What is Luminous Soul Meditation™?
The Luminous Soul Meditation practice has its roots in the Pātanjala Yoga system.
In Yoga Sutra 1.2, Patanjali describes the state of yoga as the process of the vrttis, mis-fire definitions, dissolving on the mental field and as this happens the mind calms. When the mind is quiet and thoughts begin to subside, you will feel what you are beyond name and form… your essence. You will feel your self as a Luminous Soul.
Luminous Soul is interested in the human being experiencing both a healthy outer life with all of its various aspects, responsibilities and joys, as well as a grounded relationship with the inner life, with all of its mystery, beauty, connectedness, depth and joy. Through Luminous Soul, Manorama teaches that in order to cultivate a healthy relationship with the inner, the student must meditate regularly. Manorama says, “Meditation is like dating your Self. We spend time with others, but we forget to spend time with our self, the Self. Meditation is creating a relationship with all aspects of you. Meditation is spending time with your Self.”
Guidelines to begin working with the Luminous Soul Meditation practice:
Practice slowly. Start by creating a set schedule of 3 times per week, where you will sit for 5 minutes. Then at the appointed times take your seat and watch your body, your breath and mind. For those few minutes, expand your awareness by feeling what you are beyond your body and mind. As you engage the Luminous Soul Meditation practice, you will learn the art of steadily listening to your body and mind, as well as, to what underlies them.
Note to beginners:
“The absence of tension is not a state of Yoga, but it is a pre-cursor to the state of Yoga.” ~ Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati (Manorama’s Guru)
If you experience looping of repeated thoughts or if you feel tension due to various happenings in your life, then begin your Luminous Soul Meditation practice with the intention of releasing tension first. Be present to what is bubbling on your mental and emotional field, but do not follow the thought or emotion per se, just let your very presence release the tension and draw healing towards you.
After you feel relief from tension, focus on building a fully blossomed Luminous Soul Meditation practice. *Work with the steps noted above
© 2015 Sanskrit Studies/ Luminous Soul & Manorama