Meditation: the seventh limb of yoga By Ekta Dewnani
Dhyana which is commonly known as Meditation in English language around the world, is a simple word for a rather elaborate spiritual and mental experience. Before I say anything further, meditation is the 7th step of the 8 steps of yoga, however in current times people incorrectly say YOGA AND MEDITATION.
Meditation is not separate from yoga it is in fact the second last step in the process of yoga, which leads you to salvation or SAMADHI. The ultimate goal of yoga: to connect our individual soul (ATMA) with the divine SUPREME SOUL(PARAMATMA).
Dhyana means to be able to focus your mind at one object; the object being physical or non-physical. Just like sleep, meditation happens to you, you cannot do it consciously. However, one can train one’s mind consciously to be ready for meditation when it chooses to happen to you.
Like we make a comfortable bed for a good night’s sleep, similarly we must practice to be still in order for meditation to happen to us. Stillness of mind, body and spirit are the basic requirements for meditation.
Human mind is like wind, difficult to tame, therefore we come across various meditation training centres; online and offline; classes and videos, books and journals which help one to meditate. But, none of it will enable the meditativeness in you.
These modern days popular practices only equip you to sit with yourself everyday and be ready for the meditation journey. Just like in old times (physical) warriors would train regularly, whether there was a war happening immediately or not, so that when the war happens, they are equipped to fight. Exactly, like that, regularly sitting still for a fixed amount of time on a place, isolated and undisturbed by anything trains one to be a spiritual (metaphysical) warrior.
A few key points to make your daily meditation practice easier: sit in padmasana (lotus) pose to keep your spine straight; it enables you to focus for longer durations. Try to practice during either dawn (pre sunrise) or dusk (pre sunset) times.
Keep your surroundings and meditation mats clean as they have your energy and aura, treat them as your private garments. Initially start with 20 mins of daily practice and increase up to 2 hours, within one year of regular practice. However, practice continuously for 40 days minimum to make it a habit.
More to come on this vast topic in my coming blog… stay tuned. Meditate daily.
