with the various bandhas (body locks) and yoga asanas which help to maintain the height of sexual charge and the use of that energy to activate the higher centers.  This method of meditation is indeed wonderful and if two like minded people come together for its practice, for the right purpose, it can provide a powerful and potent vehicle for the attainment of enlightenment.

So there you have it.  All the main flavors of ice cream available to satiate your meditative appetite.  Most important thing for you to do is indulge.  Your soul craves meditation like children crave ice cream, so go ahead and take a bite — I promise, you will absolutely get addicted and it will be the most beneficial addiction you can ever have.

Internet Resources for Meditation:

Yoga Meditation Tips:  There are many positive benefits and advantages which come from Yoga Meditations; however it is important to understand the basics of the activity before becoming involved in it.

29

Comprehensive Guide to the World of Meditation Practice – Part 3

Here comes that ice cream truck again, this time serving up some very interesting meditation techniques.  The meditations we have explored so far have emphasized the mind, intelligence, thought, sound, feeling etc, now we will introduce the category of meditations that use the body as a vehicle for self-study and expanding awareness.  These meditations come to us from religions around the globe and many are fast becoming an integral part of mainstream life.

4. Body Meditation Techniques:  These meditations and practices may suit those inclined to physical activity, but as you will see from the list below there are meditation techniques using the body which can easily by enjoyed by all.  In addition, the meditations of this type almost all have the added benefit of keeping us fit and healthy.

World of Meditation

  • Yoga as Meditation: All forms of physical yoga are meant to be done with full awareness of the postures and movements.  In addition breath is combined with the movements and poses to help open up the energy channels and free the system from the debris of the past.  There is no prerequisite for the practice of Yoga, such as flexibility or diet, and all can benefit from the blessings this ancient and powerful technique bestows.
  • Walking Meditation Technique:  This form of meditation should not be underestimated.  It is really a treasure.  In Zen, walking meditation has been formalized and is called “Kinhin”.  There are many styles of walking meditation, but for all these styles, awareness is a key component.  In walking meditation you can either be fully tuned it to the physical process of walking, or you can be fully aware of the environment, either inner or outer, as you just walk.    It either case, the objective is be in the present moment as best you can.
  • Dance Meditation Technique:  The only prerequisite to Meditation by dance is that you are alive.  The range of this meditation done via this technique is quite remarkable.  There is the Dervish dancing of the Sufi mystics, the Dance Meditation of Master Gurdjieff, Osho’s famous meditations using dance and movement, Lord Shiva’s Cosmic Dance — the Tandon and the list goes on and on.  Dance Meditation is not only for celebrating life, but is a valid and powerful method to build awareness, induce catharsis and encounter Reality.
  • The Martial Arts as Meditation:  “Grasshopper… life is a dream within a dream.”  For those of us who grew up watching the TV show “Kung Fu” know well the intimate relationship between the martial arts and meditation.  Zen Archery, Tai Chi,  Qi Gong, and other related techniques all belong here in this category.  Common to all these techniques is understanding the intimate connection between the breath, the life-force it contains (Qi, Chi, Prana), the mind and the concept of Oneness.
  • Sex as Meditation (Left hand of Tantra): No I did not forget this most profound, yet very misunderstood, type of meditation.  Tantra and tantric sex have been gaining notoriety over the past few decades as spirituality, tantra yoga and enlightenment have moved into the mainstream, where now most aspirants are married and sexually active.  This meditation technique requires first the disciplining of the mind and control over one’s passions.  Then one can learn the techniques of vajroli and sahajoli along with the various bandhas (body locks) and yoga asanas which help to maintain the height of sexual charge and the use of that energy to activate the higher centers.  This method of meditation is indeed wonderful and if two like minded people come together for its practice, for the right purpose, it can provide a powerful and potent vehicle for the attainment of enlightenment.

So there you have it.  All the main flavors of ice cream available to satiate your meditative appetite.  Most important thing for you to do is indulge.  Your soul craves meditation like children crave ice cream so go ahead and take a bite — I promise you will absolutely get addicted and it will be the most beneficial addiction you can ever have.

30

Comprehensive Guide to the World of Meditation Practice – Part 2

In part 1 of this series we dove into 2 wonderful flavors of meditation, Insight Meditation Techniques, which use the active power of intelligence and Mantra-Thought-Intention type meditations which use the vibratory power of sound and thoughts to tune into the individual and Universal Electromagnetic field to produce desired results.  In part 2 we will explore the popular category of Concentration and Visualization Meditation Techniques.

3. Concentration and Visualization Meditation Techniques: These are probably the most common and well know of all the meditations and often meditation is defined by these kind of meditations exclusively.  They are closely related to the Insight Meditation Techniques with the difference being that Insight Meditation Techniques utilize the active application of intelligence and discernment, while the Concentration Meditation techniques use the power of focused attention to a greater degree.  To some extent these meditations lay the groundwork for the Insight Meditations which need a high degree of concentration as a prerequisite to being effective.

Guide to the World

  • Breath Meditation Technique (Zazen):  The heart of Zen Meditation is Zazen, the meditation of the Buddha.  In this meditation awareness and concentration are brought to the breathing process to help build mastery over the mind and free the system from dualistic thinking.  An in-depth look of this meditation can be found in the popular article Zen Meditation Technique (Zazen) – Free Book of Guided Meditations.  Another breath based meditation is Vipassana.  In Vipassana one extends one’s awareness from one’s breath, to the body and the sensations that rise and fall within it.  The objective being to have insight into the workings of the mind through self-observation.  This form of meditation is also called Insight Meditation as it helps one develop insight into the true nature of things.
  • Concentration Meditation Technique: There are many meditations that utilize an external object as a focus point for the mind.  Zazen/Vipassana belong in this sections as well, but due to their widespread use I mentioned them separately.  The objects of focus can be anything from a point on the ceiling, to a flower, to external sounds in the environment.  These meditations all develop focus, concentration, self knowledge, calmness and the witnessing consciousness.  Their ultimate objective, though, is to have the meditator finally drop the object of concentration and encounter the non-dual nature of Reality directly.  Some examples of these meditations can be found in the following articles: Sound Awareness Meditation Technique and candle flame gazing (Trataka) as described in Brain Development and Enlightenment – Awaken the Senses.
  • Visualization Meditation Technique: This meditation technique is suitable for those who are creative and perceptive.  In this technique the meditator uses visualization techniques to produce the desired results.  These can range from simply moving awareness to various areas of the body, to visualizing internal flows of light, to imagining mental places etc.  Many internal Chakra Meditations, Kriya Yoga Meditations, Kundalini Yoga Meditations, Yanta (geometric shapes) Meditations fall under this category.  In additions meditations on the image of God, visualizing places of power or peace, etc, belong in this category as well.
  • Mindfulness Meditation: This is a wonderful meditation technique and one that can be practiced throughout the day.  Mindfulness meditation means to have moment to moment flowing awareness of your physical, emotional and mental activities.  In other words, to be aware of what is transpiring in the here and now.  This is ultimately the goal of all meditation — to awaken you to the present.  Others definitions of this meditation are J. Krishnamurti’s Chioceless Awareness, Osho’s Double Pointed Awareness, Gurdjieff’s Self-Remembrance and S. N. Tavaria’s Awareness of the Divine Fragment.

The above category consists of many profound and powerful meditation techniques which are worth exploring and discovering.  I hope you will find some that suit you, but if not, no worries, part 3 is coming up soon.