Yoga meditation: an antihypertension agent

Abstract

Meditation and definitionsSitting alone in one of the yogic postures, shutting the mind to the external world and diverting all its powers inside with concentration on Trikuti (space between two eye-brows), eyes closed, breathing slowly through both nostrils and getting absorbed in the Absolute until the knower, the known, and the knowing become one in the enlightenment.This practice offers unique powers and a wide range of benefits.This is the process of meditation.It clears the mind, refines and clarifies the consciousness, promotes the mental equilibrium and evenness of temperament.It relaxes the nervous system and thus promotes psycho-physical balance and a quiet mind which protects us against everyday stress of life.Meditation is a wide term and is difficult to define by one single precise definition which will cover all its aspects.Slightly different meanings are given to meditation or contemplation in different dictionaries and religions. I. Dictionary definitionsConcise oxford dictionary: It defines contemplate as 'gaze upon', i.e., view mentally.Contemplative is defined as 'meditative' or 'thoughtful'.Nuttal's standard dictionary.Defines'contemplation'as'continued attention to a particular subject'.HBJ School Dictionary.'Meditate'means'to thinkquietly and deeply over a period of time'or to think about doing; to plan.Merriam webster's collegiate dictionary.'Meditate'means to'focus one'sthought orreflect or ponder over'.The other meaning was given as 'to plan or project in the mind'.Dictionary macmillian.'Meditation'isdefined as' a serious and careful thought'.TThe world book dictionary.'Meditation'means'continued thought'. II. ReligionsThe concept of meditation in different religions also differ slightly.4 In Christianity and Islam, meditation is believed to be knowledge of 'Absolute', while in Hinduism, Buddhism, Zen, and Taoism, it is considered as 'higher knowledge' or 'heightened consciousness' or 'intuitive awareness'.Different yoga masters have looked upon meditation from different points of view and have expressed it accordingly.III.Definitions of meditation as given by some prominent yoga masters (i) George: One of the simplest definitions of meditation is "the correct use of mind".The initial aim of meditation is not to deny our thoughts, but to be aware of our mind, gain mastery over our mental activity, and regenerate the highest quality of thoughts.5(ii) Patanjali Yoga Sutras: When the mind becomes free from thinking of sense objects and their enjoyment, it is meditation.6 (iii) George: Meditation is the art of cultivating self-awareness so we can become more skillful at using our energy -mental, emotional, and physical -in ways which increase our inner resources, not deplete them.In many ways, meditation is simply the art of selfawareness. 2 (iv) Hewitt: Yoga meditation promotes psycho-physical poise and a quiet mind that protects against the stress of modern life, which destroys health and happiness, and is indeed a major killer in the civilized society.5