by George A. Boyd ©1990
Samyama refers to the flowing of attention, awareness
and energy in meditation that occurs so spontaneously and effortlessly
as to be said to be nearly simultaneous. Meditators are not born with
the ability to perform samyama (unless they had fortunate past lives),
but must coax it gradually like knots out of tangled hair.
In classical Raja Yoga, the process of samyama
consists of three parts: fixation of attention or concentration on an
object of meditation (dharana); witnessing of contents of consciousness
or contemplation (dhyana); and absorption into the object of meditation
(samadhi). Through progressive training, meditators learn to master these
first two steps of this triad. Eventually, with persistence, they break
through into the experience of samadhi, which brings ecstatic union with
the object of meditation. After more practice, these three processes are
seen to flow together as one in samyama.
Looking at this classical formulation in a slightly
different way, we may observe that various meditation systems have elaborated
upon this basic formulation by placing their emphasis on different stages
of this process. In attentional focus meditation, the experience of consciousness
in the here and now, the fiery point of concentration, is central. In
a content focus meditation, the material that arises as a result of contemplation
of the subconscious and Superconscious mind is primary. In an energy focus,
directing or becoming passively absorbed in the life force (prana or chi)
is emphasized. Examples of each of these foci are described below:
- Attentional Focus – Raja Yoga,
Vipassana, and Zen
- Content Focus – Process meditation,
mantra meditation, reflective meditation, receptive meditation, auto-suggestion,
and hetero-suggestion ("guided" meditations and hypnosis by others)
- Energy Focus – Movement meditation,
Hatha Yoga, martial arts, Kundalini meditation, Kriya Yoga, Pranayama,
Laya (absorption) Yoga
Each of the methods listed above can alter awareness
from the normal waking state, from a very slight alteration to profound
depths of absorption in the continuum of consciousness. They also vary
in the content they evoke, and the amount of arousal of energy they produce.
Samyama can be achieved by a variety of avenues.
Sufficient duration of concentration with regulated breathing can arouse
the energy of awareness, the Kundalini, bringing about rapid absorption
into the higher octaves of Being. Alternately, energy methods can create
spontaneous absorption of concentration, bringing awareness of variegated
content of the strata of the mind. Contemplation can lead to breakthrough
and insight, can completely absorb the attention, and lead to spontaneous
heightened energy states. The three forces of dharana, dhyana and samadhi
are inseparable in the mind; each influences and is influenced by the
others.
In normal consciousness, the attention remains
on the objects of the senses and the stream of thoughts and feelings that
arise in the Conscious mind. In meditation this focus is gently shifted
to encompass grander spheres of awareness, awakening energy and awareness
through the subtle vehicles of consciousness and the inner energy centers
(chakras). This shift of conscious attention has several affects on the
body and the mind:
- It induces a relaxation response, lowering
stress.
- It promotes creative and intuitive styles
of thinking.
- It allows the mind to process through
the unfinished business of the day and unresolved emotional issues.
- It provides an opportunity to solve problems
and receive guidance from a higher, detached viewpoint within (Atma,
or Transpersonal Self).
- It awakens the higher emotionality of
the spiritual heart, and allows innate altruism, idealism, and higher
values to express as compassionate and loving service.
- It enables the entire consciousness to
progressively integrate itself around a new center, bringing about the
development of new abilities, the accretion of wisdom through new knowledge
and insights, and promotes a greater participation in the integrative
ground of Being.
Some researchers believe that the quest for alteration
of consciousness may be an innate drive. Others hold it is a learned social
phenomenon. Regardless of whether the urge to travel in dimension arises
from within or without, the meditative state provides an opportunity to
access the latent potentials lying dormant beneath the surface conscient
in which we spend the majority of our waking hours.
A thorough understanding of the process of samyama
will give you a key to the mastery of the three foci of meditation. Knowing
how to shift at will from attentional focus, to content focus, to energy
focus will make any meditation you do simpler and easier, and help you
access your inner treasures of the Soul.
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