Dhyana or meditation is one of the eight practices of yoga. Meditation is a state of complete separation from the physical body and its associated thought processes.

It is the second last stage to the most coveted aim of a living being as described in Vedic literature, which is to be one with his consciousness over and above his physical being.

The last stage, Samadhi, which Patanjali calls 'a state of enlightenment' is where one can get to finally by rigorously practicing the other seven.

In the state of Samadhi one is absolutely unaware of his physical being, and of other physical concepts like time and space. It is a state of nothingness.

This in itself becomes an experience perceived by the mind, which stays with a person even after he comes out of Samadhi.

Yogis can slow body functions in Samadhi

It is not incredible to expect a yogi who has taken to Samadhi, a step ahead of meditation, to survive without the physical needs of food and oxygen. Ancient records talk of yogis in a state of Samadhi living without food to eat, water to drink, or even air to breathe. These are physical necessities that the yogi in a state of Samadhi transcends. They are hence insignificant and irrelevant to him in that state.

Material needs are a state of the mind which is best understood as one goes into Samadhi, the verdic scriptures explain. Once the yogi understands this truth, he overcomes the physicality of the body and is able to break free from these physical attributes.

As a result the physiological activity of the body is decreased and so are the heart beat and lung functions. As the physiology of the body slows the power of the mind takes over, and that is what sustains the body.

This has been investigated and proved to be true by even modern day physicians, who medically examined yogis practicing Samadhi.

The Method behind Meditation

Meditation cannot be performed just offhand. A yogi wanting to achieve a state of deep meditation ideally must adopt all the eight regimes of Ashtanga yoga.

As mentioned in yogic texts, and observed even by the modern day yogis, central to the eight practices of ashtanga yoga is pranayama, an elaborate system of breathing and mental exercises.

As one advances in the practice of pranayama, his life and lifestyle automatically creates space for resistance to passion (the Yama) as also for complacence (the Niyama).

He regularly follows a regime of physical exercises (asanas). Resistance to senses (the Pratyahara) becomes a part of his daily discipline. Concentration (the Dharana) followed by meditation (the Dhyana) come to him naturally.

Pranayama helps Meditation >>