Thursday 1 September 2011

Need of yoga

Meditation in India: A Tradition That Has Come a Long Way
Meditation in India is a centuries old tradition practiced by sages, hermits, monks and even common individuals. Meditation could be looked upon as a powerful tool to channelize your energies and thoughts to a positive consequence. The positive effects are felt over mind, body, and soul when meditation is made a regular habit.

The background

Meditation in India has been a way of life for centuries. Records of meditation could be traced to our epics and Puranas where sages would meditate for several years fulfilling their objective. There are records of Gautama Buddha sitting in meditation for forty days before attaining enlightenment and becoming Lord Buddha. Meditation is essentially a process of self-discovery where you become fully aware of yourself and the surroundings.

Acquiring a mind that is completely aware is not a simple process that could be achieved in just a few days. A regular and habitual procedure is needed to achieve this. Another outcome of meditation is attaining calm mind and composed behavior. These things are completely lacking among the masses in India and elsewhere. News of strife, riots, arson, and murder are circulated regularly in television channels and newspapers. There is a general sense of unrest and deprivation among communities and individuals which is expressed in forms of violence and unrest.

The reasons could be many, but the basis remains a disturbed mind. The primary objective of meditation in India, or for that matter any other place, is to calm this disturbed mind and create a mental state where thoughts and actions are channelized into positive actions.

The approach

After having identified the need to have a calm mind and create a sense of general well being it is necessary to find a teacher for your meditation process. In ancient India the art and practice of meditation was taught by a 'guru' (teacher/ guide) to his disciples in a formative manner. Meditation was an integral part of training for students in ancient 'gurukuls' and monasteries. Though there have been significant changes in the formative set up, the practice of training under a guide still exists.

This guide could be in the form of a person or a teacher from a 'yoga' school. Sessions in meditation are held regularly for men and women of all ages. Increasing work pressure and stress in daily life have contributed to restlessness of human mind. To cope with these increased pressures people are wearing out mentally, spiritually, and even physically. Disappointments, frustrations, and depressions are common place as are their outward expressions.

The process

To overcome these negative traits and create an optimistic attitude it is important to release your stress everyday. A structured process under the guidance of an instructor helps in achieving this. Techniques of meditation in India are simple and could be practiced by anybody. There are no needs of special apparatus or venues. Even your home could be a place of meditation. The only pre-requisites are a calm environment, some free time, and a desire to think and act positive. Zmeditation offers such teachings on meditation techniques.

Thanks to John Henry, Goarticles.com
 

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