Self Development In the Context of Spirituality and a Practical Approach U-Connect Name of Institution Session 5 - Art of Meditation Schools of Meditation Facilitator- Speaker Date - Course designed by

Welcome Recap of last session - Religion Survey Results Opening

1. How do you best describe yourself to the question "Who am I?" a) I am potentially Divine or I am Soul - x% b) I help others and am a good Human Being - x% c) I am student of life- learner, listener, admirer - x% d) I am ambitious, want to succeed and have power someday - x% e) I am not confident, lazy, confused, not serious - x% 2. Do you believe in a Higher power or God or Nature? a) Yes - x% b) No - x% 3. Are you Religious or Spiritual? Religion - Existence of an external God in a form we are familiar with and we seek him outside Spirituality - Existence of God in abstract form, a curiosity to seek and relate to hum or her from within our self. a) Religious - x% b) Spiritual - x% c) Not Sure - x% d) None - x% As per the institute Survey Results

4. Do you believe there is a simple relationship between creator and creation? a) Yes - x% b) No - x% c) May be - x% 5. How can you experience or nurture a relationship with the Higher power or God? a) Prayer/Worship - x% b) Be a good Human Being –x% c) Meditation - x% d) All the above - x% As per the institute Survey Results

The Result Most of you believe there is a God or a higher power which may not be explained easily Most believe there is a relationship between Creator (God) and its creation (So, us, Humans) More than 60% of you said Meditation is a means to become spiritual As per the SURVEY

Art of Meditation & Various Methods of Meditation By: Speaker’s Name

What is Meditation? Meditation is to train the mind to be still and calm and to rest on one thought Meditation comes from the word “MEDITE” means rest on one thought Meditation also means continuously thinking of one thing

Shades of Meditation AWARENESS/ OBSERVATION INTROSPECTIONCONTEMPLATIONMEDITATIONCONCENTRATION

10 minute Quiet Time

What did you FEEL? How would you classify based on the previous slide? So what was it for you?

Various Systems of Meditation

Different methods have evolved with time depending on: The saints at those times The need of people at that time The understanding of people at that time The evolution of people at that time The intellect of people at that time More than 100 methods Why are there so many methods of meditation?

Brahmakumaris Art of living Vipassana Transcendental meditation Meditation by Vivekananda Common methods of Meditation Meditation by Osho Meditation by Krishnamurthy Zen Meditation Taoist meditation Dalai Lama Meditation

Art of Living Mantra-based meditation technique Mantras are chosen based on age, occupation and inclination 20 minutes in the morning, 20 minutes in the evening Emphasis lies on relaxation and silence Few Main Principles :- 1.Present moment is inevitable 2.Expectations reduce the joy 3.Accept everyone and every situation as they are

Vipassana Vipassana means “seeing things as they really are” During the 10 day Residential course  Daily schedule includes about 10 hours of sitting meditation  Have to observe silence without contact with outside world  Are refrained from reading and writing, and suspend any religious practices or other disciplines  Are free to discuss meditation questions with the teacher

Sahaj Marg – Natural Path Practice consists of Morning Meditation, Evening Cleaning and night time prayer Meditation on divine light in the heart Ten Maxims to live daily life Guru or Master Goal is to become one with God Transmission Satsangh or Group meditation Concept of Prefects (trainers)

Commonalities of Different Methods Quiet the Mind Being in the present Altered state of consciousness Caste, creed, religions – NO Bar Goal is self realization or self actualization Being guided by a Guru/Guide/Teacher

How to Select One Method? Follow someone whom you trust Study and practice one method at a time method Based on experience continue the method as long as one feels progress Give a fair trial

Closing Would you like to start a systematic practice of meditation? For others, continue to meditate at home for 10 minutes twice a day Next week, we will have a session on ‘Need for Meditation & Theories of Life’