Meditation is considered an advanced yogic practice, often taught after other 6 limbs have been established. At the most basic, it is a practice of stilling still with self. Dhyana is meditation. Creating a personal meditation practice is not complicated. At first, start slow and easy; growing into your practice over time. Reflections are tools for self-nourishment and enrichment that aim at different facets of your being. In self-reflective practices, “intention setting” is a typical prompt that asks for you to set an intention for the onset of that practice. They can start out as very simple. “Today, the intention for my practice is to soften” or “I intend to look at all things with love.” No meditation is good or bad, it just is. Over time, routinely sitting in stillness allows all the subtle things in your life to shift.
Yin vs. Yang Styles
When it comes to different styles and types, meditation is easy to separate into two categories in particular. The Yin/Yang Daoist (Taoist) Theory is a principle of universal balance. It is the idea that the existence of opposites balances all things. All meditations will fall into one of these two categories. The idea is that all forms are necessary components for overall wholeness. Between opposites, we find complimentary balance and harmony. Yin is associated with the dark (Earth, night, moon, cold, the feminine, calm, structure, fluid, etc.). Conversely, Yang is related to the light (Sky, day, sun, hot, masculine, fast, function, energy, etc.).
Yin
Yin is about receptivity. These encompass all of the passive practices. Above all, allowance, tolerance, reflection, and total acceptance are cornerstones of these activities. During Yin practices, practitioners are calm, peaceful, and present without resistance. By openly allowing, we to serve as a witness to our patterns of behaviors and thoughts. Without exception, observation takes place without attachment or criticism. The aim is to build self-compassion and understanding.
Yang
The active practices. Yang meditation is about doing, directing, and improving. Here, the mind & body is focused on achieving, controlling, and becoming. These meditations emphasize controlling and directing attention for specific aims of improvement, awareness, etc. For example, during yang meditation, the practitioner focuses on breath, bodily sensations, mantra, or a candle’s flame.
You Can Start Today
Meditation can be done in all sorts of different ways, however, if you’re just getting started, it is not recommended that you lie down, as many beginners find it easy to fall asleep. You may sit in a chair, or on the floor with your legs in a comfortable position. Ensure that your back is straight. Shoulders rolled back and relaxed away from the ears ease tension. Arms are heavy, relaxed, and sat softly in lap, on legs, or at your sides.
Setting up a routine is the easiest way to make meditation an integral part of your daily life.
- Choose a time of day.
- Silence your phone, and eliminate any potential distractions.
- Start with 5 minutes.
- Find a comfortable place to sit.
- Center yourself with a few deep, slows, cleansing breaths as you settle into your natural meditation posture.
- Wait it out and simply observe what happens.
- Practice & repeat.
In a Nutshell
Using meditation as a part of your personal practice can be powerful. Remember, there are many styles and methods. If this piques your interest, try to find a local teacher to assist you. For now, explore with curiosity. Maybe find time to give Mantra a try. Reflect on your path through practice and see what comes to be. For now, all you have to do is be. Be well.