What is Meditation / Dhyan/ Chan/ Zen? misconception & confusion.

11 February 2012

Why confusion on the correct method of Meditation? One of the confusions is getting the correct information on
meditation. Many sects, cults and traditions have followed up various meditation methods for centuries. All claim that their
method of meditation is correct. Whosoever is now following up his or her own cult/ method tries to pull others into
his/her method. Many continue to progress with their methods and similarly many leave meditation dissatisfied. This
dissatisfaction comes because of disinterest, lack of proper guidance, or selection of incorrect method. Many times ,
people use heavy complicated words in their reading (or religious) literature, those are beyond the understanding of a
common person interested in learning meditation.
Source of meditation:
With the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism their meditation methods also spread out of ancient Indian boundaries. It is
said that the original Sanskrit word Dhyan when went to China, it was named as Chen and later when it went into
Japan, it converted into ZEN. ( ref:- http://www.shaolin-wahnam.org/zen.html) . With the advent of time some methods
were modified, made suitable to local conditions. However, the basic purpose, remained same, that is to
concentrate your mind. However, in todays world people are looking for fast track solutions with the help of
meditation.
Three stage of Meditation: This concentration is developed in three stages. For a beginner, Dhaarana is about
concentration and involves fixing attention on one thing to the exclusion of everything else. Dhyana is a level of mastery of
total concentration and deep meditation. Samadhi, the highest level, is total absorption. (These are the various stages of
altered states of consciousness in other words).
There are various methods of meditation. A simple meaning of meditation is nothing but anchoring your mind on a single
thought ( or thoughtlessness Shunyata). Where to concentrate? Primarily, any of these six senses. 1) skin (sensations),
2) ears (listening to the own chants of Divine name, phrase, paragraphs), 3) eyes (internal, external focus), Tongue
(chanting Divine name, phrase, paragraphs), Nose (focus on breath, Yogic Exercises of breathing), pl. See next
paragraphs.

Purpose of all Dhyana (or meditation) methods:- The longer the duration of this altered state of consciousness the
better. It is said that the enlightened saints dont have thoughts, its only awareness, a connection to the universe &
staying in present.
So, how to begin with a single thought or no thoughts? Who guides us? It is said that a person goes to (or
pulled to) the Guru of his own at the right time to learn the method that he/she practiced last birth. Some experts say
that Guru is not required. You can get the required knowledge on your own.
It is important to study the teacher, his work, methods before accepting him (her) as your Guru. (Fake Gurus is not
todays problems. Shri Ramdas swami wrote it in his spiritual book- Dasbodh in 16th century that, There are plenty of
so called Gurus available in the market at throwaway price, check them, test them before accepting from your heart
ref:- http://www.archive.org/details/Shri.Dasbodh.of.Shri.Samartha.Ramdas.Marathi)
What happens when you follow someone elses method/ Guru? So, to end this , I can only say that, you check
your inner voice which method/ Guru you would like to follow, else, this may cause a spiritual indigestion. You can try a
method and if you are happy, stick to it. Dont go by trial and error every time, this will leave you nowhere.
All meditation methods give relaxation to mind and body if followed correctly. Because, when there are no
thoughts, there are no emotions and emotions are the reasons for your mental energy to drain. All meditation
methods give the same effect. Its your choice to select the method you love. Pl. refer my article on Fight or Flight
response. There is a science behind it.
Summary of mediation methods and techniques**
(with the useful links wherever possible for further reading)
SITTING MEDITATION
using the Method description Narration
Senses/
organs-

skin Focusing on bodys sensations Vipassana Developed by Gautam Buddha by 480 BC

Ears listening to the Chanting of the Divine name, mantra, To begin with, person gets interested and starts
Divine sound (Naad Brahma),it is a part of Bhakti listening to the preaching from the Holy books,
Yoga, attending to the sermons etc. This is not meditation but
a simple beginning to it. He needs to develop
concentration.
Eyes Focusing with the open eyes:-Visual concentration- This can be combined with chanting.
 trataka, God in visual forms of idols, gazing at the
burning incense tip or single point,Focusing with the
closed eyes:- Focusing on the Divine face or status of
GOD, holy saints. Gazing in between the eyebrows,
light (that appears after closing eyes)

Tongue Chanting the Divine name.This method is present in
almost all religions. People chant Divine name with the
help of rosary (some believe in totaling the daily
count). The choice of the Divine Name is
yours, Jesus, mother Mary, Raam, Dattatreya,
Allah, Wahe Guru, and many
However, the most important point is getting immersed
into the Divine name to the extent of forgetting time
and space. Then it becomes a habit of chanting in the
subconscious mind throughout the day (& night). Mind
remains focused on Divine Name.

Nose Focus on breath, breath exercises as given in various Varies from simple focusing on breath (so-hum or ham-
Yogic methods/ exercise. Sudarshan Kriya, Kriya sa) to the various breathing ratios (inhale-hold-exhale-
Yoga and others. It is a part of Raja Yoga. hold). Mind remains focused on breath.
Mind curtailing thinking process, watching the mind and Watching own thoughts, be alert. Philosophical
thought itself. Thoughtlessness or Shunyata thinking like the purpose of human life, existence of
meditationThere is another method of getting God etc.
immersed in logical- philosophical thinking. Here mind
gets anchored into one thought. Compassion or karuna
meditation- single thought on compassion by Buddhist.
DYNAMIC MEDITATION

Action Dynamic methods like walking meditation or Tai-Chi fall Mind remains focused on the subtle changes in body
oriented into this category. However I personally feel that this during actions. (request to study in details about fake
method works well as an exercise prior to sitting advertisements).
meditation. It helps in removing lethargy.

Tip: 1. ** with my little and limited knowledge I have tried to summarize these methods. If anything is missing, Pl. let me
know for update/ addition/ correction.Tip: 2. There are plenty of quacks who pretend to be expert and demand
extraordinary things (exorbitant money or Sex etc etc ) as a fee for teaching meditation.Tip3: You follow the method you
like with sincerity and devotion, you will be guided at the right time to the right people.
YOGA:
4 common Yogas: (karmayoga, Jnanayoga, Bhktiyoga, Rajyoga). pl. find an important link for more info. Explanation to
all yogas by Swami Vivekananda http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda
Divine Chanting- Naam-smaran by Dr Kashalikar http://www.archive.org/details/TotalStressManagementsuperliving
What is my method? I follow Bhakti Yoga- chanting The Divine Name. In addition to this, some Yoga exercises to keep
body agile and fit.
Thanks for your patience to read this lengthy explanation. Pl. feel free to ask, reply your valuable feedback.
warm regards

Abhijit Kamat

www.stressguru.co.in
http://stressguru.co.in/training_programs