PREFACE

NAMAN TO ADIGURU SHANKARA,

NAMAN TO SRI GANESHA ,

NAMAN TO POSITIVE ENERGIES,

NAMAN TO NEGATIVE ENERGIES,

NAMAN TO MA DASMAHAVIDYA,

NAMAN TO DAKSHINAMURTI SHIVA,

05 FACTS TO INTRODUCE THIS BOOK ....

1-In this volume of ''SELF REALIZATION''..Here is the essence of types of Meditation ..THE INNER YOGA ; in a nutshell.

2-Meditation can be defined as a practice where an individual uses a technique, such as focusing their mind on a particular object, thought or activity, to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state.

3-The English meditation is derived from the Latin meditatio, from a verb meditari, meaning "to think, contemplate, devise, ponder".Meditation has been practiced since antiquity in numerous religious traditions and beliefs. Since the 19th century, it has spread from its origins to other cultures.

4-Meditation may be used with the aim of reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and pain, and increasing peace, perception, self-concept, and well-being.

5-Meditation is under research to define its possible health (psychological, neurological, and cardiovascular) and other effects.

THE SEVEN TYPES OF MEDITATION

1-Transcendental Meditation comes from the Hindu tradition is a simplified practice that emerges from Vedanta, the meditative tradition within Hinduism. In TM, you sit with your back straight (ideally in the Lotus or half-Lotus posture), and use a mantra, a sacred word that is repeated. Your focus is on rising above all that is impermanent.

TM is a more involved method than either mindfulness or zazen. At the more advanced levels, TM focuses on the breath and changes the breath to change one’s state of being. TM often leads to leaving the body (indeed, that is the aim of the practice).

2-Kundalini Yoga comes from the Hindu tradition

Kundalini is another practice that comes from Vedanta. Kundalini is the name for the rising stream of energy that exists in a human being . The aim of Kundalini meditation is to become aware of that rising stream, and to ride the stream to infinity.

3-Guided visualization is a popular form of meditation that involves concentration upon an image or imaginary environment. It is usually done while listening to a recording. An example would be to imagine you are in a grassy field, with a clear sky overhead. There is sometimes a focus on the breath, but generally no attempt to use or control the breath, and because the sensation is imaginary, and the impetus for it comes from outside, the practice tends to be rather passive.

4-Mindfulness/Vipassana comes from the Buddhist tradition & the most popular form of meditation in the western world.

It’s all about ‘being present’, letting your mind run, and accepting whatever thoughts come up, while practicing detachment from each thought.

5-Zazen comes from the Japanese Buddhist tradition

Zazen is the generic term for seated meditation in the Buddhist tradition, but in the modern Zen tradition, it is often referred to as ‘just sitting’. It is a minimal kind of meditation, done for long periods of time, with little instruction beyond the basics of posture (sit with your back straight).

6-Qi gong comes from the Taoist tradition that uses

the breath to circulate energy through the organs and energy centers of the body in a oval pattern called the ‘microcosmic orbit’.Attention is focused on the breath and the circulation of energy (called ‘qi’ or ‘chi’). Attention is also focused on the three major centers used in Taoist meditation: a point about two inches below the navel, the center of the chest, and the center of the forehead.

7-Heart Rhythm Meditation (HRM)

Heart Rhythm Meditation focuses on the breath and heartbeat, making the breath full, deep, rich, rhythmic, and balanced. Attention is focused on the heart as the center of the energetic system. One tries to identify oneself with the heart.Further, your power and sensitivity are always in service of your heart, so you become compassionate.

NOTE;-

1-Actually, I do't believe that any meditation technique is superior to another one, it all depends on the context, some are good in the morning, some are good at night, some are good when you’re energized, some are good when you feel weak. After all, the true gist of meditation is to be fully present, with whatever the existence is throwing at you.

2-One thing has to be remembered about meditation; it is a long journey and there is no shortcut. Anyone who says there is a shortcut is befooling you. Many meditative techniques require one to sit still and silent. But for most of us accumulated stress in our bodymind makes that difficult. Before we can hope to access our inner powerhouse of consciousness, we need to let go of our tensions.

3-A man becoming a meditator is the greatest responsibility in the world. It is not easy. it cannot be instant. So from the beginning never start expecting too much and then you will never be frustated. You will always be happy because things will grow very slowly.

MY REQUEST;-

While attempting this book, care has been taken to avoid ambiguity, by expressing everything in simple language, without resorting to complicate things by adding Sanskrit Shlokas etc. I am grateful to Prakhar ji, because of him, it is online today.I am not a scholar, only a simple bhakt, so it is requested to overlook my mistakes.

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO MY LORD SHIVA..

....SHIVOHAM...