Through meditation, you can calm the mind and develop your intuition to recognize what is real and important to you.
There are numerous types of meditation in many traditions: Buddhism, Sufi, Taoist, Vipassana, Tai Chi, Qigong and Yogic meditation just to name a few. In Kundalini Yoga alone, there are hundreds of meditations that have different purposes. They may include mantra chanting or not, have some body movement or be still, with or without visualization. After exploring the world of meditation you will find that they have a common thread - quieting the mind and going beyond. And as you go beyond you may experience different states of awareness and gain a better understanding of your own nature.
Why do you need to meditate? Well, living in our modern world, we all go through some stressful situations one way or another. The difference is how you go through them. As we know, stress triggers many dis-eases. The pressure is so strong that our nervous systems get fried. And meditation is a great tool that can help you build a strong nervous system. It works directly with your parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for relaxation and is vital in handling stress. The more you meditate the more stable you become - able to withstand any storm if it happens to knock on your door. Many things stop bothering you if you meditate often. It is through meditation that you can easily find that peaceful balance within and build a healthy relationship with yourself and the world.
"Meditation is the art of breaking habits, to purify the mind and to take care of day-to-day things" - Yogi Bhajan
One of the side effects of meditation is a sharp intuition - and who doesn't want to have that?
Prayer and Meditation difference:
"Prayer is when the mind is one pointed and man talks to infinity. Meditation is when the mind becomes totally clean and receptive, and Infinity talks to the man" - Yogi Bhajan
Some Kundalini Yoga Meditations.
Please remember to tune in with the Adi Mantra (at least three times) when beginning Kundalini Yoga practice and close with three long Sat Nam's.
There are numerous types of meditation in many traditions: Buddhism, Sufi, Taoist, Vipassana, Tai Chi, Qigong and Yogic meditation just to name a few. In Kundalini Yoga alone, there are hundreds of meditations that have different purposes. They may include mantra chanting or not, have some body movement or be still, with or without visualization. After exploring the world of meditation you will find that they have a common thread - quieting the mind and going beyond. And as you go beyond you may experience different states of awareness and gain a better understanding of your own nature.
Why do you need to meditate? Well, living in our modern world, we all go through some stressful situations one way or another. The difference is how you go through them. As we know, stress triggers many dis-eases. The pressure is so strong that our nervous systems get fried. And meditation is a great tool that can help you build a strong nervous system. It works directly with your parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for relaxation and is vital in handling stress. The more you meditate the more stable you become - able to withstand any storm if it happens to knock on your door. Many things stop bothering you if you meditate often. It is through meditation that you can easily find that peaceful balance within and build a healthy relationship with yourself and the world.
"Meditation is the art of breaking habits, to purify the mind and to take care of day-to-day things" - Yogi Bhajan
One of the side effects of meditation is a sharp intuition - and who doesn't want to have that?
Prayer and Meditation difference:
"Prayer is when the mind is one pointed and man talks to infinity. Meditation is when the mind becomes totally clean and receptive, and Infinity talks to the man" - Yogi Bhajan
Some Kundalini Yoga Meditations.
Please remember to tune in with the Adi Mantra (at least three times) when beginning Kundalini Yoga practice and close with three long Sat Nam's.
meditation for a stable self
Meditating in Sedona
Sit in easy pose with a slight neck lock (chis is tucked in slightly)
Eye position: the eyes are 1/10th open and focused at the brow point.
Mudra: The hands and arms for a very precise mudra and posture, which is the same for both genders. Hold the right hand 4 - 6 inches in front of the body at the level of the throat. Curl the fingers into a fist. Extend the thumb straight up. Adjust the position of the hand so the left thumb tip is about 2 inches from the base of the right fist and the thubms are aligned with each other. If you do this correctly, the base of the left hand to the top of the right thumb will cover the space from the level of the diafragm to the mouth. Hold the elbows in a way so that the forearms are parallel to the ground.
Breath pattern and Visualization: Regulate your breath in the following pattern: inhale deeply and quickly, then exhale immediately, powerfully and completely. Hold the breath out. Suspend the chest and keep the neck locked. Keep the thumbs stiff and in perfect position. Hold the breath out for a rhythmical count of 26. With each count gently apply root lock and feel the navel point squeeze backwards.
Visualize as you count: see and feel the energy rising vertebra by vertebra. The count of one is the first vertebra at the base of the spine, with the count 26 at the top of the spine into the center of the skull.
Time: continue for 3 -11 minutes. 11 minutes is the maximum time for this kriya.
Comments:
This meditation is an advanced practice. It requires a student to hold a demanding posture without distraction. You overcome any concern about the body. Then the concentration must be held and the visualization of the energy perfected. It can be practiced as a sadhana when you do it for at least 120 days.
The main effect of this meditation is a complete stability of the Pranic Body. This means an increase in the sense of self, increased good judgement, and elimination of "normal insanities". We often have conscious or subconscious fears which make us neurotic and irregular in our judgements and in our trust of the inner self. This meditation removes the reaction to fears and makes you steady.
Eye position: the eyes are 1/10th open and focused at the brow point.
Mudra: The hands and arms for a very precise mudra and posture, which is the same for both genders. Hold the right hand 4 - 6 inches in front of the body at the level of the throat. Curl the fingers into a fist. Extend the thumb straight up. Adjust the position of the hand so the left thumb tip is about 2 inches from the base of the right fist and the thubms are aligned with each other. If you do this correctly, the base of the left hand to the top of the right thumb will cover the space from the level of the diafragm to the mouth. Hold the elbows in a way so that the forearms are parallel to the ground.
Breath pattern and Visualization: Regulate your breath in the following pattern: inhale deeply and quickly, then exhale immediately, powerfully and completely. Hold the breath out. Suspend the chest and keep the neck locked. Keep the thumbs stiff and in perfect position. Hold the breath out for a rhythmical count of 26. With each count gently apply root lock and feel the navel point squeeze backwards.
Visualize as you count: see and feel the energy rising vertebra by vertebra. The count of one is the first vertebra at the base of the spine, with the count 26 at the top of the spine into the center of the skull.
Time: continue for 3 -11 minutes. 11 minutes is the maximum time for this kriya.
Comments:
This meditation is an advanced practice. It requires a student to hold a demanding posture without distraction. You overcome any concern about the body. Then the concentration must be held and the visualization of the energy perfected. It can be practiced as a sadhana when you do it for at least 120 days.
The main effect of this meditation is a complete stability of the Pranic Body. This means an increase in the sense of self, increased good judgement, and elimination of "normal insanities". We often have conscious or subconscious fears which make us neurotic and irregular in our judgements and in our trust of the inner self. This meditation removes the reaction to fears and makes you steady.
Breath of fire with lion's paws meditation.
Resets the brain's electromagnetic field.
Seat in easy pose with a slight neck lock.
MUDRA: Make both hands into the Lion's Paws: curl and tighten the fingers of each hand. Keep the tension in the fingers throughout the exercise. Extend both arms out parallel to the floor with palms facing up.
BREATH AND MOVEMENT: Bring both arms up over the head so that the hands pass each other over the crown of the head. The elbows bend and the palms face down. Then bring the hands back down as you extend the arms out parallel to the floor again. Start a rhythmic motion in this way. Alternate which wrist is in the front when they cross over the head. Create a powerful breath with the motion of the arms - it should be very fast-paced.
The breath is an inhale when the arms extend and exhale when they cross over the head. The breath becomes a steady Breath of Fire.
TIME: continue for 9 minutes
TO END: Without breaking the pace of the exercise, stick the tongue out and down all the way. Continue for 15 seconds more. Then inhale, bring the tongue in and fix the arms at 60 degrees, so that they form an arc around the head with the palms facing down about 6 inches apart over the head. The hands are still in Lion's Paws. Hold the breath for 15 seconds. Keep your arms fixed as you exhale and inhale completely. Hold the breath for 30 seconds. Relax and let the arms down. Meditate at the heart center. Follow the gentle flow of the breath. Chant an inspiring and uplifting song. Continue for 3-5 minutes.
COMMENTS:
This short one exercise kriya has a powerful and immediate effect on the brain and its electromagnetic field. The pressure of the hand position triggers reflexes in the fingertips to each area of the brain. The movement of the arms moves the lymph in the lymphatic system. It also pressurizes the nervous system to change its current state. The Breath of Fire added to the motion enhances functioning of the pituitary and stimulates the pineal gland to increase the radiance and subtle frequency of the brain's projection.
Seat in easy pose with a slight neck lock.
MUDRA: Make both hands into the Lion's Paws: curl and tighten the fingers of each hand. Keep the tension in the fingers throughout the exercise. Extend both arms out parallel to the floor with palms facing up.
BREATH AND MOVEMENT: Bring both arms up over the head so that the hands pass each other over the crown of the head. The elbows bend and the palms face down. Then bring the hands back down as you extend the arms out parallel to the floor again. Start a rhythmic motion in this way. Alternate which wrist is in the front when they cross over the head. Create a powerful breath with the motion of the arms - it should be very fast-paced.
The breath is an inhale when the arms extend and exhale when they cross over the head. The breath becomes a steady Breath of Fire.
TIME: continue for 9 minutes
TO END: Without breaking the pace of the exercise, stick the tongue out and down all the way. Continue for 15 seconds more. Then inhale, bring the tongue in and fix the arms at 60 degrees, so that they form an arc around the head with the palms facing down about 6 inches apart over the head. The hands are still in Lion's Paws. Hold the breath for 15 seconds. Keep your arms fixed as you exhale and inhale completely. Hold the breath for 30 seconds. Relax and let the arms down. Meditate at the heart center. Follow the gentle flow of the breath. Chant an inspiring and uplifting song. Continue for 3-5 minutes.
COMMENTS:
This short one exercise kriya has a powerful and immediate effect on the brain and its electromagnetic field. The pressure of the hand position triggers reflexes in the fingertips to each area of the brain. The movement of the arms moves the lymph in the lymphatic system. It also pressurizes the nervous system to change its current state. The Breath of Fire added to the motion enhances functioning of the pituitary and stimulates the pineal gland to increase the radiance and subtle frequency of the brain's projection.
caliber for constant self-authority meditation
Sit in easy pose with a slight neck lock.
Keep the spine straight at all times. Do not lean forward or backwards.
MUDRA: Bring the hands in front of the body at the level of the Heart Center. Close the fingers over the thumbs into fists with the thumb tips at the base of the little fingers, if possible. Press the fists together at the first knuckles from the tips of the fingers in such a manner that the palms are together and the back of the backs of the palms face away from the center.
EYE POSITION: Fix the eyes at the tip of the nose. There is no required mantra except the subtle sense of the breath itself.
BREATH: Begin the following steady breathing pattern:
Inhale deeply through the nose.
Exhale completely through the mouth with pursed lips.
Inhale smoothly through the mouth.
Exhale through the nose.
TIME: Continue for 3 minutes. Build slowly to a steady 11 minutes. Maximum time for this meditation is 22 minutes.
TO END: Inhale and hold the breath as you stretch your hands up over the head. Exhale and continue stretching for 2 more deep breaths. Relax.
COMMENTS:
Caliber is the ability to maintain the projected status and activity of our committed self. When we become our own directive authority, then the psyche can fulfill the self, and you can be happy. Normally we reject authority and initiate chaos out of an attempt to create individuality by difference rather than integrity and wholeness.
This meditation enhances your capacity for caliber to hold and execute self-authority.
Keep the spine straight at all times. Do not lean forward or backwards.
MUDRA: Bring the hands in front of the body at the level of the Heart Center. Close the fingers over the thumbs into fists with the thumb tips at the base of the little fingers, if possible. Press the fists together at the first knuckles from the tips of the fingers in such a manner that the palms are together and the back of the backs of the palms face away from the center.
EYE POSITION: Fix the eyes at the tip of the nose. There is no required mantra except the subtle sense of the breath itself.
BREATH: Begin the following steady breathing pattern:
Inhale deeply through the nose.
Exhale completely through the mouth with pursed lips.
Inhale smoothly through the mouth.
Exhale through the nose.
TIME: Continue for 3 minutes. Build slowly to a steady 11 minutes. Maximum time for this meditation is 22 minutes.
TO END: Inhale and hold the breath as you stretch your hands up over the head. Exhale and continue stretching for 2 more deep breaths. Relax.
COMMENTS:
Caliber is the ability to maintain the projected status and activity of our committed self. When we become our own directive authority, then the psyche can fulfill the self, and you can be happy. Normally we reject authority and initiate chaos out of an attempt to create individuality by difference rather than integrity and wholeness.
This meditation enhances your capacity for caliber to hold and execute self-authority.