The traditional Hindu meditative path is called raja yoga (regal yoga) and is based on the Yoga Sutras composed by Patanjali, who lived sometime during the first or second century AD (there are differing opinions as to when Patanjali lived and when exactly the Sutras were written). The school of Hinduism that developed out of these texts has had the most influence on the West. However, many Westerners hear the word yoga and assume it only means doing the postures or asanas—what is formally called hatha yoga. But, in fact, the system to reach enlightenment in Hindu traditions is an eight-limb approach. Just as Hinduism doesn’t traditionally set the asana postures to stand alone as a practice, neither is dhyana (meditation) meant to be practiced irrespective of the other seven limbs.
In the yogic tradition, postures are an important component of meditation, because the form of meditation practiced requires being able to sit in one pose comfortably for long periods of time. The postures, part of hatha yoga, help maintain balance and harmony within the body to enable it to meditate for many hours through strength and good health.
Like some other mutually influenced meditation paths such as Jainism and Buddhism, Hinduism includes the component of restraint. This refers to curbing actions that may cause harm to other beings, both human and animal. This is where adoption of vegetarianism often comes into play. A second component, observances, deals with religious practices, such as cleanliness and attendance to scripture study.
Hindu-style yoga meditation was introduced to the West by Swami Vivekananda in the late nineteenth century. As it was passed on over the next century through various disciples of two prominent schools of thought, yoga in the United States became predominantly asana-based (posture) yoga.
However, despite the prevalence of asana yoga in the West, other teachers have created followings based on other limbs of the path. The Hare Krishna movement was started in the 1960s by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who taught that Krishna was the supreme God to be worshipped. Adherents to this following were to recite mantras and chants, and ensure that all of their actions were pleasing to Krishna.
Kriya yoga has also maintained some popularity in America. First brought to the United States by Yogananda, the kriya yoga path is a method that focuses on multiple techniques. The first step is a series of exercises that prepares the mind for meditation. Second is a concentration effort that helps the practitioner pull away from thought and focus inwardly.
Then the focus is learning to concentrate on oneself and recognize the attributes of the divine self within. Lastly, the most complex technique is body control, where the practitioner slows down breathing moving into stillness.
Thus we can say that Hindu meditation style is strongly bonded to Yoga. In the next blog I'll discuss about the meditation in Buddhist style.
In the yogic tradition, postures are an important component of meditation, because the form of meditation practiced requires being able to sit in one pose comfortably for long periods of time. The postures, part of hatha yoga, help maintain balance and harmony within the body to enable it to meditate for many hours through strength and good health.
Like some other mutually influenced meditation paths such as Jainism and Buddhism, Hinduism includes the component of restraint. This refers to curbing actions that may cause harm to other beings, both human and animal. This is where adoption of vegetarianism often comes into play. A second component, observances, deals with religious practices, such as cleanliness and attendance to scripture study.
Hindu-style yoga meditation was introduced to the West by Swami Vivekananda in the late nineteenth century. As it was passed on over the next century through various disciples of two prominent schools of thought, yoga in the United States became predominantly asana-based (posture) yoga.
However, despite the prevalence of asana yoga in the West, other teachers have created followings based on other limbs of the path. The Hare Krishna movement was started in the 1960s by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who taught that Krishna was the supreme God to be worshipped. Adherents to this following were to recite mantras and chants, and ensure that all of their actions were pleasing to Krishna.
Kriya yoga has also maintained some popularity in America. First brought to the United States by Yogananda, the kriya yoga path is a method that focuses on multiple techniques. The first step is a series of exercises that prepares the mind for meditation. Second is a concentration effort that helps the practitioner pull away from thought and focus inwardly.
Then the focus is learning to concentrate on oneself and recognize the attributes of the divine self within. Lastly, the most complex technique is body control, where the practitioner slows down breathing moving into stillness.
Thus we can say that Hindu meditation style is strongly bonded to Yoga. In the next blog I'll discuss about the meditation in Buddhist style.
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