Meditation:
By definition, is the inducement of an altered state of consciousness and should never be done while operating a vehicle or machinery or in any situation where full conscious attention and focus must be maintained. Meditation is allowing space within you for spiritual guidance. Is allowing space within you for spiritual guidance. Meditation is an opening to the wholeness of one's true nature? Full awareness of this wholeness is not directly accessible to the conscious mind. Meditating, think with concentration of mind: to meditate on or upon the quality of our lives. Consider or contemplate an action. Meditation has been proved to be of benefit in a number of ways, including lowering blood pressure and stress levels. Using meditation for clinical depression, however, is fraught with danger, because one of the main symptoms of depression is the inability to concentrate. If a severely depressed person tries to meditate, there is a real danger that they will make themselves worse because of their inability to concentrate.
* Meditation is a process, an investment in your spiritual well being. You may also find that the feedback from the meditation does not come at the time of the meditation itself. Some people will experience the feedback in the form of dreams, or flashes of insight during the day. The best approach to spiritual growth meditation is one of open trust, patience without any specific expectations. Meditation is a highly personal experience and one which evolves as you evolve. Therefore don't be "automatic" in you aproach to your meditations. Be open to new methods, ideas and perspectives which will manifest as you acclimate to a new level of spiritual responsibility. You should be aware that whatever from of meditation you begin with will probably change in the course of your training.
The Kofutu symbols can be used in two very different ways. Chapter Three presents the individual symbols with descriptions of their benefits for self-development when used individually in meditation. Chapter Four presents the symbols in their use as the Touch Healing system. Prior to or concurrent with using the symbols in either of these ways, it is important to work with the meditation square and "ground" oneself to the energy of the symbols.
The most helpful and gentle form of meditation for a clinically depressed person may be the repetition silently or out aloud of a mantra, providing it is not overdone. Grounding oneself with the symbols means to work with them sufficiently until they have begun to become a part of one's own consciousness, so that they may be used effectively.
Grounding oneself with the symbols means to work with them sufficiently until they have begun to become a part of one's own consciousness, so that they may be used effectively. True Meditation is an opening to the wholeness of one's true nature. As has been described, full awareness of this wholeness is not directly accessible to the conscious mind. Meditation is allowing space within you for spiritual guidance.
The use of Kofutu symbols and the universal symbol, Zayka, allows the individual to bypass the part of the mind that tends to "filter" internal communication and go directly to the deeper areas of the consciousness where the knowledge of natural growth is strongest.
In all cases, the symbols are to be visualised in their entirety while repeating the name of the symbol to your self or out loud. (While you are giving a healing it would not be appropriate to say the symbol out loud.) As you work with the symbol, allow yourself to follow your intuitive inclinations beyond its clear form and name to a "feel for the energy".
The Kofutu Meditation:
Sit or lie down in a place where you will not be disturbed and relax your body. Mentally search your body for tension, and allow each muscle to relax, releasing all tension. Pay special attention to any area that is a tension spot for you. (The jaw, neck, shoulders, forehead and lower back are often areas requiring extra attention.
While you are releasing physical tension, begin to breathe deeply and evenly. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Do not force heavy breathing, just relax and breath deeply but comfortably and naturally. Picture yourself surrounded by a large globe of light blue energy. The globe should be large enough to surround your entire body. As you continue to breath deeply and evenly, picture the light blue energy entering your body as you exhale. Visualise this energy circulating through your entire body, including your arms and legs. Then as you exhale, picture all negative energies flowing out of your body. Release all fears, tensions anxieties, and counter-productive energies in the out-flow of breath.
When you feel that you are relaxed and have released all counterproductive energies, simultaneously pronounce and draw the symbol Kofutu. If you are right-handed, draw the symbol in your left hand, using your right index finger. If you are left handed, draw the symbol in your right hand using your left index finger. Pronounce the symbol (say aloud), while drawing it in your hand and repeat the process three times. In the same manner, pronounce and draw the Tamarasha symbol three times and then, the symbol formula, Shin Te Wu Kirem, three times.
Visualise light pink and bright gold stars sparkling through your body and the light blue sphere and hold this visualisation for ten or fifteen minutes. This meditation will be helpful in attuning yourself to Kofutu spiritual healing, and can be done frequently at first, to strengthen your own healing connection.
To enhance the Kofutu Meditation. To build more personal momentum with the Kofutu Energy, wright your given name in Kofutu symbol form. Use your name at birth, not your married name, and translate using the correlations listed. Use your name so written as an aid to meditation by relaxing and contemplating the symbols for a few minutes every day. You can also draw the symbols in your hand, repeating your name translation three times, before and after your regular meditation. It is helpful to have a copy of your name in symbols somewhere in your home where it is easily and often seen. This will help anchor the symbols in your subconscious. Translating your name into Kofutu symbols makes a very effective YANTRA or picture symbol to contemplate. Refer to the Kofutu symbols pronunciation and construction section.
Jinma JINMA (JIN MA):
Is a symbol of growth and personal development. By using Jinma as a meditation device you can accelerate your Personal Growth and Spiritual Development. Like all higher consciousness energy symbols, Jinma acts from the inside out. This means that the growth it promotes will come gradually and gently and will act over a period of weeks, months or years. As you work with the energy of the symbol, the acceleration becomes greater, but always at a level that is in your best interests. Consider this a no nonsense, no frills meditation.
JINMA A FREE MEDITATION FOR GROWTH
This meditation technique is offered to those who choose to use it free of charge. Anyone using this technique assumes all responsibility for the use of the symbol, the technique and the decisions involved in working with the meditation process. Meditation, by definition, is the inducement of an altered state of consciousness and should never be done while operating a vehicle or machinery or in any situation where full conscious attention and focus must be maintained. The meditation symbol may be downloaded for your own personal use. This symbol may be shared with others as long as the full text of the meditation, including this paragraph, accompanies the symbol. This symbol is the copyrighted artwork of Frank Homan and may not be used in any form, or included in any media except as stated above without the prior written permission of the artist.
The symbol above, called Jinma, is a symbol of growth and personal development. By using Jinma as a meditation device you can accelerate your personal growth and spiritual development. Like all higher consciousness energy symbols, Jinma acts from the inside out. This means that the growth it promotes will come gradually and gently and will act over a period of weeks, months or years. As you work with the energy of the symbol, the acceleration becomes greater, but always at a level that is in your best interests.
The most effective way to use higher consciousness spiritual energy symbols like Jinma is to gradually make them a part of your being and consciousness. Over a period of weeks, months or even years, the continued meditation and contemplation of the symbol will become so much a part of your own consciousness that it will begin to present itself to you in your mind whenever the timing is right for personal energy enrichment.
Given below is a method of meditation, but this is only given as a possible alternative if you have no meditation technique, which you currently use. There are many valid methods of meditation; this is just one simple method. If you currently use another meditation technique, which allows the incorporation of spiritual devices like Jinma, you may simply use Jinma in your current meditation integrating it in any way you wish. Another way to use Jinma is to simply place it somewhere that it will be seen often. It is best not to place it someplace where it is likely to become the subject of discussion and debate (like work or the living room or in your car). Choose a location where you will see it often, but where most others will not. If you are going to successfully integrate it into your consciousness, it is best kept as a private matter. Since the point of using symbols like Jinma is to allow the stimulation of spiritual consciousness from beyond a place where the ego can influence, intellectual discussion and debate tends to greatly lengthen the time it takes for the symbol to work. In fact, a heated or emotional discussion can sometimes subvert the growth benefits of symbols.
Remember, this is a spiritual, not a psychic symbol. This symbol should never be used as a method of projecting energy at yourself or anyone else. See the discussion on personal growth. Spiritual symbols are used to "allow" whatever is in our highest and greatest good. Spiritual symbols should never be used to "pull" or to try to "force" something to happen. An important part of spiritual energy work is trust.
Jinma A Meditation Technique:
The following simple meditation technique can be used in the absence of other techniques. There is nothing special or astounding about this technique. It is very simple and very basic. Consider this a no nonsense, no frills meditation. Follow these 7 steps.
1) Find a place where you can be alone and undisturbed for 15 to 30 minutes. The quieter and more peaceful the "space" you create, the better. There doesn't have to be anything fancy about the place, even an old rug in the corner of a basement will do.
2) Sit comfortably in a chair, or on the floor, or cross-legged. It is better not to lie down, since it is easy to fall asleep.
3) Take a few deep breaths. Breath in through the nose, out through the mouth. The breaths should be deep, but comfortable. Do not force an uncomfortable expansion of the lungs.
4) Allow your mind to clear itself of stresses, worries, anxieties and so forth. This is a special small bit of time, just for you, to experience peace, growth and renewal. Leave all other energies and considerations aside for these few minutes.
5) Look at a picture of Jinma and be receptive to what it has to tell you, show you, or impart to you. Resist the tendency to want to analyse it, classify it or quantify it in some way. Just allow it to be there with you, as you would invite a friend to sit with you and share a moment of peace. Say the symbol's name (Jinma) slowly and carefully 3 to 7 times. Pronounce each syllable as a separate word (Jin Ma).
6) Close your eyes and let the image linger in your mind. Be receptive to thoughts and feelings which might emerge, but do not try to seek them out. Resist the tendency to try to analyse what is happening. As much as possible, try to be an empty container into which spiritual energy can flow. You may find yourself drifting away, drifting into thoughts, or becoming analytical. You may also find yourself losing track of Jinma. When any of these things happen, just gently and non-judgment ally bring yourself back to the Jinma symbol. You may open your eyes to look at a picture of the symbol whenever you need to.
7) After 15-30 minutes, slowly, gently bring yourself back to the external world. Touch the chair or the floor, open your eyes, and speak out loud. As is true with any meditation, it is best not to jar yourself back to normal consciousness. Don't suddenly stop, jump up and take off to your next task or activity. When you feel that you are fully conscious and alert, the meditation is over.
This meditation can be safely done everyday. More than once per day is probably not going to increase the benefit. Meditating as little as once per week will yield definite benefits over a period of time. Be patient: don't expect dramatic results quickly. This is a process, an investment in your spiritual well being. You may also find that the feedback from the meditation does not come at the time of the meditation itself. Some people will experience the feedback in the form of dreams, or flashes of insight during the day. The best approach to spiritual growth meditation is one of open trust, patience without any specific expectations.
* Meditation:
Descipline in which the mind is focused on an object of thought or awareness. It usually involves turning attention to a single point of reference. The practice may engender a higher state of consciousness. Meditation is recognized as a component of almost all religions, and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. Meditative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual and or psychophysical practices which can emphasize development of either a high degree of mental concentration, or the apparent converse, mental quiescence.
* The word meditation comes from the Latin meditatio: Which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, then later evolved into the more specific meaning "contemplation." Eastern meditation techniques have been adapted and increasingly practiced in Western culture. Meditation has been defined as: "self regulation of attention, in the service of self-inquiry, in the here and now." The various techniques of meditation can be classified according to their focus. Some focus on the field or background perception and experience, also called "mindfulness;" others focus on a preselected specific object, and are called "concentrative" meditation. There are also techniques that shift between the field and the object. In mindfulness meditation, the meditator sits comfortably and silently, centering attention by focusing awareness on an object or process (either the breath, a sound: a mantra, koan or riddle evoking questions; a visualisation, or an exercise). The meditator is usually encouraged to maintain an open focus: shifting freely from one perception to the next clear your mind of all that bothers you no thoughts that can distract you from reality or your personal being. No thought, image or sensation is considered an intrusion. The meditator, with a 'no effort' attitude, is asked to remain in the here and now.
* Using the focus: As an 'anchor'. brings the subject constantly back to the present, avoiding cognitive analysis or fantasy regarding the contents of awareness, and increasing tolerance and relaxation of secondary thought processes. Concentration meditation is used in most religions and spiritual practices. Whereas in mindfulness meditation there is an open focus, in concentration meditation the meditator holds attention on a particular object (e.g., a repetitive prayer) while minimizing distractions; bringing the mind back to concentrate on the chosen object. In some traditions, such as Vipassana, mindfulness and concentration are combined. Meditation can be practiced while walking or doing simple repetitive tasks. Walking meditation helps to break down habitual automatic mental categories, "thus regaining the primary nature of perceptions and events, focusing attention on the process while disregarding its purpose or final outcome." In a form of meditation using visualization, such as Chinese Qi Gong, the practitioner concentrates on flows of energy (Qi) in the body, starting in the abdomen and then circulating through the body, until dispersed. Some meditative traditions, such as yoga or tantra, are common to several religions or occur outside religious contexts.
* Hinduism: Hinduism is the oldest religion that professess meditation as a spiritual and religious practice. Yoga is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy, focusing on meditation. In India, Yoga is seen as a means to both physiological and spiritual mastery.
* There are several types of meditation in Hinduism: Amongst these types are:
* Vedanta, a form of Jnana Yoga: * Raja Yoga as outlined by Patanjali, which describes eight "limbs" of spiritual practices, half of which might be classified as meditation. Underlying them is the assumption that a yogi should still the fluctuations of his or her mind: Yoga cittavrrti nirodha: * Surat shabd yoga, or "sound and light meditation": * Japa Yoga, in which a mantra is repeated aloud or silently: * Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of love and devotion, in which the seeker is focused on an object of devotion, eg Krishna: * Hatha Yoga, in which postures and meditations are aimed at raising the spiritual energy, known as Kundalini, which rises through energy centres known as chakras:
* The objective of Meditation: Is to reach a calm state of mind. Patanjali, in his Yoga Sutras, described five different states of mind: Ksipta, Mudha, Viksipta, Ekagra and Nirodha. Ksipta defines a very agitated mind, unable to think, listen or remain quiet. It is jumping from one thought to another. In Mudha no information seems to reach the brain; the person is absentminded. Viksipta is a higher state where the mind receives information but is not able to process it. It moves from one thought to another, in a confused inner speech. Ekagra is the state of a calm mind but not asleep. The person is focused and can pay attention. Lastly Nirodha, when the mind is not disturbed by erratic thoughts, it is completely focused, as when you are meditating or totally centered in what you are doing. The ultimate end of meditation according to Patanjali is the destruction of primal ignorance (avidya) and the realization of and establishment in the essential nature of the Self.
* Bahai Faith: The Bahai Faith teaches that meditation is necessary for spiritual growth, alongside obligatory prayer and fasting. Abdu'l-Baha is quoted as saying: "Meditation is the key for opening the doors of mysteries to your mind. In that state man abstracts himself: in that state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; in that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-themselves." Although the Founder of the Faith, Bahaullah, never specified any particular forms of meditation, some Baha'i practices are meditative. One of these is the daily repetition of the Arabic phrase Allahu Abha (God is Most Glorious) 95 times preceded by ablutions. Abha has the same root as Baha' (Arabic: "splendor" or "glory") which Baha'is consider to be the "Greatest Name of God".
* Meditation: Has always been central to Buddhism. The historical Buddha himself was said to have achieved enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree. Most forms of Buddhism distinguish between two classes of meditation practices, shamatha and vipassana, both of which are necessary for attaining enlightenment. The former consists of practices aimed at developing the ability to focus the attention single-pointedly; the latter includes practices aimed at developing insight and wisdom through seeing the true nature of reality.
* The differentiation between the two types of meditation practices: Is not always clear cut, which is made obvious when studying practices such as Anapanasati which could be said to start off as a shamatha practice but that goes through a number of stages and ends up as a vipassana practice. Theravada Buddhism emphasizes the meditative development of mindfulness (sati, see for example the Satipatthana Sutta) and concentration (samadhi, see kammatthana), as part of the Noble Eightfold Path, in the pursuit of Nibbana (Nirvana). Traditional popular meditation subjects include the breath (anapana) and loving-kindness (metta).
* Zen Buddhist meditation or Zazen: In Japanese Mahayana schools, Tendai (Tien-tai), concentration is cultivated through highly structured ritual. Especially in the Chinese Chan Buddhism school (which branched out into the Japanese Zen, and Korean Seon schools), ts'o ch'an meditation and koan meditation practices allow a practitioner to directly experience the true nature of reality (each of the names of these schools derives from the Sanskrit dhyana, and translates into "meditation" in their respective languages). The esoteric Shingon sect shares many features with Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana) emphasizes tantra for its senior practitioners; hence its alternate name of Tantrayana Buddhism. Many monks go through their day without "meditating" in a recognizable form, but are more likely to chant or participate in group liturgy.
* In this tradition: The purpose of meditation is to awaken the sky-like nature of mind, and to introduce practitioners to that which they really are: unchanging pure awareness, which underlies the whole of life and death. Meditation is the way to bring us back to ourselves, where we can really experience and taste our full being, beyond all habitual patterns. In the stillness and silence of meditation, we glimpse and return to that deep inner nature that we have so long ago lost sight of amid the business and distraction of our minds. The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this life. For it is only through meditation that you can undertake the journey to discover your true nature, and so find the stability and confidence you will need to live, and die, well.
* Meditation is the road to enlightenment: Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Most Buddhist traditions recognize that the path to Enlightenment entails three types of training: virtue (sila); meditation (citta); and, wisdom (panna). Thus, meditative prowess alone is not sufficient; it is but one part of the path. In other words, in Buddhism, in tandem with mental cultivation, ethical development and wise understanding are also necessary for the attainment of the highest goal.
* Christian Meditation: Christian traditions have various practices which can be identified as forms of "meditation." Monastic traditions are the basis for many of these practices. Practices such as the rosary, the Adoration (focusing on the eucharist) in Catholicism or the hesychast tradition in Eastern Orthodoxy, may be compared to forms of Eastern meditation that focus on an individual object. Christian meditation is considered a form of prayer. Hesychastic practice, involves recitation of the Jesus Prayer, thus "through the grace of God and one's own effort, to concentrate the nous in the heart." Prayer as a form of meditation of the heart is described in the Philokalia a practice that leads towards Theosis which ignores the senses and results in inner stillness. In 1975, the Benedictine monk, John Main introduced a form of meditation based on recitation of a prayer-phrase. The World Community for Christian Meditation was founded in 1991 to continue Main's work, which the Community describes as: "teaching Christian meditation as part of the great work of our time of restoring the contemplative dimension of Christian faith in the life of the church." The Old Testament book of Joshua sets out a form of meditation based on scriptures: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it, then you will be prosperous and successful" (Joshua 1:8). This is one of the reasons why bible verse memory is a practice among many evangelical Christians.
* Muraqaba Meditation: In Islam is the core of Muslim mystical traditions (in particular Sufism). Meditative quiescence is believed to have a quality of healing and creativity. The Muslim prophet Muhammad, whose deeds devout Muslims follow, spent long periods in meditation and contemplation. It was during one such period of meditation that Muhammad began to receive revelations of the Qur'an.
* There are two concepts or schools of Meditation in Islam:
* Tafakkur and Tadabbur: Literally meaning reflection upon the universe. Muslims feel this is a form of intellectual development which emanates from a higher level, i.e. from God. This intellectual process through the receiving of divine inspiration awakens and liberates the human mind, permitting man’s inner personality to develop and grow so that he may lead his life on a spiritual plane far above the mundane level. This is consistent with the global teachings of Islam, which views life as a test of our practice of submission to Allah, the one God.
* The second form of meditation is the Sufi meditation: It is largely based on mystical exercises. However, this method is controversial among Muslim scholars. One group of Ulama, Al-Ghazzali, for instance, have accepted it, another group of Ulama, Ibn Taymiya, for instance, have rejected it as a bid'ah (religious innovation).
* Sufism: Relies on a practice similar to Buddhist meditation, known as Muraqaba or Tamarkoz which is taught in the Oveyssi-Shahmaghsoudi Sufi order. Tamarkoz is a Persian term that means ‘concentration,’ referring to the “concentration of abilities”. Consequently, the term concentration is synonymous to close attention, convergent, collection, compaction, and consolidation. Muslims Meditate during the second stage of Hajj at "Mount Mercy", from noon to sunset.
* Jain Sadhvis Meditating: The Jains use the word Samayika, a word in the Prakrit language derived from the word samay (time), to denote the practice of meditation. The aim of Samayika is to transcend the daily experiences of being a "constantly changing" human being, Jiva, and allow for the identification with the "changeless" reality in the practitioner, the Atma. The practice of Samayika begins by achieving a balance in time. If the present moment of time is taken to be a point between the past and the future, Samayika means being fully aware, alert and conscious in that very moment, experiencing one's true nature, Atma, which is considered common to all living beings. The Samayika takes on special significance during Paryushana, a special 8-day period practiced by the Jains.
* Meditation techniques: Were available in ancient Jain scriptures that have been forgotten with time. A practice called preksha meditation is said to have been rediscovered by the 10th Head of Jain Swetamber Terapanth sect Acharya Mahaprajna, and consists of the perception of the body, the psychic centres, breath and of contemplation processes which will initiate the process of personal transformation. It aims at reaching and purify the deeper levels of existence. Regular practice strengthens the immune system, builds up stamina to resist against aging process, pollution, chemical toxins, viruses, diseases, food adulteration etc. Jain Meditation is important to the daily lives of the religion's monks.
* Acharya Mahaprajna says: Soul is my god. Renunciation is my prayer. Amity is my devotion. Self restraint is my strength. Non-violence is my religion.
* Judaism Jewish meditation: There is evidence that Judaism has had meditative practices that go back thousands of years.For instance, in the Torah, the patriarch Isaac is described as going (lasuach) in the field—a term understood by all commentators as some type of meditative practice (Genesis 24:63). Similarly, there are indications throughout the Tanach (the Hebrew Bible) that meditation was central to the prophets. In the Old Testament, there are two Hebrew words for meditation: haga which means to sigh or murmur, but also to meditate, and Sioa, which means to muse, or rehearse in one's mind.
* Jewish practice: One of the best known meditative practices is called hitbodedut or hisbodedus is explained in Kabbalah and Hassidic philosophy. The word hisbodedut, which derives from the Hebrew word "boded", (a state of being alone) and said to be related to the sfirah of Binah (lit. book of understanding), means the process of making oneself understand a concept well through analytical study.
* Kabbalah: Is inherently a meditative field of study. Kabbalistic meditative practices construct a supernal realm which the soul navigates through in order to achieve certain ends. One of the most well known types of meditation is Merkabah, from the root /R-K-B/ meaning "chariot"(of God).
* New Age Meditation workshop at 1979 Nambassa in New Zealand: New Age meditations are often influenced by Eastern philosophy and mysticism such as Yoga, Hinduism and Buddhism, yet may contain some degree of Western influence. In the west meditation found its mainstream roots through the hippie counterculture social revolution of the 1960s and 1970s when many of the youth of the day rebelled against traditional belief systems.
* Sikhism: * Nam Japo: The practices of Simran and Nam Japo encourage quiet meditation. This is focusing one's attention on the attributes of God. Sikhs believe that there are 10 'gates' to the body; 'gates' is another word for 'chakras' or energy centres. The top most energy level is the called the tenth gate or dasam dwar. It is said[attribution needed] that when one reaches this stage through continuous practice meditation becomes a habit that continues whilst walking, talking, eating, awake and even sleeping. There is a distinct taste or flavour when a meditator reaches this lofty stage of meditation, as one experiences absolute peace and tranquility inside and outside the body. Followers of the Sikh religion also believe that love comes through meditation on the lord's name since meditation only conjures up positive emotions in oneself which are portrayed through our actions. The first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached the equality of all humankind and stressed the importance of living a householder's life instead of wandering around jungles meditating, the latter of which being a popular practice at the time. The Guru preached that we can obtain liberation from life and death by living a totally normal family life and by spreading love amongst every human being regardless of religion.
* Taoism "Gathering the Light": Taoist meditation from The Secret of the Golden Flower: Taoism includes a number of meditative and contemplative traditions. Originally said to have their principles described in the I Ching, Tao Te Ching, Chuang Tzu and Tao Tsang among other texts; the multitude of schools relating to Qigong, Neigong, Daoyin and Zhan zhuang are a large, diverse array of breath training practises in aid of meditation with much influence from later Chinese Buddhism and with much influence on traditional Chinese medicine and the Chinese as well as some Japanese martial arts. The Chinese martial art T'ai Chi Ch'uan is named after the well-known focus for Taoist and Neo-Confucian meditation, the T'ai Chi T'u, and is often referred to as “meditation in motion”. Often Taoist Internal martial arts, especially Tai Chi Chuan are thought of as moving meditation. A common phrase being, "movement in stillness" referring to energetic movement in passive Qigong and seated Taoist meditation; with the converse being "stillness in movement", a state of mental calm and meditation in the tai chi form.
* Meditation according to Krishnamurti: J Krishnamurti used the word meditation to mean something entirely different from the practice of any system or method to control the mind. He said, “Man, in order to escape his conflicts, has invented many forms of meditation. These have been based on desire, will, and the urge for achievement, and imply conflict and a struggle to arrive. This conscious, deliberate striving is always within the limits of a conditioned mind, and in this there is no freedom. All effort to meditate is the denial of meditation. Meditation is the ending of thought. It is only then that there is a different dimension which is beyond time.” For Krishnamurti, meditation was choiceless awareness in the present. He said "When you learn about yourself, watch yourself, watch the way you walk, how you eat, what you say, the gossip, the hate, the jealousy if you are aware of all that in yourself, without any choice, that is part of meditation."
* Active/Dynamic Meditation: Dynamic Meditation is the name of one of Osho's popular Active Meditation techniques. However, in general active dynamic meditation refers to any meditation technique which does not have one's body assuming a static posture. Such techniques are widely used in Karma Yoga. An example of such activity could be Natya Yoga or a Shamanistic dance, such as described by Carlos Castaneda or simple exercises that focus on certain parts of the body "to give you the power to profoundly affect your mental and physical state directly and quickly".
* Osho, earlier named Rajneesh: Introduced the meditation techniques which he termed Active Meditations, which begin with a stage of activity sometimes intense and physical followed by a period of silence. He emphasized that meditation is not concentration. Dynamic Meditation involves a conscious catharsis where one can throw out all the repressions, express what is not easily expressible in society, and then easily go into silence. Some of his techniques also have a stage of spontaneous dance. He said that, "If people are innocent there is no need for Dynamic Meditation. But if people are repressed, psychologically are carrying a lot of burden, then they need catharsis. So Dynamic Meditation is just to help them clean the place. And then they can use any method. It will not be difficult. If they, right now, directly try, they will fail."
* Sri Aurobindo used to meditate while walking: Also the Thai monk Luang Por Teean taught a (more conservative) form of active meditation which in Luang Por Teean's translated books is usually translated as 'Dynamic Meditation'. It involves the use of the hands and arms during sitting meditation. He also used walking meditation as a complementary method. His teaching was aimed at developing awareness of the movements of the arms, which are moved continuously in a certain pattern throughout the meditation. The awareness is, however, not limited to the arms but inclusive of the whole life-experience. This type of active meditation is a type of vipassana meditation, which originated in Burma, but is becoming more well known in the western countries, too.
* Secular: Forms of meditation which are devoid of mystical content have been developed in the west as a way of promoting physical and mental well being.
* Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Was developed by American physician Edmund Jacobson in the early 1920s. Jacobson argued that since muscular tension accompanies anxiety, one can reduce anxiety by learning how to relax the muscular tension.
* Autogenic training: Was developed by the German psychiatrist Johannes Schultz in 1932. Schultz emphasized parallels to techniques in yoga and meditation; however, autogenic training is devoid of any mysticism.
* Australian psychiatrist Dr Ainslie Meares: Published a groundbreaking work in the 1960's entitled Relief Without Drugs, in which he recommended some simple, secular relaxation techniques based on Hindu practices as a means of combating anxiety, stress and chronic physical pain.
* Herbert Benson M.D. of Harvard Medical School: Conducted a series of clinical tests on meditators from various disciplines - mainly Transcendental meditation and Tibetan Buddhism. He first described the results in his 1975 book The Relaxation Response where he outlined a secular approach to achieving similar results.
* Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche: founded Shambhala Training in 1976: A secular program of meditation with a belief in basic goodness and teaching the path of bravery and gentleness. The 1984 book Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior contains student-edited versions of Trungpa's lectures and writings.
* The book Sensual Meditation (1980): Which was written by the founder of the Raëlian movement outlines a sequence of non-ascetic meditation exercises which emphasize a Sensual Meditation involving a physical and sensual awareness connected with current knowledge of how the body and mind are organized.
* The 1999 book The Calm Technique: Meditation Without Magic or Mysticism by Paul Wilson has a discussion and instruction in a form of secular meditation.
* Biofeedback: Has been tried by many researchers since the 1950s as a way to enter deeper states of mind.
* Primordial Sound Meditation: Is an ancient meditation technique with its origins in the Vedic tradition of India. It has been modernized and revitalized by Drs. Deepak Chopra and David Simon of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing. It is a silent mantra meditation that uses primordial sounds (sounds of nature) that are linguistically structured and used to bring awareness to more and more subtle levels of thought.
* Most religions have their own prayer beads or rosary: A rosary consists of pearls or beads linked together by a thread. Catholics use a string of beads containing five sets with ten small beads. Each set of ten is separated by another bead. The Hindu and Buddhist rosary has 108 beads and the Muslim rosary 99 beads. Prayers and specific meditations of each religion are different and there are theological reasons for the number of beads. Rosaries may come in different colors, sizes and designs. However, the central purpose, which is to pray repetitively and to meditate, is the same across all religions that use them as a prayer tool.
* Newer forms of meditation: Are based on the results of EEG (electro-encephalogram) work in long-term meditators. Studies have demonstrated the presence of a frequency-following response to auditory and visual stimuli. This EEG activity was termed "frequency-following response" because its period (cycles per second) corresponds to the fundamental frequency of the stimulus. Stated plainly, if the stimulus is 5 Hz the resulting measured EEG will show a 5 Hz frequency-following response using appropriate time-domain averaging protocols. This is the justification behind such inventions as the Dreamachine and binaural beats.
* "Meditation" in its modern sense refers to Yogic meditation that originated in India. In the late nineteenth century, Theosophists adopted the word "meditation" to refer to various spiritual practices drawn from Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and other Eastern religions. Thus the English word "meditation" does not exclusively translate to any single term or concept, and can be used to translate words such as the Sanskrit dhyana, samadhi and bhavana. Meditation may be for a religious purpose, but even before being brought to the West it was used in secular contexts, such as the martial arts. Beginning with the Theosophists, though, meditation has been employed in the West by a number of religious and spiritual movements, such as Yoga , New Age and the New Thought movement, as well as limited use in Christianity. Meditation techniques have also been used by Western theories of counseling and psychotherapy. Relaxation training works toward achieving mental and muscle relaxation to reduce daily stresses. Jacobson is credited with developing the initial progressive relaxation procedure. These techniques are used in conjunction with other behavioral techniques. Originally used with systematic desensitization, relaxation techniques are now used with other clinical problems.
* Meditation: Hypnosis and biofeedback-induced relaxation are a few of the techniques used with relaxation training. One of the eight essential phases of EMDR (developed by Shapiro), bringing adequate closure to the end of each session, also entails the use of relaxation techniques, including meditation. Multimodal therapy, a technically eclectic approach to behavioral therapy, also employs the use of meditation as a technique used in individual therapy. From the point of view of psychology and physiology, meditation can induce an altered state of consciousness, and its goals in that context have been stated to achieving spiritual enlightenment, to the transformation of attitudes, and to better cardiovascular health.
* Physical Asanapostures: Half-lotus position: Different spiritual traditions, and different teachers within those traditions, prescribe or suggest different physical postures for meditation. Sitting, supine, and standing postures are used. Most famous are the several cross-legged sitting postures, including the Lotus Position.
* Many meditative traditions teach that: The spine should be kept "straight" (i.e. that the meditator should not slouch). Often this is explained as a way of encouraging the circulation of what some call "spiritual energy," the "vital breath", the "life force" (Sanskrit prana, Chinese qi, Latin spiritus) or the Kundalini. In some traditions the meditator may sit on a chair, flat-footed (as in New Thought); sit on a stool (as in Orthodox Christianity); or walk in mindfulness (as in Theravada Buddhism). Some traditions suggest being barefoot, for comfort, for convenience, or for spiritual reasons.
* Other traditions, such as those related to kundalini yoga: Take a less formal approach. While the basic practice in these traditions is also to sit still quietly in a traditional posture, they emphasize the possibility of kriyas spontaneous yogic postures, changes in breathing patterns or emotional states, or perhaps repetitive physical movements such as swaying, etc., which may naturally arise as the practitioner sits in meditation, and which should not be resisted but rather allowed to express themselves in order to enhance the natural flow of energy through the body. This is said to help purify the nadis and ultimately deepen one's meditative practice.
* Mudra/Hand Bas-relief in Sukhothai: Thailand depicting monks during walking meditation. Various hand-gestures or mudras may be prescribed. These can carry theological meaning or according to Yogic philosophy can actually affect consciousness. For example, a common Buddhist hand-position is with the right hand resting atop the left (like the Buddha's begging bowl), with the thumbs touching.
* In most meditative traditions: the eyes are closed: In some sects such as Zen, the eyes are half-closed, half open and looking slightly downward. In others such as Brahma Kumaris, the eyes are kept fully open. Quiet is often held to be desirable, and some people use repetitive activities such as deep breathing, humming or chanting to help induce a meditative state.
* In Sufism meditation (muraqaba): with eyes closed is called Varood while with open eyes is known as Shahood or Fa'tha.
* Focus and Gaze: Often such details are shared by more than one religion, even in cases where mutual influence seems unlikely. One example would be "navel-gazing," which is apparently attested within Eastern Orthodoxy as well as Chinese qigong practice. Another would be the practice of focusing on the breath, which is found in Orthodox Christianity, Sufism, and numerous Indic traditions.
* Cross-legged Sitting: Sitting cross-legged (or upon one's knees) for extended periods when one is not sufficiently limber, can result in a range of ergonomic complaints called "meditator's knee". Many meditative traditions do not require sitting cross legged.
* Health applications and clinical studies of meditation: Main article: Health applications and clinical studies of meditation.
* Scenes of Inner Taksang, temple hall, built just above the cave where Padmasambhava meditated: In their review of scientific studies of meditation, published in the International Journal of Psychotherapy, Perez-De-Albeniz and Holmes identified the following behavioral components of meditation:
1. relaxation: 2. concentration: 3. altered state of awareness: 4. suspension of logical thought processes: 5. maintenance of self-observing attitude:
* The medical community: Has studied the physiological effects of meditation. Many concepts of meditation have been applied to clinical settings in order to measure its effect on somatic motor function as well as cardiovascular and respiratory function. Also the hermeneutic and phenomenological aspects of meditation are areas of growing interest. Meditation has entered the mainstream of health care as a method of stress and pain reduction. In 1976, the Australian psychiatrist Ainslie Meares, reported in the Medical Journal of Australia, the regression of cancer following intensive meditation. Meares wrote a number of books on the subject, including his best-seller Relief without Drugs.
* As a method of stress reduction: Meditation is often used in hospitals in cases of chronic or terminal illness to reduce complications associated with increased stress including a depressed immune system. There is growing agreement in the medical community that mental factors such as stress significantly contribute to a lack of physical health, and there is a growing movement in mainstream science to fund research in this area (e.g. the establishment by the NIH in the U.S. of 5 research centers to research the mind-body aspects of disease.)
* Dr. James Austin: A neurophysiologist at the University of Colorado, reported that Zen meditation rewires the circuitry of the brain in his landmark book Zen and the Brain (Austin, 1999). This has been confirmed using functional MRI imaging which examines the activity of the brain.
* Dr. Herbert Benson of the Mind-Body Medical Institute: Which is affiliated with Harvard and several Boston hospitals, reports that meditation induces a host of biochemical and physical changes in the body collectively referred to as the "relaxation response." The relaxation response includes changes in metabolism, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and brain chemistry. Benson and his team have also done clinical studies at Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayan Mountains.
* Other studies within this field: Include the research of Jon Kabat-Zinn and his colleagues at the University of Massachusetts who have studied the effects of mindfulness meditation on stress.
* There is anecdotal evidence that meditation can cause some people to experience psychotic episodes: Particularly in those with a history of mental illness, or those who submit themselves to long meditation retreats without prior meditation experience.
* Various forms of meditation have been described in popular culture sources: In particular, science fiction stories such as Frank Herbert's Dune, Star Trek, Star Wars, and Stargate SG-1 have featured characters who practice one form of meditation or another. Usually these practices are inspired by real-world meditation traditions, but sometimes they have very different methods and purposes.
See also: * Dictionary definitions: * Textbooks: * Quotations: * Source texts: * Images and media: * News stories: * Learning resources: * Autosuggestion: * Dhammakaya: * Interior Life: * Hesychasm: * Jnana: * Kuji-in: * Mindfulness: * Muraqaba: * Prayer: * Retreat: * Satnam: * Samyama: * Sufism: * Trance: * Vipassana: * Yoga: * Zazen: * Santhosh:
Resources: (MedTerms): - Medical Dictionary definitions of popular medical terms easily defined on MedTerms. (NCCAM) - The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (Wikipedia): - Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia Main article: Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Energy Therapies. (NIH) - National Institutes of Health. (MWD) - Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (IPL) - Internet Public Library: Health Medical Sciences. (Kofutu's CAM): - Glossary of Spiritual Terms. (Scared Texts) - The Internet Sacred Text Archive. (Search Kofutu)
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