Literally meaning "surrender" in Hindi, samarpan meditation is a modern twist on an ancient form of yogic meditation, created in India by the guru Shivkrupanand Swami. It involves seated meditation with a focus on giving up various external influences on the ego, in favor of an inward-focused quest for a universal life force. Starting with the chanting of a mantra to elicit a particular effect on each of the body's seven chakras, this form of meditation ends with an ancient theme: the quiet visualization of a "Kundalini serpent" rising through each of the chakras.
An understanding of the seven chakras is imperative to the practice of many forms of Buddhist and Hindu meditation, including the samarpan method. The chakras represent the various channels of sacred energy said to exist in the body. Starting at the base or root chakra, Muladhara, where the tailbone is seated against the ground, the column ascends to incorporate several vital centers of the body: the loins — Shree or Swadhisthan; the naval region — Nabhi or Manipura; the heart — Hrudai or Anahata; the throat — Vishuddha; the base of the forehead between the brows — Agya or Ajna; and the very top of the head — Sahasrara.
Similar to a snake being coaxed out of a basket, a Kundalini serpent is lured from the base chakra with mantras specific to each chakra, which can be visualized with unique lotus flowers that become slightly more complex as the chakras rise upward. In samarpan meditation, this process is likened to how a computer has parallel processors to achieve the overall goal of operating the machine. In the human case, a centered channel of chakras works in concert with a balanced mind to achieve spiritual clarity.
Some of guru Shivkrupanand Swami's samarpan meditation teachings are available online. It is probably best for perspective students to research the mind-set required to achieve the intended effects. The method is specifically focused on samarpan's goal of shedding ego and regrets. It is important not to think on each specific region of the body when chanting the mantras, even when they are specifically addressed to that region. The crown of the head is where thought should be centered at all times.
Samarpan meditation starts by sitting quietly, thinking inwardly and attempting to erase external influences. The meditator should think on one thing, such as the Kundalini serpent coiled at the base of the spine. After the mind is calmed, he or she should begin chanting each line of mantra, repeating it three times for each chakra region. Then, the person should move upward to the next region. An example, to start is to utter a long "Oooomm . . ." at the beginning of each line of mantra, followed by the name of the chakra region, "Muladhara." After repeating this three times, more slowly each time, the meditator should move on to the next divine chakra.
