Yoga Meditation

There are so many forms and systems of yoga meditation that are being popularized in many parts of the world today, many of which have been developed based on experience, scientific research and study, others from mental speculation. Some may see some results and experience some benefits, yet others may end up frustrated. Learning the real meaning of Yoga Meditation and tracing its authoritative source is deemed to guide yoga meditation practitioners from being misled and help them attain the real benefits and goals of yoga meditation.

Yoga Meditation means controlling the mind and material senses by focusing on the energy within the body. As such, it can be understood that controlling the mind is very difficult as the mind is restless and very easily agitated. Since birth, the mind has been contaminated with all sorts of false ego, pride, lust, and desires and thus an individual is always disturbed by various anxieties. Learning to calm the mind and to tap the energy within is one of the main goals of yoga meditation. And this is still possible if we can follow the basic principles of yoga meditation outlined as follows:

"To practice yoga, one should go to a secluded place and follow the proper sitting postures. One should then try to fix his mind on one point and purify the heart by controlling his mind, senses and activities."

"One should hold one's body, neck and head erect in a straight line and stare steadily at the tip of the nose. Thus, with an unagitated, subdued mind, devoid of fear, completely free from desires, one should meditate upon the energy within and realize his true identity in relationship with the whole cosmic creation"

"Therefore practicing constant control of the body, mind and activities, the yogi's regulated mind, attains to the highest goal of life by cessation of material existence."

"There is no possibility of one's becoming a yogi, if one eats too much or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough. He should be regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work."

"In the stage of perfection called trance, one's mind is completely restrained from material mental activities, by practice of yoga. This perfection is characterized by one's ability to see the self by the pure mind and to relish and rejoice in the self. In that joyous state, one is situated in boundless transcendental happiness, realized through transcendental senses. Established consequently, one never departs from the truth, and upon gaining this he thinks there is greater gain. Being situated in such a position, one is never shaken, even in the midst of greatest difficulty. This indeed is believed to be actual freedom from all miseries arising from material contact".

Yoga Meditation is not as simple as it may seem, it needs one to be truly ready both physically and mentally, as the goal of yoga meditation is not just of the body but most importantly, liberty of the mind from all material connection as well.