Kabbalah Meditation

What is Kabbalah?

Kabbalah is an ancient Jewish mystical system of meditation that teaches the profoundest insights into the essence of God, how He interacts with the world and the purpose of creation. Kabbalah and its teachings are an integral part of Torah, the entire body of Jewish wisdom and teachings, both the Oral law and the Written law. Some Jewish scholars even suggest that Torah is the hand-written scroll of the Divine Law or the Five Books of Moses.

Kabbalah Meditation

Kabbalah meditations were devised by the Jewish mystics over 2,000 years ago to enhance the awareness and access higher planes of consciousness. The aim of Kabbalah meditation is to make the practitioners the true carriers of the light of God. Kabbalah meditation continues to flourish in the oral tradition and rises above the written word. This system will enable you to attain peace and happiness through the union with God.

The Objective of Kabbalah Meditation

The objective of Kabbalah meditation transcends the need for relaxation and quieting the mind. Kabbalah meditation enables the seekers to directly interact with the higher worlds and bring about positive changes in life. It wipes off the negative influences both from your body and mind and establishes the power of mind over the matter. The essence of Kabbalah meditation is to bring new resources of joy, love and understanding to everything you do.

Kabbalah meditation explores the complex character of the divine reality particularly the inability of the human thought to grasp Him. It uses various techniques including meditations on Hebrew letter permutations and combinations and the ways in which sefirot or the supernatural forces harmonize and interact with each other. These meditative techniques produce visionary experiences of the angels and their residential chambers. Another important objective of Kabbalah is to rectify the imperfections of the soul rather than creating spiritual knowledge.

Benefits of Meditation

When we start practicing meditation, we start feeling relaxed, peaceful and happy. This is a kind of inter-generative process. You meditate and you get the reward in forms of joy and happiness, which in turn motivates you to meditate more. In course of time, it becomes your automatic practice, a kind of ‘sanskar’. You feel uneasy and think something is missing from your life if you do not meditate on any particular day. When you start your day with meditation, the peace and joy generated last with you whole day whatever the nature of your activities. It is like taking a healthy and nourishing diet before the start of a strenuous and stressful routine of the day.

Meditation enables you to become aware of your inner resources of joy and peace. You can tap them whenever you feel stressed and worried. You acquire a habit of detached observation. So if something wrong and irritating happens in course of your day, you can view it as a detached observer. You learn to understand the monkey tricks of your mind. You thus get an inner poise that ultimately percolates into your daily life. The peace and joy that you acquire become infectious to those around you. In this way you try to make the whole environment happy and peaceful.

Although meditation is a great tool for relaxation and peace of mind, it can become a path for our spiritual quest for the ultimate spiritual goal of self-enlightenment and God realization or nirvana. Meditation may help us overcome our ego and body consciousness which are the main causes of most of human suffering, tensions, conflicts at personal and larger levels. Meditation helps us understand that our real nature is an integral part of the divine or transcendental consciousness.

Scientific studies have conclusively proved the benefits of meditation for our mind and body. According to search results released by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, meditation has been shown to produce lasting beneficial changes in immune-system function as well as brain electrical activity. “Researchers found about 50 percent more electrical activity in the left frontal regions of the brains of the meditators. Other research has showed that part of the brain is associated with positive emotions and anxiety reduction.”

Healing Meditation

I sit in a comfortable position
And I begin to feel my mind relaxing
I forget the past
And my imagined future
Now it is time to focus
On my own well being
And I visualize myself stepping out of my physical body
And feel my self being up above
And looking down on my physical body
And I begin to feel myself
Radiating a healing golden light
To myself
And I focus this golden light onto my heart
And I now feel this light radiating
And following the heart thru to all the veins and arteries
And I visualize this golden light
Going to the heart and filling Every vein with golden healing light
And I feel and see this golden healing light flowing through every part of my physical body
And everywhere that this light touches it is healing and rejuvenating
and it feels very positive
It is cleaning away toxins and injecting new life and energy
Into my physical body
Because I love my self
And I want to experience health and happiness
And now I focus in on the stomach
And I send a golden green light
To relax and heal the stomach
And I see the light being absorbed
Into the body
And becoming light energy
And filling the body with this golden green light
And it is transforming the light into energy
My body is filled with this golden energy
And healing every part of my being
And my body is filled with this golden healing light
And now I send blue light
To all the other organs
And I feel this blue light
Healing them and filling my body with this beautiful relaxing blue light
And I talk to this body filled wit blue golden light and I say
That I care for you, and I will heal you
Because I love you
Because you are the chariot for my soul
And with this blue golden light it removes all
Toxins and any negative energies
And I see my body as being healthy
In the present and in the future
And I radiate out this blue golden healing light
To the whole world
And wish good health and happiness from me to every person in the world

Healing Meditation

Please try this meditation to relax and heal the body mind and soul.

Sit in a comfortable position

Start to imagine that your body is slowly filling with light, starting from the feet and slowly moving upwards

As the light is moving up your body ----- feel that this light is relaxing the muscles and your mind.

Now imagine that any areas of disease or pain in your body is surrounded by a dark shadow which represents the unhealthy area.

I feel the light moving upwards until my entire body is filled with light and every muscle of my body is feeling relaxed.

Now feel that your body of light is radiating the light out from your eyes, the light is shining as if a torch is shinning out from your eyes.

Now feel that you are directing the light towards any area of the body that is giving you pain or discomfort, represented as a shadow on your body.

Feel that you are sending extra light to this area that is in pain or discomfort.

Imagine that the diseased or painful areas have dark shadows surrounding it.

Now feel that you are shinning a loving healing light to the diseased or painful areas so that the darkness is removed.

I radiate my shining light to my body and fill my bodies with this warm healing light.

I now radiate this healing light to the world.

I begin to feel that this healing light is returning me to health and vitality

Perfect health is available to me now.

Love All Equally Meditation

Free meditations has recieved this meditation from one of our website visitors. We greatly feel that everyone can learn from our friend Ian's "Love All Equally Meditation".

Hi,

I realy enjoyed the meditations you have posted. I though I could contribute a couple I have been using with my students.(I'm a maths teacher in a secondary International school)

Love All Equally Meditation (to be done as a group)

Sitting comfortably, on the floor cross legged or on a chair with feet flat on the ground. Rest your hands palm down on your knees and connect the thumb and the index finger.

Take a look around the room and take a mental photo of everyone in the room, where they are sat, etc.

Close your eyes and take three consecutive deep breaths.
Breathe in deep, breathe out long
Breathe in deep, breathe out long
Breathe in deep, breathe out long
Return to breathing normally

Be aware of the breath coming in and the breath coming out. Feel the air coming in through your nostrils and going out.

If thoughts arise, don't fight them, just observe them as if they where distant clouds, and they will eventually fly by. Just focus on your breath, for 5-10 minutes

Now, recall that mental image of the room. Visualize peoples faces.
Now bring to mind a person whom you love intensly, like, your mum, you, girl/boy friend, Husband/wife.

Think of how warm this person makes you feel, their kindness and their generosity.

Imagine that everybody's face in the room, transforms into the face of your loved one.

The room is filled by loved ones, imagine how nice the world would be if everyone was this nice, this loving, this kind.

Just, focus on your breath and sit in the company of your loved ones.for a while.

Realise that everyone is in fact capable of such love and kindness, for we are all equal, we are all made of the same vibrating energy, that is the fabric of the universe.

You become aware that you can feel love towards anyone in the same way as you love your mum, dad, etc, for they are the same.

Sit observing your breath come in, and go out

When you are ready you may open your eyes, and sit in quiet contemplation.

Hope this was as enjoyable for you as it is for me.

Meditation by Ian Radcliffe

Sahaj Marg Meditation

What is Sahaj Marg?

There are many systems of meditation that exist in the world today, each having different objectives and intentions. Sahaj Marg, meaning “natural path” is the ancient teaching of spiritual training, basing itself on the heart-centered meditation, simplified and modified for people of today’s world. This is a simplified practice, with no rituals or ceremonies, and the power of thought is the only thing used to reach the spiritual goal of complete oneness with the Ultimate.

Meditation is the continuous thought and concentration on one thing, and the founding fathers of Sahaj Marg understand that we meditate on that of which we choose to become. And therefore, with the guidance and spiritual support of the spiritual beliefs that we possess, practitioners meditate on the Divine Presence in the heart as the most direct means of achieving those specific goals.

Integrating the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the human being, the practice of Sahaj Marg encourages people to maintain their routine working life and family.

Cleansing: The teachings of the Sahaj Marg lead us to believe that everything we do and think leave everlasting impressions on both our minds and hearts. During the course of our lifetime, these subconscious impressions build up and begin to deepen into our normal tendencies, conditioning our behavior, therefore preventing us from realizing the potential that can be gained from our spiritual growth.

The Sahaj Marg’s meditation

Sahaj Marg Teachings recognize that throughout one’s meditation stages, the subconscious impressions are not removed; instead they are like seeds laying in wait until the time to bloom is right. The Sahaj Marg offers very specific techniques, known as cleansing, to remove these sorts of tendencies that we possess and prepare the receiver to receive transmission.

Transmission: this is the other essential and unique element of the teachings of the Sahaj Marg. It is the transfer of energies from the Spirits to the Aspirant. This long sleeping technique is known as pranahuti in Sanskrit, and was rediscovered by the Grand Master of the previous century. The spirits, who are merged with the ultimate, is thus able to transmit the spiritual essence into the deepest level of the Aspirants heart.

Meditation is the act of thinking continuously about one thing. In meditation, one is receptive, while in focusing, one uses the will. The ability to enhance concentration is a positive byproduct of meditation.

Sahaj Marg morning meditation

Sit comfortably, with your eyes closed, and possess the thought that our heart is filled with the Divine Light. Sitting comfortably is recommended because during the meditation session, you do not want the body to fault and ruin your concentration, so choose a position that you know you will be comfortable with in the next hour. We sit comfortably only so that we are not bothered by our bodies during meditation. If we become uncomfortable, we may change positions.

But do not lie down and meditate, as the relaxation will put us to sleep.

Regarding the light in the heart, we are not to see it or try and see any light in the heart, as it is merely a supposition that the light is there. The prescribed thought should only be for one hour no less.

As we are all human, when we first sit down to meditate, we will have some sort of disturbing thought. We must learn not to attend to those thoughts but ignore them. So in ignoring the thought, you will see that it will just drop off.

This is where it is necessary to know that all thoughts come from inside us, our own thoughts, in the form of samskaras. If we choose to attend to these thoughts when they rise, they will become powerful, multiplying and eventually go back inside. But when we do not attend to them, we allow them to fall away, thus the inner store of Subconscious impressions become exhausted quickly. This is how we reach the state of thoughtlessness during meditation. However you must remember that thoughtlessness is not our goal.

This covers the morning meditation, apart from the fact that it must be performed before sunrise.

Evening Cleaning

Sit for about a half hour, with a suggestion to yourself that all complexities, impurities including grossness and darkness are leaving the whole system through the back in the form of smoke or vapor, and that in their place, the Divine Light is entering your heart. Do not meditate on those things we wish to eradicate, simply brush them off, and then follow the same meditation.

Sahaj Marg is a natural method based on meditation, by which the mind becomes regulated and refined into an instrument capable of evolving to the highest possible spiritual condition.
Family life is considered as the ideal training ground for spirituality. This is where we learn to develop patience, self-discipine, love and sacrifice - all qualities deemed essential for spiritual growth.

Sahaj Marg meditation teaches that every human faculty has legitimate function and that the proper use of all our faculties leads to a balanced life. Thus there are no dogmas or rigid methods of austerity to be followed.

The Sahaj Marg meditation practice is open to all, irrespective of race, sex or religion. The sole criterion is willingness to practice and the ability to regulate one's mind.

What is the best time of day to do the Sahaj marg morning meditation?

At the time when night meets day, i.e. at Dawn, when Nature is in a state of balance. When we meditate at this time, the outside world resonates with the inner state of balance, and our progress is more rapid.

How do we meditate?

We sit in a comfortable position, with eyes closed, and have the thought that the heart is filled with divine light. We are not required to see the heart, nor are we required to imagine the heart.

Why do we meditate on divine light?

Divine light is the closest thing imaginable to the completely abstract, with no material qualities, and thus to our spiritual goal of oneness with the Absolute, God or inner Self.

Why do we meditate on the heart?

Our Teachers have given three reasons. The heart is the seat of life, and so we meditate on the source of life itself. The heart purifies our blood and distributes it through our body. The purification of the system thus commences from the heart.

Do we need a goal or purpose for meditation?

Meditation must always have a goal or purpose. In Sahaj Marg, the goal is oneness with the Absolute, through the process of spiritual evolution. We meditate with a receptive and prayerful attitude.

Do we need to concentrate?

While meditating, we should not force the mind into concentrating on divine light in the heart. The process of meditation is natural and subtle. By regularly meditating, the mind will naturally become single-pointed, so concentration naturally results from meditation without force.

To find contact details from around the world and more information on the free courses of Sahaj marg meditation go tohttp://www.srcm.org

Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation ® is formed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. This meditation is defined as “turning our attention inwards to ourselves and our subtler level of thoughts until our mind transcends the experience of the subtlest state if thought and arrives at the source of thoughts” (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi).

Steps in TM® Meditation

Step 1 : Sit comfortably
Step 2 : Close your eyes.
Step 3 : Engage in effortless mental repetition of a special sound for approx
twenty minutes, twice daily.

Note: The special sound in step 3 indicates the sound that is found in the TM mantra, which are not recorded down, instead they are passed down through word of mouth.

Practicing TM ®Meditation does not clash with religious belief nor does it require any changes from your lifestyle.

Benefits of TM® Meditation

i) alert watchfulness
ii) increased blood flow
iii) improved learning environment
iv) lessen anxiety and hostility
v) improve therapeutic progress among people who are seeking therapy

*TM and Transcendential meditation is a registered trademark of the Transcendental Meditation Association

Please note the above meditation is not a free meditation.

Zen Meditation

1. Zen meditation allows the mind to relax, please follow theses easy instructions. Sit on the forward third of a chair or a cushion on the floor.

2. Arrange your legs in a position you can maintain comfortably. In the half-lotus position, place your right leg on your left thigh.

In the full lotus position, put your feet on opposite thighs. You may also sit simply with your legs tucked in close to your body, but be sure that your weight is distributed on three points: both of your knees on the ground and your buttocks on the round cushion. On a chair, keep your knees apart about the width of your shoulders, feet firmly planted on the floor.

3. Take a deep breath, exhale fully, and take another deep breath, exhaling fully.

4. With proper physical posture, your breathing will flow naturally into your lower abdomen. Breathe naturally, without judgement or trying to breathe a certain way.

5. Keep your attention on your breath whilst practicing this zen meditation. When your attention wanders, bring it back to the breath again and again -- as many times as necessary! Remain as still as possible, following your breath and returning to it whenever thoughts arise.

6. Be fully, vitally present with yourself. Simply do your very best. At the end of your sitting period, gently swing your body from right to left in increasing arcs. Stretch out your legs, and be sure they have feeling before standing.

7. Practice easy Zen meditation every day for at least ten to fifteen minutes (or longer) and you will discover for yourself the treasure house of the timeless life of zazen -- your very life itself.

Japa Meditation

Regarded as one of most effective ways of meditation, Japa Meditation helps sooth the mind and clears away the numerous impinging problems and worries that cloud it from time to time. Prevalent from ancient times, Japa Meditation has been in vogue and practised by all religions such as Hindus, Christians, Muslims, and others to enable them to experience peace, calmness, and tranquillity in their minds and life.

An indispensable tool for all, which has been handed down from one generation to another, what does Japa Meditation mean?

Meditation involves focusing the mind on a certain objective or thing or thought by shutting out the disturbing external stimuli. Meditation, or the peace of mind, can be achieved by different ways. One of the ways involves mental chanting or repetition of mantras to ease one’s stress and tension. This method is also known as Japa Meditation.

Japa Meditation involves chanting of a mantra, which in most instances are composed of Sanskrit letters which are so arranged so as to evoke a certain response from within the individual. The vibrations of such mantras are extremely effective in creating a very significant change in attitudes and mind-set of individuals. It helps in focusing one’s energies so as to achieve a sense of calmness within oneself.

Mantras can also be any word which evokes a sense of calmness, inspiration, and even respect, such as repeating the name of their God, or anything else.

There are usually two ways in which individuals can practise Japa Meditation. One is audible Japa Meditation, also known as Vaikhari Japa, which includes repetition of mantras in whispers and even audible pitch, and the other is the silent or mental Japa Meditation which is also known as Manasika Japa. Manasika Japa is considered to be extremely powerful as it involves the complete focusing of the mind and hence, once achieved, it tends to obstruct any outside influences from disturbing the mind.

Usually the best ways in which one can practise Japa Meditation is by sitting cross-legged on a sheet or cloth on the ground, and chant the mantra by beading the rosary of 108 beads with concentration, perseverance, and dedication.

A mental activity, Japa Meditation is the best way to ease stress and tension in our lives. When practised correctly, Japa Meditation makes our lives peaceful, calm, and evokes happiness from within ourselves, both from minds and souls.

Descartes Meditation

A masterpiece created in 1641 by philosopher and scholar Rene Descartes, Descartes Meditation is a philosophical piece or treatise which expounds Descartes’ opinions and thoughts on meta-physical system and philosophy.

Owing to its popularity and in-depth philosophical analysis, Descartes Meditation, written in Latin originally, was translated into French in 1647 and consequently, into English. Composed of six parts otherwise called‘meditations’, Descartes Meditation describes in detail the philosophical thoughts and principles of Rene Descartes.

In the first piece of Descartes Meditation, Descartes attempts to reanalyse the beliefs he has held since his childhood in order to establish truth in science. He forms a sceptical belief or hypotheses about everything in the physical world and decides to suspend his theory or judgement on his previously held beliefs.

In the second part of Descartes Meditation, which expounds Descartes theory on the ‘nature of human mind’, Descartes questions his identity, the eternal ‘I’, and introduces a theory of representationalism, and lays down the thought that ‘one’s consciousness implies one’s existence’.

Descartes, in his third part of Descartes Meditation, discusses that there are three main categories of thoughts such as

• volitions
• affections and
• judgements

and propounds that there are two main cause and effect relationships within classes of thought. He states that the two cause and effect relationship within such classes of thought include:

• whether our thoughts do not deceive us or
• whether we are deceived by our thoughts

Furthermore, Descartes, after analysis of such aforementioned classes of thought, also establishes the existence of ‘I’ and God.

In the fourth part of Descartes Meditation, which is also known as the meditation ‘on truth and falsity’, Descartes raises the question that if God who is perfect is the source of all on earth, then why is there falsehood or wrong doings in this world. Analysing his theories, Descartes realises that although God is perfect and has given him a special ability to judge, still his power of judgement, especially of the truth, is not infinite.

Descartes also holds that he errs and is limited in judging the truth because he has limited knowledge which prevents him from understanding why God has created him in a way in which he makes mistakes. He further opines that his inability to understand the way of his creation and understanding of truth stems from a gap between understanding and will.

In the fifth part of Descartes Meditation, Descartes proposes that his knowledge about truth and everything else comes from God.

In the sixth part of Descartes Meditation, Descartes holds that there are other objects and materials which exist outside our ‘self’ and recognises the distinction between mind and body. He concludes by establishing the identity and existence of three things: self, God, and other material objects. According to Descartes, these three things make up what we call ‘reality’.

Mindfulness Meditation

Equipping individuals to deal with stressful situations by accepting them and being aware of them, Mindfulness Meditation is an effective and miraculous technique of meditation against life’s problems and situations.

True, stress, anger, disappointments, frustrations, and other negative emotions adversely affect our minds and even bodies. Such negative emotions and actions should be dealt effectively and set-backs should be accepted without injuring our health. Mindfulness Meditation is that medicine which helps to deal with negative emotions and situations in the most effective manner.

Mindfulness Meditation, also referred to as Insightful Meditation, requires or allows individuals to be aware of their surroundings, to develop a sense of sensitivity in perceiving every moment, and enabling them to accept stressful situations, instead of avoiding them. By being aware of the inner state of our minds during Mindfulness Meditation, we can accept difficult situations in our lives without much resistance.

Through the practise of Meditation, we can train our minds to achieve a state of tranquillity, without being disturbed by outside forces. Mindfulness Meditation helps in training and developing the strengths of the mind to achieve this peacefulness.

One can practise Mindfulness Meditation by sitting in an appropriate upright position, cross-legged, and focussing on our breath or anything else, such as mental and physical processes which help us in becoming aware of our present thought patterns and inner state.

The practice of Mindfulness Meditation focuses our attention on our thoughts, actions, and present moments non-judgmentally. It does not encourage evaluating or thinking on our past actions and neither does it take our thoughts to the uncertain future. Mindfulness Meditation helps and trains our mind from getting distracted by outside disturbances and enables us to focus our thoughts and relax the mind.

Mindfulness Meditation can be conducted or practised through informal and formal techniques. While formal Mindfulness Meditation involves Yoga, in which there is a control and awareness of breathing patterns with appropriate body movements, informal Mindfulness Meditation includes taking into account each experience in life with relish and enjoyment.

Mindfulness Meditation is a technique of introspection or insight through which we can obtain a clear picture of our thoughts and inner states, focus our thoughts, and even train our mind to perceive things and situations more effectively.

Seven Steps Buddhist Breath Meditation

Buddhist breath meditation one. Start out with three or seven long in-and-out breaths, thinking bud- with the in-breath and dho with the out. Keep the meditation syllable as long as the breath.

Buddhist breath meditation two : Be clearly aware of each in-and-out breath during this meditation.

Buddhist breath meditation three : Observe the breath as it goes in and out, noticing whether it's comfortable or uncomfortable, broad or narrow, obstructed or free-flowing, fast or slow, short or long, warm or cool. If the breath doesn't feel comfortable, change it until it does. For instance, if
breathing in long and out long is uncomfortable, try breathing in short and out short. As soon as you find that your breathing feels comfortable, let this comfortable breath sensation spread to the different parts of the body.

To begin with, inhale the breath sensation at the base of the skull and let it flow all the way down the spine. Then, if you are male, let it spread down your right leg to the sole of your foot, to the ends of your toes, and out into the air. Inhale the breath sensation at the
base of the skull again and let it spread down your spine, down your left leg to the ends of your toes and out into the air. (If you are female, begin with the left side first, because the male and female nervous systems are different.)

Then let the breath from the base of the skull spread down over both shoulders, past your elbows and wrists, to the tips of your fingers and out into the air.

Let the breath at the base of the throat spread down the central nerve at the front of the body, past the lungs and liver, all the way down to the bladder and colon.

Inhale the breath right at the middle of the chest and let it go all the way down to your intestines.

Let all these breath sensations spread so that they connect and flow together, and you'll feel a greatly improved sense of well-being.

Buddhist breath meditation four : Learn four ways of adjusting the breath:

a. in long and out long
b. in short and out short,
c. in short and out long,
d. in long and out short.

Breathe whichever way is most comfortable for you. Or, better yet, learn to breathe comfortably all four ways, because your physical condition and your breath are always changing.

Buddhist breath meditation five : Become acquainted with the bases or focal points of the mind--the resting spots of the breath--and center your awareness on whichever one seems most comfortable. A few of these bases are:
a. the tip of the nose,
b. the middle of the head,
c. the palate,
d. the base of the throat,
e. the breastbone (the tip of the sternum),
f. the navel (or a point just above it).

If you suffer from frequent headaches or nervous problems, don't focus on any spot above the base of the throat. And don't try to force the breath or put yourself into a trance. Breathe freely and naturally. Let the mind be at ease with the breath--but not to the point where it slips away.

Buddhist breath meditation six : Spread your awareness--your sense of conscious feeling--throughout the entire body.

Buddhist breath meditation seven : Coordinate the breath sensations throughout the body, letting them flow together comfortably, keeping your awareness as broad as possible.

May your Meditation bring you inner peace and harmony.

Buddhist Meditation

Meditation and mindfulness

In the Buddha's great discourse on the practice of mindfulness, the Maha-Satipatthana Sutta, both the object and the means of attaining it are clearly set forth. Attentiveness to the movements of the body, to the ever-changing states of the mind, is to be cultivated in order that their real nature should be known. Instead of identifying these physical and mental phenomena with the false concept of "self," we are to see them as they really are: movements of a physical body, an aggregate of the four elements, ('mahabhutas') subject to physical laws of causality on the one hand, and on the other, a flux of successive phases of consciousness arising and passing away in response to external stimuli. They are to be viewed objectively, as though they were processes not associated with ourselves but belonging to another order of phenomena.

Buddhist Meditation : true self

From what can selfishness and egotism proceed if not from the concept of "self" ('sakkayaditthi')? If the practice of any form of meditation leaves selfishness or egotism unabated, it has not been successful. A tree is judged by its fruits and a man by his actions; there is no other criterion. Particularly is this true in Buddhist psychology, because the man 'is' his actions. In the truest sense they, or the continuity of kamma and 'vipaka' which they represent, are the only claim he can make to any persistent identity, not only through the different phases of this life but also from one life to another. Attentiveness with regard to body and mind serves to break down the illusion of self; and not only that, it also cuts off craving and attachment to external objects, so that ultimately there is neither the "self" that craves nor any object of craving. It is a long and arduous discipline, and one that can only be undertaken in retirement from the world and its cares. Yet even a temporary retirement, a temporary course of this discipline, can bear good results in that it establishes an attitude of mind which can be applied to some degree in the ordinary situations of life.

Buddhist Meditations: Detachment & Concentration

Detachment, objectivity, is an invaluable aid to clear thinking; it enables a man to sum up a given situation without bias, personal or otherwise, and to act in that situation with courage and discretion. Another gift it bestows is that of concentration -- the ability to focus the mind and keep it steadily fixed on a single point ('ekaggata', or one-pointedness), and this is the great secret of success in any undertaking. The mind is hard to tame; it roams here and there restlessly as the wind, or like an untamed horse, but when it is fully under control, it is the most powerful instrument in the whole universe. He who has mastered his own mind is indeed master of the Three Worlds.

In the first place he is without fear. Fear arises because we associate mind and body ('nama-rupa') with "self"; consequently any harm to either is considered to be harm done to oneself. But he who has broken down this illusion by realizing that the five 'khandha' process is merely the manifestation of cause and effect, does not fear death or misfortune. He remains equable alike in success and failure, unaffected by praise or blame. The only thing he fears is demeritorious action, because he knows that no thing or person in the world can harm him except himself, and as his detachment increases, he becomes less and less liable to demeritorious deeds. Unwholesome action comes of an unwholesome mind, and as the mind becomes purified with Meditation, healed of its disorders, bad kamma ceases to accumulate. He comes to have a horror of wrong action and to take greater and greater delight in those deeds that are rooted in 'alobha', 'adosa', and 'amoha' -- generosity, benevolence and wisdom.

Vipassana Meditation

Vipassana, one of the oldest techniques of meditation practiced in India, was rediscovered by the Gautama the Buddha around 2500 years ago. He taught this technique for about 45 years to his disciples and freed them from the bondage of pain, suffering and fear. Over the time his disciples carried the technique over to the neighboring counties such as Myanmar—erstwhile Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand and so on.

The knowledge of the technique of Vipassana, however, disappeared from India nearly five centuries after Buddha. The torch lit by the Buddha was kept alive by some of his devoted disciples in other countries particularly Burma. The teachings of Vipassana were preserved by a chain of devoted teachers and they were transferred to the dedicated lineage of successive generations in their pristine purity. The modern teacher of the technique of Vipassana , Mr, S, N. Goenka, was born and bred in Burma. It was here that he was fortunate enough to learn the technique from his Burmese teacher Sayagyi U Ba Khin, a high Government official of his time. Later on Mr. Goenka shifted to India and started teaching the technique of Vipassana in 1969. Since then he has taught this invaluable art of living to thousands of people of all races and communities in India and abroad. In 1982, his trained disciples started helping him to meet the growing demand of Vipassana techniques to the other parts of the world particularly the Western countries and the USA.

Vipassana is a simple and practical way to achieve real and lasting peace of mind and happiness by seeing things as they really are. This process of self-observation leads to mental and physical purification. It eliminates the frustration and disharmony from our life. This technique librates us from suffering and its deep seated causes and takes us to our highest spiritual goal through a step-by-step approach. The liberation from fear helps the practitioners attain high levels of achievements in all the spheres of human activity.

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Paramahansa Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda was born Mukunda Lal Ghosh on January 5, 1893, in Gorakhpur, India, into a devout and well-to-do Bengali family. In his youth he sought out many of India's sages and saints, hoping to find an illumined teacher to guide him in his spiritual quest.

Paramahansa Yogananda began his life's work with the founding, in 1917, of a "how-to-live" school for boys, where modern educational methods were combined with yoga and meditation training and instruction in spiritual ideals. Visiting the school a few years later, Mahatma Gandhi wrote: "This institution has deeply impressed my mind."

For the next several years, Paramahansa Yogananda lectured and taught on the East coast and in 1924 embarked on a cross-continental speaking tour. The following year, he established in Los Angeles an international headquarters for Self-Realization Fellowship, which became the spiritual and administrative heart of his growing work on meditation and self transformation.

Paramahansa Yogananda emphasized the underlying unity of the world's great religions, and taught universally applicable methods for attaining direct personal experience of God. To serious students of his teachings he introduced the soul-awakening techniques of Kriya Yoga meditation, a sacred spiritual science originating millenniums ago in India, which had been lost in the Dark Ages and revived in modern times by his lineage of enlightened masters.

In 1935, Paramahansa Yogananda began an 18-month tour of Europe and India. During his yearlong sojourn in his native land, he spoke in cities throughout the subcontinent and enjoyed meetings with Mahatma Gandhi (who requested initiation in Kriya Yoga meditation), Nobel-prize-winning physicist Sir C. V. Raman, and some of India's renowned spiritual figures, including Sri Ramana Maharshi and Anandamoyi Ma. It was during this year also that his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar, bestowed on him India's highest spiritual title, paramahansa. Literally supreme swan (a symbol of spiritual discrimination), the title signifies one who manifests the supreme state of unbroken communion with God.

Under his direction, the personal guidance and instruction that he had given to students of his classes was arranged into a comprehensive series of Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons for home study.

Paramahansa Yogananda's life story, Autobiography of a Yogi, was published in 1946 and expanded by him in subsequent editions. It is widely regarded as a modern spiritual classic.

On March 7, 1952, Paramahansa Yogananda entered mahasamadhi, a God-illumined master's conscious exit from the body at the time of physical death.

Kriya Yoga Meditation

Kriya Yoga meditation refers to actions designed to get rid of obstructions involving body and mind. Kriya Yoga meditation is a complete system covering a wide range of techniques, including mantras and techniques of meditation for control of the life-force, bringing calmness and control of both body and mind.

The goal is to unite with pure Awareness. Since pure Awareness is our original condition, it is also referred to as Self-awareness.

Around 1920, Paramahansa Yogananda introduced Kriya Yoga meditation to the West and founded the Self-Realization Fellowship.

Kriya Yoga meditation: A brief introduction

Preparing the mind. Kriya Yoga is said to be a combination of the more useful Yoga techniques. Like Raja Yoga, Kriya teaches the laws of general conduct , including harmlessness, truthfulness, non-stealing.

1. Life-force control (pranayama). At this point the difference to other systems, like Raja yoga meditation, becomes quite obvious. Kriya pranayama is not as much about increasing the time of retention of breath but to magnetize the spine and direct life-force to the brain with the effect to refine the brain and nervous system.



2. Initiation and Shaktipat (transfer of energy). The seeker is initiated in the proper use of Kriya pranayama. When the seeker is ready, a transfer of energy might occur either from the outside or from within. To experience Kundalini (energy) on its way up the spine is an event powerful enough to change the way we think and function.



3. Higher Kriyas. For advanced students there are still a few higher Kriya meditation techniques. Full Self-realization may achieved by practicing faithfully the Mantras given for regular Meditation.

Sahaja Yoga Meditation

Sahaja Yoga is a meditation technique which brings a breakthrough in the transformation of human awareness. It was created by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi in 1970 and has since spread all around the world.

The advent of Sahaja Yoga meditation was prophesized a long time ago in many of the world's spiritual traditions and religions, in these modern times many seekers of Truth have been deluded into following various false, self-proclaimed "gurus" who are either money or power oriented, but not Spirit oriented.

A Meditation for spiritual ascent

Through the practice of Sahaja Yoga meditation, our awareness gains a new dimension where absolute truth can be felt tangibly - on our central nervous system. As a result of this happening, our spiritual ascent takes place effortlessly and physical, mental and emotional balance are achieved as a byproduct of this growth of our awareness.

We then realize that we are not this body, mind, ego, conditionings, emotions or intellect, but something of an eternal nature which is always residing in our heart in a pure, undisturbed state - the Self or Spirit.

The Spirit is the source of true knowledge, peace and joy. Self Realization is the actualization of this connection with our Spirit, which as Shri Mataji advocates, is the birthright of every human being.

To Learn more about Sahaja Yoga meditation or to book into one of their free courses please visit their web site http://www.tips2meditation.blogspot.com

Raja Yoga Meditation

Daily mental exercises. The act of Raja Yoga meditation for at least 15 minutes in the early morning will have a positive effect during the entire day.

Upon waking have the thought; I am a peaceful soul, my aim today is to radiate peace to every person that I come into contact with.

These meditations have been taken from the knowledge as taught by the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga meditationorganization. The organization is unique because the main administrators are women. Dadi Prakashmani, Dadi Janki andDadi Gulzar are the spiritual leaders whom create an atmosphere of spiritual love and humility. They are the embodiment of what they teach, shinning lights of love and peace.

Raja Yoga meditation

Try to experience the stillness of mind of being a peaceful soul as other thoughts emerge in the mind do not judge or focus on them but repeat ............

I am a peaceful soul .............

I am a peaceful soul ............

My mind is filled with peace ..............

I radiate peace to the world ...............

I feel the gentle waves of peace flowing across my mind ...........

As these peaceful thoughts emerge in my mind I feel the stillness and silence envelopes my mind .................

I am the peaceful soul ......

I am a peaceful loving soul ............

My mind feels light and free from worries ...........

I realize my real nature is peace ..........

Peaceful thoughts flow through the mind and I feel the self becoming light ......................

I am a being of light shining like a star .......................

I radiate peace and light to the world ......................

The light and peace envelopes me and the waves of peace and light shine like a lighthouse.............................................

This is the wonderful journey of self discovery.

Raja Yoga Meditation philosophy

The basis for attaining an experience in raja yoga meditation in to understand the self and the mind. The human mind is the most creative, powerful and wonderful "instrument" we possess. Using this energy called mind we have been able to search the deepest oceans, send humans to the moon and scan the molecular fabric of the building blocks of nature. But have we found our true self? We have become the most educated and civilized society in our history, but are we civil towards each other?

The soul has three main faculties; the mind or consciousness, the intellect and the subconscious.

Thoughts flow from the sub conscious mind to the conscious mind. Feelings and emotions form in accordance with the montage of thoughts flowing in the mind. Therefore our state of mind at any given moment is determined by the thoughts in our consciousness, and also with the feelings that we associate with those thoughts. Since our sub consciousness contains all our previous thoughts and experiences, it is necessary to selectively control the flow of thoughts that emerges from the sub conscious mind.

The intellect is the controller which is used to discriminate so that only positive and benevolent thoughts flow into our mind. With meditation or deep contemplation, the individual is able to strengthen and sharpen the intellect. The end result is a constant state of well being. If we are able to understand the self as the source of energy that creates our feelings, then the following will become our aims.

Become aware of our state of mind and of the thoughts that flows into the mind from our subconscious.
Strengthen the intellect so that the individual can discriminate and thereby only allow positive and peaceful thoughts to flow into the mind.
Through this process of self development the individual develops more control over the mind.

Dadi Prakashmani, Dadi Janki and Dadi Gulzar are the spiritual leaders of the Raja Yoga meditation organization. They are the embodiment of soul consciousness, filled with love, light and happiness.These meditations have been taken from the knowledge as taught by the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga meditation organization. Raja Yoga meditation organization More on Raja Yoga

Meditation

Techniques for meditation

Free meditations offer a large collection of meditation techniques to hopefully reduce stress and attain peace of mind. Please explore our positive informative site and in the process rediscover the wonderful and positive part of your self that dwells within. We believe Free Meditations offers one of the best collections of meditation techniques available on the web.

The aim of free meditations is to bring inner peace within our self and the world in a positive and spiritual way. The world is not a peaceful place and within every soul there is some form of tension and stress. It is therefore essential to create positive and peaceful thoughts to bring peace to our mind. Meditation is one of the best methods to bring about transformation and nurture the natural qualities within.

The best way that we can create that change is to change our thoughts from being negative to positive. The positive discovery about meditation is that we are focusing within our self and becoming free of negativity. Meditation techniques simply involve a process of transforming yourself, your thoughts, and recognizing the negative thoughts, and changing them into positive and peaceful thoughts.

The best attitude towards meditation is to be very patient as the mind does not always want to focus. Having a sense of expectation towards positive results can create uncomfortable pressure and thus take away the enjoyment of the experience. By practicing meditation regularly, the person whom meditates gains a wonderful sense of the self.

Meditation is a self healing process, any form of stress is a sign of our negative thinking and Dis ease within our mind. If we don't attend to dis ease in the mind we may find that chronic stress can lead to disease of the body.

Open my minds eye so I may see and feel Your shinning light presence close to me.

Give me inner strength for my stumbling feet as I battle the crowd on life's busy street.

And widen the vision of my unseeing minds eye so in passing faces I'll recognize not just a stranger, unloved, and unknown, but a friend with a heart and soul that is much like my own.