image by Michael Horvath

in PonderAbout post of 6/6/07, meditation
was defined as "the intentional and sustained
focusing of attention"

and it was noted the various forms of meditation
are differentiated by the object upon which
attention is focused

thus far, posts have highlighted varieties
of meditation where the object of attention is
breathing, walking, or an inner sound

today's post is about a meditation technique
where attention is focused on a design
called a yantra

Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English
defines yantra as,

"a geometric diagram used in meditation and
tantric worship; also, any object used in this way -
Etymology: 1877; Sanskrit 'device for holding'"

Jeff Davidson's 10 Minute Guide: Stress Management
includes the following instructions for
yantra meditation, note the allusions to
the concepts of intention, focus, attention
and sustained,

"You begin by focusing on the center of the yantra.
The center of the yantra is also where you will
bring your focus back to if you find your mind
wandering. When you silence all thoughts, you can
move your focus toward the edges of the yantra
and eventually to the design as a whole . . ."