Of the four pillars or paths of yoga: Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Raja Yoga all feature meditation as an important element. All forms of yoga are descended from one of the basic four. Some forms of yoga include many postures; some only encourage the disciple to find the posture for peaceful mediation. Some forms of yoga focus on the Supreme Being and service to him; others only encourage the discovery of a life force within and communion with it.

The word "yoga" means "union" and the unifying aspect of all forms of yoga is yoga meditation. Whether one studies a form of yoga that teaches a mantra or a form that encourages one to seek a unique mantra, whether one studies a form of yoga that teaches meditation as a concentration on a spiritual truth or a form that teaches meditation as an inward turning, yoga meditation is common to all forms. While all religions encourage some form of meditation, it may be surprising to learn that science also encourages it as a way to manage stress and increase cardiovascular health.

Meditation Techniques

In general, meditation can be viewed in different ways. It can be an emptying of the mind, an intense focusing of the mind on a single thought, an opening of the mind to the divine or a reasoned analysis of spiritual questions. All forms of meditation are actually beneficial to physical health. Any type of meditation can take a person away from the stressors of daily life. Accompanied by controlled breathing, as it is in yoga meditation, it can help lower high blood pressure, bring some relief to asthmas sufferers and relieve stress and all the harmful effects of stress.

With yoga meditation, the goal is to focus inward - away from the confusion and demands of the temporal world and toward the eternal. Yoga is not a religion; it does not teach lessons about a Supreme Being or Truths about religious matters. Instead, yoga has been used as a method to teach and achieve understanding in several different religions - such as Hinduism and Buddhism - as well as in belief systems that can be applied to any religion or to none.

One way to enter yoga meditation is to find a comfortable position and sit straight. Allow the day's thoughts to mingle without control for a time. Start to concentrate on breathing and be aware of the body. Some teachers of yoga meditation begin the meditation here, others further concentrate the mind. A mantra can be used to clear the mind or the mind can be allowed to wander while the meditator simply observes. Whatever form of yoga meditation one follows, the benefits will come with perseverance.