This blog discusses the different levels of meditation according to the ancient Yoga Sutras. When we consciously work to focus the mind in an intended direction, we are training the brain to become steadier which allows us to go deeper into connections. What does it mean to be in a “duet of one”?
Recently, I did a consultation with an extraordinary man, Dr. Manoj Chalam, to learn what my base archetype is regarding the Hindu Gods/Goddesses. Although, I am not Hindu, I understand that the gods/goddesses are representations of qualities that you want to manifest in your personal life versus a type of worship of the deity itself. In this meeting, this lovely man said to me, “Finding your base archetype is like falling in love. There is a knowing. The understanding is a duet of one!”
That is a profound statement and one that inspired this blog.
Learning to merge is an art form in itself. The process is one that takes practice through the art and science of meditation. Meditation is a methodology of repatterning the mind to create new neural pathways that benefit our overall health and wellness. Overtime, the meditation process helps us to understand ourselves more clearly and make different choices based on an increasingly clearer perception. Our ability to be present and fully alive increases. We merge into the experiences of our lives.
According to the Sutra teachings, II, 29 there are three levels of meditation.
Dharana = Concentration
This is the first level of meditation. It’s the one where we stabilize the mind to stay with whatever it is that we are meditating on. **Meditation is not stopping our thoughts but rather keeping the mind on point. An example of this could be listening to the sound of a waterfall, gazing at a candle, or following the directional flow of your breath. If the mind stays completely present during this process, then we are in the level of dharana.
Dhyanam = Learning exchange/a type of self-discovery
This is the second level of meditation. Here, we can learn something about ourselves through the meditation. For instance, if I am meditating on the image of a mountain and I have been able to stay present, then a quality of the mountain starts to inform me. One quality of a mountain is the essence of strength and stability. I begin to sense that quality from the mountain and transfer it back to me. It’s a sort of exchange between the mountain and me. The ability to merge with the object is starting to happen.
Samadhi = Absorption
This is the third level of meditation and the deepest of all. This is when through the meditation experience, you lose the sense of yourself and become the object of meditation. In the case of the mountain, I would start to release the limits of my body and take on the shape, quality, and essence of the mountain. I become expansive. This level can be attained through a consistent yoga and meditation practice. For me, the moment that I realize I am in this level and the mind (ego) takes over is the moment that I get distracted and lose samadhi. Yep, it’s true!
Now, this may seem like some real Jedi training stuff…and it is! Lol!! The benefits of yoga are well-researched. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858
My advice is to simply start practicing. The tradition of yoga uses the postures/shapes to prepare the body, the breathwork of pranayama to prepare the breath/mind connection, and meditation is considered the “jewel” of the practice. As an Austin Yoga Therapist, I can create a short 15-20 practice for clients that is designed specifically for an individual’s needs. It’s a good idea not to pick your own object of meditation as this could lead to deeper imbalances of the system.
Learning to merge with an experience or object benefits you. Recently, I was on a bumpy, bouncy flight home and I was getting triggered into high anxiety. Gripping my chair seat and clenching my entire body was not helping me to relax AT ALL! So, I closed my eyes (and window shade), used Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping meridians/affirmation) mentally, and used my mind to become the shape of the airplane. I merged with the object…I became the mechanical bird. I mentally told myself, “The bird has to fly through.” I leaned in. After a few minutes, I found myself relaxing into the situation.
For me, the Duet of One is a beautiful way to express the connections of life. We can learn to merge with nature, relationships (both personally and professionally) and “dance” with the rhythms of life.
By the way, my base archetype was The Dancing Shiva also known as the Dancer of Joy! So spot on! Thanks Dr. Manoj!