"Through Meditation, the Higher Self is experienced."
- Bhagavad Gita
Yoga Meditation Techniques
Pranayama is a Sanskrit word that is composed from two words, Prana meaning "life force" and Yama meaning "to control." With this practice, the breath is used to control the vital life force in the body.
Third Eye Meditation
While sitting in Meditation focus the attention on the spot between the eye brows known as the Third eye Chakra, Brow Chakra or Ajna Chakra.
The attention is constantly redirected to the Ajna Chakra as a means of silencing the mind or creating gaps in thought, with effort to extend the gaps in thought until the mind becomes still and empty.
While sitting the practitioner focuses on the seven main Chakras running from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, intently focusing on a Yantra that is associated with the Chakra, chanting a Mantra that is associated with the Chakra, focusing on the color of the Chakra and or focusing on the sensations produced by the Chakra.
Trataka Meditation
In Sanskrit, Trataka means "to look" or "to gaze." This practice is also known as candle gazing or gazing Meditation and can also be practiced with a Yantra or symbol. This is practiced by gazing into a candle flame or Yantra until the eyes shed tears, then the practitioner closes the eyes and focuses on the after image in the minds eye until the image starts to fade and the practice starts over.
A set of energizing breathing and a Meditation practice with purification of the mind, body and spirit at the center of the practice.
In Sanskrit, Nada means "sound." Nada Yoga is the practice of listening to external sounds during meditation. While sitting in meditation the practitioner listens to the sounds of nature that are close by and distant, another sound is the sound of a Mantra or calming music such as meditation music. The ultimate goal of Nada Yoga is to hear the Para Nada meaning "ultimate sound," OM.
Tantra
In Sanskrit, Tantra means "loom," "warp" or "weave." Tantra offers several different practices with self-realization as the focal point. With 108 meditations, the Vijnanabhairava Tantra is a good source of practice for an advanced practitioner that requires a level of stillness for a successful practice.
Mahasati Meditation
In Sanskrit, Maha means "great" and Sati means "Self-Awareness" or mindfulness," therefore Mahasati Meditation means Great Self-Awareness or Great Mindfulness Meditation. This practice is also known as dynamic Meditation and is a form of Vipassana Meditation, which originated in Southeast Asia with the base of the teachings coming from Luangpor Teean Jittasubho. This practice is intended to eliminate suffering through clear seeing and understanding of the mind and body.
Buddhist Meditation Techniques
Buddhism has a rich tradition of practicing Meditation with the following few examples. In Buddhism, the language used is Pali, while in Yoga, the language used is Sanskrit.
Anapanasati
In Sanskrit, and Pali Anapanasati means “mindfulness of breathing” and is a core Meditation practice in some traditions of Buddhism as well as a fundamental form of Meditation that was taught by the Buddha.
Satipatthana
In Pali, Satipatthana means “foundation of mindfulness” and is often translated to as “the four foundations of mindfulness.” The practice of Satipatthana includes the mindfulness of the body, sensations, mind and mental phenomena.
Brahmavihara, also known as The Four Immeasurables
Karuna meaning “compassion,” Metta meaning “loving kindness,” appreciative joy and equanimity or the ability to see all beings as equals. Practicing Brahmavihara is said to open the heart.
Kammatthana
In Sanskrit, Karmasthana means “the place of work,” with the original meaning “someone's occupation.” Kammatthana has several distinct related definitions, all involving a Buddhist Meditation practice.
Samatha
Calming the mind and the formations or thoughts through the practice of Meditation, with the most common practice being mindfulness of breathing.
Vipassana
Means “to see things as they really are” and is a practice of that points to the three marks of existence. Impermanence, suffering and the realization of the True Self or Higher Self. The practice of Vipassana is also known as a practice of mental purification through Self-observation.
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