Meditation Series (7 60-minute sessions based on Vijnana Bhairava Tantras)
Seven 60 minutes sessions exploring verses from the Vijnana Bhairava Tantras, the early teachings of yoga and meditation. The practices are chosen from a book called The Radiance Sutras by Lorin Roche.
The sessions include gentle asana and kapalabahti to prepare for the meditation.
Session 1 - Nyasa
The first session explores Nyasa, which means to place, this is in relation to one's attention or awareness. Gentle asana from standing, Kapalabhati leading into a 61-point meditation using the image of a white light.
Session 2 – Meditation on the Senses
Meditation on the senses, with a sense of being nourished through every sense perception.
Session 3 - Tejas
Tejas meaning = aura, glow, ray, brilliance, radiance, light, fire, spiritual power, ardor, splendour. Delighting in the brilliance of surya, the sun. Suraya Namaskar followed by Kapalabhati (breath of fire), Chandra and Surya Bhedana Pranayamas leading into a meditation on Tejas.
Session 4 – Yoga Nidra
My favourite description by Satyananda is "Yoga Nidra is a meditative practice for developing inner awareness, deep relaxation and transformation." Gentle asana from standing, Kapalabhati and in today's Yoga Nidra practice we take an early morning stroll into a park and temple.
Session 5 – Svarupa
Svarupa = one's own form or shape, our own condition, our own character, our own nature. Through our own individual nature we are drawn to /find things that bring us joy - one way of connecting us to the universal consciousness/energy that is all around and within. Connect to your heart space and think of 1 thing that brings you joy, something you love, meditate on this.
Session 6 – Samanta
Samanta = universal, whole, entire, all, on all sides, around. Starting in Tadasana followed by tapping and a four directions yoga sequence, Kapalabhati and a guided practice connecting us to the space and energy within and all around.
Session 7 – Bhavana
Bhavana = infusion. Think of a quality you would love to be infused with, take time to meditate on and be with that quality, let the body infuse and embody the quality. A few examples could be - Love, Kindness, Compassion, Stability, Peaceful, Calm, Content, Joy.