DHYANA: MEDITATION - THE SEVENTH LIMB OF THE TREE OF YOGA
Meditation can appear inaccessible. It shouldn't be; everyone can meditate. The study of Dhyana teaches us that every moment is another opportunity to start over, to try again.
Dhyana - commonly known as the seventh limb of yoga - roughly translates as "mind training", "meditation" or "concentration". In Tibetan Buddhism, it is known as the fifth of the six Paramitas ("Perfections" or "Noble Behaviours"). These perfections allow us to move from a place where we struggle through misunderstanding, attachment and aversion, to another location in which we're aware, free from the suffering caused by these three poisonous states. The literal translation of Paramita is ‘to cross over to the other shore’.
Everyone can (and should) meditate
Much mysticism surrounds meditation, and it can appear inaccessible. It shouldn't be; everyone can meditate. There are three elementary stages while meditating.
Stage 1: focusing on something - for example, the breath (in Vinyasa, breathing, bandhas and gazing points)
Stage 2: noticing when the mind wanders - without criticism or judgment, this stage provides us with the opportunity to meditate
Stage 3: returning to our initial focus point.
When we repeat these stages, consistently starting over each time, we notice the mind spreading out, telling stories, judging and creating narrative. By repeatedly bringing the mind back from its wandering gently, we develop the habit of seeing each moment clearly without the extra layers our minds tend to add - preconceived ideas, judgements and prejudices.
The importance of "pausing" and "looking deeply"
A commonly discussed meditation aspect is vipashyana, or vipassana, as we often hear it referred to in the west. Vipashyana, or 'looking deeply', is vital as it allows us to develop insight into our pain. But shamatha, the aspect of 'pausing' is critical. We need to pause, step back from being swept along by our thoughts and feelings, and experience insight with clarity.
Yoga is moving meditation
Yoga is moving meditation. Its weird postures challenge our bodies and minds and give us a rich opportunity to experience and gain a deeper understanding of some of our embedded patterns of thought and behaviour. As we practice the mind chatters away, we might hear that critical inner voice, fears, and pride. However, as time passes and we practise more an inner peace begins to develop which can support us within our day-to-day lives.
We don't need to sit for hours at a time to begin developing the ability to pause and find insight. Starting by simply checking in with where thoughts are taking us a few times a day and merely returning to our initial point of focus is a significant first step. Another is to pay attention to the words we use when describing what we're experiencing; words are our mantras 'mind tools', shaping our experiences.
Joe Sharp is teaching Dhyana in classes this month. Come and join, pause and find insight.