Meditation practice by ancient yogis

[Serrao]

Hello All ,

In the present day most of us practice meditation with the aid of the clock; I do too.
In ancient times meditation was something yogis practiced without time measurement. How did they practice meditation?

[sunsoul]

The ancient yogis were pretty hardcore. They had already left their homes behind and decided to get down to it. When they meditated they were already slipping into a relaxed state because their mind was that much stiller. No need for a watch.

On a more practical and less romanticised note, there are a number of sadhus and yogis in India today who probably don't meditate that much. They lie around, smoke ganja, and are not so disciplined.

[Vinayaka]

Clock a benefit, aid? More like a detriment.

[Serrao]

Originally Posted by sunsoul

The ancient yogis were pretty hardcore. They had already left their homes behind and decided to get down to it. When they meditated they were already slipping into a relaxed state because their mind was that much stiller. No need for a watch.

I think those hardcore yogis were very driven, hence their leaving everything behind related to resposibility. I guess they just did their meditation practice whenever they felt like doing it and stayed in that state as long as prefered. Very free kind of living. No need for a watch or clock indeed.

Originally Posted by sunsoul

On a more practical and less romanticised note, there are a number of sadhus and yogis in India today who probably don't meditate that much. They lie around, smoke ganja, and are not so disciplined.

I believe all of us are learning and growing in Life. We also have free will. Those sadhus and yogis are no exception to this.

[Serrao]

Originally Posted by Vinayaka

Clock a benefit, aid? More like a detriment.

Many of us have very busy and scheduled lifes nowadays. Hence the need for a clock to meditate. I see it a little as a detriment also, though.

[ajay00]

Originally Posted by Serrao

Hello All ,

In the present day most of us practice meditation with the aid of the clock; I do too.

A clock is useful to me in setting up the alarm so that I can rise up at brahmamuhurtham ( 3:30 -- 6:00 am)


However if you are constantly attentive on the clock that can defeat the purpose of meditation, which is to be deeply in the moment, outside of time.

[Vinayaka]

Originally Posted by ajay00

A clock is useful to me in setting up the alarm so that I can rise up at brahmamuhurtham ( 3:30 -- 6:00 am)


However if you are constantly attentive on the clock that can defeat the purpose of meditation, which is to be deeply in the moment, outside of time.

That sounds like a great plan, and adds to my point. Once you're in 'there' time is irrelevant completely. Coming out is natural. I think over lengthy times of practice, like 5 years or more, the meditator would naturally adjust to a reasonably consistent length for meditation. The idea of a clock sitting there would add another dimension for external focus. The subconscious can be trained, just as it can for waking up from sleep.

Of course, in our busy world, the clock is a necessary dimension. it provides consistency for everyone, but in the realm of deeper meditation, not so much. So your idea seems like a very happy compromise.

[TheTruth]

Originally Posted by Vinayaka

That sounds like a great plan, and adds to my point. Once you're in 'there' time is irrelevant completely. Coming out is natural. I think over lengthy times of practice, like 5 years or more, the meditator would naturally adjust to a reasonably consistent length for meditation. The idea of a clock sitting there would add another dimension for external focus. The subconscious can be trained, just as it can for waking up from sleep.

Of course, in our busy world, the clock is a necessary dimension. it provides consistency for everyone, but in the realm of deeper meditation, not so much. So your idea seems like a very happy compromise.

The clock also limits us I'm not sure if it's necessary maybe in this dimension but I know in others it is not necessary. For example we spend too much time working and sleeping, ideally we need to work less and sleep more. The work I talk about is a typical 9 to 5 job, not enough time is spent on proper devotional work. This of course affects us negatively as we are too tired and are controlled by our emotions.

So in order to take control we must do the proper work which means we can control our minds and emotions. for most it is the opposite so the mind is a barrier in which it limits us but can also unlimit us if remove the barrier. As once this barrier is removed we aren't controlled by uncontrollable thoughts and emotions. One can see how this would be of positive impact and make your perception much clearer.

I have gone off on a bit of a tangent but I feel this information will be useful to those that come across it and don't just read but try to accept and understand it by taking the necessary action to turn their life in the right direction of light and love.


Amen

[LillyBelle]

Originally Posted by sunsoul

On a more practical and less romanticised note, there are a number of sadhus and yogis in India today who probably don't meditate that much. They lie around, smoke ganja, and are not so disciplined.

Are you serious, I would never in a million years have imagined that,that's what they were doing all day. I figured they woke up early,ate breakfast,prayed,meditated for hours,ate lunch,maybe went for a walk in nature,perhaps prayed some more and meditated again before eating supper and going to bed.

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by Vinayaka

Clock a benefit, aid? More like a detriment.

Got THAT right!

Lets see, let's have something to measure what doesn't exist
in the realm
we are planning to experience...great idea!!!

It's like Chris Reeve in 'Somewhere In Time'...listening to his
tape recorder!!!
It's bad enough we have to get past the idea of a ceiling over
our heads or that we are in a body!....now let's place a clock there!
Sorry, I found this very funny...