The process of meditation can be defined as being in clear awareness (contemplation) of the present moment. Achieving such a state by practitioners can pursue various goals. Someone strives to relax the mind, someone is saturated with the positive energy of the Cosmos, while others practice the development of compassion for all living beings. In addition to the above, many believe in the healing power of meditation, which is often confirmed by real stories of recovery. In (historical name – Sanatana-dharma), initially the goal of meditation was to achieve the unity of the soul of the practitioner with the Paramatma or Brahman. This state is called in Hinduism, and in Buddhism. To stay in meditation, Hindu treatises prescribe certain postures. These are yoga asanas. Clear guidelines for yoga and meditation are found in such ancient scriptures as the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Mahabharta, which includes the Gita. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad interprets meditation as “having become calm and concentrated, a person perceives himself in himself.” The concept of yoga and meditation includes: ethical discipline (Yama), rules of conduct (Niyama), yoga postures (Asanas), breathing practice (Pranayama), one-pointed concentration of the mind (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana), and, finally, salvation (Samadhi). ). Without proper knowledge and a mentor (Guru), few reach the stage of Dhyana, and it is considered quite rare to reach the final stage – salvation. Gautama Buddha (originally a Hindu prince) and Sri Ramakrishna reached the final stage – salvation (Samadhi). According to historians, the basic idea of meditation is because the founder of Buddhism was a Hindu before reaching Moksha. Gautama Buddha speaks of two significant mental qualities arising from the practice of Buddhist meditation: (serenity), which concentrates the mind, and which allows the practitioner to explore the five aspects of a sentient being: matter, feeling, perception, psyche, and consciousness. Thus, from the point of view of Hinduism, meditation is a way to reunite with the creator or Paramatma. Whereas among Buddhists, who do not define God as such, the main goal of meditation is self-realization or Nirvana.
2022-11-11