• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Hinduism and meditation

In a family of religions numbering over one billion followers worldwide, it would be hard to speak for all.......this one meditates.....:).....

ys,
bmd.
 

JamieA1A

Member
In a family of religions numbering over one billion followers worldwide, it would be hard to speak for all.......this one meditates.....:).....

ys,
bmd.

LOL! I guess it would be hard to speak for all. I guess a better question would be; Do most? Are the different types of 'Yoga' a part of Hinduism or are they something else?
 

lapis

New Member
maybe another question could be what qualifies a follower of Hinduism.

i know plenty of Hindus that don't meditate.

i also know plenty of people that eat beef and worship Jesus christ as god, and call themselves Hindu.

but your question is clear and i would have to say no.
 

Madhuri

RF Goddess
Staff member
Premium Member
I know that a lot of gaudiya vaishnavas do not meditate, although there are still thsoe that do. Otherwise I think that the majority of serious religious practitioners would.
 

lapis

New Member
Of course Gaudiya vaisnavas meditate... they meditate on the holy name, service, prasadam, the lords form, pastimes... Gaudiya vaisnavas probably meditate more than most people.
 

Madhuri

RF Goddess
Staff member
Premium Member
Of course Gaudiya vaisnavas meditate... they meditate on the holy name, service, prasadam, the lords form, pastimes... Gaudiya vaisnavas probably meditate more than most people.

Sorry, you are right. I was thinking meditation with yoga techniques but that isn't the only form of meditation. My bad.
 

lapis

New Member
Hare Krsna Madhuri,

That's ok, the word meditate or meditation has become very much a stereotype.

most people (not saying you) think that unless you are sitting down with your legs crossed and are without thought, then you are not in meditation, where meditate actually means to think deeply about something, which by definition cuts out most new age processes which claim you must 'meditate' on nothing.
 

Madhuri

RF Goddess
Staff member
Premium Member
Hare Krsna Madhuri,

That's ok, the word meditate or meditation has become very much a stereotype.

most people (not saying you) think that unless you are sitting down with your legs crossed and are without thought, then you are not in meditation, where meditate actually means to think deeply about something, which by definition cuts out most new age processes which claim you must 'meditate' on nothing.

Yes i agree with you, although when I think of meditation I usually think of Kundalini yoga, and meditation on Krishna. But even that is only one form of meditation. I agree that meditation refers to any form of deep concentration.
 

Onkara

Well-Known Member
Hi
The Upanishads recommend meditation. For example, Mundaka, Book Three Part 1:

8 Brahman is not grasped by the eye, nor by speech, nor by the other senses, nor by penance or good works. A man becomes pure through serenity of intellect; thereupon, in meditation, he beholds Him who is without parts.
 

nameless

The Creator
Not all hindus meditates, there are people who even dont know what is meditation.
Much of the Hindu Gurus and scriptures recommends guided meditation.
 

zenzero

Its only a Label
Friend JamieA1A,

Hinduism and meditation

Please understand that Meditation is a state when the individual energy and the universal energy becomes ONE. Meditation is not a practice which one does following a method; though those methods help a great deal and meditators have found the best methods and prescribed them but they are all processes to reach that state of meditation or what can be termed a meditative mind when the mind is free of thoughts and a space created to merge with the universal.
Now, also understand that except humans everything else that is seen or not seen are in a merged state except humans as their minds are mostly occupied with *THOUGHTS* at most times.
However each individual consciously or unconsciously reach that state sometimes even if for a split second when the universal merges with that individual.
However, all religions have developed various process to bring about that state faster and more consciously and sanatan dharma followers are masters in this as they have described it most elaborately and named it YOGA or merging. Yoga or merging can be done in various ways and every act can be used for merging.
If there is any particular method that you like to know about or interested in, am sure, can be found.
Love & rgds
 

lapis

New Member
Hare Krsna zenzero,

The only reason the individual and the supreme are termed as becoming ‘one’ is because through intense meditation on the supreme (which I stated before meditation means to think deeply about something eg the Lords name, form, pastimes etc), the thoughts of the individual do not differ from the desires of the lord.

So the state of meditation by definition is not a thought less process as many state and the highest form of meditation is to be absorbed in thought of the lord, or the loving devotional service of the Lord, Bhakti.
 

zenzero

Its only a Label
Friend lapis,

Hare Krsna zenzero,

The only reason the individual and the supreme are termed as becoming ‘one’ is because through intense meditation on the supreme (which I stated before meditationmeans to think deeply about something eg the Lords name, form, pastimes etc), the thoughts of the individual do not differ from the desires of the lord.

So the state of meditation by definition is not a thought less process as many state and the highest form of meditation is to be absorbed in thought of the lord, or the loving devotional service of the Lord, Bhakti.

Beg to differ.
1. Buddha stated: *kill me if you meet me on the WAY*
2. Even Totapuri had to come to the rescue of Ramakrishna Paramhansa to get rid of his attachment with Goddess Kali.
Attachments even with a label [all names are just labels] are attachments, which one has to drop to be totally FREE.
Yes, they can be taken as stepping stones.
Best Wishes.
Love & rgds
 

Onkara

Well-Known Member
Hi
Is there a difference here between Hindu and Buddhist (Zen) mediation? At the core of the Hindu (vedanta) teaching is satchitananda, this is in contrast to Anatta (no permanent self) so what is the "ultimate state" of meditation for the Buddhist? My point is that as I understand it this is where the two paths differ.

I appreciate this is a conceptual quesiton, but perhaps still one which the aspirant must grasp if her/his mind is to recognise the end of the search.

Yours humbly, Onkarah.
 

Madhuri

RF Goddess
Staff member
Premium Member
Well, Buddhists don't believe in God or individuality. That already makes a huge difference to how one meditates and what one's goal is in meditation.
 

zenzero

Its only a Label
Friend Onkarah,

The final state that all PATHS/WAYS like to point at are all the same and that is CONSCIOUSNESS.
One can give it different labels in their own languages like Satchitananda, anatta, etc.

It is again the MIND that is looking for differentiations and create issues out of non-issues. This much is certain that finally the mind should not be clinging to anything and be in a state like the darkness and light.
When consciousness [light] is around darkness [thoughts in the mind] is not visible.

Love & rgds
 

Onkara

Well-Known Member
Friend Onkarah,

The final state that all PATHS/WAYS like to point at are all the same and that is CONSCIOUSNESS.
One can give it different labels in their own languages like Satchitananda, anatta, etc.

It is again the MIND that is looking for differentiations and create issues out of non-issues. This much is certain that finally the mind should not be clinging to anything and be in a state like the darkness and light.
When consciousness [light] is around darkness [thoughts in the mind] is not visible.

Love & rgds

Thank you Zenzero!
:)
 

Satsangi

Active Member
Zenzero,
You seem to say as if its all about Energy!! Energy is a product of your mind and feelings. God is only known by His grace. No amount of any other things will help.
 

zenzero

Its only a Label
Friend Satsangi,

You seem to say as if its all about Energy!! Energy is a product of your mind and feelings. God is only known by His grace. No amount of any other things will help.

Forget what someone else stated as that is only for the person addressed to and not for everyone.
Kindly explain who is this *GOD* you mention who gives *grace*. How much could you get so far? If you introduce me to him, maybe shall be able to get some of that *grace*.

More after your response.

Love & rgds
 
Top