Yoga BLOG

Aum Meditation - actively towards a new attitude to life AUM Meditation (Awareness Understanding Meditation) was created by the philosopher Rajneesh Chandra Mohan Jain as part of a multi-day spiritual marathon in the Indian city of Pune. Starting in 1975, his enthusiastic student Veeresh developed this into the now well-known active method for restoring mental and spiritual balance. He now teaches the technique at his Humaniversity in the Dutch municipality of Egmond. He offers AUM Meditation as a 2.5-hour therapy session or, following his master's example, as a marathon session lasting several days. The latter is an emotionally and physically demanding form of group therapy that—through sleep deprivation, among other things—is intended to push participants to their personal limits and release new vital forces. Goal of AUM Meditation AUM meditation is a spiritual experience with therapeutic functions designed to open the heart chakra . This special technique is intended to purify the mind and soul, transform emotions in their entirety, and promote clarity and self-confidence. Furthermore, it transforms stress into creative energy and painful feelings into empathetic interaction with others. The method is described as a technique for transforming emotions. Through this experience of holistic being, participants say, it is possible to make peace with one's existence and surroundings. Course of the AUM meditation AUM meditation is a technique that is practiced in a social setting with like-minded individuals. As it is practiced, it reveals how people behave in their interactions with others. During the course of AUM meditation, participants experience a kind of mirroring. Through intense sensations and rapidly changing contacts and activities, old and potentially destructive behavioral patterns can be recognized, updated, and dispelled. AUM meditation may therefore be able to gently guide people away from old, well-trodden paths and offer a loving framework within which new paths can be explored. The 13 stages of AUM meditation The AUM meditation comprises 13 stages of twelve minutes each, each with different musical sounds. Stage 1: back to hell Two people stand facing each other with angry expressions and shout, "I hate you!" They then alternately shout aggressively at each other and hurl negative remarks at each other. In this way, they establish close contact with their anger and pain, expressing these emotions loudly and without inhibition. This stage is very intense and can trigger other feelings such as resentment, helplessness, or negative thinking. Participants can be "angry" in a loving environment and let out all that is bothering them without consequence. Stage 2: Forgiveness The users apologize to the people who yelled at them. Level 3: Heaven When the music changes, participants close their eyes, then look at their partner again and say, "I love you." Afterward, they hug and then switch meditation partners. Participants run on the spot, stretch their arms upward, and shout whatever comes into their heads. Their energy is channeled entirely into their voice and movement. Level 5: awakening life energy Here, users close their eyes and shake themselves completely. Level 6: Cuckoo's Nest The participants dance, laugh, jump and sing, they let their energy flow freely with their entire bodies and show themselves in all their "craziness". Level 7: Freedom During this stage, the people close their eyes and dance, free from all burdens, only for themselves. Stage 8: Melting Sitting alone or with a meditation partner, sadness is expressed Level 9: Laughing Buddha The users start giggling and soon have a lot of fun fooling around, teasing and laughing with the other people. Level 10: Seduction Dance The users dance as if they were trying to charm a potential sexual partner. They activate their seductive skills and play with their full eroticism. Level 11: Center of the entire universe The participants stand in a circle, embrace each other and chant the mantra of meditation: "AUM". Level 12: Insight Now comes the actual meditation. While seated, participants observe their bodies, their feelings, and their thoughts, thus becoming witnesses to insight and experiencing stillness. Level 13: Thanks Finally, participants greet their fellow practitioners with the words "Namaste" and a bow, thanking each other for the shared experience. Image © bialasiewicz / 123rf.com