January 20, 2016
In an earlier video we talked about what meditation was according to that traditional definition of yoga, to that aṣṭāṅga yoga. Now this video is going to introduce the ways that you can use to prepare awareness so that you can consciously direct it into attention and then subsequently concentration. Now when you practise and perfect these two of attention and concentration, naturally it’ll move into your awareness going and unfolding into that state of meditation.
So I’m going to describe actually a few steps here that can lay the foundation to get control of awareness. These steps and the guided visualizations, they incorporate the material we learnt about the previous videos. And the invitation, once again to you, is to simply become aware and notice. And then when we do that we can take conscious control of our awareness, that observer that we are, and move deeper inside.
And keep in mind also that element of space, that ākāśa, so that that observer knows that it is different from the body; it is different from the mind and from thought. The observer that you are, the Divine being, is not your mind, is not your body, is not your emotions or your thoughts.
And with that, please make yourself comfortable and ensure that you watch this video, either while seated, or listen to it while you’re lying down. Now this is so that the spine will be straight and that you have full access to feel and notice that energetic system that comprises your body.
If you are sitting down, one thing that you can do is to put your hands into dhyāna mudrā. Now dhyāna means “meditation” in Sanskrit and mudrā means “hand position.” So what you’re going to do in dhyāna mudrā is rest your hands gently in your lap and move into dhyāna mudrā. And put your hand so that your palms are face up. Place the right hand on top of the left hand and then bring the hands to the centre of your lap so that your hands and shoulders are resting and relaxed.
That left hand supports the right hand and the thighs support both of the hands. And then gently touch your thumbs together. That’s dhyāna mudrā. Now once again, in a previous video, I’ve told you padmāsana is the ideal position. But if that’s not comfortable for you please do lie down, or sit down, or whatever makes you comfortable. And also ensure that your spine straight.
And now the invitation for you is to be comfortable. Take a few moments to centre yourself. Breathe gently, without effort, a pace that’s comfortable for you and ensure that your spine is straight.
And bring awareness to the energies of the spine by wiggling your spine back and forth. Your spine supports all of your movements during the day and at night. Your spine is the central support of your physical body, the physical vehicle that you currently inhabit.
So take a few moments and just notice. And just notice and be aware of where you are. There is no right, there is no wrong. And all the questions I’m going to ask you is for yourself to see where you are and, perhaps to consciously change if needed, what you need to do.
This physical body is the gift that you inhabit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. And just notice in what ways are you appreciative of the gift of your human body, of this human vehicle that you inhabit.