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atoms which stimulate freshness, joy and consciousness. This hour of waking up is good both for health and meditation.
Q. Should one sit for meditation immediately on wak
ing up, or do something else?
Ans. One may sit for meditation immediately on wak
ing up, but during the period of meditation there should be no bodily obstruction of any kind. That is why evacuation and daily ablutions must be preferably attended to first. After these, an individual feels fresh and alert and all lethargy vanishes of itself, and the mind is ready for meditation. If one sits for meditation on the bed immediately after waking up, the possibility of being assailed by the atoms of sleep is very real. It is, therefore, desirable to perform one's ablutions first, and then prepare to sit for meditation. Those who practise sadhana on their own, sit alone for meditation, but the participants of a shivir practise group-meditation.
Q. Which is better, individual or group-meditation?
Ans. In ancient times, emphasis was laid on individ
- ual meditation. The Agamas also support this practice.
That an individual cannot practise meditation on his own is nowhere laid down. Where will those who conduct special experiments in meditation or practise meditation in their homes, offices, etc., find large enough groups? Yet, 'group-meditation' is very much prevalent these days. The new learners in preksha shivirs are made to practise 'group-meditation' at least four times a day. One reason for it is that group-meditation favorably
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