Dhyana, aka Mediation
Maintain an ethical way of living and forgive yourself when you do not. The purpose of setting up our beautiful yoga postures is all for Dhyana. Dhyana is sitting in contemplation to spot the mental affliction, and adjust accordingly. Imagine the mind is a drawing board. Dyhana is a sacred inner space of honor, and of our values. We sit in contemplation (go back to the drawing board) to understand why, and how we would do things differently next time.
We flow through forms is to be able to sit in all situations without reacting. Dhyana is forgiving yourself and others for acting from mental affliction. Life is for learning, NOT punishment. We forgive ourselves when we do stupid things, and we forgive others for doing stupid things. This is the human condition, and everyone is equal. Everyone eventually does something stupid. It is in the ability to learn that sets weak humans from strong humans. So when you are strong in your thing, you teach the weak. When you are weak in something, you learn from the strong. We are all learning different things at different times. The end is the same regardless. We work the muscle during a yoga class. There are several types of Dhyana. Here are five to begin with.
5 Types of Dhyana:
Shamata: Lock your mind to a fixed object - aka a Drishti.
Vipashyana: Special seeing, such as focusing on the breath when suffering surfaces.
Fixation: One pointed concentration, in which an object is selected - pick a problem to find the anecdote.
Fixation with Clarity: Shut off peripheral vision to get tunnel vision on the object of concern.
Fixation with Intensity: Tunnel vision on the object - what is the anecdote?
The process by which one realizes the true nature of the Soul. The relationship with others and things according to Ultimate Reality. This can also be described as training one’s mind to control what are normally automatic responses. You can now withdraw your senses to reach a state of emptiness. Duality is eliminated when the seer, seen, and seeing unify to achieve the state of Samadhi.
The Meditation Components
A sacred space
Live without wants
Be content
Maintain an ethical mindset
Let go of desire
Maintain an ethical way of living by forgiving yourself when you do not. When you can forgive yourself, you can forgive others. We observe when we are living outside of our values, to sit in contemplation as to why we made that choice. Compassionately forgive yourself and others when one falls short. Life is for learning, NOT punishment.
Dhyana can be practiced throughout the day but is cultivated while in a place of Quietude. Meditation is most effective by doing so in a conducive place. From meditation, you can then enter into a state of focus. An area that is easy to find and has access to food, and water, and there are no intimidating animals or objects present. The environment and friends that you share the space with also share a common morality and worldview as you. The space does not have many people around and there are not many sounds at night.
Cultivate this state by living simply - without many wants and needs. When we acquire things, we become attached to them. When we no longer have that thing - we suffer. By being content with where we are and what we have - there is something to be grateful for at all times. We give up being too busy, and stop trying too hard, by filling our day up with busyness that has no end. We focus on the things that truly enrich our lives - like helping someone when they need it - not when we can get to it.
Finally, let go of worldly pleasures - what will you think of your life when you are lying on your deathbed? Worldly possessions are great toys, but it is the lessons in life that cultivate the biggest contemplation we will experience, and that is of the moment right before the death of our physical body. What are the worldly desires trying to tell you right now?
What does owning a Tesla (insert dream car here) truly bring you?
Find a seated position on your meditation cushion and find out.
Pro Tip:
Close the space of Dhyana with gratitude.