Nididhyasitavyah - the deep pondering of self (atman), whereupon the Self (Brahman) become known

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Yoga and Meditation (Dhyana)

by Georg Feuerstein

 

Introductory Statement

 

Meditation is central to the spiritual endeavor in many schools of

Hinduism, notably the Yoga tradition. The Bhagavad-Gita (12.12) ranks

meditation above intellectual knowledge, and the Garuda-Purana

(222.l0) states: " Meditation is the highest virtue. Meditation is the

foremost austerity. Meditation is the greatest purity. Therefore be

fond of meditation. " This exhortation expresses a sentiment that is

widespread in the sacred literature of Hinduism.

 

However, meditation is by no means universally regarded as the

principal means of attaining Self realization. For instance, the

Bhagavad-Gita (13.24) states that some behold the Self (atman) by

means of meditation, while others approach it through samkhya-yoga

and karma-yoga. Here samkhya-yoga stands for the spiritual practice

of discernment (viveka) between the real and the unreal, and karma-

yoga is the practice of dispassionate action....

 

Etymology

 

The Sanskrit word dhyana, derived from the verbal root dhyai ( " to

contemplate, meditate, think " ), is the most common designation both

for the meditative state of consciousness and the yogic techniques by

which it is induced. The Vedanta tradition also employs the terms

nididhyasana, which stems from the same verbal root, upasana

(literally " dwelling upon " ), and bhavana (literally " cultivating " ).

 

The term dhyana is widely used to refer to the contemplative process

that prepares the ground for the ecstatic state (samadhi), though

occasionally the term is also employed to signify that superlative

state of consciousness.

 

Historical Review

 

The underlying idea of dhyana, though not the word itself, is found

already in the Rig-Veda (see dhi, brahman). The expression dhyana is

first to be met in the Upanishadic literature, starting with the

archaic Chandogya-Upanishad (7.6.1,2; 7.1; 26,1) and Kaushitaki-

Upanishad (3.2 3 4 6). In the Brihadaranyaka-Upanishad (4.5.6), which

is generally held to be the earliest scripture of this genre, the

verbal form nididhyasitavyah ( " to be contemplated " ) is used in the

sense of deeply pondering the Self (atman), whereupon the Self

becomes known.

 

It is in the Chandogya (7.6.1) that we read " meditation is more than

thought (citta), " and that " the earth meditates as it were (iva), the

heavens meditate as it were, the waters meditate as it were, the

mountains meditate as it were, deities and humans meditate as it

were. " This suggests that meditation is a form of abiding, of simply

being present, which certainly describes an important feature of the

meditative state. In the same Upanishadic passage, we learn that true

greatness among men is a result of having obtained " a share of

meditation as it were. "

 

In the oldest Upanishads, dhyana is not yet recognized as a formal

component of the spiritual path. It is, however, beginning to be

referred to as one of the means of acquiring knowledge of the Self.

In that context, it usually stands for the contemplation of the

revealed truth, the Vedic teaching about the Self deep within the

human psyche.

 

Yoga and Meditation (Dhyana)

by Georg Feuerstein

 

 

Question: How does one discard all the organization and useless

activites (of Sahaja Yoga) and seek her (Holy Spirit/Adi Shakti) only

in the Sahastrara (Kingdom of God)?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I am still unable to rid myself of catches and other chakra

problems despite years of daily footsoaking and treatments. What do I

do now?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I am far from a Sahaja Yoga collective. How do I continue

practicing Sahaja Yoga?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: My collective leader has told me to leave Sahaja Yoga due

to some personal problems. What do I do now?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: Despite being years in Sahaja Yoga I do not agree with what

our leaders are doing. I am thinking of leaving my collective. Can

you suggest something that will help me continue on my own?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I am a Muslim who absolutely am against worshipping of any

idol or image. How then is Sahaja Yoga and Shri Mataji compatible

with Islam?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: We are devout Christians who are very uncomfortable with

Hindu rituals, and see the same in Sahaja Yoga. Is there any way we

can do without such rituals?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: You loudly claim on your website that all religions and

holy scriptures preach the same message. I don't see such evidence.

What have you got to say?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I do not want to meditate on anything non-Christian but

agree that the Holy Spirit is feminine. How do I only worship the

Holy Spirit but not the Adi Shakti?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: My parents and husband are against worshipping Shri Mataji.

How can I solve this serious family problem but still continue to

practice Sahaja Yoga without their knowledge?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I completely agree with your belief that if you have to

take a single step in any direction to seek the Divine you are going

the wrong way. How and why did you reach this incredible conclusion

only now despite spending so many years meditating, checking the

scriptures and listening to Shri Mataji's speeches?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: How can we spread Shri Mataji's message successfully? So

many have failed all these years and Sahaja Yoga is very slow. Most

of the seekers have never heard of Shri Mataji. Other than Her Divine

Message what can we teach new seekers that will attract them?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I do not want to follow any religious organization or yoga

teacher but still am interested in spirituality. You think that is

possible?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: My mother-in-law is totally against Shri Mataji and regards

Her as just another false guru. But I know Shri Mataji is the Adi

Shakti and want to continue. However, i do not want to antagonize my

mother-in-law. Any suggestions?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I am a Sikh. I am completely against any Hindu ritual or

worshipping of their idols and gods. Sikhism is completely against

such practices. But Sahaja Yoga is also so full of such rituals and

gods. What have you got to say, being a Sikh yourself?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I am getting somewhat ridiculed for my own spiritual

experiences regarding the crown chakra and the divine feminine.

People think I'm weird by emphasizing that the Devi is the true

nature of brahman and it is creating doubt about my path (despite my

own experiences). Should I continue with my meditations and ignore

them or try to explain to them? What do you suggest?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: There is so much information about yoga and meditation. I

am so confused and do not know which path to take. What then is the

truth? How do I attain it?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I have been in Sahaja Yoga for years but still do not know

what is Self-realization. Can you tell me in detail what you

understand by it?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I have been a SY for many years and some of us find shoe-

beating and some rituals quite absurd. You also are against them. How

then can we solve our subtle system problems without such treatments?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I am a Muslim living in Pakistan who want to practice

Sahaja Yoga. But there are no centers here. How can I continue?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: What will happen after Shri Mataji passes away? Will She

still be in the photograph? Where will the vibrations come from then?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I have just started meditating on Shri Mataji in the

Sahasrara but find it very difficult. Is there a better way?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I do not want to join Sahaja Yoga but believe in a number

of Shri Mataji's teachings. Can you help me?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I am an established SYogini who am concerned at the way the

organization is heading. However, I still want to spread Shri

Mataji's teachings. What do you suggest I tell others?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: I want to practice meditation but find it impossible to

stop the thoughts. I value you opinion. If you don't mind my asking,

but how do you do it?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: What is the shortest and surest route to realize God?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: Some religions claim that humans are divine in nature and

that liberation is from within. Can you tell me how all this is

realized in such a hectic and materialistic world?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: As a SY I am concerned that after Shri Mataji takes

Mahasamadhi there will great grief and sense of loss. How can I cope

with this eventuality and continue my faith and devotion? Do I

continue to meditate on Her photo even though She is not physically

present anymore?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: Jagbir, you are already telling us to discard Shri Mataji's

photo and meditate on Her is the Sahasrara. A number of SYs have been

offended by this and have left the forum. What makes you so sure you

are right?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: What is the most profound and deepest enlightenment you

have discovered after all these years, based on the teachings of Shri

Mataji? She also claims that all religions teach the same truth about

the spirit. How is that so given all the religious differences and

centuries-old rivalry?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: Hi, man-made religions, sects and denominations are wide

spread. So much misdeeds and divisions are committed and blood is

shed in the name of God and religion. Is there a way to make humans

realize that they are all worshipping the One and same Creator, no

matter how different religious organizations have made God to be?

 

Answer: Silence on Self

 

 

Question: It seems that religions are all preaching about a God that

is to be found only in their organizations. Why then is it that the

Divine can only be realized through one's own experience? What and

where is God then?

 

Answer: Silence on Self