VEDIC MEDITATION

Swami Vivekananda explains that there are three stages in Vedic meditation.  Dharana, or concentration, is the first stage, which entails concentrating the mind upon an object.  It is, for example, concentrating the mind upon a glass, excluding every other object from the mind except the glass.

The mind may waver.  When the mind, with practice, becomes strong enough and does not waver, then this is called dhyana, or meditation.  

A still higher state called samadhi, or absorption, occurs when there is no longer a differentiation between the glass and the mind.  The mind and the glass become one.

Vivekananda adds, “You are the Spirit.  That is the first fundamental belief you must never give up.  You are the Spirit within you.  All of this skill of yoga and this system of meditation is just to find Him there.”