Basic Elements For Meditation

Mind, always tries to associates itself with some issues, events, objects or thoughts. As we have various perceptions, generally our mind runs behind such as sensory perceptions. Reducing these perceptions helps to calm and stabilize the mind.

Following are the basic essentials for  Dharana or Dhyana,

A quiet place

In the initial stage prefer a quiet place with minimum distractions and avoid noisy sounds, strong breeze, different smells, extremely bright light. Make surroundings pleasurable to the mind.

Later, as you get good practice, you may be able to meditate well in noisy places also like railway stations, on trains etc...

A comfortable or poised posture

Posture plays a very important role in meditation. One should have poised and stable posture. Poised posture promotes the right state of attention-awareness for successful meditation. Meditative asanas are used to properly align the head and the spine. In turn, they also promote a state of relaxation that may be influenced by the improved circulation these postures elicit. This means that while the mind is at rest, the body's major organs and glands are enjoying a great deal of energy.

Following posture are recommended for meditation,

Padma asana (Lotus posture)

Ardha Padma asna (Half Lotus Posture)

Vajrasana  

Sukhasana

One should have the practice of sitting firmly, yet comfortably in a particular pose for a longer duration. Otherwise, the mind will get diverted towards the signals from various muscles.

Target

   A target may be anything that gives tranquility and serenity to the mind eg.

   Flame of a candle,

   A photograph of any deity,

   A point on the wall,

   A mantra,

   Mediator’s own breathing

   etc…

A passive attitude or poised awareness

This is a very crucial element of meditation. In this process relaxation and alertness are in perfect balance, so it is called as a poised awareness or attention-awareness because.

A passive attitude means that distractions from environmental sounds, skin tingles etc., and the inevitable intrusion into the mind of thoughts and images are viewed casually and detachedly. Let them come and go but, don’t chess them.