Meditation

Meditation is of primary importance in Hinduism. Meditation or "dhyana" is sustained concentration on God that help us delve deeper into our innerself in order to seek mental peace, strength, conviction, clarity and confidence. The following articles and resources will increase your awareness about this powerful mental discipline.

Breathe Your Way To Health & Peace

Pranayama is a unique exercise that does not take away our energy - a unique breathing technique that can also be called a kind of relaxation in which our consciousness is alert.

Meditation in the Classroom

Can 10 minutes twice a day of a widely researched meditation technique cut epidemic levels of stress that are turning schools into a breeding ground for poor academic performance, anxiety and depression, substance abuse, and violence?

 

Meditation for Heart Patients

A relaxation technique known as Transcendental Meditation may decrease blood pressure and reduce insulin resistance among patients with coronary heart disease, says a reputed journal of internal medicine.

"Conscious Flight into the Empyrean" - Santosh Sachdeva

Here is an amazing book on meditation… a first hand life-changing experience retold in every detail in the form of a journal, with supporting illustrations on every page by the author herself.

The Importance of Relaxation: Physical Relaxation & Laughter

Relaxation is not some kind of discipline like yoga or meditation that needs to be done at a particular time of the day. It is of 3 kinds: physical, mental and transcendental - and none of these demand any system.

Dhyana

An Introduction to the techniques of Meditation and the 14 Points of Meditation.

Transcendental Meditation

The Transcendental Meditation (TM®) program of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi claims to be the "most effective technique available for gaining deep relaxation, eliminating stress, promoting health, increasing creativity and intelligence, and attaining inner happiness and fulfillment."

Free Meditation MP3 Downloads

University Of Metaphysical Sciences has 4 music files for free download: 'Deepening The Silence', 'Following The Breath & Observing The Body', 'Exploring The Auric Layers', and 'Cleansing And Clearing The Chakras.'

The Science of Consciousness

An Indian scientist has formulated some path-breaking theories based on the ancient Vedic Sciences that give us a powerful insight into the gray regions of the human consciousness. Discover what lies beyond the realm of conventional sciences.

Top 5 Music CDs for Relaxation

Indian classical music has no parallel. And if you add a good proportion of mysticism to it, you’re bound to get a sonic potion that can do wonders to your senses. This is a great way to soothe your nerves at the end of a hard day’s work, meditate or even sleep. Here’s a selection of albums that blend ancient chants and modern orchestration to get the best of both worlds

1. “Chants of India” - Ravi Shankar

What can you expect when the sitar maestro himself lays his fingers on the sacred chants from Hindu scriptures and transforms them to music for Western ears? A captivating classic, this collection of mantras and prayers from the Vedas and Upanishads accompanied by flute, tamboura and sitar, was produced by the late George Harrison. Gentle and relaxing!

 2. “Chanting the Chakras: Roots of Awakening”

Acclaimed composer Layne Raymond combines drumming and chanting to evoke a sense of spiritual well-being in the Indian tradition of nada yoga (sound yoga) that helps you travel inward and rejuvenate. Redmond is accompanied by Steve Gorn on the bamboo flute, and Amitava Chatterjee on the sitar, among other musicians. Includes a 24-page booklet explaining the chants.

3. “Love Is Space” - Deva Premal

Deva Premal from Germany and Miten from England met and fell in love in India, where they had gone to study its musical heritage. Their compositions promise you a journey into the spacious realm of chants, with music ideal for yoga, meditation, or even slow dance. The ancient mantras, the beautiful rhythms and soulful songs will calm your senses.

4. “Jiva Mukti” - Nada Shakti, Bruce BecVar

Another sonic healer comprising mystical chants and mantras of India and Tibet escorted by an exotic array of instruments - harp, guitar, keyboards, bells, dumbek and tabla - this one is more than just a series of soothing melodies. Play it on and on, for you can hardly get bored…it’s vibrant, hypnotic, and has a sacred aura to it.

5. “Devotion” - Rasa

In this album inspired by ancient India’s Vedic culture, singer Kim Waters and musician Hans Christian collaborate to present sacred Sanskrit chants and Bengali devotional songs and ‘kirtans’ to the accompaniment of sarangi and sitar. Kim Waters’ haunting vocalization strikes an even balance with Hans’ instruments and evoke a mystical mood. Enjoyable!

5 Prayers For All Occasions

Here are the lyrics of 5 prayers -

the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, and Meditations on Shiva, Ganesha, Krishna and Rama. Also included are the meanings of each of these prayers.

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra - The Life-Giving Prayer
 
Om trayambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam
Urvaarukamiva bandhanaan mrityor muksheeya maamritaat.

MEANING: We worship the three-eyed One (Lord Siva) Who is fragrant and Who nourishes well all beings; may He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality even as the cucumber is severed from its bondage (to the creeper).

Meditation On Lord Shiva

MEANING: I prostrate myself before the five-faced Lord of Parvati, who is adorned with various ornaments, who shines like the crystal jewel, who is seated peacefully in the lotus pose, with moon-crested crown, with three eyes, wearing trident, thunderbolt, sword and axe on the right side, who holds the serpent, noose, bell, damaru and spear on the left side, and who gives protection from all fear to His devotees.

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Meditation On Lord Ganesha

Gajaananam bhootaganaadisevitam
Kapittha jamboophala saara bhakshitam;
Umaasutam shoka vinaasha kaaranam
Namaami vighneshwara paada pankajam.

MEANING: I worship the lotus feet of Ganesha, the son of Uma, the destroyer of all sorrows, who is served by the host of gods and elementals, and who takes the essence of the kapittha-jarnbu fruit (fruit resembling the bilwa fruit).
 
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Meditation On Sri Krishna

MEANING: I know not any other Reality than the lotus-eyed Krishna with hands adorned with flute, looking like a heavy-laden cloud in lustre, wearing a yellow silk garment, with His lower lip like a ruddy bimba fruit, and with face shining like the full moon.

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Meditation On Sri Rama

MEANING: One should meditate on Sri Ramachandra, with hands reaching the knees, holding the bow and arrows, seated in the locked-up lotus posture, wearing a yellow garb, with eyes vying with the newly-blossomed lotus petals, with a pleasant gait, who has Sita seated on His left thigh, who is blue like the clouds, who is adorned with all kinds of ornaments and having a big circle of Jata on the head.

Dhyaayedaajaanubaaham dhritasharadhanusham baddhapadmaasanastham,
Peetam vaaso vasaanam navakamala dala spardhinetram prasannam;
Vaamaankaaroodhaseetaa mukhakamala milal lochanam neeradaabham,
Naanaalankaara deeptam dadhatamuru jataa mandalam raamachandram. Vamshee vibhooshita karaan navaneeradaabhaat
Peetaambaraadaruna bimbaphalaa dharoshthaat;
Poornendusundara mukhaad aravinda netraat
Krishnaat param kimapi tattwam aham na jaane. 

Shaantam padmaasanastham shashadharamakutam panchavaktram trinetram,
Shoolam vajram cha khadgam parashumabhayadam dakshinaange vahantam;
Naagam paasham cha ghantaam damaruka sahitam chaankusham vaamabhaage,
Naanaalankaara deeptam sphatika maninibham paarvateesham namaami.

Kirtan: How Chants Can Heal the Heart

Meditation doesn't come easy for many people. And that's where kirtan-an ancient participatory music experience-offers another method. Without the work of mentally quieting the mind, kirtan can carry us effortlessly to a place of quiet, to stillness. One of the oldest sacred music traditions of the world, the kirtan call-and-response chanting genre comes to us from India. Using ancient Sanskrit mantras, the kirtan calls upon sacred energies which serve to quiet the mind, remove obstacles, and bring us back to the center of our being.

Freedom from the Daily Chatter
By repeating simple mantras over and over, faster and faster, the kirtan is an easy way for people to experience some freedom from the daily chatter of the mind. And while it is true that we can sing these chants in the solitude of our own home, there is nothing like the magic of chanting live with musicians and hundreds of participants-from kids to seniors-all adding their energy to the chant. People often say they feel "buzzed" for days following such a chanting experience.
 
Absorb the Vibrations, Ignite the Spirits
So what gives us that buzz? Something about the kirtan experience goes beyond the music itself, goes to a deeper experience of vibration. We all resonate at different frequencies, and these frequencies change according to what we are doing and thinking. So when we are all doing the same thing-chanting, breathing, and moving to the same rhythms-our vibrations begin to synchronize and the resulting experience is very powerful. The laws of vibration help us out here, because vibrations align themselves to stronger vibrations, so even if you're having a truly rotten day, it may be difficult to hold onto those feelings during the chant experience. If you were only to sit in the room without participating, the idea is that you could still feel the shift. Something happens-the energy begins to activate the spirit that exists within us all.
 
It's the Heart, not the Art!
Although the kirtan involves music, the underlying art of kirtan chanting is not actually about musical ability or training-it is about the heart. Everyone can participate, regardless of age or cultural background. The purpose of this music is to get us out of our heads and into our hearts. Typically, the songs can last for 20-30 minutes each with a few moments of silence in between each song so you can soak it all up. The longer songs allow for deeper experience of the effects, and with the simple, repetitive lyrics (it's a chant, after all!) we really don't have to think much about the words.

Chants Heal
In fact, because the ancient Sanskrit lyrics are not familiar to many of us Westerners, these words take us away from the mind's constant chatter a little easier. The powerful healing and transformational energies of these ancient chants can help to reconnect us to the Ever-Present and Eternal Being that lies within us all. All the mantras, melodies, and instruments of kirtan are designed to lead us toward this meditative state.

The Beauty of Relaxation!
We provide floor seating in the traditional style of kirtan events in India (and yes, we also provide chairs for those who prefer chairs), and this living-room style music experience allows people to sink into themselves, to relax and ground themselves during the chants. Most of us spend the day in our heads, running here and there, thinking about where we have to be and what we have to do next. The kirtan gives us a time to come back to our center. And when this happens, beautiful things begin to unfold. Feelings of inspiration, peace, and a sense of connectedness are common experiences.

Experience Peace, First Hand!
"The first time I came to a kirtan, I felt so peaceful, so relaxed," comments Amy, who now regularly participates in the Milwaukee kirtan experience. "Something happens during the kirtan, and I get this deep sense of inner peace and connectedness." Amy is not the only one with these experiences; a few hundred people attend the monthly Milwaukee kirtan event, and they often return with their friends the next month. "It's like you go into a space-the music takes you there-and when you emerge at the end, you feel different, more energized and inspired," says Jeff, another kirtan buff.

Quiet Your Mind, Feel Your Self!
Kirtan helps the mind become quiet, and when the mind quiets, we can begin to perceive the mystical things, the sacred experiences, that are around us always. In the silence between the songs, when the song stops, you can feel something. And that something is you. There is no greater experience than the experience of one's Self. And that vibration is always within you, that vibration is you. That's the beauty of any chant experience-with little or no effort we can experience and enjoy the vibrations of peace, energy, healing and inspiration that are always within us.

The Power of Mantra Chanting

Why and How to Chant

From Gyan Rajhans, 

"Mananaat traayate iti mantrah"

(That which uplifts by constant repetition is a Mantra.)

 

Sound Is Power I firmly believe that the sound of Mantra can lift the believer towards the higher self. These sound elements of Sanskrit language are permanent entities and are of everlasting significance. In the recitation of Sanskrit Mantras the sound is very important, for it can bring transformation in you while leading you to power and strength. Different sounds have different effects on human psyche. If a soft sound of wind rustling through leaves soothes our nerves, the musical note of running stream enchants our heart, thunders may cause awe and fear. The sacred utterances or chanting of Sanskrit Mantras provide us with the power to attain our goals and lift ourselves from the ordinary to the higher level of consciousness. They give us the power to cure diseases; ward off evils; gain wealth; acquire supernatural powers; worship a deity for exalted communion and for attaining blissful state and attain liberation. Origin of Mantras Mantras are Vedic in origin. The teachings of the Vedas consist of various Mantric chants or hymns cognized by different seers or Rishis from the Cosmic Mind. Since the Vedas are impersonal and eternal, the exact historical date of the origin of Mantra chanting is hard to arrive at. For example, every Mantra in the Vedas, Upanishads and various religious traditions (sampradayas) within Hindu religion begin with Om or Aum - the primordial sound, the sound that is said to have its origins at the time of the creation of the cosmos - also referred to as the 'Big Bang'. Om: The Beginning & the End The Bible (John 1:1) says: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Modern Vedic philosophers have interpreted this teaching of the Bible, and equated Om with God. Om is the most important of all mantras. All mantras generally begin and often also end with Om. Healing by Mantropathy The chanting of Om in Transcendental Meditation has now received widespread recognition. Mantras can be used to treat tension and many other difficult diseases that are yet to come. The Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan, research center for integration of science and spirituality in Shantikunj, Haridwar, India, is the only place I know of which carries out extensive experiments on 'mantra shakti'. The result of these experiments is used to testify that Mantropathy can be used scientifically for healing and environment cleansing. Over the last 21 years of my Vedic religion broadcast, several listeners have told me how they have benefited physically and spiritually from chanting Maha-Mrtyunjay mantra for 15 minutes every morning. How to Chant There are many schools of thought on the methods of chanting. A Mantra chanted correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or unknowingly, carefully or carelessly, is sure to bear the desired result for physical and mental well being. It is also believed by many that the glory of Mantra chanting cannot be established through reasoning and intellect. It can be experienced or realized only through devotion, faith and constant repetition of the Mantra. According to some scholars, Mantra chanting is Mantra Yoga. The simple yet powerful Mantra, Om or Aum harmonizes the physical forces with the emotional forces with the intellectual forces. When this happens, you begin to feel like a complete being - mentally and physically. But this process is very slow and requires a lot of patience and unfailing faith. The Guru-Mantra In my opinion the healing through chanting can be expedited if the mantra is received from a guru. A guru adds a divine potency to the mantra. It becomes more effective and thus helps the chanter in his/her healing faster. My Personal Experience Now, let me give you my concerted opinion based on over two decades of chanting "Om Gam Ganapatayae Namah", the Mantra given by my Guru. It has warded off all evil and blessed me with abundance, prudence and success in every walk of life. Moreover, when I chanted this Manta before beginning a journey, a new job, or before entering into any new contract or business, all impediments were removed and my endeavors were crowned with success. The credit of all my worldly and spiritual successes goes to my Guru-Mantra 'Sadhana' - the complete faith and adherence in the mantra given by my Guru. Keep the Faith! It is important to have complete faith in the recitation of Mantras. It is primarily through faith - aided by strong will - that one achieves one's goals. A sound body and calm mind are essential for the chanter of Mantras. Once you are free from all worries and have achieved stability in mind and body, you will derive maximum benefit through the recitation of Mantras. You must have a definite object in view and a strong will power to obtain the desired objective, and then direct that will to achieve the goal.

Osho - his life and teachings

Osho - his life and teachings

Osho is a very interesting historical figure. He had a rather turmoiled life so I will only give here a very brief overview. Wikipedia has an entire very detailed page dedicated to his life.
Osho, with the real name Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, was an Indian mystic born in India in 1931, who died in India in 1990.
During his life, he traveled all over India, teaching his philosophical views, which were among others, criticising socialism, religion and Mahatma Ghandi.
In 1981 he moved to the US to Oregon where he started his foundation, also called Oregon community. After various troubles that the members of his community caused, among others a bioterror attack against citizens of The Dalles, he was finally deported from the US. He then returned to India, where he died in 1990.

During his lifetime he made his mark on humanity by teaching the importance of meditation in our life. He taught about awareness, happiness, love, humor and all those qualities in us that we should nourish.
He was of the notion that socialism and organized religion was trying to suppress these qualities, so he was trying to awaken them in those that he could reach through his many discourses and speeches.
Started from one Osho meditation center, these days there are several all over the world that teach his meditation and philosophies by helping people go deep wtihin themselves and experience the inner journey of just being. The main center in the US has now changed its name to Osho International Meditation Resort.
The New Age movement has drawn a lot from his spiritual teachings and they are using the Osho meditations and his tarot cards on a regular basis.

Osho on Meditation - the right way to meditate

Osho has said a lot about meditation and how to do it the right way. Osho meditation speaks about learning to understand the mind instead of actively fighting it or repressing the thoughts within it.
Our thoughts and feelings are with us all the times. We cannot fathom a time where we are not surrounded by all this chit-chatter in the mind.
What Osho meditation techniques help us achieve is experience a sense of simply being. As Osho said (paraphrasing), this is a state that we start out naturally with, one that we eventually forget when we become caught up in the daily stress and worries.
His teachings say that meditation should have as goal clearing the mind completely of thoughts, of any thoughts, regardless whether they are good or bad. In his opinion, even good thoughts are junk, and they should not be there in the first place.
The Osho meditation methods help us disconnect easier from our mind and body (thoughts and feelings) so that we simply are.

The Art of Listening

When you start to practice Osho meditation, you will learn about the art of listening. Osho says that
"If one can learn how to listen rightly, one has learned the deepest secret of meditation."(www.osho.com)
When you listen to Osho, you stop thinking, you are simply there, listening. And this is what he is trying to teach in one of his meditations. He also emphasizes that one can learn the art of listening without having to listen to his voice.
This is just a prop that can be left behind. One can just as well listen to the sound of the sea, the thunder, the falling rain, anything that allows you to put your ego by side for a few moments and just be.
The ego is born out of a sense of self-defence. We all use it to defend ourself, our goals, ideas, beliefs or anything else that matters to us. By listening to the sound of the nature around us, Osho says that we can let go of our ego for just a litle bit.
Afterall these elements of nature are not out to hurt or attack us. They just are. Just like you, listening to them. The more time you spend listening to such sounds without your ego around, the easier it will become, and the more often you will have access to these very peaceful moments.
"Soon it will become your very life." (Osho, The Invitation, Talk #14)

Osho Zen Tarot as spiritual meditation tool

I've been using the Osho Zen tarot cards from the time I bought them from Amazon a few years back. I am regularly using them in my spiritual and meditation journey. Tarot cards are most of the times not used for meditation, however non-traditional tools can be used easily as such.

What I usually do is pick every morning one card. I mix the cards and then draw one at random, face down. I turn it over and start meditating on its meaning.
The Osho Zen tarot cards come with a booklet that explains the meaning of each card. These meanings are rather different from that of the traditional tarot.
Of course, if you like divination using tarot, you can use it as such, however the fact that the images are so different from the regular ones means that the mind doens't make an automatic connection to the regular tarot meanings, so you are free to use it as a meditation tool, as a tool for spiritual growth.

Watching and listening, becoming aware. This is the road to knowing, the road to living a much more fulfilled life.
Letting go of tension is the first step in learning meditation. Osho recognized that we are all filled with daily tension that can not leave easily from our body. It is all that gathered stress that makes learning meditation difficult. Osho meditation techniques help with this.
There are several meditation techniques available to those that want to learn his way of meditating, such as the Osho Active Meditation including his Dynamic Meditation and Osho Kundalini Meditation, Nataraj, Nadabrahma, Devavani, Gourishankar, Mandala, Whirling Meditation, and his famous the Art of Listening and Gibberish and Let-Go.

Osho Meditation - The Path Left By Osho Rajneesh In His Meditation Techniques