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SELF AWARENESS THROUGH MEDITATION
to be not only of the body but that of inner self which includes happiness, concentration of mind, and control of senses and
realization of the self. 3. Aasana—Postures are part of the Yoga. To be able to sit in a comfortable
posture for a long time is called Aasana or posture. There is no reference to prevalent postures in Yoga which are sometimes too hard to perform and have an element of obstinacy. The posture which causes pain and
discomfort is not a posture helpful in attaining enlightenment. 4. Pranaayaama or Breathing—The separation of inspiration and
expiration is Pranaayaama. There are four types of Pranaayaama.
a. Expiration—comfortably outgoing breath b. Inspiration—comfortably incoming breath c. Stoppage-Observing the breath when it is outside or inside the
body without restraining it. d. To know the breath and its movement as it is without any effort
to inhale or to exhale forcefully. The silent, detached and mindful observation of the natural breathing process is the fourth type of Pranaayaam
5. Pratyaahaar-When the aspirant gives up indulgence of the sense organs
and diverts his attention to the inner self, it is called Pratyaahaar. 6. Dhaarnaa—To fix attention on any part of the body is called Dhaarna. 7. Dhyaana—Continuity of fixed attention on any part of the body is
called Dhyaana or meditation. 8. Samaadhi—When the meditation is fixed only on the end and one
forgets the ego, it is peace or Samaadhi. To be one with the end and to realize the self is Samaadhi.
Sanyama' or Restraint is the word given to Dhaarna, Dhyaana and Samaadhi jointly. Sanyama brings wisdom or ‘Pragya’. This has to be practiced in a gradual manner, starting from gross objects to subtle subjects. The first five parts of the Yoga, namely, the Yama, Niyama, Aasana, Pranaayaama and Pratyaahaar are the outer forms to prepare the aspirant for the forward march. Remaining Dhaarna, Dhyaana and Samaadhi are the interior aspects leading to the inner search of the self and enlightenment. In the final stages, the Dhyaana and Samaadhi also become irrelevant when one attains the 'Samadhi' or the eternal peace. These preparatory exercises are all outside the self.
