Raja Yoga Meditation – How To Do And What Are Its Benefits?

People with unstable minds can get reckless. Burning tempers, mood swings, and indecisive actions sap your energy and soothing your nerves and keeping calm becomes a daunting task. So, what is the way out of this mental turbulence? Raja Yoga meditation. Read on to know how you can do it.

Before that, let’s first learn about Raja Yoga Meditation.

What Is Raja Yoga Meditation?

Raja Yoga meditation is a technique mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, popularized by Swami Vivekananda in the 19th century. Since then, it has gained popularity and is widely taught around the world to maintain mind stability and sanity. The meditation is named ‘raja’ because the practice aims to impart king-like qualities of confidence, awareness, and independence.

This technique is a spiritual process to know yourself better, and it uses the power of the mind to control the body. It awakens the positive qualities buried within you, enabling better performance, and teaches the importance of silence and introspection.

Curious to try out the technique? Sit back comfortably and read the process mentioned below carefully. It’ll help you in the long run.

How To Do Raja Yoga Meditation

Raja yoga meditation can easily fit in your daily regimen. Regular practice of this meditation releases meaningless worries and thoughts from the mind. Scroll down to find out how it is done.

The Raja Yoga Meditation Technique

1. Find A Calm Place
2. Sit Comfortably
3. Be In The Present
4. Concentrate On A Thought
5. Keep The Peace

1. Find A Calm Place

Find a peaceful spot in your house or go outdoors into the greenery to find a suitable place to meditate. Early mornings are the best since there is lesser noise. Also, meditating in the morning sets your mood well for the rest of the day. To get you into a reflective mode, you can play some soft music in the background. There is some music designed specifically to help you get into the meditation zone better in the initial stages of learning. You should feel comfortable and relaxed in the place you chose.

2. Sit Comfortably

Sit down comfortably or on a chair if you cannot sit down. Ideally, the lotus position works well. Even the Vajrasana is fine. If the seating position makes you uncomfortable, you can shift to a more comfortable position. Make sure you feel stable in the seating position. Keep your shoulders down, open up your chest, and keep your back naturally straight. Gently place your palms on your knees.

3. Be In The Present

Keep your eyes open and gently look at a particular point in the room. Make sure you don’t stress the eyes by staring. Another option is to light a candle, place it in front of you and concentrate on the light. Slowly, withdraw from everything around you and focus on either the point in the room – the flame of the fire or your natural breathing.

As you do this, your mind will have a range of thoughts passing through it. Do not try to avoid them – gently accept them and try to return to the present moment by getting back to the point of your focus. Do not let the thought get to you, look at it in a neutral manner and let it pass. Be patient and deal with all the thoughts that bombard your head and always get back to your focus.

4. Concentrate On A Thought

Once the flow of negative thoughts decrease in your head and you feel calm, form a positive thought in your mind that will help you through the meditation exercise. Through the awareness of that thought, visualize being quiet and still. The thought should be on the lines of “I am peaceful.”

As you concentrate on this idea, it will slowly convert into a feeling, refreshing your being. You understand the thought better, and it will lead you to experience a profound sense of realization. Regale in more positive thoughts and feelings that will spring from that one positive thought. Other thoughts and memories will come to disturb you, but do not let them distract you. Watch them pass by and return to your positive view.

5. Keep The Peace

A sense of tranquility illuminates your being as you feel the positive thought in your head. Try to hold on to the inner peace you inculcate during meditation and carry it throughout the day, making your experience of the day better. If you feel the peace is slipping away or you are overwhelmed by something, take some time to meditate and get back to your calm.

Initially, practice the meditation for 10-20 minutes or even a few moments if you are at work or outside. As you keep practicing, you will realize the positive effect it has on your overall well-being, increasing your awareness and concentration.

So, make some time in your busy schedule, and practice this meditation to gain better control over your mind and for an overall stillness.

Let’s now look at the benefits of this meditation.

Benefits Of Raja Yoga Meditation

• Raja Yoga meditation gives you peace of mind and relaxes your body
• It helps you develop a positive attitude and respond better to situations
• This meditation helps develop positive relationships
• It improves concentration and increases clarity
• A broad sense of self-worth is developed
• You find purpose in life and work towards it
• You feel content and stable
• You will experience peace, and there will be an improvement in your health

Now, let’s look at some frequently asked questions on Raja Yoga Meditation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What precautions to take before practicing Raja Yoga meditation?

People suffering from mental illnesses should consult a doctor before trying Raja Yoga meditation.

Is Raja Yoga meditation religious?

Raja Yoga meditation is spiritual and preaches that all religions have a common ground – spirituality.

How important is the role of a teacher in Raja Yoga meditation?

It is always helpful if you have the proper guidance of an able teacher. He/She will enable you to gain a better experience of the meditation.

The mind can achieve the unimaginable. To be able to control it and make it do your bidding feels powerful and enriching, and Raja Yoga meditation is a means towards that. So get started and feel enriched.

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Author

Shirin MehdiHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shirin is a health and wellness writer with three years of experience and specializes in writing articles on yoga and has extensive knowledge about the postures of the asanas. Prior to joining Stylecraze, she interned with an advertising firm as a copywriter and as an editorial intern for a luxury fashion magazine.

Read full bio of Shirin Mehdi