The eight stages of yoga are:

• Yama, self-control & leading a moral life:
• Niyama, observance of conduct & character:
• Asana, various postures which relax the body & help us to meditate;
• Pranayama, breathing techniques to help control the mind:
• Pratyahara, turning to the inner life;
• Dhyana, Meditation ;
• and Samadhi, the highest level of meditation.

Many people in the West think of Yoga as just Asana, the stretching exercises.But as we can see Asana is just one part of Yoga.If you can sit on a chair & concentrate you are ready to try Meditation.

Try this simple exercise;

(first read The ABCs of Meditation see previous post)

• Put a chair in front of a low table on which you have put a candle or night light & a beautiful flower in a vase.
• Sit on a chair or on a cushion on the ground.
• Relax your body & mind.
• Breathe slowly and deeply and concentrate on a candle flame.Focus all your attention on the tip of the flame.After a few minutes turn your attention to the flower.Concentrate on the whole flower and then just one petal of the flower.Next look at the whole flower and try to identify with the beauty of the flower.

Congratulations! you have started on the path of Meditation.

When you start to meditate there are a few basic things it is helpful to know.

1. It is best if you can have a place to meditate every day.The best thing is if you have a spare room you can use just for meditation.Otherwise just make a place in your bedroom which you use just for meditation.

2. Its good to use incense,flowers and a candle to inspire you.(use a night-light or make sure you blow the candle out when you leave the room to avoid accidents!)

3.Before you meditate it is helpful to have a shower or bath.

4. Its best if you can wear clean,comfortable & light coloured clothing.

5.It is important to have the back upright and body relaxed.You can sit on a chair or sit on a cushion on the floor.

6.Its not a good idea to lie down as you may fall asleep.

7.You need to meditate at least once a day to make progress.

8.Do not meditate until at least two hours after a big meal.(if you feeling hungry you can drink a glass of milk or juice)

9.It is best to meditate before 7am around 6am is ideal.The evening is also a good time.

10.It is best to pick a time and meditate at that time every day.

If you follow these guide lines you should be of to a good start with your daily meditation practice.

Do not allow any thought
To disturb your inner poise.

- Sri Chinmoy

Source of Poem: Seventy-Seven Thousand Service Trees vol 33

" I meditate
So that I can inundate
My entire being
With the omnipotent
Power of peace."

- Sri Chinmoy