Meditation has become a buzzword and is prescribed as a ‘multipurpose drug’ for enhancing personal wellbeing. The term is now being used interchangeably for breathing exercises, yogasanas, contemplation, and a variety of activities.
At the Brahmakumaris, however, meditation refers specifically to Raja Yoga, an ancient Indian Technique that empowers us by elevating our thoughts and consciousness. As our inner world changes, it has a ripple effect on our mental and physical health, relationships, social scenarios, and even our natural environment.
What is Raja Yoga?
‘Yoga’ means connection or link, and Raja Yoga means the highest connection – that of the soul with the supreme soul through the power of thought. Raja Yoga simply means remembering God with love and correct understanding. Remembering a near one comes naturally to us, that is why Raja Yoga is also called easy yoga.
We are able to make this connection when we believe in our original identity as an eternal and virtuous soul that is distinct from our perishable body, and also recognize God as the supreme spiritual being and Father of all souls. In this consciousness of truth, a mental love link with Him becomes obstacle free.
As our thoughts focus on Him, we are able to draw from His unlimited reserve of wisdom, purity, peace, love, happiness, power and bliss.
Raja Yoga, step by step
In a usual Raja Yoga session, we employ our subtle faculties – mind and intellect – to change our ‘sanskars’ (personality traits). We sit in silence, consciously create elevated thoughts through our mind, then visualize them through our intellect. This is followed by inner experience that triggers self-transformation. The better our concentration, that is unity between the mind and intellect, the deeper our experience.
Soul-consciousness
When we get the right answer to the question ‘who am I’, and stay in its awareness, our old belief system – based on the false identity of a mortal body – collapses and our understanding of life stems from truth. As a result, fear, insecurity and anxiety take leave and hope, courage and freedom set in.
Soul-consciousness connects us to our pure and original qualities, universal truths and the Ultimate Truth. So we be-come inclined to express ourselves through kindness and virtues. We are able to recognize the world as an ongoing drama where each soul harvests what it sows, so our actions become responsible.
Health benefits
Our body is like a chemical factory where our thoughts trigger corresponding hormonal secretions all day. Rajyoga recharges every cell of our body by making our thought patterns positive. It checks our stress levels and enhances the release of happy hormones that restore the body’s immunity, vigour and beauty.
God-consciousness
The sweetest fruits in Raja Yoga come from connecting with the supreme. A Rajayogi receives new insights and ‘touchings’ along his journey that rescue him in emergencies or help him leap ahead in life, way beyond self-perception.
One can take this connection ahead through a mutual dialogue of thoughts, and experience a very live relationship with Him and feel fulfilled. This two-way communication makes Raja Yoga different from prayer, our traditional means to reach God, in which the seeker alone sends across a message which is often pre-scripted.
Tranformation
A change in personal sanskars is the practical proof of Raja Yoga. All of us are bound by our habits. But when the soul sits in authority as the master of its mind, intellect and sanskars, as also the ruler of its body and five senses, it is able to redirect and control them.
Simultaneously, the connection with our pure core brings to fore our original spiritual qualities. This parallel process transforms the way in which we think, perceive, talk and act. A behavioural change thus achieved is voluntary, inside out, and long-lasting.
Raja Yoga as fire
The highest stage in Raja Yoga is where our connection with the supreme becomes so intense that the fire of yoga incinerates our karmic debt. All souls carry the burden of past sins that get manifested through situations that bring suffering. Raja Yoga is the only means by which we can nullify the return of our own negative karma.
Source: Prajapita Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Prajapita Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is a socio-spiritual educational institution working for the establishment of a peaceful and virtuous society. The organisation imparts spiritual knowledge and teaches Rajayoga meditation that empowers a person with inner powers, divine virtues, developing a vision for the self and clarity in life. It is actively associated with the UN through its affiliation as an NGO. It has consultative status with ECOSOC and UNICEF. The UN has conferred it with seven peace messenger awards.
The Brahma Kumaris has a global presence with over 9000 meditation centres in 139 countries spread across all the continents, conducting Rajayoga sessions free of charge to anybody interested. The International Head Quarters is in Mt.Abu Rajasthan, India.
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