Yoga and Meditation Information Booklet by Bodhidham Yoga School and Retreat Ashram by Bodhidham Yoga School - HTML preview

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4.3 Meditation

Meditation is a practice that involves focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to increase awareness of the present moment and achieve a sense of calm and clarity. There are many different types of meditation, each with its own unique techniques and benefits.

The practice of meditation has been around for thousands of years and is believed to have originated in ancient Nepal and India. It is a key component of many spiritual and religious traditions, but it can also be practiced by anyone, regardless of their spiritual beliefs or background. Practice of meditation has nothing to do with any systems of beliefs or any religious practices. It is pure spiritual practice to awaken your spirit and become on with Universal force.

Guided meditation practice. There are many ways to practice meditation, here we are guiding you in one of the ancient techniques. “Sit comfortably in cross leg position. If you can’t sit on the floor. You can sit on straight chair little forward with spine erect.

Spine should be aligned with neck and head. Where chin comes parallel to the ground.

Let go of your any other thoughts and any sensation arising in the body. Completely become attentive towards your breath. Just observe naturally how it is coming in and going out. Then replace your random thoughts with mantra ‘so-ham’ while you are inhaling mentally feel sooooo sound is coming in and while you are exhaling hammmmm sound is going out. Get into the practice of meditation with applying this technique and continue the technique till your mind rests. When your mind is at rest be

at that silence state as long as possible, if your mind starts wandering around again bring it back to the flow of your breath and continue the so-ham mantra mentally in the flow of your breath. While coming out of meditation kindly keep the mantra and breath awareness in the background of the mind. So, it helps you to be calm in all situation.”

Meditation has been shown to have a wide range of benefits for both physical and mental health. Some of the potential benefits of meditation include: 1. Reducing stress and anxiety: Meditation can help to calm the mind and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. By focusing the mind on a single point of reference, meditation helps to quiet the constant stream of thoughts that can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety.

2. Improving focus and concentration: Meditation can help to improve focus and concentration by training the mind to be more present and aware. By regularly practicing meditation, you can improve your ability to stay focused on a task and to filter out distractions.

3. Reducing pain: Meditation has been shown to reduce pain perception and improve pain management. Research has shown that meditation can increase pain tolerance and reduce the intensity of chronic pain.

4. Improving sleep: Meditation can help to improve sleep by calming the mind and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. By setting aside time for meditation before bed, you can create a sense of relaxation and calm that can help you fall asleep more easily.

5. Improving cardiovascular health: Meditation has been shown to have a positive impact on cardiovascular health. Research has shown that meditation can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, and improve overall cardiovascular health.

Another way to get started with meditation, you can try finding a quiet, comfortable place to sit down. Close your eyes and focus on your breath, or on a mantra or object. If your mind wanders, gently redirect your focus back to your breath or your chosen focus.

Start with just a few minutes of meditation at a time and gradually increase the length of your meditation sessions as you become more comfortable with the practice. It is also a good idea to find a qualified meditation teacher or instructor to guide you through the practice and help you to improve your technique.

Click here for Bodhidham’s Guided Meditation online

4.4 Mantras

A mantra is a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated or chanted as a form of meditation. Mantras are used in many spiritual and religious traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, and are believed to have the power to transform the mind and bring about positive change.

Mantras can be chanted out loud or silently, and they can be repeated a set number of times or continuously. Some common mantras include: 1. Om: Om is a sacred syllable in Vedic culture and is considered to be the sound of the universe. Om is often chanted at the beginning and end of yoga classes and is believed to have the power to bring about a state of inner peace and calm. According to Hindu tradition, Om is made up of three sounds: "a" representing creation, "u" representing preservation, and "m" representing destruction. Together, these three sounds represent the cycle of birth, life, and death and the unity of all things.

2. Om Mani Padme Hum: This mantra is a Tibetan Buddhist mantra and is believed to have the power to purify the mind and bring about enlightenment. The mantra is typically chanted out loud or silently, and it is often written on prayer flags or carved into stones. The mantra is said to contain the essence of the teachings of the Buddha and is believed to have the power to transform suffering into enlightenment.

3. Sat Nam: Sat Nam is a Sikh mantra that translates to "truth is my identity." It is often used as a way to connect with one's inner truth and to bring about a sense of peace and clarity. Sat Nam is typically chanted at the beginning and end of a kundalini yoga class and is believed to help align the practitioner with their true self.

4. Hare Krishna: Hare Krishna is a Hindu mantra that is often chanted as a way to connect with the divine and to bring about a sense of inner peace and happiness. The mantra is believed to contain the energy of Lord Krishna, who is considered to be a manifestation of the divine. The mantra is typically chanted out loud or silently, and it is often accompanied by the playing of the mridanga, a type of hand drum.

5. Namah Shivaya: One of the widely known Vedic Mantra is namha shivaya. Mantra is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Mantra is known as a calming, relaxing and uplifting the spirit.

This mantra also helps to heal the body and mind if practiced dedicatedly. It is believed that this holy mantra purifies the soul and brings closer towards the divinity. It is advised to practice the mantra regularly everyday to get the proper benefits. One can use rosary beads to chant the mantra. Actually, mantra should be practiced silently, but initially one can chant verbally but not loud.

Mantras can be used as a form of meditation or as a way to bring focus and clarity to the mind. Many people find that regularly chanting a mantra can help to reduce stress and anxiety and bring about a sense of inner peace and calmness.

Mantra Chanting Videos :

Durga saptasati

Durga Saptashati, also known as Devi Mahatmya or Chandi Path, is a Hindu scripture that describes the story of the Goddess Durga and her battle against the demon Mahishasura. The scripture is a part of the Markandeya Purana, and consists of 700

verses arranged in 13 chapters.

The Durga Saptashati is a significant text in the Shakta tradition of Hinduism, which worships the divine mother in the form of various goddesses, including Durga. It is often recited during festivals dedicated to the goddess, such as Navratri, and is considered a powerful prayer for seeking blessings, protection, and liberation.

The scripture also emphasizes the importance of devotion, righteousness, and spiritual discipline as means of attaining divine grace and enlightenment. The Durga Saptashati is revered as a sacred text and is widely studied, chanted, and meditated upon by devotees of the divine mother.

Maha Mritunjay

Maha Mrityunjaya is a mantra from the ancient Vedic scriptures of Hinduism. It is also known as the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, the Great Death-conquering Mantra, or the Tryambakam Mantra.

The mantra is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism, and is believed to have the power to conquer death and grant longevity, good health, and spiritual well-being. The mantra is also said to have the power to remove negative influences, promote healing, and dispel fear and anxiety.

The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is a powerful combination of sounds and syllables that is chanted or recited in a specific manner. It is often repeated 108 times during meditation or prayer, and is considered to be a very beneficial practice for spiritual and physical healing.

The mantra is as follows: “Om Trayambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat”