Meditation is a way of life. It is one of the proven alternative therapies. Nowadays, more and more doctors are advising for meditation as it helps in lowering blood pressure, making breathing easy with asthma patients, relaxing the body and relieving insomnia. It is scientifically proved that person gets positive changes in them if they do meditation. This therapy works. It is not new and it is done in different parts of the world in many different ways. It is not worship rather it is awareness. Meditation is effective as soon as it keeps you stay away from any distraction of mind. Watching your breath or listening to music of birds can also work as meditation.
The word meditation is actually derived from two Latin words, Meditari and Mederi. The meaning of Mediteri is to think or to exercise the mind. Mederi means to heal. Earlier, it was a thought that meditation is not made for modern people but now in modern era, it is proved incorrect totally. Nowadays, people know the benefits of meditation in their busy and tensed life.
Earlier people used to do meditation according to the stages like first for body and then for mind but in present time it is not so. People can start meditation from any stage. In some schools, these relaxation therapies are given so that students can relax their mind and as a result they can put more efforts in their studies. It is applicable for all ages. It is not necessary that person has to do it daily or weekly. If this therapy is done regularly then you will see change in yourself. You will have increased mind and body power. Your quality of consciousness will be expanded. People claim benefits from meditation.
The most striking discovery of meditation is fall in metabolic rate. It is also found that consumption of oxygen will be less within few minutes of meditation. If you have high blood pressure then you should really meditate and get benefited. It drops the level of anxiety and tension and increases the rate of relaxation in the muscles. It also relaxes nervous system.
Meditation Poses
Full Lotus Pose (Padmasana)
In a sitting position, you need to bend your right leg at knee and rest it on the left thigh. You have to do the same with your left leg. You need to sit straight with your back, neck and shoulder erect. You should place your hands either on both knees or you can place them between two heels and allow right palm to rest on the left palm.
Benefit
- Promotes elasticity in different joints like ankles, knees and legs.
- As it is a sitting posture, it is very comfortable that you can do it for longer time period without too much body movement.
Half Lotus Pose
It is important to learn half lotus posture. If you are not able to do half lotus then full lotus will be a real tough job.
In a sitting position, you need to bend your right leg at knee and rest it on the left thigh. And your left should not rest on your thigh. Rather you should bend your left leg at knee and foot should touch the pelvic area. You need to sit straight with your back, neck and shoulder erect. You should place your hands either on both knees or you can place them between two heels and allow your right palm to rest on the left palm.
Half Lotus Pose
Benefit
- It gives comfortable sitting position which makes easy to meditate
- Lessens the stiffness and tensions in different joints
- Give relaxation to whole nervous system.
Burmese Pose
It is really an easy posture and easy to learn also. You can learn it under a qualified practitioner. Here you should bend your legs at your knees that foot can touch pelvic area but you need not to cross your legs. You keep your hands in a cupped position resting on your thighs or heels. You need to keep cushion or blanket so that your heel or ankle should not get hurt.
Egyptian Pose
In this pose, you can do meditation while sitting on chair. You should find a chair where you can sit straight. You can even maintain your position by keeping a cushion on the back. Your hand should rest on your thighs or else you can keep one hand on other hand with the thumb touching.
Adepts Pose (Siddhasana)
In a sitting position, you need to bend your left leg as if you heel can touch the perineum and then bend your right leg so that its heel can touch the pubic bone or just above the genitals. Sit straight and keep your hands on your knees.
Adepts Pose
Ankle lock Pose (Swastikasana)
In a sitting position, stretch your both legs. You need to bend your right leg at the knee as if your heel can rest against the groin of the left thigh and sole of the leg can rest in contact with the thigh. Then you need to bend your left leg at the knee as if your heel can rest against the groin of the right thigh and sole of the leg can rest in contact with the thigh. Place the toes of the both feet between the thigh muscles and calves. Place both hands in a Padmasana.
Ankle lock Pose
Benefit
Swastika means prosperity in Sankrit. If meditation is done with this position then it is said to bring prosperity, growth and good health in the life of the practitioner.
Easy Pose (Sukhasana)
This pose is very simple. You can do it only by crossing your legs in a sitting position and keeping your head and trunk straight. Place your hands as in Padmasana.
Easy Pose
Vajrasana
Sit on your knees. Keep your head, shoulder, neck and back straight. Place your hands on your thighs.
Vajrasana
Mudras of Meditation
We practice different Mudras with the help of our fingers and each finger has different significance:
| Finger | Significance |
| Thumb | Fire |
| Index | Air |
| Middle | Sky |
| Ring | Earth |
| Little | Water |
Let us discuss about different Mudras:
| Mudra | Benefit | Method | Image |
| Gyan Mudra | Develop intellect, boost memory, provides happiness, cures mental problems | Join the tips of the thumb and index finger. Keep other three fingers stretched and joined | 
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| Shoonya Mudra | Cure ear related disease | Fold the middle finger on the base of the thumb. Thumb should rest on the middle finger. Other three fingers should be stretched | 
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| Apaan Mudra | Reduce problem related to constipation and any obstruction in normal urination. Remove waste from the eyes, nose, ears, mouth | Join tip of the thumb with tips of middle and ring fingers. Other two fingers should remain straight | 
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| Vayu Mudra | Reduce problems related to trembling in Parkinson’s disease and arthritis. Better to use after Prana Mudra. | Fold the index finger on the base of the thumb. Thumb should rest on the index finger. Other three fingers should be stretched. | 
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| Surya Mudra | Helps to reduce our body weight. | Fold the ring finger on the base of the thumb. Thumb should rest on the ring finger. Other three fingers should be stretched. | 
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| Prithvi Mudra | Helps to make our body strong. Provides happiness. | Join tip of the thumb with the tip of the ring finger. Other three fingers should remain straight | 
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| Varun Mudra | Improves the quality of blood, and removes impurity of blood due to storage of water. Provides freshness in our body. | Join tip of the thumb with the tip of the little finger. Other three fingers should remain straight. | 
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| Prana Mudra | Provides special power to our eyes. Helps to induce life force in our body. Reduce effect of any kind of disease. | Join tip of the thumb with tips of ring and little fingers. Other two fingers should remain straight. | 
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| Ling Mudra | Helps to remove the effect of cold from the body by producing heat. | Interlock all the fingers of two hands. Keep your left thumb vertically straight while index finger of the right hand and right thumb should surround the left thumb. | 
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When to practice Mudras?
- Mudras can be practiced any time
- Mudras can be practiced in lying, sitting or standing position
- Mudras should be practiced at least 24 minutes at a stretch for better result
- Mudras can be practiced for 4 to 5 minutes
- Mudras can be practiced with both hands or with single hand
Incense and Candle for Meditation
Incense and Candle are seen to be burnt in many religious occasions. As it is found that aroma of incense has relaxing effect on our mind whereas candles brighten up the darkroom where we are involved in any spiritual practice. Incense makes the air purified. Whereas burning candle and incense have the ability to remove negativity of the place. As to get success in the meditation, it is mandatory to seek tranquility of the mind of the performer. Thus, incense brings the positive impulses to the brain of the meditating person through its aroma and candle gives better visual impact to the person.
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