Achieving A Meditative State In Yoga Can" t Be Rushed
In todays online world, where everyone seems to be tweeting or updating their status every second of the day, the idea of simply sitting and clearing your mind of all the useless clutter in a quest for peace and clarity may seem strange. And for some people, it might even be impossible.
But clearing one's mind of the useless clutter and reaching a state of calmness and peace is the goal of yoga meditation. To accomplish this goal, the yoga student must learn to be in total control of their thoughts and mind. And while many people may think they currently possess this ability, attempting meditation for the first time may prove them wrong.
What anyone attempting meditation for the first (or even third or tenth time) should realize is that meditation doesnt come easy. Despite the serenity it will eventually bring, teaching your mind to relax and clear itself is a process with important steps and milestones along the way. And one of the most important steps is breathing. By learning to breath in a controlled manner, a yoga practitioner can control their life force, or "prana", increasing it or decreasing it to bring themselves into a sense of balance, which will ease the transition into a meditative state.
By learning to breath in a controlled manner, a yoga practitioner can control their life force, or prana, increasing it or decreasing it to bring themselves into a sense of balance, which will ease the transition into a meditative state.
The life force works its way through the body along paths known as "nadis". The sushumma nadis runs along the spine, while the pinngala and ida nadis run on either side of the sushumma. The prana runs along these paths and is propelled by the student's breathing, thoughts and emotions. The breathing patterns can control the flow of prana that, in turn, will enable the meditation process.
Followiing that thought, one of the first steps in yoga is to gain an awareness of yourself and your body. Begin by lying on your back on the floor or a bed with your arms at your sides and your legs stretched out. Become aware of your surroundings, the way your body is reacting to them. With your eyes closed, feel your body's weight, the weight of your arms and legs. Feel your body sink into the floor or bed and let the various parts of your body come in contact with the surface.
Now try to gain an awareness of your body from top to bottom. Became aware of your body starting with your toes. Then move upwards along your legs, your knees, past your pelvis and on up to your back and shoulders. Become aware of your arms and your hands, your head. Notice areas of discomfort, tension and stress. If you feel a tightness in your muscles in specific area, concentrate on getting that area to relax.
Now focus on your spine, the area where the sushumma flows. Try to visualize the prana or life force flowing along the path. Feel it moving along your spine from the base to your head. Imagine it flowing freely, carrying away all of your tension.
If there seems to be areas where it appears to be blocked or does not flow freely, imagine it being lifted away gently, taking your stress away as well. Lastly, become aware, once again, of your whole body and take note of the area that held tension or were significant to you for whatever reason. At this point, your breaths should be calm and slow. Take notice of the way your breath is flowing in and out of you, whether it is smooth and peaceful or labored. Make a note if your breathing is irregular.
At this stage you should also take note of the thoughts in your mind. Your mind should be calm and clear, but if it isn't, that's OK. This does not mean you have failed at meditation, simply that you will have to practice more at meditation. In fact, many people who attempt to meditate for the first time find that their mind is still distracted by thoughts of work or family commitments. This is to be expected. After a while, you will be able to clear your mind and achieve a deeper level of meditation.
Each time you attempt to meditate, listen to your heartbeat and the way in which you are breathing. Each time, make a mental note of your emotions at the time and your state of mind. And at the conclusion, become aware of your entire being, body, mind and spirit.
It may take some time before you can learn to completely relax, but as we have stated, meditation takes practice. Schedule regular times to practice meditation and learn to listen to your body and mind to reach a level of peach and harmony.
But clearing one's mind of the useless clutter and reaching a state of calmness and peace is the goal of yoga meditation. To accomplish this goal, the yoga student must learn to be in total control of their thoughts and mind. And while many people may think they currently possess this ability, attempting meditation for the first time may prove them wrong.
What anyone attempting meditation for the first (or even third or tenth time) should realize is that meditation doesnt come easy. Despite the serenity it will eventually bring, teaching your mind to relax and clear itself is a process with important steps and milestones along the way. And one of the most important steps is breathing. By learning to breath in a controlled manner, a yoga practitioner can control their life force, or "prana", increasing it or decreasing it to bring themselves into a sense of balance, which will ease the transition into a meditative state.
By learning to breath in a controlled manner, a yoga practitioner can control their life force, or prana, increasing it or decreasing it to bring themselves into a sense of balance, which will ease the transition into a meditative state.
The life force works its way through the body along paths known as "nadis". The sushumma nadis runs along the spine, while the pinngala and ida nadis run on either side of the sushumma. The prana runs along these paths and is propelled by the student's breathing, thoughts and emotions. The breathing patterns can control the flow of prana that, in turn, will enable the meditation process.
Followiing that thought, one of the first steps in yoga is to gain an awareness of yourself and your body. Begin by lying on your back on the floor or a bed with your arms at your sides and your legs stretched out. Become aware of your surroundings, the way your body is reacting to them. With your eyes closed, feel your body's weight, the weight of your arms and legs. Feel your body sink into the floor or bed and let the various parts of your body come in contact with the surface.
Now try to gain an awareness of your body from top to bottom. Became aware of your body starting with your toes. Then move upwards along your legs, your knees, past your pelvis and on up to your back and shoulders. Become aware of your arms and your hands, your head. Notice areas of discomfort, tension and stress. If you feel a tightness in your muscles in specific area, concentrate on getting that area to relax.
Now focus on your spine, the area where the sushumma flows. Try to visualize the prana or life force flowing along the path. Feel it moving along your spine from the base to your head. Imagine it flowing freely, carrying away all of your tension.
If there seems to be areas where it appears to be blocked or does not flow freely, imagine it being lifted away gently, taking your stress away as well. Lastly, become aware, once again, of your whole body and take note of the area that held tension or were significant to you for whatever reason. At this point, your breaths should be calm and slow. Take notice of the way your breath is flowing in and out of you, whether it is smooth and peaceful or labored. Make a note if your breathing is irregular.
At this stage you should also take note of the thoughts in your mind. Your mind should be calm and clear, but if it isn't, that's OK. This does not mean you have failed at meditation, simply that you will have to practice more at meditation. In fact, many people who attempt to meditate for the first time find that their mind is still distracted by thoughts of work or family commitments. This is to be expected. After a while, you will be able to clear your mind and achieve a deeper level of meditation.
Each time you attempt to meditate, listen to your heartbeat and the way in which you are breathing. Each time, make a mental note of your emotions at the time and your state of mind. And at the conclusion, become aware of your entire being, body, mind and spirit.
It may take some time before you can learn to completely relax, but as we have stated, meditation takes practice. Schedule regular times to practice meditation and learn to listen to your body and mind to reach a level of peach and harmony.
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