Meditation: Difference between revisions
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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=" | 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="Sadhana">{{cite book|title=[[Ananda Marga Caryacarya Part 1]]|publisher=[[Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha]]|author=[[Shrii Shrii Anandamurti]]|chapter=[[Sadhana]]}}</ref> | ||
== Astaunga Yoga == | == Astaunga Yoga == | ||
'''''Aśt́auṋga Yoga''''' (also known as ''Raja Yoga'', king of yogas) literally means "eight-limbed yoga". It is a selection of ancient practices of ''tantra'', originally compiled by Patanjali (circa 300 BCE) in his book, ''[[:wikipedia:Yoga Sutras of Patanjali|Yoga Sutras of Patanjali]]''. | '''''Aśt́auṋga Yoga''''' (also known as ''Raja Yoga'', king of yogas) literally means "eight-limbed yoga". It is a selection of ancient practices of ''tantra'', originally compiled by Patanjali (circa 300 BCE) in his book, ''[[:wikipedia:Yoga Sutras of Patanjali|Yoga Sutras of Patanjali]]''. | ||
The eight steps or limbs of Astaunga Yoga include:<ref name=" | The eight steps or limbs of Astaunga Yoga include:<ref name="Sadhana" /> | ||
# '''Yama:''' How a person should behave in relation to society. This includes five sub-branches. | # '''Yama:''' How a person should behave in relation to society. This includes five sub-branches. | ||
# '''Niyama:''' Self-regulated conduct. This also includes five sub-branches. | # '''Niyama:''' Self-regulated conduct. This also includes five sub-branches. | ||
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=== Commentary by Anandamurti === | === Commentary by Anandamurti === | ||
[[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> | [[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> | ||
# In the first stage, the individual mind is freed from material or mundane influences so it can concentrate more on the spiritual goal. This stage consists of the first four limbs of astaunga yoga. | # In the first stage, the individual mind is freed from material or mundane influences so it can concentrate more on the spiritual goal. This stage consists of the first four limbs of astaunga yoga. | ||
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== Meditation systems in Ananda Marga == | == Meditation systems in Ananda Marga == | ||
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??> | 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??> | ||
=== Nama Mantra === | |||
'''Náma mantra''' | |||
=== Sahaja Yoga === | === Sahaja Yoga === | ||
'''Sahaja | '''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 name="TPOI" /> | ||
=== Prarambhika Yoga === | === Prarambhika Yoga === | ||
''' | '''Prárambhika 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 name="TPOI" /> | ||
=== Sadharana Yoga === | === Sadharana Yoga === | ||
''' | '''Sádhárańa 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 name="TPOI" /> | ||
=== Vishesa | === Vishesa yoga === | ||
''' | '''Visheśa 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 [[puodha|purodhás]] of Ananda Marga.<ref name="TPOI" /> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 07:54, 12 November 2014
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).[1]
Astaunga Yoga
Aśt́auṋga Yoga (also known as Raja Yoga, king of yogas) literally means "eight-limbed yoga". It is a selection of ancient practices of tantra, originally compiled by Patanjali (circa 300 BCE) in his book, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The eight steps or limbs of Astaunga Yoga include:[1]
- Yama: How a person should behave in relation to society. This includes five sub-branches.
- Niyama: Self-regulated conduct. This also includes five sub-branches.
- Asanas: Asanas are physical postures designed to cure physical or psychic problems, which in turn impede spiritual progress.
- Pranayama: Breath control to help the mind concentrate in meditation.
- Pratyahara: Withdrawing the mind from the external world, as part of meditation.
- Dharana: Concentrating the mind at a particular point.
- Dhyana: Meditation (an unbroken flow of the mind towards the supreme goal).
- Samadhi: Merger or absorption of the individual consciousness into the cosmic consciousness. (This is the ultimate result of the previous seven limbs.)
Commentary by Anandamurti
Anandamurti notes that the practice of astaunga yoga fill one's individual self with the sense of universal consciousness in three stages.[2]
- In the first stage, the individual mind is freed from material or mundane influences so it can concentrate more on the spiritual goal. This stage consists of the first four limbs of astaunga yoga.
- In the second stage, the individual becomes conscious of her/his spiritual nature (realizing that s/he is not the body). This stage consists of the next two limbs of astaunga yoga.
- In the final stage, the individual directs her/his unit identity (or small self) toward the great self (cosmic consciousness) through meditation, ultimately merging in that supreme desideratum. This stage consists of the final two limbs of astaunga yoga.
Meditation systems in Ananda Marga
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??>
Nama Mantra
Náma mantra
Sahaja Yoga
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.[3]
Prarambhika Yoga
Prárambhika 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.[3]
Sadharana Yoga
Sádhárańa 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.[3]
Vishesa yoga
Visheśa 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 purodhás of Ananda Marga.[3]
References
- ^ a b Shrii Shrii Anandamurti "Sadhana" Ananda Marga Caryacarya Part 1 Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha
- ^ Shrii Shrii Anandamurti "The Science of Action" Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 9 Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha
- ^ a b c d Cite error: Invalid
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