Japam & tips for mditation

[Guest guest]

Japa is the process of chanting the mantra given by Guru or an

elderly person for fixed number of times. (The number as specified

for particular mantra).

 

Tapa is analogous to Japa with a subtle difference. Tapa is the

process of chanting the Mantra without counting and sitting in Ekasan

(Chanting the Mantra continuously without rising from the seat till

Siddhi attains)

 

TIPS ON MEDITATION

 

1. Sit in a cross legged position or in any comfortable position,

keeping back straight, hands folded in lap and eyes closed (It means

complete body is in relaxed position). One should sit quietly in this

posture for five minutes. One should not try to attempt anything.

Just sit in an alert but relaxed position. Practice this twice a day

for a few days, and then shall go on to step 2 (or if you are already

acquainted with step 2, then proceed straight away to step3).

 

2.Practice meditation by chanting a general mantra (Any thing, a

number or a pleasing word or Shabd). What is important is that the

mind gets used to the rhythm of a Mantra and the idea behind it. One

will get an understanding through practice.

 

3.Chant the mantra given by Guru or an elderly person on whom faith

is invested, for the number of times as decided earlier.

 

STAGES OF MEDITATION:

 

There are four stages one passes through while doing meditation.

 

Jagradavastha: One is conscious of what one is doing and is aware of

things/activities that are happening around. Here the meditating

person is in Dwaita sthiti. (Atman and ParaBrahman are distinguished

separately)

 

Swapnavastha: This is similar to the dreaming stage when one sleeps.

Till body is tuned to meditation in the initial stages sometime after

meditation is started one gets sleep and visualize some thing

unconnected with the Mantra which is being chanted i.e. mind goes

beyond the mantra being Chanted. One should come out of this stage.

This stage can be avoided by concentrating on Mantra or follow the

Mantra when chanted without thinking of its meaning and the concerned

Deity.

 

Shushupti: This similar to the above but the difference is that the

diversion of the mind is unknown to the individual. Otherwise Sadhak

is unaware of mind's diversion. In this is the stage mind goes to

rest involuntarily. Sadhak should avoid this stage too by mental

observation of Mantra as it is being chanted.

 

Turiyavastha: This is the stage what Sadhak is expected to arrive in.

Here the individual is in Adwaitasthiti (No difference between Atman

and Paramatman and is in perfect merger). In turiyastiti mind chant

the Mantra continuously without any effort. There is clear difference

between Shushupti and Turiya. Feeling of freshness prevails in the

mind of the individual when he comes out of this stage. There is

drowsiness and change in tone is observed when one comes out of

Shushupti. Shushupti gives rest to the brain where as in turiya brain

is active.

 

For Clear understanding of these stages one may choose any Yoga

centre for necessary guidance and help.

 

CHANTING OF MANTRA: There are three ways of chanting any Mantra. The

first one is chant loudly. This method may be used for some time till

one attains the required concentration. Moving the lips slightly and

making a small unclear sound of the words in the Mantra (Naada). This

gives pleasure to the mind as practice goes on. The final one and the

best one is chanting the Mantra mentally.

 

Aum Namah Shivaya.

Click below to join

/