Meditative Techniques

 Meditative Techniques from Patanjali Yoga-sutras

Meditative Techniques from Samadhi Pada:

1. Reasoning and reflection on Truth.

2. Focusing on Silence and Stillness.

3. Single point focus on any one aspect of Ishvara (form or formless).

4. Focusing on pranava shabda – Om.

5. Thinking about the meaning of Ishvara while performing the japa of Ishvara.

6. Regulating the breath - keeping inhalation and exhalation of the same duration.

7. Focusing on any one worldly aspect continuously (may be a flower, flame, etc.)

8. Staying in the neutral state of beyond any attachments of dualities of nature.

9. Focusing on the aspect of deep sleep state.

10. Focusing on the light at the kutastha (on the center of the forehead, between the eyebrows).

Aid to meditation: Friendliness, compassion, pleasantness, being detached to dualities (pain and pleasure; virtue and sin).