Reflecting On Your Inner Being
The whole point of meditation is to raise your awareness about yourself. Hence it is vital that you focus your attention in your inner being. You should focus on staying fully calm while you observe the vibrations in your body and mind. As you do this, you can attain a strong sense of relaxation and calmness. As you get the hold of it, you can even have complete mastery over your thought process.
Risks And Side Effects
Many types of yoga are relatively mild and therefore safe for people when a well-trained instructor is guiding the practice.
It is rare to incur a serious injury when doing yoga. The most common injuries among people practicing yoga are sprains and strains.
However, people may wish to consider a few risk factors before starting a yoga practice.
A person who is pregnant or has an ongoing medical condition, such as bone loss, glaucoma, or sciatica, should consult a healthcare professional, if possible, before taking up yoga.
Some people may need to modify or avoid some yoga poses that could be risky given their specific condition.
Beginners should avoid advanced poses and difficult techniques, such as Headstand, Lotus Pose, and forceful breathing.
When managing a condition, people should not replace conventional medical care with yoga or postpone seeing a healthcare professional about pain or any other medical problem.
Spiritual Benefits Of Yoga
Sun, 03 Apr 2016 – 12:14 GMT
Over the years of practicing yoga diligently, I have noticed some pretty obvious benefits of yoga that everyone in todays modern and urbanized world certainly needs to survive. These benefits fall into three main categories: physical, emotional-mental and spiritual. In my last two columns, I talked about the five main physical benefits and the four main emotional-mental benefits. This time, I tackle the last and highest benefit: the spiritual.
First is letting go and letting God. It is common in any yoga class to practice the asana known as child pose or balasana. In this posture, your forehead is on the ground in reverence to a higher power. It is a great reminder that you are not supposed to have all the answers right now. You are not supposed to do everything on your own. There is a higher power at play who can offer you all you need, once you tune into its infinite energy.
Second is receiving guidance and direction. When you chant a mantra in a yoga class and tune into the vibrations of the mantra, you just might hear an answer to your prayers. Meditation is listening deeply to the sound of the soul, and chanting mantra is an effective way to cut through all your mental garbage and listen deeply beyond the mind and in connection with Divinity and your souls calling.
Sandra Shama Kaur is Kundalini yoga teacher and founder of Yalla Yoga.
Experiencing The Meditative Process
Most of us tend to plan things in advance and consciously stick to a definite procedure while completing a task. However, this is not the right way to follow when you are looking to meditate. You need to relax, let go of all the preconceived notions and then allow the meditative experience to follow in its own way. It is important that you become a passive observer or spectator during the meditative process. Do not have any fixed ideas or expectations about the outcome and allow it to flow naturally.
Difference Between Yoga And Meditation
July 14, 2011
Key Difference Yoga vs Meditation
Yoga and Meditation are often confused as one and the same due to the similarity in their connotations, however in actuality there is some difference between them. In fact, Meditation is one of the parts of the Ashtanga Yoga propounded by Sage Patanjali. Meditation consists in the continued concentration of the mind on some object or religious symbol. On the other hand, Yoga aims at the attainment of the state of spiritual absorption. This is the key difference between the two words. Through this article let us comprehend the difference between the two words.
Setting An Intention To Nurture Your Whole Self
Tonight, in our Ash Wednesday service at my church, we were invitedto light a candle as we set an intention for the month of Lent. To manyChristians around the world its tradition to give something up for Lent, asthat small but meaningful act of deprivation can make you re-examine what istruly important. But in our service tonight we were invited to consider that anequally valid practice may be to do something new for Lent . . . something out of the ordinary, cultivating thatsame intention of mindfulness.
Even if you dont believe in God, it can mean setting aside the time to acknowledge that this incredible physical life we have will one day come to an end. I dont see this as a morbid thought. To me, it is blissfully, profoundly joyful even in its bittersweetness.
Maybe you want to join a Gentle Yoga class or set aside a few minutes every day this month to practice meditation . . . or savasana. By practicing savasana, we practice stillness, we practice presence, we practice letting go. You dont have to believe in God to do savasana, but for the spiritual among us, it is an opportunity to experience Gods presence.
Or maybe you just want to write in the journal youve been neglecting. Or to sit in silence and watch the sun rise in the morning instead of looking at your phone.
What Spirituality Means Moving Towards Ultimate Freedom
Shekar Kapur: Sadhguru, you have said many times that the highest goal is freedom. Freedom from what? Sadhguru: Generally, before 1947 in India, if you said freedom, people only thought, If the British go away, we are free. That was the idea of freedom at that time. The British went away. Now, are we free?
How Do I Choose The Right Form Of Spiritual Meditation For Me
With so many illuminating paths out there, which one do you commit to?
My answer is to pay attention to which one calls to you. In other words, which one generates a strong emotion like intrigue, excitement, or awe?
If none call to you, reflect on what you would like to get out of spiritual forms of meditation. For instance, perhaps you want to experience more inner peace, balance your energy, cultivate compassion, improve your health, or deepen your spiritual awakening.
Once you have decided, commit to the practice.
If you can, set aside six months minimum to one meditation practice.
Of course, if youre experiencing negative side effects, stop it immediately.
But otherwise, get into the habit of practicing that spiritual meditation technique each day for at least 10 minutes.
Spirituality Not A Moral Code
Q: Some people seem to keep spirituality separate from life. Why is this? Is awareness only when you are meditating? Sadhguru: If your spirituality is time-bound, from five to seven in the morning or whatever time, you are just trying to be spiritual; there is nothing spiritual about you. What conclusions have you made about
Finding A Proper Place For Meditation
The first thing that you need to do is find a proper place where you can perform spiritual meditation without getting disturbed in any way. You should choose a place that allows you to be comfortable and yet alert. Make sure that the place is relatively quiet and peaceful so that you are not distracted by noises. You can also choose an outdoor or open space that is filled with greenery and natural sounds like the chirping of birds. One thing you need to remember is that spiritual meditation can induce sleep in you quickly. Hence it is important that you remain super alert during the actual practice. You can sit in Padmasana, Sukhasana or Vajrasana during the process. Alternatively, you can also stand up, walk or sit on the chair as you perform this meditation.
The Art: Going Beyond Technique
Although the mind and heart can cause trouble, they also hold keys to a deeper practice, and to a deeper spiritual life generally. For among their many faculties are six that are especially helpful for overcoming the downward or outward pulls on your energy and consciousness. Lets explore those faculties and practice a simple illustrative exercise for each one.
Willpower
Willpower is the ability to direct energy to achieve a desired goal. Paramhansa Yogananda called it the dynamo of all our powers. True willpower is much more than brute force or grim determination. Those attitudes lead to tension, which limits the amount of energy you can muster. Much more is possible. Yogananda declared that in one ounce of your flesh theres enough energy to light the city of Chicago for a week. And the energy of the surrounding cosmos is virtually unlimited.
How to access more energy? View willpower as enthusiastic willingness, which is more powerful than forcefulness because it releases energy blockages, opens you to receive more energy, magnetically attracts energy into your body, and helps you cooperate with a greater reality. Its a lot more fun, too.
Then I noticed that a woman who had the same job as I, yet she still had a spring in her step. I thought, Hold on! Im bigger, stronger, and younger than she is and Im in better shape, too. Why am I tired and shes not?
I gave it a try and I discovered that it wasnt hard. It was also a lot more fun.
Concentration
Feeling
The True Purpose Of This 5000+ Year Old Practice Was Never About Contorting Into The Perfect Pose Wearing Cute Yoga Outfits Or Building Instagram Followers With Sexy Backbend Photos
The true purpose of this 5,000+ year old practice was never about contorting into the perfect pose, wearing cute yoga outfits, or building instagram followers with sexy backbend photos.
These days, it seems like everyone is a âyogi.â Whether on social media, big pharma-sponsored TV commercials, or countless Bikram, hot, and core power studios in every major city across the globe, yoga has quickly become embedded in our mainstream culture. Thank goodness! It means weâre headed in the right direction as a civilization, evolving away from gross materiality and towards a more mindful, compassionate and spiritual society. However, yoga is about a lot more than physical prowess, preternatural flexibility, or believe it or not â having the perfect yoga booty.
According to Paramahansa Yogananda, author of bestselling book recently featured in the Netflix film Awake and who brought yoga to the West in 1920 with the Self-Realization Fellowship, âmany people think of yoga as just physical exercises the asanas or postures that have gained widespread popularity in recent decades but these are actually only the most superficial aspects of this profound science of unfolding the infinite potential of the human mind and soul.â According to Yogananda, in past centuries, mankind had limited knowledge of the forces that run the universe, so most of the higher techniques of Yoga were little understood or practiced.
The Spiritual Awakening Process Ebook:
Reading books, watching videos, and attending classes can help deepen your understanding of your chosen spiritual meditation technique.
***
Meditation will not carry you to another world, but it will reveal the most profound and awesome dimensions of the world in which you already live.
Zen Master Hsing Yun
Finally, remember that the goal of spiritual meditation isnt to escape this reality. The goal is to help you awaken you to it, within it.
Meditation is a path of embracing both your humanity and divinity as the divine paradox that you are.
So tell me, what spiritual meditation path calls to you? Have you had any amazing experiences that youd like to share to inspire and support others here?
Choose A Comfortable Position
Image: Shutterstock
Before you begin the practice, the most important aspect is to find a place and position that you will be comfortable in. This involves staying away from the noises of the city as much as possible and surrounding yourself with greenery and the gentle chirping of birds. Spiritual meditation can quickly put you to sleep. To avoid that, you must be extra cautious of the position you wish to meditate in. Choose a position that you are comfortable in, but not something that is way too relaxing and will make you easily drift into sleep. Sit in the Vajrasana, Padmasana, or the Sukhasana. Or you can even sit on a chair with your back straight, or stand up with your back leaning on the wall. Whatever works. Then, close your eyes lightly.
What Is Spiritual Meditation Techniques For Beginners
- August 5, 2019
For those who have never tried spiritual meditation in the past, it may be difficult to grasp just how many benefits can come with this exercise. Meditation has been around for thousands of years and has been valued for this long simply because it worksit can truly change your body, your mind, your soul and your entire life if you are open to it. However, one of the main reasons that people fail to get started with spiritual meditation is simply that they dont know how to start doing it.
Youre probably wondering what spiritual meditation is Spiritual meditation allows you to discover the depths of who you are.
If you are interested in experiencing some of the great benefits of meditation but arent sure where to begin, then these tips can help you get started and help you understand not only some of the benefits that you will start seeing with regular meditation, but understand how to get started with this practice and how to make it part of your regular routine so you can truly start to see how it can change you.
Understanding the Benefits of Spiritual Meditation
Before you get started with your practice, it is important to really understand what the benefits of meditation are, or in short, why you are doing this practice each and every day. The more you understand the why of meditation the easier it will be to stay focused and dedicated to the artform and to really work at making it a component of your regular routine.
Yoga And Spirituality: More Than Meets The Eye
Im going to talk about something that I dont typically talk about in a CF setting . . . or even in a general public yoga class setting.
Im going to talk about a four letter word that starts withS.
Soul.
Im pretty private about my faith, and dont often sharemuch about it. But as were focusing on mindfulness in March, I would be remissif I let this month go by without broaching the subject of spirituality, andthe role of the soul in our yoga practice.
Stick with me here . . . Im not trying to get preachy or pedantic, and this isnt a conversation about religion, per se. If you believe you have a soul . . . or that you are more than just the body you inhabit . . . then this conversation should be relevant to you. You dont even have to believe in God.
While in the Western world most people recognize the more physical practices of yoga particularly the poses, or asana it is a practice thats about much more than just our physical bodies. In Sanskrit language, the word yoga literally means union.
Yoga Is Not A Religion
You can be of any faith or have no faith to practice yoga yoga is not a religious practice, and the spiritual side of yoga is not linked to any organized form of worship. The word yoga means to join or unite, and yogis view this unison in different ways the unison of body, mind and spirit, uniting all the aspects of yourself, or uniting with a higher power or spiritual force.
You can believe in a God or gods, or nothing at all. Sometimes working through asanas can be like a prayer moving quietly, reverently, focused on the breath. But equally your prayer could come the next day, when you feel a jolt of recognition and completion, and are taken back to how you felt when you were truly in the moment, on the mat.
Perhaps yoga is a way of cultivating wholeness, remembering wholeness, and recognizing this wholeness everywhere for many yogis, that is the spiritual side of the practice.
Were your best friend in wellness, fitness and mindfulness.
Weve created a 30 day yoga program that changes everything. No more confusion, not more wasted time, and no more quitting. Sign up free today!
Oh no! Your browser doesn’t support this video.
The Spiritual Side Of Yoga What It Means And How To Achieve It
While most people take up yoga training for its physical benefits, the practice of yoga can benefit us in various other ways. Yoga is deeply rooted in spirituality and many of the postures have deeper objectives that go beyond simple stretching and strengthening of muscles. The holistic effect that is attained through yoga enables practitioners to not only improve their physical strength and flexibility, but also their emotions, mentality and concentration.
This ancient science goes far beyond the mere physical aspects, by way of deepening the connection between mind, body and most important of all, the spirit. The spiritual aspect of yoga can help yogis develop integration of the inner being as well as oneness with the Supreme Consciousness. And it all starts with the body and the asanas or postures.
In yoga, the nature and environment that surrounds us is essential, witnessed in the many Sanskrit and English terms for asanas that are derived from animals and plants, and that pertain to their special characteristics or qualities, such as the Lotus for example. Apart from these, some receive their inspiration from the Earth and others have their roots in ancient spirituality. However, each name has a deeper, hidden meaning.
Lets examine the nature of some of those postures in detail.
Padmasana Lotus Pose
Viirabhadrasana Warrior Pose
Balasana Childs Pose
Vrkshasana Tree Pose
Shavasana Corpse Pose
Final Thoughts
And Yet We Dont Often Talk About Spirituality In Our Cf Community
In our doctors offices we talk about our physical bodies. Increasingly, were also talking about our mental health. But its not often that someone in the medical setting asks you about your spiritual health. Evidently that topic is reserved for end of life conversations, for hospice care, for chaplains visiting in the hospital to administer the last rites.
I believe that we are spiritual beings, who need to pay oursouls some attention long before that final day comes.
We are short-changing our human experience on this planet if we dont think to ask the big questions before those last days. What is important to us? What do we want to see in the world we leave behind? In the time we have, what opportunities will we miss if we dont realize our finite nature until its too late to live the life we truly wanted to live?
Claire Wineland said it so perfectly, Death is inevitable.But living a life you can be proud of . . . that is something you can control.
I miss Claire. I didnt know her personally, but I miss her. Her honesty, and her focus on the whole person that she brought to the forefront of her life and mission. I think she would have loved this yoga community that is growing here.
All Are Equal On The Path
No matter who practices the methods as described by the sages of yoga, the results are guaranteed. If you are true to the holistic path bringing every aspect of your life into alignment, then the end result is spiritual growth. That is what repeatable means.
Now I can appreciate that the spiritual results may not seem guaranteed considering that so many people practice yoga yet dont see any of those results. You might also have tried yoga hoping for some spiritual experiences but did not get that result. But it is possible for you too.
When we dont get the spiritual results that we are looking for, that is an important clue. Lack of evidence means that we are not holding to the authentic methods of yoga. It does not mean that the principles of yoga are somehow lacking and that it is a sham.
As an example, everyone is familiar with the principles of weight loss. But many people try it and struggle with it. Even though they may be making some effort with diet and exercise, they may not be losing those pounds.
When we dont get the spiritual results that we are looking for that is an important clue.
Does that means that the principles of weight loss are flawed? No. We have seen conclusively that eating well and getting exercise contributes to weight loss. It must mean that something about the application of the principles are flawed. And if those same people work with a coach, they will begin seeing results.
The Science Of Kriya Yoga Meditation
Kriya is an advanced Yoga Raja technique that reinforces and revitalizes subtle currents of life energy in the body, enabling the normal activities of the heart and lungs to slow down naturally. As a result, the consciousness is drawn to higher levels of perception. This gradually brings an inner awakening that is deeply satisfying and more blissful than any other experiences of the mind, senses or ordinary human emotions can give. Our body is a living soul, and Kriya Yoga reveals a way to connect with that pure soul.
Spirituality Is A Certain Way Of Being
Times Now TV channel interviews yogi and mystic, Sadhguru, alongwith actress and director, Nandita Das and ad man Prahlad Kakkar, and explores the question What is spirituality? Sadhguru: Spirituality does not mean any particular practice. It is a certain way of being. To get there, there are many things to do. This is like a
How Yoga Can Improve Your Spiritual Health
Whats your definition of spirituality? Spirituality is universal, yet in many ways, its personal, just like yoga itself. There are countless benefits to practicing yoga. Many people enjoy it because it helps them to feel good and fit physically. Others love a peaceful hour away from their busy lives. For many, what makes yoga special, is the spirituality.
You Are Made Of Literal Stardust
This is where Im taking the leap, and talking about my own faith . . . which I seldom do in a public, non-church setting.
For the season of Lent, as part of living intentionally and mindfully during these 40 days before Easter, Im making a daily effort to be more vulnerable by sharing my writings and creations. Things that I would otherwise be reluctant to share because theyre just too personal, too imperfect.
The first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, is about recognizingthat our presence on earth is only temporary. We are temporal beings, definedby limited time.
Every year on this day, millions of people around the world contemplate their own limited time on this Earth. We are verbally and physically reminded as ash is placed on our forehead:
You are dust, and to dust you will return.
Its an annual reminder of our own mortality, of our limited time to be a part of this physical world . . . a time to contemplate our purpose and mindfully participate in each day.
In no community does that message of limited time hit closer to home than in a community like ours. Cystic Fibrosis is a daily reminder of the fragility of our human bodies and the preciousness of life.
Does Spirituality Make You Special
Sadhguru: For many people, the reason why the spiritual path seems to be a struggle is that their culture and social situations have always taught them to be special. Ones whole life effort becomes focused on this. To be special means to have something that others do not have. But this is not special, it
So What Does This Have To Do With Yoga
Yoga is about the unity of body, mind, and spirit. All that we are. Asana the physical pose is only one out of eight limbs of yoga . Through all of those 8 limbs, or practices, we can explore and deepen that unity. Yoga meets you wherever you are, and one of these other limbs might end up being just as meaningful to you as the physical practice of asana. One of those limbs is Samadhi , and another is Dhyana .
In our Meditation Mingle last weekend, we were talking about what meditation looked like in our own lives.
For me as a Christian, I experience meditation like the listening side of prayer. A conversationinvolves both speaking and listening.You cant hear what the other person is saying if you dont shut up and listen.So for me, meditation is about creating internal stillness and silence, so Ican do that listening.
Another member of our community said that for them,meditation happens in physical motion. In this presence of mind that emerges whenfull aware and attentive to the physical sensations of their body.
How delightful is that, to be so fully awakened by your physical body that in motion you feel most alive and present?
And another person shared that meditation through theirBuddhist lens was like creating a space between themselves and that which is outsideof themselves. A buffer between the impulse to react in anger, to contemplateyour actions before you respond.
