Summary: To perceive the reality, the Divine, one needs to know how to use the consciousness in a very specific way, a state of consciousness called in various languages Dhyana, Jhana, Ch'an, Zen, or Sampten. This state of cognizant perception is the gateway to authentic spiritual experience. This lecture explains the steps to experiencing this state of consciousness. "Internal meditation is a scientific system to receive information. When the wise submerges into meditation, he searches for information. Meditation is the daily bread of the wise. Meditation has different steps. Asana (posture of the body)Pratyahara (serene mind)Dharana (internal concentration)Dhyana (internal meditation)Samadhi (ecstasy) Firstly, we must place our body in a very comfortable position. We have to place our mind in serenity before starting our concentration; that is to say, we have to remove every type of thought from our mind. After having accomplished the former steps, we then rise up to the steps of Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi." - Samael Aun Weor, Kundalini Yoga "If you want Samadhi, you must know well the process of Dhyana. If you want Dhyana, you must know accurately the method of Dharana. If you want Dharana, you must know perfectly the method of Pratyahara. If you want Pratyahara, you must know Pranayama. If you want Pranayama you must know Asana well. Before going to the practice of Asana, you should have Yama and Niyama. There is no use of jumping into Dhyana without having the various preliminary practices." - Swami Sivananda "Pratyahara makes the mind calm. Dharana steadies the mind. Dhyana makes one forget the body and the world. Samadhi brings infinite Bliss, Knowledge, Peace and Liberation." - Swami Sivananda "When you sit on the posture, think: âI am as firm as a rockâ. Give this suggestion to the mind half a dozen times. Then the Asana will become steady soon. You must become as a living statue when you sit for Dhyana. Then only there will be real steadiness in your Asana. In one year by regular practice you will have success and will be able to sit for three hours at a stretch. Start with half an hour and gradually increase the period. When you sit in the Asana, keep your head, neck and trunk in one straight line. Stick to one Asana and make it quite steady and perfect by repeated attempts. Never change the Asana. Adhere to one tenaciously. Realise the full benefits of one Asana. Asana gives Dridhata (strength). Mudra gives Sthirata (steadiness). Pratyahara gives Dhairya (boldness). Pranayama gives Laghima (lightness). Dhyana gives Pratyakshatva (perception) of Self and Samadhi gives Kaivalya (isolation) which is verily the freedom or final beatitude." - Swami Sivananda
