Meditation: Difference between revisions

In the teachings of [[Shrii Shrii Anandamurti]], '''meditation''' (or ''dhyána'') is the ultimate spiritual technique for self-realization or God-realization. Its practice affords great inner happiness and peace. According to Anandamurti, the culmination of meditation is ''nirvikalpa samádhi'' (the trance of indeterminate absorption, or total suspension of the mind).<ref name="AMCC">{{cite book|title=[[Ananda Marga Caryacarya Part 1]]|publisher=[[Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha]]|author=[[Shrii Shrii Anandamurti]]|chapter=[[Sadhana]]}}</ref>

The eight steps or limbs of Astaunga Yoga include:<ref name="AMCC" />

[[Anandamurti]] notes that the practice of astaunga yoga fill one's individual self with the sense of universal consciousness in three stages.<ref name="AMIWL">{{cite book|title=[[Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 9]]|publisher=[[Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha]]|author=[[Shrii Shrii Anandamurti]]|chapter=The Science of Action}}</ref>

There are numerous types of meditation. In the Ananda Marga system, as developed by Anandamurti, there are various levels of meditation practice, depending on the needs and qualifications of the person. All meditation lessons are taught by acaryas free of charge to any qualified and interested person. <ref??>

'''Sahaja Yoga''' is the standard meditation system taught in Ananda Marga. It consists of six meditation lessons, using concepts and practices similar to Astaunga Yoga. These are taught step by step over a period of time by the acharyas (the spiritual teachers) of Ananda Marga. As practitioners of this system of yoga are expected to practice asanas, they must also maintain a sentient vegetarian diet. <ref??>

'''Prarambhika Yoga''' is an elementary form of meditation. It consists of the first two lessons of Sahaj yoga.  It is taught to those for whom it is inconvenient to do the more extensive forms of meditation, such as sadharana or sahaja.  As there is no requirement for asanas in this system, there are no dietary restrictions. If one’s circumstances change, it is possible to then learn the more advanced practices in the Ananda Marga system. <ref??>

'''Sadharana Yoga''' is an intermediate form of meditation. It is taught to those for whom the more advanced sahaja yoga is inconvenient to practice, or for some other reason they cannot practice sahaja yoga.  It does not include all the meditation lessons of sahaja yoga and there is some difference in the way that the lessons are taught in sadharana or sahaja yoga. Asanas are not required in this system and there are no dietary restrictions.<ref??>

=== Vishesa Yoga ===

'''Vishesa Yoga''' is an advanced form of meditation. It is for those who are adept in the practices of sahaja yoga, who have an ardent desire to learn this higher yoga, and who can afford to devote sufficient time every day for the same. Vishesha yoga can only be taught by the senior acharyas of Ananda Marga who are considered adept in the practice of Vishesha Yoga.<ref??>