There are various types of meditation that are being marketed in the western world by various Ashrams and their disciples, who have branched out on their own. There are genuine teachers to help the humanity with free discourses and these need not be doubted.

Meditation is not a simple thing. Every body is exhorted to sit in a straight pose and close eyes and concentrate on a particular section or a symbol. It is not as easy to practice.

In meditation the ultimate objective is the state of Dhyana, which means one-pointed concentration. Can anyone attain that status immediately? The answer is No.

In the olden days and even these days with great yogis, there is still a practice to observe the disciple for a year and only then impart the ways and means to achieve the state of Dhyana. What are the requisites for that? Before analyzing Dhyana let us digress from here.

In Dhyana, the first thing that is achieved is complete relaxation. Then, practice withdrawing the senses from outside, which is called Pratyahara. Then comes Dharana which is an effort to concentrate. During Dharana, concentration goes out and in, just like an electric bulb switched off and on. When concentration is finally obtained, it is called Dhyana. Dhyana is real meditation.

Now we go back to the fourth paragraph. Each human being is quite separate in temperament, sensibility, ego and has his own Vasanas and Karmas embedded in the mind. The same type of meditation will not be suitable for all. There are different categories of mind as follows:

• Highly developed intellect
• Slightly developed intellect
• Normal intellect
• Below normal intellect
• Very low intellect