Meditation

Meditation is our ability to contact our true self and consciousness (atman or purusha), which is the source of life and intelligence.

Secondly, meditation is the ability to clear out the negative aspects of our consciousness, harmful subconscious habits and impulses that cause pain and suffering. Meditation helps promote our highest impulses and also roots out those which are harmful and intractable.

Nor is meditation 'stopping the mind', which is never recommended, for the mind is always in motion, working to maintain the functions of the body, for example.

Meditation is simply the practice of calming the thoughts, so the mind and body become still, allowing our mental energies to be renewed and transformed.

Further, meditation practice includes many helpful approaches to help attain this condition of calm, such as:
-mantra (a word or phrase of your choosing),
-pranayama (deep and slow breathing), and
-visualization.
And all of these are only aids, or ways to assist us in returning our consciousness to its original peaceful and silent state. Once accomplished, we are able to set aside these techniques, resting deeply in the harmony of our natural self. This is the only goal of all meditation.

In Ayurveda, meditation is an important tool for healing the mind (even though its healing benefits extend to the body). Healing meditation reduces the psychological root or complications of the disease process, which always exists to some degree. Ayurveda recomends meditation for treating specific diseases, particularly psychological disorders in which meditation may be the primary therapy. Ayurveda also prescribes meditation as part of its lifestyle regimens both for health maintenance and life-enhancement. In all, there are many types of meditation in both Ayurvdic and Yogic thought.

Because of the mind's connection with prana, the role of pranic practices in meditation cannot be ignored. Because of prana's further connection to food, the physical body cannot be forgetten either. The Ayurvedic approach to meditation - which is identical to the Yogic approach - is always integral, so includes body, breath and senses.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi