Meditation
Modified 2025-05-22
The three basics words dharana (focusing technique), dhyana (state
of mind, achieved through dharana) and samadhi (temporary
enlightment leading to neuroscientific/permanent life change) all get
translated to the English word meditation.
History of Meditation
In yoga, it's all about figuring out how we are connected to tantra
(harness cosmic conscience and energy through ritual). The yogis said
you could attain enlightenment through bhakti (devotion), karma
(selfless actions), jnana (knowledge) and raja (introspection,
through multiple steps).
Buddhism has roots in raja yoga, and has 3 branches theravada
(original teachings), mahayana (learning from multiple enlightened
people), vajrayana (mystical, tantra). The mindfulness movement
actually comes from a zen yoga, which has roots in mahayana, so it's
now clear that mindfulness is only a very small piece of the pie.
There's also some hybrid traditions. The hatha yoga (perfecting body
and mind), kundalini yoga (purifying 7 chakras) and kriya yoga
(mind and conscience).
For me, I think kundalini yoga (avatar style), raja yoga, karma, or zen/mindfulness.
Styles of Meditation
Raja Yoga
An organized way, a roadmap, that moves you on a path to meditation.
- yamas (towards the outside)
non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-lustfulness, non-possessiveness
- niyama (looking inwards)
cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self-study, devotion to a divine within you
- asana
postures to get body in shape for meditation
- pranayama
control of breathing, boosting vital energy
- pratyahara
sensory withdrawal, gaining control of your life
- dharana
focus, one-pointedness
- dhyana
state of meditation, no mind state, only happens to you
- samadhi
temporary enlightment, leads to neurological changes
Kundaline Yoga (via chakra's)
There's no evidence that the chakra's physically exist, but they look at them as goals.
- muladhara (base of spine)
impulse control
- swadisthana (around tailbone)
relationships and connections
- manipura (digestive fire)
things that are not us, become us (food digestion), absorbing knowledge, burning up negative emotions
- anahata (heart)
compassion and empathy, dealing with negative self-talk or forgiving someone
- vishuddha (throat)
affecting change to the outside
- ajna (eyes)
intuition and understanding
- sahasrara top of head
enlightment
Meditation Axis
Even within one step, let's say pranayama, there's different way to
categorize even further based on the individual meditation
fingerprint. Axis grounding vs exploratory, and open awareness vs
focus.
Following the Breath (inquisitive)
- start sensing the air on tip of your nose, and notice where it goes, small increments
- or, pick a particular spot in the body, focus, and check if you can sense the breath in that spot