MeditationAnanda Marga Yoga

Knowing the Mind

The mind is the instrument to be utilized during the practice of meditation. Knowing how it works and its potential is the first step in the practice of meditation.

Some Functions of the Mind

ThinkingOnly one object at a

time. Fast moving from one

thought to another.

Remembering Recollection of

previous thoughts.

Meditation helps concentrated thinking

Layers of the Mind

Crude mind: Conscious mind

Subtle mind: Subconscious mind

Causal mind: Supramental mind Subliminal mind Subtle mind

Conscious mind: Crude mind

Sensing:

eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin.Desire:

attraction or aversion.Acting:

hands, feet, vocal cord, sexual and excretory organs.Activates basic instincts:

hunger, sleep, sex and fear.

Subtle mind: Subconscious mind

Deep thinkingMemory:

- cerebral memory;

- extra-cerebral memory.

Experience pain and pleasureDreaming

Meditation Is Practiced at the Subconscious Layer of the Mind

Meditation develops the potential of the deeper layers of the mind.

Causal mind: Supramental mind

Creative insight Intuition:

Including para-normal phenomena.

The seed of samskaras (potential reactions to past actions) find first expression here.

Causal mind: Subliminal mind

It can grasp the total existence of the objective world.

Development of:- discrimination;

and - non-attachment.

Causal mind: Subtle mind

The feeling of “I” is latent.

Intense attraction for the Supreme Consciousness.

Pure Consciousness: Atman

The Spiritual Self

Beyond duality, change, pain and pleasure. The realm of pure peace.

Conscious

Subconscious

Supramental

Subliminal

Subtle

Crude

Subtle

Causal

Causal

Causal

Atman

The Mind

Meditation Posture:

Weight on the baseBack straightShoulders relaxedChest open

Then take the step of:

mind withdrawal

Science of Mantra for Meditation

P u lsa tive In can ta tive Id ea tive

Q u a lit ies o f M an tra

P u lsa tive In can ta tive Id ea tive

Q u a lit ies o f M an tra

Breathing in Pulse with the Mantra

Abdominal

Gentle

Deep

Incantation

To purify and still your mind.So that the mind will be in the position to

maintain proper parallelism with your spiritual flow.

Chanting the Mantra

“Baba Nam Kevalam”

Love Is All There Is

Ideation

Meditation is concentrated effort.

Ideation is the specific thought (of the Infinite) to be concentrated on during meditation.

Ideation

“I Am That”

(Eternal Presence)

Ideation

“I feel infinite love and peace all around me”

Relationship of Body and Mind

The relation between body and mind is very close.

Understanding this link is essential for a successful practice of meditation.

Cakra or Plexus

These are a collection of gland and sub-glands located at specific nerve centers.

These sub-glands influence the mental propensities (such as emotions) attached to each cakra.

Cakras are sub-stations of the mind.

Cakras are located at the intersecting points of the three subtle energy channels which run along the spinal chord.

Mental correlation:

Layers of the mind (kosas)

Conscious MindSubconscious MindSupramental MindSubliminal MindSubtle MindMind Controlling PointSeat of Consciousness

Muladhara CakraSvadhistana CakraManipura CakraAnahata CakraVishuddha CakraAjina CakraSahasrara Cakra

Mental Propensities (instincts and emotions)

1st cakra: Psycho-spiritual longing Psychic longing Physical longing Spiritual longing

2nd cakra: Indifference Lack of common sense Indulgence Lack of confidence Helplessness Cruelty

3rd cakra: Shyness Sadistic tendency Envy Staticity Melancholia Peevishness Yearning for acquisition Infatuation, blind attachment Hatred, revulsion Fear

Mental Propensities4th cakra: Hope Worry Endeavor Attachment Vanity Conscience Nervous break down, numbness

due to fear Ego Avarice Hypocrisy Argumentativeness Repentance

5th cakra: Sa, Rsa, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni –

7 sounds of creation Onm - acoustic root of creation,

preservation, dissolution Kundalini rising Practication Expression of mundane

knowledge Welfare in subtle sphere Performing noble actions Surrender to the Supreme Repulsive expression Sweet expression

6th cakra: Mundane knowledge Spiritual knowledge

Yoga Postures (Asanas)

Physical benefitsKeep the body healthyCure specific diseases

Yoga Postures (Asanas)

Psychic benefitsBalance emotions and

moods by regulating the hormonal secretions

Food for Food for ThoughtThought

We are what we eat.

Food habits directly influence the mind.

A balanced diet is a condition for a balanced mind.

Food Classification

Static: harmful for body or mind, may or may not be harmful to the other.

Mutative: beneficial for body but is neutral to mind, or vice versa.

Subtle / Sentient: beneficial for both, body and mind.

Static or Tamasic Food

Mutative or Rajasic Food

Subtle / Sentient or Sattvika food

Vegetarian DietFor

Physical Health and

Mind Expansion

Health reasons for a vegetarian diet:

Human anatomy and physiology are naturally developed for a vegetarian diet.

Meat consumption brings a great deal of diseases to our human organism.

Humanitarian reasons:

Animal life has existential value in itself.

Animals don’t give their life willingly, they undergo fear and pain before being slaughtered.

It is possible to be more healthy without causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

Spiritual reasons:

To maintain one’s own existence without taking other’s existence brings peace of mind.

To feel compassion and respect for any form of life expands our mind beyond our limited individual self.

Water Drinking

The body is composed of up to 80% of fluids

Balance liquids in the bodyEliminates toxinsKeeps the system coolPrevents diseases

Fasting

Purifies body and mindEliminates toxinsGives rest for the digestive systemDevelops mental strength and

concentration

Yogic Ethics

Meditation affects every aspect of our lives.

The Ethics of Love

Yama:Principles of harmony

with society / surrounding environment

Niyama: Principles of harmony

with the self

Yama

Ahimsa: not inflicting pain or hurt on anybody by thought, word or action.

Satya: proper action of mind and the right use of words with the spirit of welfare.

Asteya: not to take possession of what belongs to others.

Brahmacarya: cosmic feeling for each and every object.

Aparigraha: not indulge in amenities that are superfluous for the preservation of life.

NiyamaShaoca: purity of body, mind and environment.

Santosa: state of proper ease or containment.

Tapah: shoulder sorrows and miseries of others to make them happy – render service to others.

Svadhyaya: clear understanding of any spiritual subject.

Iishvara Pranidhana: establish oneself in the Cosmic Idea.

Moral principles

Assist in establishing a stable, strong, subtle mind for meditation practices.

Golden Rule

Proper adjustment according to:

Time

Place

Person

Life is God-given desire for self-preservation with the simultaneous urge to expand into perfection.