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