We are in a world of constant flux and chaos, which profoundly impacts our overall well-being. Whether it is the workplace or school, we are facing unexpected challenges that demand physical strength and mental stability to navigate and find a balance. Physical and mental health is essential to strive and thrive. Physical prowess and agility can be achieved through fitness exercises or an active lifestyle. However, in this competitive world, maintaining a peaceful mind is extremely difficult. Amidst the noise and chaos, meditation helps us detach from the outer world and connect to our true inner selves. Meditation is a time-tested technique to access inner peace and remain unperturbed in the face of difficulties.
Why Meditate?
Meditation offers manifold benefits and different people set off on this path for different reasons. If some people meditate to escape the mounting stress, others see it as a way to relax and find emotional stability. Regardless of one’s purpose, meditation offers profound and life-altering benefits if practiced regularly. It aids in reaching a state of inner joy and bliss.
What is Meditation?
At its core, meditation is the effortless focus on a chosen object. This object can be anything from a tangible entity like a leaf to an internal focus point like the breath. The essence of meditation lies not in the object itself but in the attention we pay to it. Meditation is not to be confused with concentrating on an object. Concentration is about effortful focusing on an object, whereas meditation is effortless. We can effortlessly daydream when we lose our focus.Though effortless, meditation requires practice to attain the state. However, we all go through the state every day without being conscious of it. When we study a subject or play a game and get completely immersed in it without the slightest effort, we reach a meditative state. When we are passionately in love with someone, we are effortlessly focusing and meditating upon it. Meditation is about transcending the mind's usual chatter and attaining complete awareness.
The Nature of Meditation
The depth of our meditation experience is directly linked to the nature of our focus. Engaging with profound subjects, such as an interesting academic concept, can lead to a deep state of consciousness. Whereas focusing on mundane activities, like playing video games, tends to produce a more superficial meditative state.
At Hatha Vidya Traditional School of Yoga, the NISHTHA program teaches students meditation techniques. This involves meditating upon external and internal objects.
External objects are leaves, fruits, mountains, sun, and moon. Internal objects include focusing the heart, breathing, and navel.
There is another form of meditation; this is Deha Dharana.
Deha Dharna:
This is a meditative practice that involves directing your attention to different parts of your body. The Sanskrit word "Deha" means body, and "Dharana" signifies holding or concentrating. By focusing on various bodily sensations, this practice helps to cultivate mindfulness.
Preparing for Meditation
Before beginning, it's essential to establish a comfortable and stable posture. Traditional yoga poses like Sukhasana, Swastikasana, Ardha Padmasana, or Siddhasana are recommended. It is important to maintain a straight spine, creating an optimal channel for energy flow.
Then follow the technique of "eye closure." This involves looking at a distant point and gently bringing the gaze to oneself. Then focus on the heaviness and flickering of your eyelids before closing them. This helps in internalizing the mind.
These days, we are witnessing information overload and are constantly bombarded with distractions. This results in decreased focus and efficiency. By regularly practicing this meditation technique, one can enhance the ability to concentrate, unlock full potential, and experience a deep sense of well-being.
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