Aids to Meditation

Aids to Meditation

Mula Bandha in Meditation: When you sit in the Asana for doing Japa, contract the anus. This is termed Mula Bandha in Hatha Yogic practice. This helps concentration. This practice prevents the Apanavayu from moving downwards.

Kumbhaka in Meditation: Retain the breath as long as you can comfortably do so. This is Kumbhaka. This will considerably steady the mind and help concentration. You will feel intense spiritual bliss.

Yogic Diet: Take Mitahara, Sattvic diet. Overloading the stomach with rice, vegetable, dhal and bread brings sleep and interferes with Sadhana. A glutton or a sensualist, a dullard or a lazy man cannot practise meditation. A diet of milk renders the body very, very light. You can sit in one Asana for hours together with ease and comfort. If you feel weak, you can take for a day or two a little rice and milk or barley and milk or any light diet. Those who are in the field of service and who do platform lectures and other intense spiritual propaganda activities need solid, substantial food.

You will find very often these terms in the Gita: Ananya Chetah-no thinking of another; Matchitta, Nitya Yukta, Manmanah; Ekagram Manah and Sarva-Bhava. These terms denote that you will have to give your full mind, entire cent per cent, to God. Then only you will have Self-realisation. Even if one ray of mind runs outside, it is impossible to attain God-consciousness.

Be silent. Know thyself. Know That. Melt the mind in That. Truth is quite pure and simple.

Asanas for Meditation

Sit in Padma, Siddha, Svastika or Sukha Asana for half an hour to start with. Then increase the period to three hours. In one year you can have Asana-Siddhi. Any easy, comfortable posture is Asana.

Padmasana

This is the lotus-pose. Place the right foot on the left thigh, the left foot on the right thigh. Put the hands on the thighs near the knee-joints. Keep the head, neck and the trunk in one straight line. Close the eyes and concentrate on the Trikuti, the space between the two eyebrows. This is called lotus-pose or Kamalasana. This is very good for meditation. This Asana is beneficial for householders.

Siddhasana

This is the perfect pose. This is a beautiful Asana for meditation. Place one heel at the anus or Guda, the terminal opening of the alimentary canal or digestive tube through which the excreta or faecal matter is thrown out. Keep the other heel at the foot of the generative organ and the hands on the knees. Close the eyes. Concentrate on the Trikuti or on the tip of the nose. Keep the head, neck and trunk in one straight line. Keep the hands as in Padmasana near the knee joints. This Asana is beneficial for Brahmacharins and Sannyasins.

Svastikasana

Svastika is sitting at ease with the body erect. Place the right foot near the thigh and bring the left foot and push it between the right thigh and calf muscles. Now you will find the two feet between the thigh and calf muscles. This is Svastikasana.

Sukhasana

Any easy comfortable posture for Japa and meditation is Sukhasana. The important point is that the head and the trunk should be straight. Here is a special variety of Sukhasana which is very comfortable for old people.

Take a cloth 5 cubits long and fold it lengthwise. Raise the knees to the chest level. Keep one end of it near the left knee. Take the other end, going to the back by the left side and right knee come to the left knee and make a knot there. Keep the hands between the knees. As the legs, hands, back-bone are all supported, one can sit in this Asana for a long time.

Benefits of Asanas

Asana removes many diseases such as piles, dyspepsia, constipation, and checks excessive Rajas. The body gets genuine rest from the posture. If you are established in Asana, if you are firm in your seat, then you can take up easily exercises in Pranayama. This is the third Anga or part of Ashtanga Yoga or Raja Yoga of Patanjali.

First, there is self-restraint or practice of Ahimsa, Satyam, Brahmacharya, etc. Second, there are religious canons or observances, such as Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, etc. Next comes Asana. When the Asana becomes steady, you will not feel the body. When you have obtained mastery in Asana, qualities of the pairs of opposites such as heat and cold will not trouble you then. You must sit in the Asana on an empty stomach. You can take a small cup of milk, tea or coffee before doing Asana.

Asana steadies the body. Bandhas and Mudras make the body firm. Pranayama makes the body light. Nadi Suddhi produces steadiness of the mind. Having acquired these qualifications you will have to fix the mind on Brahman. Then only meditation will go on steadily with ease and happiness. For meditation, concentration and Japa, Padmasana or Siddhasana is prescribed. For general health and keeping up of Brahmacharya, Sirshasana, Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Pachimottanasana are good.

Aids to Meditation

Meditation has always been regarded as one of the most effective paths to inner peace, self-realization, and divine communion. In today’s fast-paced world, where the mind is constantly distracted by external influences, understanding the true Aids to Meditation becomes essential for every spiritual seeker. Meditation is not merely sitting with closed eyes; it is the process of calming the restless mind and directing one’s awareness toward the Divine. Through sincere practice, supported by the right spiritual disciplines, anyone can experience greater clarity, compassion, and lasting happiness. At Devotional India, seekers are encouraged to embrace timeless spiritual principles that make meditation a joyful and transformative experience.

The first among the important Aids to Meditation is purity of thought. A mind filled with kindness, truthfulness, and selfless intentions naturally becomes peaceful. Negative emotions such as anger, jealousy, and hatred disturb concentration and prevent the mind from becoming still. Therefore, cultivating noble thoughts throughout the day prepares the mind for deeper meditation. Every action performed with love and humility contributes to inner harmony and spiritual progress.

Another valuable support is maintaining a regular routine. Practicing meditation at the same time every day gradually trains the mind to settle more quickly. Early morning, when the surroundings are calm and the atmosphere is serene, is often considered the ideal time. Consistency is far more beneficial than occasional long sessions. Even a few minutes of sincere daily practice can produce remarkable spiritual growth over time. Devotional India inspires devotees to establish disciplined spiritual habits that strengthen both faith and concentration.

A peaceful environment also plays a significant role in meditation. Selecting a clean, quiet, and sacred place helps minimize distractions. Many devotees create a small prayer corner with a lamp, flowers, or an image of their chosen deity. Such surroundings naturally inspire devotion and remind the mind of higher ideals. Silence allows thoughts to settle, making it easier to focus inward. As external disturbances decrease, inner awareness begins to blossom naturally.

Breath awareness is another powerful aspect of Aids to Meditation. Slow, gentle, and rhythmic breathing calms the nervous system and relaxes the body. Without forcing the breath, simply observing its natural flow helps reduce mental agitation. As breathing becomes steady, thoughts gradually lose their intensity, allowing the mind to enter a state of quiet alertness. This simple practice serves as an effective bridge between physical relaxation and spiritual contemplation.

Prayer and devotion greatly enhance meditation by filling the heart with divine love. Before beginning meditation, offering a sincere prayer creates humility and opens the heart to divine grace. Chanting sacred names, repeating a mantra, or singing devotional hymns purifies the mind and directs attention toward God. These sacred practices gradually replace worldly thoughts with spiritual vibrations. Devotional India emphasizes that meditation supported by devotion becomes more meaningful because it combines concentration with heartfelt surrender.

The company we keep also influences our spiritual journey. Associating with noble people, reading inspiring scriptures, and listening to uplifting spiritual discourses nourish the mind with positive impressions. Such influences strengthen determination and encourage regular practice. On the other hand, excessive attachment to worldly distractions often weakens concentration. Choosing spiritually enriching activities throughout the day becomes one of the practical Aids to Meditation that supports lasting inner transformation.

Patience is another indispensable quality for every meditator. Many beginners become discouraged when the mind continues to wander. However, meditation is a gradual process that requires gentle perseverance rather than force. Each time the mind drifts, lovingly bringing it back to the object of meditation strengthens concentration little by little. Spiritual progress often happens silently, revealing itself through greater peace, compassion, and emotional balance rather than dramatic experiences.

Selfless service is closely connected with meditation. Serving others without expecting recognition purifies the heart and reduces selfish tendencies. When ego gradually diminishes, meditation becomes deeper and more natural. Acts of kindness performed with sincerity generate inner joy, making the mind more receptive to divine awareness. Service and meditation complement one another, creating harmony between spiritual practice and daily life.

Proper posture also contributes significantly to successful meditation. Sitting comfortably with the spine erect allows the body to remain relaxed while maintaining alertness. The goal is not physical perfection but stability. A balanced posture prevents unnecessary discomfort and helps maintain attention without strain. As the body becomes still, the mind finds it easier to settle into silence and contemplation.

Among the finest Aids to Meditation is developing unwavering faith in God. Faith provides strength during periods of doubt and encourages steady practice despite obstacles. When meditation is approached with love, sincerity, and trust in divine guidance, every session becomes an opportunity for inner growth. Rather than seeking extraordinary experiences, the seeker gradually discovers peace within the heart, realizing that true happiness arises from communion with the Divine.

Ultimately, meditation is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening. The external practices support the seeker, but the real transformation occurs within the heart. By cultivating purity, discipline, devotion, patience, selfless service, and faith, every aspirant can experience the profound benefits of meditation. These timeless principles continue to guide countless seekers toward inner peace and God-realization. Through the wisdom shared by Devotional India, spiritual aspirants are reminded that the path of meditation is open to everyone who approaches it with sincerity, humility, and unwavering dedication. Practicing these sacred Aids to Meditation consistently transforms ordinary life into a journey filled with divine joy, wisdom, and everlasting peace.