It was common for both men and women to wear this tilak/ dot in ancient India. Currently this has fallen out of fashion to some extent and men dont wear it a lot.
To understand the reason for this tilak, we first need to understand that the Hindu culture has through ages combined science and tradition together, so that good scientific habits could be carried down generations in the form of tradition.
If you search for kundalini meditation online you will find that the Agna Chakra which is a very important chakra in meditation is located at the centre of the forehead where hindu's put a red dot.
The Atma or the soul of a person is also located in this position according to Hindu scriptures.
There is also a meditation called third eye meditation or Jangama Dhyanam which focuses on concentrating on this same spot which is in the centre of the forehead just above the eyebrows.
So the tilak or the red dot at the center of the forehead is exactly applied at this point. There are various theories like
1. The red dot reminds us who we really are not the physical body but the soul or the Atma that is located at the center of the forehead.
2. This red dot is to stop the flow of energy outward from the Agna Chakra.
3. This red dot protects us form unwanted direct influence. Its said to act as a shield to our mind from unwanted influence.
I believe all these can be true.
Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Is meditation part of hinduism?
Meditation is the english name of the word called dhyana or Raja yoga.
Indian Sage Patanjali has writen extensively about Yoga and Raja Yoga which is now popular as Meditation.
The Aim of Raja Yoga is to help you realize the god within you.
see below link :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C4%81ja_yoga
Indian Sage Patanjali has writen extensively about Yoga and Raja Yoga which is now popular as Meditation.
The Aim of Raja Yoga is to help you realize the god within you.
see below link :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C4%81ja_yoga
is yoga part of Hinduism?
Patanjali the India Sage has written extensively on Yoga in his work : Yoga Sutras
Yoga does not belong to any religion but it was developed as a Science in India in the ancient times.
Patanjali is not credited with the development of Yoga but is credited with Compiling it so it could be passed on to future generations.
Check below link for more info:
what is the meaning of OM??
Om is said to the symbolic representation of the Cosmos or the Brahmand.
Om (A U M) in Literal terms is a representation of the Three prime gods of Hinduism.
It Basically symbolizes the cycle of Creation , Existence and Destruction.
It is said to be the eternal ever existing sound and symbolizes the universe/Cosmos.
Brahma -A
Vishnu -U
Maheswara -M
Brahma is the creator and the starting of Aum A is attributed to Creation
Vishnu keeps the universe and all of Life in Balance. U which is uttered on a longer note signifies this existence
Maheshwara is god of Destruction. M in the AUM symbolizes this.
This is a symbolic representation and has been weaved in to the core of Hindu tradition to explain the universe in simple terms.
can we use the siddhis we gain? will it close doors to higher sprituality?
Siddhis are gained during the course of Meditation / Dhyana / Raja Yoga.
Its not easy to Gain siddhis. It takes years may be decades of Meditation to gain Siddhis. I am sure by that time you would have reflected enough to understand pros/cons of using Siddhis.
It is not good to use siddhis without understanding the consequences.
No action is good from every one. An action you take which may benifit one person may have a negetive effect on some one else. And especially with siddhis if you act irresponsibly you may do a lot of damage unknowingly.
Using Siddhis for wrong purpose will create bad Karma and it can have a negetive impact your spritual growth.
Siddhis Basi info :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhi
Its not easy to Gain siddhis. It takes years may be decades of Meditation to gain Siddhis. I am sure by that time you would have reflected enough to understand pros/cons of using Siddhis.
It is not good to use siddhis without understanding the consequences.
No action is good from every one. An action you take which may benifit one person may have a negetive effect on some one else. And especially with siddhis if you act irresponsibly you may do a lot of damage unknowingly.
Using Siddhis for wrong purpose will create bad Karma and it can have a negetive impact your spritual growth.
Siddhis Basi info :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhi
what are the advantages of meditation? what is best and easiest meditation technique?
Most people meditate to relieve tensions and to improve concentration.
Mind when left to its will keeps on wandering. And its these thoughts about what could go wrong, what could be the consequence of your past or present actions that make us tense.
Meditation is the process of calming your mind. Meditation trains you to narrow down your thought process to a single object/thought. When you train your mind to be one pointed this you are more attentive to the one thing you are doing and this increases your concentration and also memory.
The simplest way of meditation is to concentrate on your breath. You can sit in a chair in a comfortable position and concentrate on your breath cycles while you breath in and breath out.
Another way is to mentally chant a mantra/word like OM repetitively. You can start chanting aloud and then slowly fall back to just chanting with lip movement and then finally just chant om mentally without even the lip movement.
There are many more ways but these are simple ways which any one can follow.
You can read Swamy Vivekananda's Raja Yoga PDF which you can get online to understand more about meditation. Raja Yoga is the science of Meditation compiled by Sage Patanjali.
Vivekananda Raja Yoga link :
http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/raja-yoga/raja-yoga_contents.htm
Mind when left to its will keeps on wandering. And its these thoughts about what could go wrong, what could be the consequence of your past or present actions that make us tense.
Meditation is the process of calming your mind. Meditation trains you to narrow down your thought process to a single object/thought. When you train your mind to be one pointed this you are more attentive to the one thing you are doing and this increases your concentration and also memory.
The simplest way of meditation is to concentrate on your breath. You can sit in a chair in a comfortable position and concentrate on your breath cycles while you breath in and breath out.
Another way is to mentally chant a mantra/word like OM repetitively. You can start chanting aloud and then slowly fall back to just chanting with lip movement and then finally just chant om mentally without even the lip movement.
There are many more ways but these are simple ways which any one can follow.
You can read Swamy Vivekananda's Raja Yoga PDF which you can get online to understand more about meditation. Raja Yoga is the science of Meditation compiled by Sage Patanjali.
Vivekananda Raja Yoga link :
http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/raja-yoga/raja-yoga_contents.htm
who founded hinduism ?
Hinduism does not have a founder form where the religion started. It was the way of life of the people belonging to the Indian subcontinent. The foreigners have given the name Hinduism to the way of life followed by people of India.
The Rigveda which is considered the most ancient text relating to any religion is dated back to 1500 BCE and the there is no proof that it was actually created at that precise time or is much older. Its contents describe events that have taken place at a much ancient time.
The Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Bhagavatam, Bhagavad gita are the ancient text which which give guidance on how a person should lead life and also the ways by which we can realise god. Prayer is just one of the ways and Meditation is another way to realising god.
Reading Bhagavad gita should help you understand what Hinduism stands for.
The Rigveda which is considered the most ancient text relating to any religion is dated back to 1500 BCE and the there is no proof that it was actually created at that precise time or is much older. Its contents describe events that have taken place at a much ancient time.
The Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Bhagavatam, Bhagavad gita are the ancient text which which give guidance on how a person should lead life and also the ways by which we can realise god. Prayer is just one of the ways and Meditation is another way to realising god.
Reading Bhagavad gita should help you understand what Hinduism stands for.
what is third eye meditation? Does it have side affects? how to practise it safely?
Third Eye Meditation is meditation by concentrating at the spot betwen your eyes. Third Eye Meditation is also known as Jangama dhyana.
This is the position where the soul is located according to hinduism. This is also the spot where the Ajna Chakra is located.
You should not directly start Third Eye Meditation. You need to first start with smiple forms of meditation like concentrating your breath or mentally chanting a mantra Like OM for some time till you are able to concentrate your mind on a fixed thing without letting it drift.
Once you are confident with it you can move on to other powerfull forms of meditation.
Yes third eye meditation may have some side affects like you will have a squezing affect at the centre of the forehead and this will happen even when you are not meditating. Third eye meditation is a way for selfrealization. On this path you may attain some powers but they are to be discouraged if you wish to attain the ultimate goal of self realization.
In simple terms selfrealization simply means being aware of the cosmos and all the knowledge there is.
More links :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangama_dhyana
This is the position where the soul is located according to hinduism. This is also the spot where the Ajna Chakra is located.
You should not directly start Third Eye Meditation. You need to first start with smiple forms of meditation like concentrating your breath or mentally chanting a mantra Like OM for some time till you are able to concentrate your mind on a fixed thing without letting it drift.
Once you are confident with it you can move on to other powerfull forms of meditation.
Yes third eye meditation may have some side affects like you will have a squezing affect at the centre of the forehead and this will happen even when you are not meditating. Third eye meditation is a way for selfrealization. On this path you may attain some powers but they are to be discouraged if you wish to attain the ultimate goal of self realization.
In simple terms selfrealization simply means being aware of the cosmos and all the knowledge there is.
More links :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangama_dhyana
what are siddhis? how to attain them?
Siddhis are supernatural powers gained through the practice of Meditation / Dhyana / Raja Yoga.
It is not easy to attain them. You will need to practice meditation for years to attain Siddhis.
Swamy Vivekananda has explained Raja Yoga in Beautiful want. Below is the link to Raja Yoga by Vivekananda on the Ramakrishna Mission Site. It is a very intresting book and must read for people intrested in Meditation.
http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/raja-yoga/raja-yoga_contents.htm
You can some pdf's versions if you search online.
It is not easy to attain them. You will need to practice meditation for years to attain Siddhis.
Swamy Vivekananda has explained Raja Yoga in Beautiful want. Below is the link to Raja Yoga by Vivekananda on the Ramakrishna Mission Site. It is a very intresting book and must read for people intrested in Meditation.
http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/raja-yoga/raja-yoga_contents.htm
You can some pdf's versions if you search online.
where is soul/ atma located in human body?
Soul is said to be located at the center of the forehead. Just above the midpoint between the two eyes according to Hinduism.
You should remember that Soul and Heart are the same. :)
You should remember that Soul and Heart are the same. :)
should Hindus worship god to get wishes granted? will god really hear my prayers and give me what i want? will hindu gods grant our wishes if we pray well?
Why do we pray to god. When we are doubt full of the outcome of an event and are not fully confident that we will succeed. And so we approach god for reassurance.
What does praying regularly do. What does constantly thinking about something do. It helps you concentrate and focus more on one thing and when you put lot of thought and energy towards something you obviously find better ways to achieve your goal and the chance of success is more.
Bhagavad gita says that prayer alone will not give you fruits and neither will shutting yourself from the world and praying lead you to salvation. You need to make your effort to the best of your ability and then leave the rest to god.
This question cannot be answered on just a blog. Perhaps you should some research for yourself. Listen to Bhagavadgita and most of your doubts will be cleared.
You can start with the below beautiful rendition. It spells out Sanskrit verses and its hindi meaning in a pleasant and pleasing way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPoDUIoeoC8&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL0F241F69DE495DA0
What does praying regularly do. What does constantly thinking about something do. It helps you concentrate and focus more on one thing and when you put lot of thought and energy towards something you obviously find better ways to achieve your goal and the chance of success is more.
Bhagavad gita says that prayer alone will not give you fruits and neither will shutting yourself from the world and praying lead you to salvation. You need to make your effort to the best of your ability and then leave the rest to god.
This question cannot be answered on just a blog. Perhaps you should some research for yourself. Listen to Bhagavadgita and most of your doubts will be cleared.
You can start with the below beautiful rendition. It spells out Sanskrit verses and its hindi meaning in a pleasant and pleasing way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPoDUIoeoC8&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL0F241F69DE495DA0
why Hindu's have so many Gods?
Hinduism is not a religion with laid down principles. A set of belief systems of Indian subcontinent was together called as Hinduism by the western powers that ruled India.
According to Hindu belief system God is one supreme formless power and we are all the manifestations this supreme power. The multitude of Gods in Hinduism are all manifestations of this supreme form. In fact all of universe is a manifestation of this supreme power. Science calls it different forms of energy. Hinduism says this energy is the supreme being, i.e god and he manifests in various forms.
The Raja Yoga (deep meditation) described in Bhagavadgita is the source by which one can attain the realisation of this formless all pervading nature of god which many sages have realised through the ages. The one who realises this becomes one with god.
Check out More Questions on Meditation/ Raja Yoga:
According to Hindu belief system, God is present every where and anywhere. God is inside you and throughout the cosmos. And the absolute form of god is formless nirakara Brahmand - the formless cosmos. Every thing and every one we perceive is a manifestation of the formless. Our body mass is a form of energy. So is the water we drink and the air we breath. All of nature is manifestation of this supreme power.
Hindu's have given abstract forms to elements of nature like Fire, water, Air and called them gods. They have laid out procedures in veda's to appease them and so many gods have come in to existence. This is way of understanding the importance of various elements in nature and to try to possibly control them. For example Varuna Yagam is to appease the Rain god to get his blessing as Rains. The ritual is a process for burning different materials to generate smoke. Perhaps a scientific study of this can revel the actual scientific relevance behind such a process.
What we call science now has been woven in to the religious beliefs/story's in Hinduism so its not lost with time. A story is easier to transfer down to generations than abstract science. The Hindu Yogis have already expounded many things in the vedic texts which are being proved through science like the Diameter of the earth, the planetary motion, etc. Bhagavat-gita states that just like all rivers lead in to the sea, the worship of any god ultimately brings the devotee nearer to the absolute.
Hinduism also gives you a tool to find and experience god yourself - tapasya a higher form of Meditation. It is called Raja Yoga and has been clearly described in a scientific way by Yogi Patanjali in his work Yoga Sutras.
According to Hindu belief system God is one supreme formless power and we are all the manifestations this supreme power. The multitude of Gods in Hinduism are all manifestations of this supreme form. In fact all of universe is a manifestation of this supreme power. Science calls it different forms of energy. Hinduism says this energy is the supreme being, i.e god and he manifests in various forms.
The Raja Yoga (deep meditation) described in Bhagavadgita is the source by which one can attain the realisation of this formless all pervading nature of god which many sages have realised through the ages. The one who realises this becomes one with god.
Check out More Questions on Meditation/ Raja Yoga:
According to Hindu belief system, God is present every where and anywhere. God is inside you and throughout the cosmos. And the absolute form of god is formless nirakara Brahmand - the formless cosmos. Every thing and every one we perceive is a manifestation of the formless. Our body mass is a form of energy. So is the water we drink and the air we breath. All of nature is manifestation of this supreme power.
Hindu's have given abstract forms to elements of nature like Fire, water, Air and called them gods. They have laid out procedures in veda's to appease them and so many gods have come in to existence. This is way of understanding the importance of various elements in nature and to try to possibly control them. For example Varuna Yagam is to appease the Rain god to get his blessing as Rains. The ritual is a process for burning different materials to generate smoke. Perhaps a scientific study of this can revel the actual scientific relevance behind such a process.
What we call science now has been woven in to the religious beliefs/story's in Hinduism so its not lost with time. A story is easier to transfer down to generations than abstract science. The Hindu Yogis have already expounded many things in the vedic texts which are being proved through science like the Diameter of the earth, the planetary motion, etc. Bhagavat-gita states that just like all rivers lead in to the sea, the worship of any god ultimately brings the devotee nearer to the absolute.
Hinduism also gives you a tool to find and experience god yourself - tapasya a higher form of Meditation. It is called Raja Yoga and has been clearly described in a scientific way by Yogi Patanjali in his work Yoga Sutras.