The Types of Meditation

Part V
SPECIALISED MEDITATIONS WHICH ARE PERSONAL

IT was seen in Part III that specialised meditation is of three kinds: (i) meditation concerned with the objects of experience, (ii) meditation concerned with the subject of experience, and (iii) meditation concerned with mental operations. Kinds of specialised meditation These three kinds of meditation are mostly intertwined with each other, because the subject of experience, the objects of experience and the different mental operations which arise as a result of their interaction, are all inextricably interwoven with each other. So these three kinds of meditation are not sharply defined or exclusive, but often overlap each other. Thus, meditation concerned with the objects of experience may often refer to the subject of experience, and also to the diverse mental operations involved in it. Meditation concerned with the subject of experience may often involve reference to the diverse mental operations and the objects to which these mental operations are directed. And meditation concerned with the diverse mental operations may often involve reference to both the subject and
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the objects of experience. Yet each kind of meditation, in a way, remains distinct because of some predominating factor. Thus the first kind of meditation remains predominantly concerned with the objects of experience, the second kind with the subject of experience and the third


Table of Enumerative Classification of the Forms of Specialised Meditation
A Meditation concerned with the objects of experience 1 Meditation on the divine qualities of the Master FORMS OF PERSONAL MEDITATION
2 Concentration on the form of the Master
3 The Meditation of the heart
4 The Meditation of action
5 Meditation regarding the numerous forms of manifested life FORMS OF IMPERSONAL MEDITATION
6 Meditation regarding one’s own bodies
7 Meditation on the formless and infinite aspect of God
B Meditation concerned with the subject of experience 8 Quest for the agent of action
9 Considering oneself as the witness
C Meditation concerned with mental operations 10 Writing down thoughts
11 Watching mental operations
12 Making the mind blank