Yoga: A Gem for Women - Dhyana (meditation)
The last chapter is on Dhyana, or meditation. Geeta reminds us that she has written in Chapter III on what dhyana is and really the experience is beyond description and needs to be experienced personally. What she does describe though is the technique for sitting properly and optimally to help the practitioner prepare best to lead into meditation.
Geeta writes how the body is often seen as insignificant in meditation, but that this is an erroneous view. "Our body is our vahana - our vehicle. Without this vehicle we cannot experience anything. It is our body that carries us to our destruction or to Self-realization."
"A sound and healthy body is thus the very first stage in meditation."
Geeta suggests beginning with 5-10 minutes of meditation a day before pranayama.
The spine needs to be kept alert and straight with the head aligned so to feel weightless. The chapter gives many more helpful suggestions for coming to a meditative brain, where the senses are disciplined and the mind stable.
I hope you can find 5-10 minutes each day to sit and find a stillness and stability in body, breath and mind.
As Geeta ends her book:
Om Shanti, shanti, shanti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbWRGXNfg3k - Here is a link to chanting of mantra. It also gives a bit more into the meaning of mantra.
It has been great to work though this book. I will now need to go back to the beginning and start again! Much gratitude to you Geeta Iyengar.
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.