Significance of Dhyana meditation

Dhyana meditation is a focused practice found across multiple spiritual traditions, each emphasizing its significance in achieving clarity, serenity, and deeper spiritual understanding. In Jainism, it promotes clarity and enlightenment; Vaishnavism highlights devotion to the divine; Puranic texts connect meditation to samadhi and spiritual energies; Yoga emphasizes deep absorption and understanding; Vedanta focuses on realizing the divine; Mahayana identifies it with concentration; and scientific perspectives view Dhyana as enhancing cognitive functions and mental clarity.

Synonyms: Concentration meditation, Focused meditation, Mindfulness meditation, Mindfulness, Concentration, Contemplation, Reflection, Introspection

In German: Dhyana meditation; In Swedish: Dhyana meditation; In Dutch: Dhyana-meditatie; In Finnish: Dhyana meditaatio; In Spanish: Meditación dhyana; In Malay: Meditasi Dhyana; In French: Méditation Dhyana

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Dhyana meditation'

Buddhism Books

Dhyana meditation in Buddhism represents a profound state of meditative concentration and absorption, enabling practitioners to achieve deeper awareness and insight, fostering spiritual growth and understanding.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Dhyana meditation'

Hinduism Books

Dhyana meditation in Hinduism is a practice emphasizing deep concentration, focused contemplation on the self or Supreme Brahma, leading to spiritual insight and connection with divine consciousness, ultimately achieving a state of samadhi and mental clarity.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

(1) A form of meditation that involves deep concentration and contemplation on the self or Supreme Brahma.[1]

(1) The practice of deep meditation focused on the deity and manifesting spiritual energies.[2]

(1) A practice of meditation that Gadhi neglects during his bathing, leading to a vision of his own death.[3]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

(1) A mental practice focused on the divine form of the Lord that leads to deep spiritual immersion.[4] (2) A practice of mental restraint that can become a source of distress, which is alleviated by taking shelter of Shri Harinama.[5] (3) A practice of focused contemplation aimed at experiencing the presence of the Lord.[6]

(1) The earliest form of Vaishnavite worship representing an inactive or meditative approach to spirituality.[7]

(1) A practice of deep concentration and inner contemplation.[8]

(1) The practice of specifically contemplating the Absolute Truth beyond material perceptions, in contrast to contemplating material objects.[9]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

(1) Meditation as a means to realize the divine and attain a pure state of consciousness.[10] (2) The practice of focusing the mind and freeing it from distractions to connect with divine consciousness.[11]

(1) The practice of meditation mentioned as essential for producing one-pointedness of mind and facilitating deeper spiritual insight.[12]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

(1) A meditative practice that focuses on concentration and devotion to enhance spiritual understanding.[13]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Jain concept of 'Dhyana meditation'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Dhyana meditation is a structured practice with subdivisions focused on attaining enlightenment and liberation, emphasizing mental clarity and serenity through concentrated meditation techniques.

Significance in Jainism (general):

(1) A focused mental practice aimed at achieving clarity and serenity.[14]

(1) A form of meditation that consists of various subdivisions aimed at achieving enlightenment or liberation.[15]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Dhyana meditation in scientific sources

Science Books

Dhyana meditation is essential in yoga for pregnant women, promoting relaxation and focus. It fosters deep concentration and inner peace, potentially enhancing cognitive functions and building internal energy during this transformative period.

Significance in Health Sciences:
Health Sciences Books

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