History Of Meditation
Insight to Meditation And Its Various Practices
India is known worldwide as the origin of Meditation. Meditation in today’s era is separate from religion. But in earlier times, Meditation was a practice interlinked with God and religion. Apart from India, ancient Egypt also has evidence of believing and practicing Yoga for peaceful livelihood.
Also, in Ancient Egypt, people used to train their young ones to acquire knowledge in Meditation.
They had a common belief that it was an esteemed part of education known as the “Mystery System.”
Africans had to master Yoga to outshine in different professions such as medicines, mathematics, architecture, religion, philosophy, and many more significant jobs.
This kind of work requires a muscular physique and a tranquil mind.
Kemetic Yoga & Meditation
Meditation has an entirely different concept in early history. In ancient times, it was primarily observed in India and Egypt.
Kemetic Yoga originated from Egypt that was for spirituality. The evidence shows that in 3300 BC, the Indus valley civilization stated that Egypt inspired the asanas.
Energy-centric postures that were simple and effective at the same time were to improve the asana and chakras.
The roots of these postures are from Egypt, where it was discovered from the poses of the statues and images of the Egyptian Goddesses.
Kemetic Yoga is still taught in various parts of the world. The Kemetic people of ancient Egypt discovered this. Kemetic meditations then were a source of developing the enlightenment.
Kemetic meditations were the supreme art of living of their time. It was when the pyramids were built for the Supreme leaders or Pharaohs.
The excelled Kemetic people or the masters in ancient Yoga were involved in engineering, designing, and other intellectual work.
Kemetic Yoga has supported them to gain soul and mental strength and intelligence at the same time.
The Indian Way of Methodisisng Meditation
India is the home of introducing spirituality through Meditation.
From about 1500 BCE, religious beliefs, their word, and the practice of Meditation were popular. Famous scholars, priests, and followers who wanted to gain enlightenment were inclined towards Meditation.
Buddhism has been one of the religions which were able to let grow positivity in the human mind.
They were able to include Yoga in their regular life. It was for the monks or everyday life, leading people to believe in enlightenment. Dhyana came into practice at the beginning of the 6th century.
Lord Buddha has been an influencer of Meditation and gaining enlightenment.
It was the teachings of Buddha that led to the birth of the Buddhism religion. The themes of spirituality were widespread through Meditation in Buddhism.
Zen meditation is a form that evolved from the practices in Japan, other Asian countries, and monks have come up with different meditation methods and techniques.
The widespread use of their unique methods took several years, but mostly it is in Asian countries. It enables us to develop connectivity of mind and soul together. Meditation has helped people reach the top of their thinking ability and strengthen their body, at the same time. Tibetan Buddhism is one of the popular forms that is followed worldwide apart from Asia.
Today who does not know about Dalai Lama? His dedication and contribution to humanity are not only ethical but humankind.
One of his quotes mentions, “The True Hero conquers his anger and hatred.” To reach the stage of enlightenment, Meditation is the path.
Áum (Om) In Meditation
In scripts and sculptures, the pictures of the half-closed eyes with sitting postures describe the practices from ancient times. The artworks on walls of temples carved from 5000 BC to 3000 BC mentioned the uses of Meditation in Hinduism.
The sacred holy books Upanishads and Rig Veda have stated about the meditating benefits and its implementations.
It was one of the ways to acquire knowledge and gain spirituality.
The religious books describe it with the beginning word “Om.” It is the core to acquire depth of Meditation.
In Upanishad, this was connected to religious practices and exercises with descriptions. It was later an influence to tracing enlightenment in Buddhism.
There are reasons when Priests or Sadhus have been spending years after years for “Dhyana.”
It is the critical and the best path to discovering oneself under all easy and hardships. Brahmins were the upper caste who were learned and had expertise in meditating.
It is known as “Sanatana Dharma”.
This dharma guided people to practice irrespective of castes, religion, and sections. It is the oldest religion in the different castes or sects of Hinduism.
Modern Meditation
Continuing from ancient time’s Yoga or dhyana can be practiced by everyone, irrespective of caste and religion. Now, Meditation is famous worldwide. It is due to the magical changes that it creates in thoughts and physiques.
From the 18th century, the teachings of ancient yogas and meditating techniques are adapted by western countries.
In modern times, intense workloads, anxiety, and depression can be curbed by the implementation of Yoga and Meditation. Yogas are no longer limited to the practices or rituals of the priests or the Yogis.
People have started meditating in different forms as per their convenience and beliefs.
Dhyana started as a movement to increase concentration and physical strength. It is known as the “Sramanic movement of India.” It was a movement from ancient times.
Agnihotra is a Veda that describes the sacred texts of fire yajnas and meditative procedures together.
The “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” is another ancient script that describes Meditation. In 400 CE, it was about acquiring the state of mind in the 400 C.E.
Aura of Meditation-Seeker
A learner who wants to seek meditation means that person has to able to labor, toil, and exert themselves for religious purposes. A seeker is the one who performs acts of severity.
The term in early Vedic literature is used as an epithet for the Rishis regarding Shrama correlated with the conventional efforts.
During its later connotative progress, the term came to refer to several non-Brahmanical ascetic actions. The Sramaṇa tradition majorly included Jainism and Buddhism.
The Sramaṇa movements mounted in the identical spheres of meditation in India led to yoga practices.
The concept of Moksha(eternal peace) and samsara(cycle of birth and death)are popular in the sphere of meditation.
The Sramaṇic traditions included a diversified range of beliefs. Not to forget to mention that it depends on an individual to accept or deny the concepts.
These concepts included:
* the theory of soul
* acceptance to free will
* idealization of extreme asceticism from family life
* wearing the dress to complete nudity in daily life
* strict non-violence
* vegetarian eating habits
The historical script also mentions Adi Shankara, the God of Yoga. Lord Shiva is the first yogi and also the discoverer of the yogas. Meditating to acquire oneness is from the teachings of Lord Shiva as he has introduced Om.
People may follow any religion or caste worldwide irrespectively they meditate due to the benefits in the modern times.
The history of different faiths of Asia mentions all roots of Meditation or Yoga. But they intended to spread the benefits to the upcoming generations learning from their historical days.
