08-15-2013, 08:48 PM
in ashtanga yoga, there are steps to purifying the mind. they must be done properly and somewhat in order to achieve the deeper meditative state we are all looking for. this purification is done through every aspect of our life, not just in meditation. ive included a short summary of what is written in the book chakras: energy centers of transformation by harish johari
1 Yama - control
there are 10 yamas. non violence, truth, straight forwardness, moderation of sense indulgence, purity of body (cleanliness), etc
2 Niyama -
there are 10 niyamas. austerity, contentment, belief in god, charity, worship of god, constant studying of spiritual studies, modesty, discernment, prayers, observance of vows/sacrifices
3 Asana - seating posture
"if the body is not under control, then the mind cannot work unobstructed. thus, our own body is our greatest obstacle. the technique of making the body feel comfortable and motionless volitionally is called asana."
"asanas are designed to provide more elasticity to musculature, to regulate circulation, to direct energy to move at will, and relax the body." there is lots of info out on the web on asana, padmasana, etc
4 pranayama - breath control
"pranayama is control of the breath. prana is the vital life force. nasal breathing influences the frontal lobe of the brain because inhalation of air, which is cold by nature, cools the frontal sinuses and therefore the frontal lobe. the change of temperature influences the brain actiivty, the mind, which uses the brain as a tool. during pranayamma three kinds of muscular control should be adopted. bandhas are devices to lock the areas in the body where energy is temporarily contained so that it may be directed in the way the yogi desires. the pranic currents clean the subtle pranic channels (nadis)"
lots of more details on asanas and pranayama here
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/hyp/index.htm
5 pratyahara -withdrawal of sensory perception
"pratyahara is withdrawal of the senses from the objects toward with they naturally flow. thus all connections with the outside world are broken. pratyahara appears to be control of the senses with the mind, but the real technique is the withdrawal of the mind into the self"
6 dharana - concentration
"dharana is concentration on the six subtle centers of the chakras and the coiled power of kundalini. it should be performed sequentially, gradually approaching the seventh, which is the seat of supreme consciousness in individual consciousness"
7 dhyana - uninterrupted meditation
dhyana is meditation, in which neither the dhyata (the one who is meditated upon) nor the dhyana (the consciousness of meditation) exist. When the aspirant reaches dhyana, the I-consciousness, the divinity as supreme consciousness, and the consciousness of dhyana all disappear"
8 samadhi - uninterrupted dhyana
"the word samadhi is formed from three components
sam - equal, balanced, complete
a - eternal
dhi - buddhi, congition or knowledge
when a state of complete equilibruim is achieved, that is samadhi. for individual consciousness, samadhi is the state in which the i consciousness disappears and becomes pure consciousness, free from the awareness of itself, time, and space. this is also called self-realization. in this state, the world outside and the world inside disappear; only ananda (supreme bliss) remains."
1 Yama - control
there are 10 yamas. non violence, truth, straight forwardness, moderation of sense indulgence, purity of body (cleanliness), etc
2 Niyama -
there are 10 niyamas. austerity, contentment, belief in god, charity, worship of god, constant studying of spiritual studies, modesty, discernment, prayers, observance of vows/sacrifices
3 Asana - seating posture
"if the body is not under control, then the mind cannot work unobstructed. thus, our own body is our greatest obstacle. the technique of making the body feel comfortable and motionless volitionally is called asana."
"asanas are designed to provide more elasticity to musculature, to regulate circulation, to direct energy to move at will, and relax the body." there is lots of info out on the web on asana, padmasana, etc
4 pranayama - breath control
"pranayama is control of the breath. prana is the vital life force. nasal breathing influences the frontal lobe of the brain because inhalation of air, which is cold by nature, cools the frontal sinuses and therefore the frontal lobe. the change of temperature influences the brain actiivty, the mind, which uses the brain as a tool. during pranayamma three kinds of muscular control should be adopted. bandhas are devices to lock the areas in the body where energy is temporarily contained so that it may be directed in the way the yogi desires. the pranic currents clean the subtle pranic channels (nadis)"
lots of more details on asanas and pranayama here
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/hyp/index.htm
5 pratyahara -withdrawal of sensory perception
"pratyahara is withdrawal of the senses from the objects toward with they naturally flow. thus all connections with the outside world are broken. pratyahara appears to be control of the senses with the mind, but the real technique is the withdrawal of the mind into the self"
6 dharana - concentration
"dharana is concentration on the six subtle centers of the chakras and the coiled power of kundalini. it should be performed sequentially, gradually approaching the seventh, which is the seat of supreme consciousness in individual consciousness"
7 dhyana - uninterrupted meditation
dhyana is meditation, in which neither the dhyata (the one who is meditated upon) nor the dhyana (the consciousness of meditation) exist. When the aspirant reaches dhyana, the I-consciousness, the divinity as supreme consciousness, and the consciousness of dhyana all disappear"
8 samadhi - uninterrupted dhyana
"the word samadhi is formed from three components
sam - equal, balanced, complete
a - eternal
dhi - buddhi, congition or knowledge
when a state of complete equilibruim is achieved, that is samadhi. for individual consciousness, samadhi is the state in which the i consciousness disappears and becomes pure consciousness, free from the awareness of itself, time, and space. this is also called self-realization. in this state, the world outside and the world inside disappear; only ananda (supreme bliss) remains."