I’m dog-tired as I write this. Here at SVYASA they are very particular about routine. The first session of the day is at 5.30 am.
A chilly wind was blowing when I stepped out to make my way to the Sampurna Hall at 5.15 am. With uncanny foresight, I’ve brought along the warmest stole I have, along with warm sweaters. I reached the hall while it was still dark outside. The hall’s dim lighting made me want to go back to sleep. Surprisingly, not many people attended the session, and I found a space to sit quite easily.
How To: The OM Meditation Technique
The OM Meditation technique consists of 8 steps to be done in a specific order. These are:
1. Opening prayer.
2. Kapalabhati pranayama/kriya. Those with high blood pressure, migraines and severe back pain should not practice this pranayama. Learn a few pranayama techniques in this video I made some time ago.
3. Anulom vilom pranayama. This is also called the Nadi Shuddhi pranayama. This was one of the few techniques whereby you can purify all the nadis in your body. This technique aims to balance the ida and pingala nadis. When you attain that balance, you reach a state of perfect equilibrium. In fact, that is when you activate the sushumna nadi and gain enlightenment.
4. Brahmari. Through this pranayama we were trying to stimulate our heads physically with just the vibrations generated by the N-kara. Once the mind is stimulated, it is easy to relax it in preparation for pranayama.
5. Sadanta. This pranayama serves to cool down the body. Anyone who has a cold shouldn’t practice this, as it will aggravate the condition.
6. OM gazing. A huge OM, illuminated by a green light, stands at the front of the room. The instructor asked us to gaze at the OM and note the details.
7. Dharana. After we focused and observed the OM for a length of time, the instructor asked us to slowly close our eyes and visualize the OM in our mind’s eye. Then the instructor asked us to imagine the OM within us, at the center of the forehead. This practice is the dharana aspect of meditation.
8. Closing prayer. This happens after a relaxing savasana.
Cultivating a Practice
Meditation is something that improves with regular practice. I’ve come across several types of meditation techniques over the years. I’ve found guided meditations very helpful. However, just like with asana practice, a meditation practice also needs to be done independently. Depending on a particular teacher/show/recording leads to attachment, and the practices ceases to be useful. The one meditation technique that has worked for me is free writing meditation.
Do you meditate? Do you have any favorite meditation techniques?
A apt visual during the OM Meditation Technique, helping those of us who aren’t dozing early in the morning.
Life at SVYASA is certainly interesting. Along with yoga teachers there are other holistic health practitioners such as Ayurvedic therapists and doctors. One afternoon I spoke at length to an Ayurvedic healer and compiled her tips for a healthy life in my blog titled An Ayurvedic Therapist’s Secrets to a Healthy Life.