W3.3 Different Approaches to Meditation a) What are the preferred conditions and postures for meditation? Refer to classical and modern texts b) Discuss the main types of meditation, including any possible precautions with reference to the following classifcations i) sight ii) sound iii) breath. Refer to classical and modern texts Ginny Clother 1450 words Meditation is a process of freeing the mind from entanglements of thought and emotion. It is a method of changing our habitual state of incessant superficial brain activity to a calmer, quieter state. This process can encourage the change of engrained habits of thought, emotion and activity. Iyengar (2001 p3) ‘by profound meditation...It is like a great musician becoming one with his instrument and the music that comes from it.’ Iyengar emphasises that ill health can impede the ability for meditation. 1
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W3.3 Different Approaches to Meditationa) What are the preferred conditions and postures for meditation? Refer to
classical and modern texts
b) Discuss the main types of meditation, including any possible precautions with
reference to the following classifcations
i) sight
ii) sound
iii) breath.
Refer to classical and modern texts Ginny Clother 1450 words
Meditation is a process of freeing the mind from entanglements of thought and emotion.
It is a method of changing our habitual state of incessant superficial brain activity to a
calmer, quieter state. This process can encourage the change of engrained habits of
thought, emotion and activity.
Iyengar (2001 p3) ‘by profound meditation...It is like a great musician becoming one with
his instrument and the music that comes from it.’ Iyengar emphasises that ill health can
impede the ability for meditation.
‘…there are many various methods, depending on individual experience, of the path to
Samadhi, told by the great ones (mahatmas)’ p553 Hatha Yoga Pradipika
(Muktibodananda 1998 )
‘Meditation…is pure concentration: training the mind to dwell on an interior focus
without wandering….a state of intense inner wakefulness…’ Easwaran p26.
Meditation is beneficial because it makes us feel better. For some it is used as part of a
spiritual journey to discover eternal truth. For those of us that are not convinced that there
are easy answers to lifes great questions, meditation still provides benefit. It’s practise
decreases stress and anxiety, anger and depression (Brealey 2004). It’s practise increases
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energy, creativity, self confidence and self esteem (Brealey 2004). Meditation boosts the
immune system (Brealey 2004). It also assists the functioning of the para sympathetic
nervous system- the relaxation response-facilitating rest and digestion (Brealey 2004).
Iyengar (2001p30) states that meditation produces ‘a balanced, serene and tranquil mind’.
Conditions for meditation
Buddha gained enlightenment seated under a Bodhi Tree. Given that the Bodhi tree is not
available to us in Europe, we must consider alternatives. A quiet space where it is
possible to feel warm and comfortable is desirable. Ideally the practitioner needs a
blanket or mat and comfortable clothes which have become associated with meditative
practise. Brealey (2004) also recommends sitting under a tree, by a lake or waterfall but
these are all weather dependent. Practising meditation at dawn or dusk is thought of as
auspicious but it may be difficult to arrange a regular schedule if these times vary
considerably with the passing of the seasons. The practitioner should allow sufficient
time for digestion after meals so as to feel comfortable.
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Postures for meditation
Iyengar (2001) recommends siddhasana –sitting with lower heel in perineum and upper
foot tucked between opposite side thigh and calf. With regard to padmasana Iyengar
(2001p101) states ‘ people not used to sitting on the floor seldom have flexible knees. At
the start they will feel excruciating pain around the knees. By perseverance and continued
practice the pain will gradually subside and they can then stay in the pose comfortably’ .
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (Muktibodhananda 1998 ) recommends swastikasana pose-
with soles of feet resting on inner thighs in sitting. The female form of siddhasana is
siddha yoni asana. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (Muktibodhananda 1998) suggests these
postures are easier to maintain than padmasana as the feet ‘are less likely to fall asleep’
Raja meditation-raja yoga or royal yoga is the path to enlightenment as asserted by
Patanjali achieved by practising eight stages. These eight stages are yamas (observances),