Although in everyday language the term "Yoga" is separated from "meditation". They are one and the same thing. Meditation is, indeed, inseparable from Yoga.
But what do we mean by this? Is practising the postures meditation?
Strictly speaking, Yoga with a capital Y and meditation point to inner experiences. More precisely, they indicate the possibility and actuality of a realisation, a revelation or a reconnection (several words to refer to the same thing).
Yoga with a small "y" refers to the tools offered and designed to facilitate this radically transformative revelation.
Similarly, while the term meditation refers to an inner realisation, a state, a quality inherent in human potential and nature, it is commonly used to refer to the tool rather than the actual experience. Because the two, tools and experience, are very close, and at the same time, very far apart if we are not aware of their inseparable nature.
When we practise postural yoga, we are preparing for meditation and at the same time experiencing meditation and its tool already. Meditation, in reference to the tool, is the most efficient way of dealing with thoughts and inherent calm. Although these 2 tools (which often also contain pranayamas - use of the breath, perspectives, pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses, dharana - increased concentration on a single point of concentration, dhyana - absorption in all things and samadhi - non-duality, for those who go deeply into their practice) reveal the experience of the non-dual quality of the moment, so that object and subject become one and the same thing.
Meditation, as such, corresponds to the razor blade called "concentration"; the more it is composed of the element of "concentration", the sharper the razor, while the asanas polish the razor and clean it of all dirt, roughness and possible fatty deposits (tensions, physical, energetic and emotional blockages) due to an abdandonment of this object. So we start by taking an interest and becoming aware of the relevance and existence of this razor in our lives from our perspective and our interest, then the asanas take care of cleaning it, then meditation, deep contemplation, polishes it until the level of concentration becomes so great that the razor is filed to perfection and we can then, if that is your intention and the intention of life, cut the illusory scene we have created from scratch in order to return to ourselves completely and entirely.

Marie Mazeau, Lifexploratrice, certified full-time Yoga teacher in Paris, specialising in gentle, joyful, educational and meditative sessions online, for individuals, associations, companies and studios.
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