Benefits of Yoga Meditation
May 7, 2008
Yoga Meditation, Enlightenment and Health
Of the four pillars or paths of yoga: Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Raja Yoga all feature Yoga meditation as an important element. All forms of yoga are descended from one of the basic four. Some forms of yoga include many postures. Some only encourage the disciple to find the posture for peaceful mediation. Some forms of yoga focus on the Supreme Being and service to him. Others only encourage the discovery of a life force within and communion with it.
Yoga and Yoga Meditation
The word “yoga” means “union” and the unifying aspect of all forms of yoga are yoga meditation. Whether one studies a form of yoga that teaches a mantra or a form that encourages one to seek a unique mantra.
It can be a form that teaches meditation as an inward turning. Yoga meditation is common to all forms. While all religions encourage some form of meditation, it may be surprising to learn that science also encourages it as a way to manage stress and increase cardiovascular health.
Meditation and Stress
In general, yoga meditation can be viewed in different ways. It can be an emptying of the mind, an intense focusing of the mind on a single thought, an opening of the mind to the divine or a reasoned analysis of spiritual questions. All forms of meditation are actually beneficial to physical health. Any type of yoga meditation can take a person away from the stresses of daily life. Accompanied by controlled breathing, as it is in yoga meditation, it can help lower high blood pressure, bring some relief to asthma’s sufferers and relieve stress and all the harmful effects of stress.
Meditation for focus inward
With yoga meditation, the goal is to focus inward - away from the confusion and demands of the temporal world and toward the eternal. Yoga is not a religion; it does not teach lessons about a Supreme Being or Truths about religious matters. Instead, yoga has been used as a method to teach and achieve understanding in several different religions - such as Hinduism and Buddhism - as well as in belief systems that can be applied to any religion or to none.
Meditation Techniques
One way to enter yoga meditation is to find a comfortable position and sit straight. Allow the day’s thoughts to mingle without control for a time. Start to concentrate on breathing and be aware of the body. Some teachers of yoga meditation begin the meditation here; others further concentrate the mind. A mantra can be used to clear the mind or the mind can be allowed to wander while the meditator simply observes. Whatever form of yoga meditation one follows, the benefits will come with perseverance
Summary:
Of the four pillars or paths of yoga: Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Raja Yoga all feature meditation as an important element. Some forms of yoga focus on the Supreme Being and service to him. Others only encourage the discovery of a life force within and communion with it. The word “yoga” means “union” and the unifying aspect of all forms of yoga are yoga meditation. While all religions encourage some form of meditation, it may be surprising to learn that science also encourages it as a way to manage stress and increase cardiovascular health. Any type of meditation can take a person away from the stresses of daily life. Accompanied by controlled breathing, as it is in yoga meditation, it can help lower high blood pressure, bring some relief to asthma’s sufferers and relieve stress and all the harmful effects of stress. One way to enter yoga meditation is to find a comfortable position and sit straight. Allow the day’s thoughts to mingle without control for a time. Start to concentrate on breathing and be aware of the body.
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