MEDITATION
Meditation
is an ancient practice and also a popular culture practiced globally. Meditation
is known as Dhyana in India. Dhyana focuses on attention towards body and mind.
The practice of Meditation helps in achieving transcendence. Today, meditation
is practiced in various forms all over the world where people try to seek inner
calmness.
The
origin of the practice of meditation is observed in several religious factors. Meditation
is associated with Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, Judaism
and Islam. Early findings (such as wall art) about meditation were found in
Indus Valley civilisation dated 2000 BCE in the form of wall arts which was
recovered by archaeologists. It was later found in Vedas and Puranas in India.
Veda purana Kaala (1200 BC) had Dhyana(Meditation). It was passed on by word of
mouth to the next generation. The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient epic poem of India
dated 400 BCE also mentions meditation.
The
purpose of Dhyana was to get an answer or solutions to a topic or set of
practices. It took a definite shape, rigorous practice during the time of
Buddha (545 BC) and Mahaveera (527 BC). Meditation in Buddhism has variations. Buddhism
evolved in the 8th century.
During
the time of Shankaracharya (800 AD), traces of meditation are found in abundance
in India. Shankaracharya gave proper meaning to Meditation and different types
of Dhyanas were taught by him. The methods of Meditation taught by him remain
the same while the techniques are evoluting. Many changes in the techniques of
meditation are observed in the last 50 years.
From left:
RamaKrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda
Rama
Krishna Paramahamsa (1856 AD) broadened the concept of meditation to his
desciples. He said “The purpose of meditation is to know God. Meditate on the
form of God which most appeals to your mind. Meditation is best practiced in
the early hours of the morning and at dawn; one should also meditate daily
after dusk.” Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) disciple of Rama Krishna
Paramahamsa, helped make Meditation a global topic. He said that the meditative
state of mind is proclaimed by the Yogis to be the eminent point in which the
mind exists. Swami Vivekananda’s speeches at Chicago and Washington hall, San
Francisco USA made a global impact where he has described meditation thoroughly.
Ramana
Maharshi in the nineteenth century also gave importance to meditation along
with spiritual discourses through his ashram. In one of his talks he has said
that “Meditation is, truly speaking, Atmanishtha (to be fixed as the
Self). But when thoughts cross the mind and an effort is made to eliminate them
the effort is usually termed meditation. Atmanishtha is your real
nature. Remain as you are. That is the aim”. Meditation is an important part of
one’s spiritual practice and Ramana Maharshi explained it to the commoners in
an understandable manner. In the “Talks with Sri Ramana” he quotes that “when
there are thoughts, it is distraction;when there are no thoughts it’s
meditation”. Such simple and understandable words attracted many people towards
meditation.
In
the twentieth century BKS Iyengar clubbed both Yoga and meditation and
popularised it in many countries. Ramana Maharshi in the nineteenth century
also gave importance to meditation along with spiritual discourses through his
ashram.
Malladihalli
swamiji, Balagangadhara swamiji and many more yogis in recent years spread the
power of meditation amongst their followers.
References:
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