Fashion in Misconception
Yoga & Meditation
Chandra Shekhar Upadhyaya
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Yoga and Meditation, these two words have become status symbol these days. Every third person is claming to be doing Yoga and Meditation. I discussed with many people around individually that our working environment and life style is adding to building up of Physical and Mental stresses and we need to do something to get rid of it. And most of the times the reply was that he or she is doing Yoga and Meditation everyday. My usual next question, "What do you do in Yoga?" And the usual answer was that he / she had been doing some physical exercises in the morning or evening in the name of "Yoga". And I wondered that they do not even know what the word "Yoga" stands for?

Then I come to the lot claiming to be doing "Meditation" and my usual question, "what do you do in that and how is it done?" I learnt that 90% of them sit in a noiseless, isolated corner of their house with eyes closed and do one or more of the following:

       1) Pray to God about the things to be good around them.
       2) Think about themselves and those around
       3) Fantasizing about realizing their fantasies
       4) Try dreaming about firing / manhandling their boss
       5) Fighting and Beating some physically stronger ones in
           their imagination (whom they can't even dare to touch in
           reality)
       6) Keep on uttering words calling their beloved GOD (Ram
           naam jaap etc.)
       7) Asking GOD to take away their worries and problems
       8) Trying to control their thought process
       9) Trying to concentrate on one word or a sentence told to
           them by the person who initiated them into Meditation
           (????)

There had been several other explanations not worth mentioning here. In a nut shell, all of them "Meditating" in several ways suited to them. It again left me wondering "Do they know what "Meditation" is?"

"Yoga" is unison with GOD. And let me take you through eight fold path, as explained by our great Rishi "Patanjali", towards the unison with GOD.
  
     First two step
        1. Yama and
        2. Niyama
     They require observance of ten negative and positive
      moralities through avoidance of:-
          a) Injury to others (all living beings)
          b) Untruthfulness
          c) Stealing
          d) Incontinence
          e) Gift Receiving
      
      And achievement of :-
          f) Purity of Body and Mind
          g) Contentment
          h) Self Discipline
          i) Study
          j) Devotion to GOD
   
    Next Steps are

        3. Asana (right posture) - spinal column must be held                         straight and
            body must be firm in a comfortable position for Meditation
        4. Pranayama - Control of Prana, subtle life current
            (Breathing)
        5. Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the senses from external
            objects

    And the last steps are forms of "YOGA" proper

        6. Dharana - Concentration  (holding the mind to one 
            thought)
        7. Dhayana - Meditation
        8. Smadhi - Superconcious perception.

This is the eight fold path of "Yoga" which leads to final goal of "Kaivalya" or "Absoluteness" - Realization of truth beyond all intellectual apprehension.

Those who have seen "GUIDE", based on the Novel by the same name written by R K Narayan, may recall the achievement of "Kaivalya" by "Raju", portrayed on screen perfectly by Dev Anand, when he (the soul) merges with Him (GOD) in the last few reels. Those who wish to understand it, must see this Indian Classic.

I hope doubts of many about "Yoga" and "Meditation" may be cleared after going through above. Reaching the level of "Yoga & Meditation" requires purification of mind, body and soul through the initial grill. Just appearing and qualifying X class board exams through an open school without studying the basics, does not mean education completed.

Now you do know better about the master who initiated you into Meditation!!!
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