| Yoga meditation is described to be an art and | | | | one’s religion, contemplation also evolves. One |
| science of systematically, observing, accepting, | | | | of the focuses of Contemplation in the Himalayan |
| understanding, and training each of the levels of | | | | tradition is Mahavakyas or great Contemplations. |
| our being, such that we may coordinate and | | | | The stages that contemplation evolves are: |
| integrate those aspects of ourselves, and dwell in | | | | • Thought. Contemplation may start with a |
| the direct experience of the center of | | | | verbal thought or process. |
| consciousness. | | | | • Reflection. Second is to deepen to quiet |
| The Yoga of today is not actually a separate part | | | | reflection |
| of Yoga Meditation, simply because for a fact | | | | • Intuition. Later bring intuitive wisdom, and |
| Yoga is meditation. However, to differentiate | | | | • Knowing. Then lead to a formless knowing. |
| Yoga Meditation to the now popular belief that | | | | Like meditation, contemplation also moves inward, |
| Yoga is all about physical postures, Yoga | | | | following the steps of moving inward from gross, |
| Meditation is a complete process unto itself and | | | | to subtle, to subtler, and to subtle-most. As the |
| only a small though useful part of which relates to | | | | more external, gross, verbal way recedes, it leads |
| the physical body. | | | | to the very core of our intuitive being. |
| In Himalayan tradition of Yoga Meditation, one | | | | Prayer |
| systematically works with the senses, body, | | | | Although Prayers might be different for people of |
| breath, the various levels of mind, and then goes | | | | different cultures and religions, prayer also evolves |
| beyond to the center of consciousness. The | | | | through stages: |
| science of yoga meditation as taught by the | | | | • Repetition. Prayer may start by being |
| Himalayan sages, is already a complete science | | | | repetitive and standardized in a traditional way |
| that has been divided into smaller pieces over | | | | • Relationship. Then shifting to a more verbal |
| time, each having individual parts that has | | | | and spontaneous inner relationship |
| sometimes unfortunately been cut out from the | | | | • Feeling. Then developing to a deeper, |
| whole Yoga Meditation and has been given | | | | non-verbal feeling of love and devotion and |
| separate names and taught as unique systems of | | | | • Communion. Transforms into still deeper |
| meditation. | | | | communion. |
| Yoga Meditation of the Himalayan tradition | | | | Prayer also moves inward, progressively from the |
| involves a broad range of practices and not only | | | | most external to the very core of our being. |
| deals systematically with all levels, it is also holistic. | | | | Prayers for strength, or for spiritual awakening, |
| These practices include: | | | | gradually come to completion. |
| Meditation | | | | Mantra |
| Regardless of what object is used, such as | | | | Whether the Mantra is of a particular religious |
| breath, a visualize image, an internal point of | | | | significance, such as a short phrase or a spiritual |
| focus, or a religious symbol, meditation evolves in | | | | language such as Sanskrit, or a seed syllable not |
| stages. | | | | of any particular religion or language, it also |
| • Gross objects . Yoga meditation may start | | | | evolves through stages. Mantra usage deepens |
| with concentrating on identifiable objects or | | | | with practice: |
| words. | | | | • Spoken. It may be spoken first externally or |
| • Subtle objects. Second would be to shift to | | | | internally |
| their non-objective form, such as light or sound | | | | • Heard. Later heard or attended to internally |
| which constructs the object | | | | • Feeling. Then later experienced as a |
| • Bliss. Third would lead to the subtler, | | | | syllable-less feeling, or |
| joy-producing essence or meaning of the object, | | | | • Pervasive awareness. Finally experiencing |
| or | | | | pervasive awareness that leads to its source. |
| • I-ness. Moving still deeper into the being-ness | | | | Mantra like the other practices of Meditation, |
| or existence itself. | | | | Contemplation, and Prayer, also moves inward. |
| Yoga meditation is systematic, moving inward | | | | The root meaning of Yoga Meditation lies in the |
| from gross, to subtle, to subtler, and to | | | | meaning of the word Yoga itself, which comes |
| subtle-most. Attention moves inward | | | | from “yuj” meaning to join, to bring |
| progressively, from the most external to the | | | | together the aspects of yourself that were never |
| very core of the being. | | | | divided in the first place. Although some principles |
| Contemplation | | | | of Yoga Meditation are contained within various |
| Whether it is a reflection on the universal picture | | | | religions, Yoga meditation is not a religion. |
| or an aspiring verse from the sacred texts of | | | | |