Different cultures have different
mediation techniques, but one thing is certain – meditation is universal.
The different techniques are suited to different personality types. While
some techniques are concentrative, involving focusing, other techniques are
expansive such as ‘Vipassana’ meditation which allows for the free flow of
thoughts and their observation.The question is not what technique or method
to choose. The crucial question is what do you expect to attain or gain, and
does the method you choose lead you to your aim. Are you just after physical
relaxation, a little inner peace, or do you want to gain real peace of mind?
Maybe your aim is the attainment of enlightenment.There are techniques that
instruct you to concentrate on the tip of your nose, on your breathing or on
your movements. Others tell you to think on a sentence, quote or prayer,
while other methods tell you to repeat a mantra. In all of these methods you
are actually teaching the mind to stick to one object, action or thought.
You are training it to become one-pointed.
The Transcendental Meditation (TM)
technique is a simple, natural, effortless procedure whereby the mind easily
and naturally arrives at the source of thought, the settled state of the
mind -- Transcendental Consciousness -- pure consciousness, self-referral
consciousness, which is the source of all creative processes. Transcendental
meditation is practised for 15–20 minutes in the morning and evening, while
sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. During this technique, the
individual's awareness settles down and experiences a unique state of
restful alertness. As the body becomes deeply relaxed, the mind transcends
all mental activity to experience the simplest form of awareness,
Transcendental Consciousness, where consciousness is open to itself. This is
the self-referral state of consciousness.
Meditation on Your Third Eye
This meditation is used to unite your attention with your attentional
principle. This technique is called Purusa Dhyan meditation. Purusa is the
form of consciousness in which you will behold your attentional principle.
Dhyan means to meditate, to gaze upon an object of meditation, to unite your
attention with that object. In this meditation, your attentional principle
is the object of meditation.The attentional principle consists of four
elements: your attention (chittam), vehicles (swarup), the essential form of
your attentional principle (purusa), and the wave of consciousness (chetan).Attention
is your mind stuff. Attention is like the cursor on your computer. It
determines where you are focusing. By changing this focus you can see
different things within. Changing this focus of your attention is called
fixation or dharana.Your attentional principle is encased in several
vehicles. When it rises out of its body focus behind the pitiuitary gland
center, it travels to higher Planes. These different vehicles allow it to
operate in those higher Planes. This is like when you go deep under the
water, you wear a deep sea diving suit. If you go up in the stratosphere,
you may have to wear a pressurized flight suit. If you go up into outer
space, you will need to wear a space suit. The attentional principle's
vehicles are like these specialized suits that you have to wear when you go
into these different environments.The essential form of your attentional
principle is called purusa. When the vehicles of its astral, causal and
mental bodies have been put aside, it functions in this essential form.At
its deepest core, your attentional principle is like a wave of
consciousness. When you focus at this level, you move from contemplating
your attentional principle to being your attentional principle. You identify
with it.In this meditation technique, you will learn how to focus on your
attentional principle and open this third eye within you.
Practice of Purusa Dhyan Meditation
Sit upright in a chair, or in a comfortable cross-legged posture on a sofa
or on a cushion on the floor. Close your eyes, and focus your attention at
the point between your eyebrows. Place your attention on the following
points for three to five minutes each, monitor your experience at each
level, then shift your focus of attention to the next level:
Sense of sitting in the present time
Awareness of sensations arising from the environment in the present time
Awareness of sensations arising in the body in the present time
Awareness of emotions arising in the present time
Awareness of thoughts arising in the present time
Awareness of I AM statements arising in the present time, with associated
thoughts, feelings, and memories
Awareness of memories and impressions bubbling up from the Subconscious
Awareness of the present time being recorded in memory
Focus your attention in turn on each chakra of the Subconscious mind in the
spinal tube
base of spine
behind the navel
behind the solar plexus
behind the heart,
at the place where the neck meets the shoulders
at the base of the skull
at the point where the nose meets the forehead
Move behind the point between the eyebrows towards the top of your head. You
will encounter a presence behind this center that silently observes. Focus
more intently on this presence. You will begin to see light emanating from
this presence.
Affirm quietly, "the self, the size of a thumb, is seated behind the two
eyes. It is self-effulgent light. It is consciousness itself. I am this
consciousness."
This is the attentional principle. This is your third eye, which allows you
to see within when your two eyes are closed.
Remain in this state for as long as you wish. Then, when you are ready to
return, retrace your steps through each focal point until you are fully
grounded in your normal waking awareness.
Practice this meditation until you can go at will to each focal point and
unite with the attentional principle easily.