Definition Of Upasana | Anjalika Sanstha

The mind is by its very nature fickle and restless. Hence it is extremely difficult to keep our mind fixed on the Supreme God (Para- Brahman), who is without form and of extremely subtle essence. To help out the aspirant therefore, the Upanishads prescribe certain focused meditations known as Upasanas which gradually help him make progress on the spiritual path.

Definition Of Upasana

The support which helps in keeping the mind fixed on one particular thought is known as ‘Alambana’. For example, the sound of Om, the inner recess of the heart, or the Prana etc.  . The scriptures prescribe many Alambanas according to the competence of the aspirant. Choosing any one Alambana prescribed in the scriptures, and meditating upon that with only the flow of thought as delineated in the Vedas, without allowing any other thought not related to it from coming in the way, is known as Upasana. This leads to purification of the mind, and is also easier than concentrating directly on Parabrahman. However, it eventually leads to Advaita Jnana in due course (Shri Shankaracharya’s introduction to the Chandogya Upanishad).

An Alambana is but God only. Even then, because of being qualified by different features, they are known by various names.

Basically Upasana is keeping the mind in only one mental form over a long period of time. This does not mean that there should be no movement in the mind at all and it should be fixed only on a given shape or sound. On the other hand, the mind should be pondering over the Alambana and its connection with the ‘Chaitanya’ (consciousness) it represents and the essential nature of the Chaitanya – all as delineated in the scriptures.

For e.g. as one is uttering AUM he should be ruminating over its syllables  in the following manner, as outlined in the Mandukya Upanishad: ‘A’ is the waking state (Vaishvanara). ‘U’ is the dream state (Taijasa). ‘M’ is the state of deep sleep (Prajna).

The waking and sleeping states both merge into deep sleep; and when we get up the two states emerge from it. Similarly, when the articulation of aum terminates in m, a and u enter into m. When aum gets repeated, a and u emerge out of m.

This is the correct, scriptural method of meditating on OM. When the mind is ruminating over the ideas in this manner there is fickility because the mind is by nature very unstationary. However, the important point is that no other thoughts should be entertained during this rumination. When another thought enters the mind it should be forcefully subdued.

Source: - Definition Of Upasana | Anjalika Sanstha