The document explains meditation as a mental discipline aimed at transcending the thinking mind to achieve deeper awareness. It outlines various levels of consciousness and exercises to enhance meditation practice, emphasizing the importance of intention, concentration, and self-discovery. Additionally, it highlights meditation's role in spiritual growth and self-realization, referencing insights from different religious traditions.

1. Meditation--An attempt to understand Renuka R. NarangITM

2. What is Meditation?Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the "thinking" mind into a deeper state of awareness.The word meditation comes through the Latin “meditatio”, which originally indicated any type of physical or intellectual exercise.

3. What is not Meditation!Meditation is not mere attention,or simply relaxation , is not only concentration, neither just contemplation or reflection, nor is it intention or control or willpower exercise.

4. MeditationEvery work in this world is done with the help of mind.Meditation is the only thing that happens when there is no mind.A conscious absence of mind is Meditation.

5. States of mind on the path of meditationConsciousnessSelf MeditationThere are five levels or states of mindTrue meditation is what happens at the highest level… that of consciousnessIntentionExercise of willConcentrationExercise of focusContemplationExercise of thoughtAttentionExercise of fixing the mind

6. Pre-requisites -- for a beginnerPractise meditation either in the morning or in the eveningCarry out your activities slowly before meditationPrepare your body and mind before meditationMeditate in peaceful surroundingsAlways use the same seat for meditationImportance of mudra in meditationKeep backbone straight in meditationSit at least for twenty minutes in meditation

7. Attention ExerciseMusic MeditationSit in the meditation posture and close eyes. Join your index finger and thumb or use any other mudraWith your eyes closed, listen to a musical instrument through your internal ears. This instrument is not being played in reality. One has to listen as if it is being playedListen to the sound of that instrument only. If you happen to hear the sound of some other instrument in between, push it asideNow open your eyesThis helps enhancing the concentration power

8. Contemplation ExerciseWisdom Meditation (“Who am I” exercise)Sit in the meditation posture. Look at your hand and ask yourself… “Am I this hand?” You will get an answer from within… No. You will get a feeling… this is my hand, but I am not the handRepeat this for other parts of your body. Every time, the answer received will be “No”This exercise helps to find our self and we experience the truth, that we are not the body

9. Concentration ExerciseWord Reverse MeditationTry pronouncing names in reverseFor eg; try reversing the name Renuka… It will be AkunerTry this with every name you are familiar withWhile doing this the mind has to be focussed completelyConcentration improves with this exercise

10. Intention ExerciseNeutral MeditationThis is remaining neutral for every thoughtIf you are sad, do not say you are sad… instead say…”Thoughts of sorrow are passing through my mind”Similarly think for happy thoughts as wellThoughts should be neutral in both the instances.This can be repeated for states of anger, boredom, depression etc.This helps in remaining balanced and detached in every situation

11. Consciousness ExerciseComplete MeditationMeditation is complete when self observation meets awarenessIn all earlier exercises experiencing the Experiencer was missingHere the Experiencer experiences the Experiencer in the Experience (In the entire experience, you experience yourself)

12. Complete Meditation continued…Start with the Who Am I exerciseEvery time the answer “No” is received, ask yourself “Who am I?” You’ll get an answer; I am the knower of this part Shift your focus to know the knower every timeIn the end, tell yourself, I am not the body, I am the knower of thisTry to meet the knowerThis awareness transforms us and stabilizes us on Self Realization

13. Meditation and Religious faiths" Meditation is the key for opening the doors of mysteries to your mind. In that state man abstracts himself: In that state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; In that subjective mood; he is immersed in the ocean of spiritual life,And can unfold the secrets of things-in-themselves.“– Bahai’s Faith"The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift, you can give yourself in this life. For it is only through meditation, that you can undertake the journey to discover your true nature, And so find the stability and confidence you will need to live, and die, well.Meditation is the road to enlightenment .“ –Buddhism

14. Meditate with the intention to progress spiritually. Meditation is for annihilating the ego, not for perpetuating it.

15. Thank you 