Art by Swatantr Jyoti |
I believe it is part of human nature to seek to be whole. From the moment we enter the world, we rely on others not only for our survival but for emotional connection. The swiftness in which all of our needs are met either breeds security or insecurity. This need for positive reinforcement only becomes greater with age. We not only seek people but things to give meaning and shape to our lives. Our identities ultimately become wrapped up in external forces which more often than not, leads to our own suffering. When we lose these people and things, or are unable to acquire that which we desire, we feel incomplete, incompetent or as if there is something missing. The beauty of a regular meditation practice, is our connection to our Highest Self helps us to detach from the physical realm and connect to our Divinity thus making us whole. We are/were never lacking or disjointed. This meditation connects the finite and the infinite Self making us whole. Details are in the notes.
TO BEGIN: Sit in an Easy Pose, with a light jalandhar bandh, or neck lock. Keep the spine straight. Rub your hands together. Press your thumbs against your sternum holding your hands in prayer pose. Roll your eyes in and up towards your third-eye. If you are unable to sit in "easy pose," you may sit on a sturdy chair and cross your feet underneath your chair.
On two breaths, chant the opening mantra ONG NA MA GURU DEV NAMO which means I bow to the infinite wisdom within. Do this 3 times. For the proper cadence and pronunciation, listen here. If you like what you hear, you can purchase my mantra music on Bandcamp.
MUDRA: Place the right hand over the right knee. Keep the elbow straight and the hand relaxed in Gyan Mudra (the index finger tip on the tip of the thumb). Raise the left hand in front of the Heart Center 6 inches (15 cm) from the chest. The palm is flat and faces toward the chest. The fingers point to the right.
Eyes: Eyes are 1/10th open
MANTRA: Chant out loud I AM as you draw the left hand closer to the chest to a distance of about 4 inches (10 cm). Then chant I AM as you extend the palm straight away from the front of the chest to a distance of about 12 inches (30 cm).
Then take a short breath through the nose as you draw the hand back to the original position of 6 inches (15 cm) from the chest.
Create a steady rhythm with the mantra and the breath. The hand and the breath move in rhythm and strengthen your ability to maintain a sense of self as your awareness expands.
Continue for 11 minutes.
NOTES ON THIS MEDITATION:
A yogi cultivates the relationship between the finite sense of the Self and the Infinite sense of the Self. The mind often forgets this relationship when it becomes attached to a particular emotion or object that it wants to keep. One of the important habits the yogi instills in the mind is the ability to break that trance of attachment by a shift to the perspective of Infinity.
This is also the perspective of Being. You exist before the objects you collect, and even before the body that you use. It is very powerful and effective to remind the mind of your true identity with your Infinite Being. Without this awareness, philosophy, ethics, and spirituality will reduce to ritual participation. What the yogi seeks is to participate in life with authenticity and wholeness.
TO FINISH: Inhale deeply, hold the breath for ten counts, then relax completely. Say aloud the Warrior Healer's Affirmations.
TO CLOSE: Rub your hands together and bring them to prayer pose, palms touching thumbs pressed against your sternum. Chant Long SAT NAM on one breath. Repeat this for a total of three times. Bring your hands to your forehead and bow. This seals the work in your frontal lobe. Your center for decision making.
Any questions, you can find me on IG @rhythmandbreathyoga
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