Meditation INTRODUCTION

Meditation is a very personal and spiritual experience. The desired purpose of each meditation technique is to channel our awareness into a more positive direction by totally change one's state of mind. To meditate is to turn inwards, to concentrate on the inner self. The whole process of meditation usually entails the three stages of concentration (Dharana), meditation (Dyane) and information or absorption (Samadhi). The individual is ready to meditate usually starts off by taking advantage of his consciousness, such as focusing his mind on a particular object. When attention is engaged, concentration is meditation or Dyane. And through continuous meditation, the mediator brings together for the purpose of a merger, which may either be present or the divine unity. In some branches of Indian philosophy, direct perception from the inner self (manna) together with perception that is filtered through the five senses (Panache indri) is a part of their valid epistemology (pratyaksha Janna). And this self-realization and self-awareness (as popularized by Paramahansa Yogananda), is nothing but the knowledge of "pure being" self. Humanity is increasingly turning towards various meditative techniques in order to cope with the increasing stress of modern living. Able to find stability in the outside world, people directed their gaze inwards in an attempt to achieve peace of mind. Modern psychotherapists have begun to discover various therapeutic benefits of meditation practice.State of relaxation and meditative state of consciousness, both induced by meditation, is especially effective in psychotherapy. But more than anything else, meditation is being used as a personal growth device these days, in order to inculcate a more positive attitude towards life in general. Meditation is not necessarily a religious practice, but because of its spiritual element it forms an integral part of most religions. And even though the fundamental objective of most meditation styles remain the same and are performed in a state of inner and outer stillness, they all vary depending on the specific religious framework within which they are located.Preparation, posture, length of period of meditation, particular verbal or visual elements which all contribute to the various forms of meditation. Some of the more popular methods are, Transcendental Meditation, Yoga Indri, Vipassana meditation and mindfulness.