Meditation For Beginners

Mindfulness Meditation
#26

[QUOTE=Asuri;55651]
A lot of confusion arises because we tend to think of the Vedic culture as monolithic when in fact there were different schools of thought. [B]The concept of chakras and nadis is really a different metaphysical system,[/B] and in contrast, the meaning is ambiguous and there is a lot of disagreement on the details. The article posted in this thread does a good job of explaining some of the differences in philosophy.[/QUOTE]

Samkhya is inclusive of the chakra system. Patanjaili’s Yoga sutras only suggest them. It is up to the yogin to gain knowledge.

By using the sutras

#27

[QUOTE=The Scales;55677]Samkhya is inclusive of the chakra system. Patanjaili’s Yoga sutras only suggest them. It is up to the yogin to gain knowledge.

By using the sutras[/QUOTE]

I beg your pardon. I’ve read the entire Samkhya Pravachana Sutram and Samkhya Karika and have not found a single reference to chakras. If you’re going to make a statement like that, you need to provide chapter and verse. You know you can’t do it so I would appreciate if you do not try to derail the thread with useless controversy. The topic is meditation for beginners.

#28

[QUOTE=Asuri;55686]I beg your pardon. I’ve read the entire Samkhya Pravachana Sutram and Samkhya Karika and have not found a single reference to chakras. If you’re going to make a statement like that, you need to provide chapter and verse. You know you can’t do it so I would appreciate if you do not try to derail the thread with useless controversy. The topic is meditation for beginners.[/QUOTE]

The allusion to chakras is made in the yoga sutras thats all I know. I haven’t read the other things.

#29

One should not be too dependent upon the the words which are written in various texts and sutras. Because an enormous number of those sutras were not intended to be written for the average person, but for one who has already become initiated into the yogic sciences, particularly those kinds of methods which have been transmitted secretly. In fact, if you are just dependent upon the sutras, then it can be dangerous. Because many of the processes and methods described omit essential information which is part of the technique - which if not observed, can do more damage than good. They will reveal a certain part of the technique, but leave another part of it in the darkness. For example, in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, it means several kriyas that are to be practiced. One of them, which involves emptying and purifying the stomach and intestines, mentions the technique, but has omitted something absolutely essential. After the practice, you are to eat some rice mixed with ghee and milk. Because through the method you are also getting rid of the stomach lining which aids the processes of digestion. To compensate for this loss - it is essential that one eats a blend of rice mixed with ghee and milk, otherwise one can start developing physical disorders.

Do not take it for granted that everything has been mentioned in these sutras. Not only is the Truth inexpressible, beyond all limiting categories of the mind, but much information has been consciously omitted. These kinds of safety gaurds were created to ensure that the practices would not be used irresponsibly simply for one’s own ego-nourishment, as well as preserve the methods. One has to understand that the majority of the yogic sciences has always been transmitted orally from master to disciple. Most of the sutras that you are reading are just a by product of certain teachings which have been transmitted in this way for centuries. And, in any sutra, it is impossible to transmit everything that has ever been said about the matter - let alone the innermost experience which is the very foundation of these teachings. It is out of transformation, that most of these teachings have been born. No amount of borrowed knowledge can work as a substitute. As long as one has yet to come to the same space - one is bound to miss the message entirely.

#30

[QUOTE=charliedharma;55635] Can you explain what the purest form of meditation is .[/QUOTE]First steps are Nirvichar and Nirvikalpa Samadhi and the last is Kaivalya.

#31

@Amir

Since this is a thread on meditation for beginners, I don’t think we need to worry too much about secretly transmitted oral teachings.

@Seeker33

For those who may be unfamiliar, Nirvichara and Nirvikalpa samadhi are advanced stages of samadhi, the highest of the eight limbs of yoga.

#32

[QUOTE=Seeker33;55792]First steps are Nirvichar and Nirvikalpa Samadhi and the last is Kaivalya.[/QUOTE]

Any “steps” are only imaginary.

That’s to say advancement or growth or whatever you want to call it does’nt necessarily happen in linear steps.

Nice to get back to some sensible discussion. There are a few loonies around here.

HaHA

#33

With the teachings you study them to learn what they say.

By practice you come to understand what they mean.

Beware of anyone telling you not to read the teachings.

Such instructions don’t come from the wise.

#34

[QUOTE=Asuri;55806]@Seeker33
For those who may be unfamiliar, Nirvichara and Nirvikalpa samadhi are advanced stages of samadhi, the highest of the eight limbs of yoga.[/QUOTE]Nirvishar and Nirvikalpa are only beginning.

#35

[QUOTE=Seeker33;55815]Nirvishar and Nirvikalpa are only beginning.[/QUOTE]

The Self Realization Fellowship, as an institution, blows your instituion away.

"The kriya yoga system from the lineage of Babaji, Shyamacharan, Yuketswar, and Yogananda is legit. "

#36

[QUOTE=The Scales;55825]The Self Realization Fellowship, as an institution, blows your instituion away.

"The kriya yoga system from the lineage of Babaji, Shyamacharan, Yuketswar, and Yogananda is legit. "[/QUOTE]

Is this what you follow Scales?

Or do you follow any particular teachings or school? Or you do your own thing/…you’re not joined at the hip or affiliated with any particular…?

#37

[QUOTE=core789;55826]Is this what you follow Scales?

Or do you follow any particular teachings or school? Or you do your own thing/…you’re not joined at the hip or affiliated with any particular…?[/QUOTE]

I think the teachings come from exceptional stock down a short line. All hand picked. Babaji, to Lahiri, to Yuketswar, to Yogananda.

From what I’ve seen the selection of techniques and placement of emphasis is right. There doesn’t appear to be complexity in their approach - rather a simplicity.

I think it very wise for the SRF to have a lead in educational program.

There is no cult to join or need to worship a guru goddess, nor do you need to take a long trip away.
It was designed for the householder which fits in well with the modern world.

Once the kriyas are explained and instructed i.e. 'you are “initiated” the focus is on working with the kriyas and learning from them the things to learn.

If I was looking for real yoga, kriya yoga, then that organization - from that lineage - is as good as it comes.

#38

as for me

I occasionally study more or less:

[I]A basterdized coputer copy of the yoga sutras, HYP, SHiva Samhita, Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, the tracks of Goraksha - and yoga upanishads - all without commentary. Some buddhist books on meditation and zen, the Bhagavad Gita, and Alain Danielou’s Yoga. I got the new testament too! [/I]

No books by modern authors unless they have an ol timey classic inside.

Don’t like commentaries - although I do keep pieces of vivekanandas commentary in with the text of the yoga sutras. He had some goodies.

Personal practice:
Little asana. Mostly inside.

#39

[QUOTE=Seeker33;55815]Nirvishar and Nirvikalpa are only beginning.[/QUOTE]

I started this thread to provide a little sane help for people who are just starting out with meditation. Your blatant promotion of this organization and the conflict and confusion it creates are not at all helpful. I agree with Scales that this organization should be avoided.

#40
#41

Hi,

I usually listen to music (of random genres) while doing both asanas & pranayams.

Listening to music during practicing asanas & pranayams usually makes me feel good.

Now, that I am attempting mediation, is it a good idea to listen to music (at low vol) or is a completely silent room more appropriate?

#42

what does iq say?

#43

[QUOTE=bjoy;56779]what does iq say?[/QUOTE]

Look, even if turn my audio system off I will still hear a lot of noises like people talking, neighbors screaming, shutting of a door, some ugly noises like flushing in the toilet !!!:rolleyes:

What the music does is it kind of hides all these different kind of noises.

So I was wondering is listening to music a good choice or trying to concentrate despite those noises is a better idea.

#44

Hi om_namah_shivay,

music is emotions transformed to sound. Music can be funny, happy, angry, evil, holy, psychodelic, etc. etc. So the problem of music is, that it influences how you feel. If you play different songs of different moods, they will take you through different moods of your own. If you play songs of one… “branch” of moods, that might be ok, yet it might as well influence the moods that want to arise during your practice.

However: I have done all sorts of things during doing an Asana session, inlcuding listening to music, watching TV or monitoring something on the PC. Such sessions are not at all pointless, but they’re more focused on the physical aspects and less “contemplative” as when there is no music and no sound. If you want something to simply overnoise other noises, let me suggest this OM-file by Dharma Mittra:

It’s really just what you hear there in the sample or on his website, so you can actually just open said site and have something to listen to. I had played that literally for hours, even during my sleep.

There are two more tunes by Dharma Mittra:

http://www.amazon.com/

“Hum Sa” is more varied and transports more of an emotion, but generally quite calm too. The name of the first tune might be somewhat an omen for you :-D, unfortunately I can’t buy it where I live, so I only know the excerpt/pre-hear.

#45

Doh, you’re asking about meditation, I somewhat was still in the Asana-suggestions-modus. I did obviously not watch TV or monitor stuff on the PC during medtation, and I also don’t listen to music. To avoid disturbences through noise, you can plug your ears with whatever seems appropriate.

It can, though, be good to listen to music if you’re having a hard time to focus your mind. But I would then call that concentration, not meditation (Dharana, not Dhyana). You should use something very simplistic for that, for example the OM-tune I suggested you.

Sorry for my screw-up here. :smiley: