Techniques for Autonomy Concentration on a single point The point of departure of yoga meditation is concentration on a single object; whether this is a physical object, or a thought, or God makes no difference. This determined and continuous concentration, called Ekāgratā, is obtained by integrating the psycho mental flux. This is precisely the definition of yoga technique: yoga cittavrtti-nirodhah. The immediate result of Ekāgratā, is prompt and lucid censorship of all the distractions and automatisms that dominate-or, properly speaking, compose profane consciousness. Completely at the mercy of associations, man passes his days allowing himself to be swept hither and thither by an infinity of disparate moments that are, as it were, external to himself. The senses or the subconscious continually introduce into consciousness objects that dominate and change it, according to their form and intensity. Associations disperse consciousness, passions do it violence, the thirst for life betrays it by projecting it outward. Even in his intellectual efforts, man is passive, for the fate of secular thoughts (controlled not by Ekāgratā but only by fluctuating moments of concentration, Ksiptaviksipta) is to be thought by objects. Under the appearance of thought, there is really an indefinite and disordered flickering, fed by sensations, words and memory. The first duty of the yogin is to think- that is, not to let himself think. This is why yoga practice begins with Ekāgratā which dams the mental stream and thus constitutes psychic mass, a solid and unified continuum.The process of Ekāgratā tends to control the two generators of mental fluidity: sense activity and the activity of the subconscious. Control is the ability to intervene, at will and directly, in the functioning of these two sources of mental whirlwinds (cittavrrti). A yogin can obtain discontinuity of consciousness at will; in other words, he can, at any time and any place, bring about concentration of his attention on a single point and become insensible to any other sensory or mnemonic stimulus. Through Ekāgratā one gains a genuine will-that is the power freely to regulate an important sector of bio mental activity. Ekāgratā can only be obtained through the practice of numerous exercises and techniques in which physiology plays a role of primary importance. The highest concentration is Samādhi. To attain this level several angas (members), categories of physiological practices and spiritual exercises must be learned. Mircea Eliade Yoga: Immortality and Freedom Ch.2 Pg 47-48
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 18:25:46 +0000
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