Meditation in Ayurveda
A continuous flow of perception or thought is meditation. Meditation is a practice to attain awareness, harmony and natural order through constant observation of mind. It helps us to better connect with our inner self and discover the wisdom and tranquility that lie within us. Meditation is a healing practice that allows us to experience inner calm and deep relaxation.1,2 Ayurveda describes meditation as a measure under Daivavyaprashaya Chikitsa.
Meditation is an essential tool for bringing a person’s mind back into balance and must be practiced by everyone on a regular basis. There are varying types of meditation available for various prakruti and depends on a person’s mind i.e. state of rajas, tamas, or sattva. For example, a kapha mind should be always engaged in work. On the other hand, a vata mind should be calmed and kept still. A pitta mind should be calmed. So it is important to choose appropriate meditation technique based on a person’s manasa prakruti or the mental constitution and what state it is in. A daily meditation along with a diet which best suits your prakruti, healthy lifestyle, balanced elimination and senses will essentially keep a mind stabilized.1,2
Vata energy and rajas are similar because both have the qualities of irregularity and movement. An excellent exercise to stabilize vata minds and rajasika states is pranayama. A pranayama practice should be built up gradually, including a round of breathing every day for about a month. Like any meditation practice, it is ideal to practice regularly. Astanga yoga is beneficial in order to focus the mind and is also important for a vata mind or a mind in rajas.1,2
Kapha minds and vata minds probably have different kinds of problem. Kapha minds are slow and need a kick start. Meditation practices for kapha minds helps to keep the mind busy. Guided visualization, contemplative questions, tai chi or walking meditation are excellent options for kaphas, or minds that are in a tamasika state. All methods keep the mind focused while tai chi, chi kung and walking meditation engage the body while keeping the mind focused.1,2
Pitta minds often need to be quietened. Pranayama is a great method for calming the mind. Alternate nostril breathing and shitali pranayama (breathing through a curled tongue) are cooling and can calm a heated or agitated pitta mind.1,2
The basic points to be kept in mind in practicing meditation are:1,2
- Have a special place and specific time for meditation. Practice meditation on a regular basis
- Select a time when your mind is not clouded with worries i.e. Early morning
- Sit straight with your back, neck and head aligned, facing either north or east
- Try to keep your mind calm during the period of your meditation session
- Regulate your breathing. Initiate with 5 minutes of deep breathing, then gradually slow it down
- Follow a rhythmic breathing pattern – deep inhalation and exhalation
- Do not force your mind to concentrate. Let it wander in the beginning
- Then slowly bring it to rest on the focal point of your choice
- Hold your concentration object at this focal point throughout your session
- Meditation happens when you achieve pure thought state, even while retaining an awareness of duel self
Tips on Concentration:1,2
- One should bear in mind that initially, it may be difficult to focus on one object
- So, it is better to start by limiting your concentration to a category of objects
- Select your objects with care e.g. any of the flowers, fruits, trees etc. You must feel at ease with the objects
- After concentrating on one object, you can move on to the next , if and when your mind starts wandering
References
- Byron P. Rigby, New Perspectives in Medical Practice: The Psychophysiological Approach of Maharishi Ayurveda, Modern Science And Vedic Science, Volume 2, Number 1, 1988, Page 76-87.
- Meditation Techniques. http://sandiegocollegeofayurveda.net/node/138
- Charak Samhita of Agnivesha. Vidhyotini Hindi Vyakhya- Sastry K & Chaturvedi G – Editors. Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi 221001. Reprint 2011.
- http://www.ayurveda.org/Meditation.aspx