What is Meditation?

Meditation means “Dhyana” in Sanskrit which means to contemplate.
”Dhi” means the mind or mental faculties and “ayan” means discipline.

Meditation in literal sense means the way/method/process to discipline the mind and its thoughts, to harness its full potential .It is amongst one of the eight limbs of Ashtang Yoga which leads to Samadhi or liberation or enlightenment. Development of the mind leading to awareness, tranquility and wisdom though all the focus in meditation is on mind, but at a subtle level it is characterized by calming down the breath. Life is easier when we take time to breathe. In the words of an enlightened master Swami Sivananda

“Meditation is the only royal road to the attainment of freedom”

This freedom is not the freedom from negative thoughts or vibes but liberation from the illnesses of body, mind and soul. In day to day life we face many physical conditions, the reason to which is mostly in stress, tension, undisciplined food habits, unhealthy life style etc. But in most of the cases the reason is the malaise of mind. Due to fast paced life we loose touch of our own selves, and keep on piling up the baggage of negative emotions, unsolved quarrels, “to do” list or jobs unfinished. In a nut shell our own desires and aversions become the cause of our misery. We often forget that “Self knowledge is the road to Self mastery”.

Why Meditate?

In order to be free form the shackles of daily tension, physical diseases, vicious circle of birth and death, we need to look for the root cause of these problems. The root lies in out mind. As any sorrow or happiness takes birth two times, first in the workshop of our mind and second when we face it .So the best way to take care of our bodies and minds is to take care of our thoughts and to take care of thoughts we meditate.

How to Meditate?

Focus: Focus on the breath flow as it is, and do not try to manipulate it. Just be aware how the breath goes in and comes out, feel the touch of breath on the inner walls of nostril, the temperature of air going in and coming out, the sensations in and around the nostril area. Observe the thoughts and sensations of the physical body like a stranger. Do not react to any thought or sensation. Whenever the mind wonders bring it back to breathing by being aware of it. Keep on trying to focus only on breathing or sensation. Either one at a time. Practice for about 30-45 minutes daily, at the same time, and same place to increase the concentration power, focusing ability and finally to calm down the mind and attain peace.