Meditation

We’ll talk about meditation using the “Pantajali Yoga Sutra (Ashtanga yoga)” as our foundation. The “Sage Patanjali” has outlined the eight limbs of yoga in his sutras (Ashtanga yoga). Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, and Dhyan Samadhi are those. The first four stages are the fundamental ones that aid in achieving “Sthiram” (mental stability), which is a prerequisite for engaging in the more advanced phases of meditation. Now let’s look more closely at what he really meant to say about Dhyan (meditation), Everyone is aware that the mind is unstable, like a butterfly that flits from one place to another without spending much time there. The speed of our minds, however, is much faster than that of a butterfly and even faster than the speed of light. The mind’s journey is entirely beyond of our control; it is capable of remembering the past, continuing to think about the future, and experiencing the present fully. Intense concentration, mental stillness, and tranquilly are the subjects of “dhyan,” or meditation. It is the research into achieving complete mental control. Meditation raises consciousness to super consciousness, which is above the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious realms.

HOW DO WE ACHIEVE THAT?

Choosing a focus on which to focus is necessary in the early stages of meditation. He must focus using his “Eyes, Nose, Ears, Lips, and Touch” sensors, which allow him to:

Look at the target whichever he pleases;
Use his mouth to recite a brief mantra; and
Use his ears to listen to the mantra.

He is also not allowed to think about anything else but the target.

WHAT IS A TARGET?

Any object that one’s mind wants to focus on can be a target. Anything that brings calmness and tranquillity to one’s thoughts would qualify.

For instance, it might be a picture of the person’s deity. The goal in this instance is the picture frame. In the initial step, one can examine the picture’s background, deity’s image, and frame. Consider all of the aforementioned elements, recite or hear a mantra of that deity, but be careful that your attention does not wander from the chosen goal. In this stage, one can increase his ability to sit for any length of time, up to and including five to ten minutes.

However, your concentration ends the moment your mind starts to consider other things. We have never learned to manage our minds, therefore this stage is really extremely basic and requires a lot of practise.

After achieving this for a predetermined amount of time, you can attempt the “Dhyan.”

In order to better understand, let’s use Omkar as the example. By gazing at it and chanting the mantra while doing so, our minds are appeased for a predetermined period of time.

We close our eyes once more and think back to the image of the OM.

We are saying or listening to the omkar simultaneously. The mantra is also only audible to us while our eyes are closed because we are not chanting it aloud. Additionally, our minds can only recall the sensations our eyes, hearing, and lips have captured. The true Dhyan stage has just one dimension; we are only focusing on a little portion of our goal at this point, and by the time we reach the next samadhi level, nobody is usually experiencing the goal. The experience is all that’s left.

The thoughts are currently focusing on a variety of dimensions. The mind recalls all the elements it was exposed to in the beginning.

MEANING, PROPERTIES & FUNCTIONS OF MIND

Since the mind has no physical form, it is incredibly challenging to comprehend its nature. It is both incredibly covert and subtle. But it is impossible to deny the presence of the mind because so many of our bodily, psychological, and mental health issues are caused by it. While the mind is present in the body, it is separate from the body and its organs. The spiritual self, also known as “the Knower,” is separate from the mind because he only observes the mind and its activities. Through sense organs and with the aid of the mind, the Knower is able to perceive things outside of himself. Without the presence of mind, no event can be perceived. As a result, every instance of perception involves an external object, a sensory organ (such as the ears, eyes, nose, tongue, or skin), the mind, and the “Knower” or “self.” All of these are closely intertwined, inseparable, and yet separate from one another.

The power of the body can be divided or multiplied by the mind. If a person is not mentally prepared for the work, he cannot work. However, if a person has made the decision to work, he may work more productively.

The mind moves at a breakneck pace. It can move infinitely far in a fraction of a second from one place to another.

The physical body and the “Self” are connected through the mind. Through the brain, autonomous nervous system, and endocrine gland system, the mind regulates the physical organs.

Seven mental processes can be summed up as follows. thought processes, feelings, perceptions, memories, intelligence, and judgement.

THE MENTAL CONDITION

You already know that the mind does not exist in the physical world.

There is no denying the existence of the mind.
The mind naturally shifts focus from one thing to another without stopping.

The mind moves at a tremendous speed.

The points make it very evident that the mind is incredibly unstable. The mind is not stable at any one location or object. It is constantly moving. The mind pursues its preferred items while avoiding its least favourite ones.

CONTROLLING THE MIND

The importance of the intellect in learning has already been shown by studies. For instance, you learn through your hearing when you are listening to a lecturer. However, you won’t understand anything if your attention is not focused on the lecture. You cannot focus on a lecture because of the state of your mind. You must therefore acquire control over your mind and make it listen to the lecture in order to understand what the speaker is saying. Only then will you be able to learn new things.

Therefore, you must manage your thoughts and stabilise them whenever you want, in accordance with your needs. But because of the fickle nature of the mind, this is the most challenging element. The act of stabilising the mind is referred to as concentration. Any mental activity is true of all this. You must focus your attention until you can recall a specific experience if you wish to remember it. The explanation above makes it abundantly clear how crucial mind control is. Then and only then can one achieve his goals. The most challenging aspect, though, is mind control. Ongoing research is being done to determine the best methods for establishing mental control.

One of the most powerful techniques for mind control is meditation. This control cannot be attained quickly. A methodologically planned strategy to accomplish this gradually is meditation.

DIFFERENT LINKS TO ACCESS MIND

We already know that the human mind is an integral aspect of the body. It is distinct from the brain and neurological system, from all other physical organs, and from the Pranic Force that controls bodily functions. The mind is separate from all of these systems, yet it also has a tight relationship with each of them. All of these systems are relatively simpler to reach than the mind, which is incredibly difficult to access directly. We will talk about some of these links so that you can access the mind through these systems.
Body Movement and Mind
Sense Organs and Mind
Breathing Process and Mind
The Self and Mind

DIFFERENT LINKS TO ACCESS MIND

We move our bodies either consciously or instinctively. The automatic movement does not require mental awareness. Similar to how intentional movement requires mental focus, controlling physical movement gives you instant mental access. Because you can’t regulate the movements for very long, this technique’s application is constrained.

Sense Organs And Mind-

Through our five senses, we learn about the outside world (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin). For this perception, one must be in the present moment. The mind is involved in the process of the senses being drawn to their objects of desire. There is some degree of controllability over the sensory organs. Therefore, the senses can be used to access the mind.

Breathing Process And Mind –

The act of breathing is a constant and crucial function. It becomes clear that respiration and the mind are inextricably linked when this process is observed. The breathing rate goes up when the mind is tense or under emotional stress, and it goes down when the mind is tranquil and peaceful.

It’s intriguing to learn that, to some extent, we have free will and can simply control our breathing. So, to a certain extent, we can readily manipulate our minds.

The ‘Self’ And Mind –

Humans are owned by the “Self” or “Atman” (Soul), who is also the owner of the mind. One will be able to manage and organise the mind if they are able to perceive the “Self” for what it truly is. Although it might appear quite simple, it is the hardest endeavour a person will ever face.

TECHNIQUES TO CONTROL THE MIND

Body Movement
Sense Organs
Breathing
The Self Control

TECHNIQUES TO CONTROL THE MIND

Body Movements –

In yoga, there are a number of Asanas that must be performed and achieved in a specific way. These movements need mental focus because they are unique. Once achieved, the posture is held for a longer time while the entire body is entirely relaxed. The mind is initially focused on bodily motions throughout this phase, after which it relaxes and becomes detached from the body before turning to an infinite stream of thoughts. The process establishes the mind control.

Sense Organs –

The focus of the sense organs is directed at an interesting object that has been chosen. The mind is drawn to the thing because it is interconnected with the senses. The mind can be controlled by deliberate, ongoing use of this technique. To strengthen mental control, the object’s span is gradually lowered to the barest minimum.

Breathing –

The metabolism and emotions are in charge of breathing. With the use of a steady and relaxed Asana posture, metabolism is decreased to the barest minimum. With the asana position, the emotions are also lessened. As a result, there is very little air taken in and exhaled at an extremely slow rate of respiration. The breathing is the only thing on the mind. The mind also slows down and quiets as the breathing does.

The ‘Self’ Control –

When the “Self” (Soul) is properly realised, it grows strong enough to exert direct control over the mind. This method is advanced and very challenging for beginners to use. The system of meditation benefits from all of the aforementioned strategies. Numerous meditation techniques have been developed, and many people have taken benefit of them. We will study the beginner-friendly Easy Meditation Technique.

EASY MEDITATION TECHNIQUE

Introduction
As the name implies, this is a very straightforward and uncomplicated meditation practise that everyone may use, regardless of age, sex, or physical condition. Patients can adhere to this. As a result, the body and mind enjoy serenity and quiet.

Pre-requisites

Preposition
Procedure

Pre-requisites –

This exercise must be performed on an empty stomach (3 hours after the meals and 1hour after drinking any soft drink.) You must wear baggy clothing or remove your belt or tie to do so. Take off your shoes, watch, etc. You should set aside at least 10 minutes for this practise because it can be done for any amount of time. The seating arrangement ought to be cosy. Avoid distractions like the phone, bells, excessive light, or any other bothersome factors.

Preposition –

Sit comfortably on a sofa or easy chair. Legs should be straightened without being stretched. Keep your hands loosely on the chair or your knees. Do not tense up your fingers. Gently shut your eyes. Unwind your body.

Procedure –

From the toes to the head, slowly and one by one, relax all of your muscles. Your mind and body experience pleasure when your muscles are relaxed. The breathing slows down as the muscles become more relaxed. Now concentrate your thoughts on breathing. Watch your breathing instead of trying to regulate it. Breathing slows down as the body relaxes. The Mind gets quiet and serene as the breathing slows down. The body relaxes more as the mind becomes quiet and peaceful, which also slows down breathing, and so on. When the predetermined amount of time has passed, come to preposition while paying attention to your breathing and body parts.