Technique
There are many ways to connect with the truth; some would say that not all fit into the meditation category so perhaps it could be said that spiritual technique and meditation are several of the dynamics that get us from HERE to THEIR. This THEIR is the desired spiritual reality that we are trying to attain. What works for one person may not work for the other.
There is a Indian tradition that promotes a technique, in which one gets quiet and then ask “ WHO AM I” for those who are not that far along in their spiritual growth the apparent realization may be of a person who is fragmented, dysfunctional and etc, which is not the result intended. On the other hand someone very advanced might ask this question and the realization might be that they are the self / atman, which is the result intended.
There is a great Indian saint who said we should not meditate but just see and know that everything before us and within us is god. I am sure that for him this is the reality,
But how many of us can have that experience and can we grow by inflating our belief systems?
For the techniques that are put forth in this instruction there are some very important questions. For one “WHERE AM I” ? And secondly “FROM WHERE DOES THIS ARISE [the thing focused on / one example would be joy] AND WHAT IS ITS SOURCE”? When we advance our ability to watch and see in meditation, then we can have glimpse's of these mysteries
It can be said that technique is the vehicle that gets us from here to there.
Will is truly one of the greatest mysteries in the human make up, there are religions and spiritual organizations whose very foundations are based on right use of will [Islam / prayer, fasting and surrender] and [Subud / Latihan Kedjiwaan , surrender and fasting]
The general spectrum of human will is /willful action control….to…. surrender, acceptance.
In the techniques put forth in this instruction watching and becoming familiar with the will are very important, it is true that many levels of activity can be happening at the same time while we meditate, and each can have different degrees and types of will applied.
An example, is applying a number of different techniques in our meditation process and in the end, give up, stop doing, relax completely, surrender and open ourselves to divine truth.
It is said that if we can sense and see from where our will arises from, then we have entered the sacred domain of the inner self.
Mantra [scared words with power] is an Indian word [Sanskrit] it is said to be a objective language constructed by the ancient rishi's who were the great yogi's that created the scared science of the soul / Yoga and the very foundation of the Sanatana Dharma [Indian spirituality / Hinduism, Buddhism]
Generally you could say that mantra mean's repetition of sacred words. These Sanskrit words have divine connotations. Many mantras are simply making salutations to divine reality, such as OM SHRI RAM JAI RAM JAI JAI RAM. Others are more geared towards developing certain aspects of our being and sahdana.
There are a number of ways [techniques], with a variety of desired results. One said to be a shidda technique, is to start saying, singing or chanting the mantra slow and as time passes one speeds up the tempo faster and faster then stops, which hopefully creates a dynamic which propelles us to the next level, which is a deep state of meditation. This is a classic example of the unleashing of a personal form of grace [energy] which helps us evolve spiritually, in Indian terms this would be called Shakti or Kundalini.It is said that this energy is always present, but the reality of sahdana applied hopefully will bring us this energy in a rarified form.
As we go forward hopefully a love for sadhana and the experience of divine truth will arise. At this point we have just progressed to a new level, when we chant with love and devotion and hear this in our own voice, then we can be put into a deep and sweet state of meditation.
Another technique is called Japa. With this a new dimension is addressed, that of discipline. Sometimes the results we are striving for are in the realm of difficult accomplishments. An example would be to repeat the Mantra / HARI OM TATSAT JAI
GURU DATTA 10,000 times. The general tools here would be a Mala [meditation beads, necklace, numbering 108] one would simply start with the first bead of the mala then chant the mantra on each of the 108 beads till we come to the last bead, then this process would be repeated approximately 93 times, which is a number over 10,000.
Classically Mudras used in Hinduism and Buddhism portray esoteric realities and are used to affirm ones commitment and practice, for visualizing, to establish concentration and much more.
In regard to the techniques in this instruction we deal with one Mudra, Chin Mudra.
It is said that the domain of Chin Mudra is where the disciple meets the Guru, where the Atman melts into the Parmatman, and finally where the lord's presence can be known.
You could say that it is possible to live in Chin Mudra, as we established getting centered into the focused on realities in this instruction then this Mudra becomes the foundation or anchor for maintaining and harmonizing these states.
Yantras are usually complex esoteric geometric symbols, portraying Deities and other divine realities; they are used as meditation symbols for a variety of results.
The meditation symbol given to me by Nityananda ("Meditation Symbol From Nityananda" above) may not have geometric substance or symbolic meaning but for some there have been experiences from meditating on this symbol. Some have experienced seeing energy and colors that have put them into a meditative state.
Pictures of Saints, Gurus and Holy Beings
There are so many cases of people having very powerful experiences while looking at these holy beings, a common experience is the eerie sensation that the face of the saint looked upon is but a mask and behind the mask is the divine.
Another is seeing an atomic nuclear type of energy around the Guru's picture or perhaps the one in the picture may appear to be breathing or smiling. When we gaze upon these special beings it is possible to experience a magical feeling or perhaps sensation, it is said that this sensation / feeling, is the same as our own inner feeling.Whatever it is, these experiences can bring us to a deep meditation.
