CONCLUSION
Yoga and meditation have been extensively studied for their definite benefits on our body. Positive effects have been observed on body systems as a whole e.g. the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular system and on specific disease conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, asthma, depression, insomnia etc.
Modern medicine treats essentially the physical body. Yoga involves all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It has potential to enhance the positive results and decrease the side effects of medical treatment. Dosage levels may be reduced, with overall efficacy maintained. E.g. In cancer patients it allows the system cope more effectively with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Yoga not only enhances physical health, but also our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being as it works multi-dimensionally, on all levels of our being. We should not forget that we are not just body, nor just body and mind, but we are body, mind and Spirit. Unless we allow outlets for all three simultaneously there may result a dangerous imbalance in our being.
Due to its holistic nature, yoga and meditation supports conventional treatments by providing all the body systems with much needed rest and rejuvenation. Combined with counseling or psychotherapy, it helps in the management of psychological disorders.
The real mode of action of yoga is yet to be fully understood. Unfortunately, the tendency is to explain it just through human anatomy and physiology or to concepts of modern psychology. The superconscious which may be accessed through yoga and meditation is not taken into account. The ensuing analyses are thus very superficial and do not convince many scientific minds.
To quote Swami Abhedananda who very aptly remarked:
“They are trying to bring things beyond, within the range of their knowledge, by inventing instruments and looking through them within the sphere of the senses. As far as they can study through observation they are conscious of them and that is the limit of their knowledge.”
The real reason may be owing to ignorance as to what is ‘true meditation’. True meditation is possible only with the awakening of the Kundalini Shakti. This dormant power residing at the base of the spine has to be activated by some means or other before meditation could be said to occur.
Awakening of the kundalini enables one to meditate and experience the fruits of meditation. The gurumantra charged by the guru’s spiritual power is indispensible for meditation. Correct breathing is important to have control over ‘prana’, the life force or vital energy. Meditation is indeed the means to purify one’s thoughts and gain control over the mind. It is a scientific, spiritual self-discipline whose practice will lead a seeker to self-realisation.
It is surprising that although Swami Vivekananda and later, Swami Abhedananda and others had clearly explained these concepts more than a century ago, few seem to be aware of what we would call ‘true meditation’ and ‘true yoga’. Nowadays, some preliminary stages of concentration are equated with meditation. No doubt the state of concentration may help towards easing some problems. However, one can imagine what benefits could have been obtained if the state of ‘true’ meditation were accessed by more people.
Yoga and Meditation is the answer to all the ills and problems of our modern life. If only man could turn his gaze inward and search within his own self, he would discover there, pure consciousness: the miracle cure for all his ills, whether on the physical, mental, emotional or spiritual plane. He will find such happiness, such satisfaction and calm, such peace of mind to combat and eliminate his gnawing stress.
Perfection is every human’s birthright. It is the destiny of mankind. Without exception, every single human can attain to this height and culmination of Yoga.