Meditation in Hinduism
HINDUISM
This is a brief overview from experts in the field about meditation practices in Hinduism. Hinduism is not a religion but a way of living. The practices go back to ancient Indi thousands of years ago.
Who is dear to God? What is the eligibility to get closer to God?
"Those, who are alike to friend and foe, equipoised in honor and dishonor, cold and heat, joy and sorrow, and are free from all unfavorable association; those who take praise and reproach alike, who are given to silent contemplation, content with what comes their way, without attachment to the place of residence, whose intellect is firmly fixed in Me, and who are full of devotion to Me, such persons are very dear to Me."
How do we reach that God?
"Then when the mind becomes tranquil, meditation becomes the primary means of elevation. Through meditation, yogis strive to conquer their mind, for while the untrained mind is the worst enemy, the trained mind is the best friend. Shree Krishna cautions Arjun that one cannot attain success on the spiritual path by engaging in severe austerities .......He then explains the sādhanā for uniting the mind with God. Just as a lamp in a windless place does not flicker, likewise the sādhak must hold the mind steady in meditation. ........When the mind gets purified, it becomes established in transcendence. In that joyous state called samādhi, one experiences boundless divine bliss."
Read this from the Bhagavat Geeta and also read the stories narrated to explain the eligibility criteria https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/12/verse/18-19
Ramanuja's Upasana - Watch this video
Meditation & Hinduism
This class explores the spiritual method according to Sri Ramanuja, particularly the role of meditation (upāsanā, also known as bhakti) and the cultivation of spiritual qualities.
Visit http://ramanuja.org/class to find out more about this online class.
About the instructor, Sri M.A. Alwar: https://ramanuja.org/sri/SribhashyaClass/Teacher
Accessory to Meditation
This class explores the Sevenfold Discipline (sādhana-saptaka) that is an accessory to meditation. This discipline was originally cited by the ancient Vedantin Tanka, also known as the Vākyakāra.