There are many meditation techniques to choose from to get on the path of holistic living and perfect health
Embarking on the journey of meditation entails finding comfort in a poised posture, disconnecting from external distractions by silencing the phone and closing the door. Ensuring a tranquil environment devoid of pets, one gently shuts their eyes, settles into a comfortable stance, and begins the practice. Repeating the chosen mantra for approximately half an hour and then gradually opening the eyes bestows the gift of serene alertness. It is paramount to practice this technique for thirty minutes before breakfast and dinner, refraining from engaging in it immediately after meals. Let not meditation be misconstrued as a mere soporific aid.
The transcendent practice of meditation, as elucidated by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, is a gateway to profound relaxation and wakeful awareness in the annals of human understanding. It takes the form of mantra meditation, a method that holds immense potential. Substantial evidence attests that consistent engagement in meditation, devoting twenty minutes in both morning and evening, can effectively regulate adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol levels in the bloodstream. This regulation subsequently leads to a substantial reduction in heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism, concurrently fostering coherence in brainwave patterns.
Raj Yoga Meditation, a practice involving open-eyed concentration on a focal point, along with Japa meditation, Sahaj Yoga meditation, and mindfulness meditation (focusing on breath awareness), are just a few among the numerous techniques available. Despite the diversity in methods, the ultimate objective remains singular: to delve into the realm of internal silence.
Realms of Consciousness
In our existence, we often traverse through three levels of consciousness: Waking, Dreaming, and Sleeping. These states, though prevalent, are constructs of the mind and temporal. Yet, beyond these, lie deeper dimensions of awareness waiting to be explored.
Atma Darshan or Thuria: Here, the direct experience of the soul and spirit unfolds. The encounter with pure silence, the thinking of thoughts, and the embodiment of pure potentiality and eternity bestow a touch of reality.
Cosmic Consciousness: Within this realm, both local and non-local spirits converge in the lives of others, forming a state of witnessing. This level is achieved through repeated experiences of the soul.
Divine Consciousness: This stage envelops the practitioner in a non-local spirit pervasive throughout creation. One senses inhabitation in a celestial world surrounded by divinity.
Unified Consciousness: At the pinnacle, non-local spirit encompasses the entire universe, epitomizing the concept of "Vasudev Kutumbkam." Miracles manifest in cosmic consciousness, the ability to create miracles in divine consciousness, and everything becoming miraculous in unified consciousness.
Neurochemical Symphony of Meditation's Benefits
Consciousness establishes a link through the autonomic nervous system, encompassing the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, both intertwined with the physical and subtle body through chemical mediation. Adopting a tranquil mindset from the realms of consciousness stimulates parasympathetic activity, liberating an array of joy-inducing molecules like serotonin, acetylcholine, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins. In parallel, it quells sympathetic activity, diminishing the presence of stress-inducing molecules such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and steroids.
Elevated parasympathetic activity orchestrates a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting propensity, ulceration, and plaque rupture, and safeguards endothelial integrity and vascular health. Additionally, it mitigates cholesterol oxidation, collectively fostering heart health.
A Spiritual Perspective
Meditation also ushers us into realms of profound spiritual insight. As Jallaudin Rumi, the renowned Sufi poet, aptly stated, "You and me are unconditional spirits trapped into conditions." This realization leads us to transcend the confines of limitations, exploring our non-local, spaceless, timeless, and dimensionless nature.
The revelations of quantum physics resonate with this perspective, depicting pure potentiality as a ceaselessly flowing quantum soup, the very essence of reality.
Through meditation, we embark on a path towards unity and oneness with consciousness, a journey exemplified by spiritual masters, philosophers, scientists, and luminaries from diverse traditions.
By incorporating meditation into your routine, you can promote a healthy heart, prevent palpitations, and even halt or reverse the progression of coronary artery disease. It's a practice that harmonizes blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of stroke or paralysis.
(The writer is Chief Cardiologist, at Medanta Moolchand Heart Institute)