Meditation Swami Ishwarananda

Christianity/Judaism/Islam’s view: Meditate on events of Jesus’ life Meditate on events of Jesus’ life Meditate on a verse of Torah to uncover the meaning (Jewish) Meditate on a verse of Torah to uncover the meaning (Jewish) Meditate on one or more of the several of the Qur’an’s Ninety-nine Most Beautiful Names of God. Meditate on one or more of the several of the Qur’an’s Ninety-nine Most Beautiful Names of God.

In In solitude – he sits cross-legged – body erect – mindfully he breathes, knowing “I breathe in long” and breathes out, knowing “I breathe out long”… When When he walks he knows ‘I am walking”, and while standing he knows “I am standing.” He He reflects on the body: ‘There are in this body: hairs of the head, body hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, marrow, kidney, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, bowels, intestines, feces, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, saliva, mucus, urine.”… MINDFULNESS – contemplating body in the body He who meditates… Buddhism

MINDFULNESS – contemplating feelings in feelings When experiencing pleasant feeling he knows, “I experience a pleasant feeling”, when experiencing painful feeling he knows, “I experience a painful feeling.”… When experiencing pleasant feeling he knows, “I experience a pleasant feeling”, when experiencing painful feeling he knows, “I experience a painful feeling.”… MINDFULNESS – contemplating consciousness He knows the consciousness with anger as with anger; consciousness without anger as without anger… He knows the consciousness with anger as with anger; consciousness without anger as without anger… MINDFULNESS – contemplating mental objects When the sense desire is present he knows, “The sense desire is in me,” when it is not present he knows, “There is no sense desire in me.”… When the sense desire is present he knows, “The sense desire is in me,” when it is not present he knows, “There is no sense desire in me.”… Buddhism

Verily, from meditation arises wisdom. Without meditation wisdom wanes. Concentration is unafflicted one-pointedness Calm is his mind, calm is his speech, calm is his action, who rightly knowing, is wholly freed, perfectly peaceful and equipoised. -Buddhism

Hindu/Jain/Taoist view: Meditation is to: Stay in solitude Stay in solitude Control the senses Control the senses Control thoughts and feelings Control thoughts and feelings Reach the state of stillness Reach the state of stillness Result : revelation of Self within Result : revelation of Self within

Meditation – Bhagavad-Gita Those who eat too much, or too little, who sleep too much or too little will not succeed in meditation. But those who are moderate in eating, sleeping, work and recreation will come to the end of sorrow through meditation. Those who eat too much, or too little, who sleep too much or too little will not succeed in meditation. But those who are moderate in eating, sleeping, work and recreation will come to the end of sorrow through meditation. Select a clean spot – sit firmly – hold your body, head and neck firmly in a straight line, and keep your eyes from wandering. Select a clean spot – sit firmly – hold your body, head and neck firmly in a straight line, and keep your eyes from wandering. Whenever the mind wanders, there and then turn it inward. Whenever the mind wanders, there and then turn it inward. Through practice withdraw the mind from all wanderings and absorb in the Self. Through practice withdraw the mind from all wanderings and absorb in the Self.

Meditation – Sri Ramana Maharshi Meditation is the stage before Realization. Meditation is the stage before Realization. Meditation is sticking to one thought. It keeps away all other thoughts. It weakens all other thoughts such as “I am the body”, “I am a proud father of my children” and so on. Meditation is sticking to one thought. It keeps away all other thoughts. It weakens all other thoughts such as “I am the body”, “I am a proud father of my children” and so on. A beginner can begin with meditating on a form (of God) or symbol. A beginner can begin with meditating on a form (of God) or symbol. In the beginning stages, Meditation is a fight by one thought against many thoughts. Strengthen the single thought. Later, it will stay on even when you are engaged in other activities of life. In the beginning stages, Meditation is a fight by one thought against many thoughts. Strengthen the single thought. Later, it will stay on even when you are engaged in other activities of life. Thought-free consciousness is the goal of Meditation Thought-free consciousness is the goal of Meditation

Meditation – Swami Chinmayananda Mind turned towards its source – the SELF - is the Art of Meditation. Mind turned towards its source – the SELF - is the Art of Meditation. True Meditation can fashion out of an ordinary person an incomparable genius. True Meditation can fashion out of an ordinary person an incomparable genius. Leave the idols alone. Turn inwards. Reach the silence. Burst into it and scale the heights to arrive at the depths of that which is all these. Taste it and be silent within. When full, there shall be no blabbering, no words. Leave the idols alone. Turn inwards. Reach the silence. Burst into it and scale the heights to arrive at the depths of that which is all these. Taste it and be silent within. When full, there shall be no blabbering, no words. MEET ME THERE.

What is NOT Meditation Chanting the name of the Lord (Japa), Mantra-s, Stotram-s and Prayers – these are good to quiet the mind. Chanting the name of the Lord (Japa), Mantra-s, Stotram-s and Prayers – these are good to quiet the mind. Contemplation on the verses from Scriptures. Contemplation on the verses from Scriptures. Concentration on objects. Concentration on objects. Control of breath – Pranayama. Control of breath – Pranayama. Visualizations. Visualizations. Mindful engagement in activities. Mindful engagement in activities.

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What is Mind? Mind is flow of thoughts – An activity in the brain (made of water, lipid and protein). Mind is flow of thoughts – An activity in the brain (made of water, lipid and protein). At any time there is only one thought. At any time there is only one thought. Rapid succession of thoughts make it appear that there is the presence of ‘Mind.’ Rapid succession of thoughts make it appear that there is the presence of ‘Mind.’ Slowing down the thoughts is a necessary preparation for Meditation. Slowing down the thoughts is a necessary preparation for Meditation.

What is a Thought? When an object is perceived through eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin, a thought is experienced When an object is imagined through memory also a thought is experienced Thoughts are created in your own brain and therefore there is no source of thought outside you. Thoughts do not know thoughts! Awareness is that which is conscious of thoughts – their presence and absence. In Meditation your focus should be on Awareness and NOT on object of perception Object of Perception Awareness Thought +=

MIND WAKING Sense perceptions Thought Awareness Experience of joy reflected by objects, emotions & thoughts DREAM No external Sense perceptions Thought Awareness Experience of joy reflected by self- created Objects, emotions & thoughts SLEEP No external Sense Perceptions & Thoughts No Thought Awareness Experience of joy due to absence of objects, emotions & thoughts Flow of thoughtsAwareness

MIND WAKING Sense perceptions Thought Awareness Self Awareness Pleasure from the world – Objects, Emotions & Thoughts DREAM No external Sense Perceptions Thought Awareness No Self Awareness Pleasure from Self-created world- Objects, emotions & thoughts Flow of thoughts Awareness Engagements of the mind in Waking & Dream

Mind in Sleep & Meditation

No Mind STATE OF MEDITATION Bliss Full Awareness

Flicker-less Flame Mind unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place is the state of deep meditation.-Gita 6.19 Lamp – Mind Wick – Intellect Oil – Practice with Love Windless place – Absence of distractions (like desire etc) The spark to light-up the lamp is the knowledge provided by the teacher / scripture

Benefits of Meditation Calmness of the mind Calmness of the mind Cheerfulness Cheerfulness Clarity in thinking Clarity in thinking Absence of anxiety Absence of anxiety Concentration Concentration Due to practice of attention on silence Due to inner bliss Ability to regulate the the flow of thoughts Due to less interest in seeking joy from objects Due to practice of mindfulness