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