| The raja yoga meditation is an effective | | | | mind. |
| technique of meditating and kicking out stress and | | | | Five States Of Mind |
| worries from your life. This technique is all about | | | | As per the concept of raja yoga meditation, the |
| gaining control on everything that is connected | | | | various states of mind have been put into five |
| with you. This is not just about controlling your | | | | categorizes. It all starts with the primarily material |
| breath, but in fact, it is more about controlling | | | | state and ends at the state that is primarily |
| your mind. The ultimate purpose here is to | | | | spiritual. Let me give you a brief insight into each |
| achieve an integration of mind and body. | | | | of these states of mind... |
| Principles | | | | - The first state is known as Kshipta. This is a |
| There are eight principles of raja yoga meditation. | | | | state when mind is not focused to the present. It |
| In fact, in Sanskrit language, this type of | | | | wanders here and there and pursues everything |
| meditation is also known as Ashtanga, which | | | | all over the place. Most of us live with only this |
| literally means a technique with eight principles. | | | | sate of mind. Our mind is unsettled. We think |
| - Self-restraint or the code of conduct is the first | | | | about the past. We think about the future, and |
| principle. It is known as Yama in Sanskrit. | | | | eventually we are never able to make the best |
| - The second principle is Niyama, which means | | | | use of our present. |
| you have to be committed to devotion, study, | | | | - As per the raja yoga meditation, Mudha is the |
| and practice. | | | | next state, where the mind is still unsettled but |
| - Asana is the third principle, in which you learn | | | | the intensity is lesser in comparison to the first |
| how to integrate your body and mind by | | | | state. However, in spiritual sense, the mind is still |
| practicing various physical activities. | | | | foolish and forgetful. |
| - Pranayama is the fourth principle of raja yoga | | | | - When we try to concentrate while meditating, |
| meditation, in which you learn how to regulate | | | | the mind often gets distracted by unruly thoughts. |
| your breath in a way to achieve an effective | | | | This state of mind is known as Vikshipta. |
| integration of body and mind. | | | | - However, when we practice meditation for a |
| - The fifth one is Pratyahara, which teaches about | | | | long time, we finally achieve concentration. This is |
| the various senses of perceptions. | | | | the state when the mind is one-pointed. That is |
| - Dharana is the sixth principle in which you learn | | | | the reason this state is known as Ekagra. |
| to achieve concentration of your mind. | | | | - Niruddha is the last state of mind. It is the |
| - The seventh principle is Dhyana, which is all | | | | extreme of raja yoga meditation when we are |
| about quiet and non-sensual meditation. | | | | able to achieve full control of mind. We experience |
| - The last principle is Samadhi, which teaches you | | | | enlightenment. We even come to aware of our |
| about achieving a super-conscious state of your | | | | unity with the Almighty - the Creator. |