The sage Patanjali defines the Yoga or union with God as Smriti, memory. When we have calmed the subconscious and conscious minds, then we have prepared ourselves for meeting the Super-Conscious. The real meditation is when we have deep concentration without any disturbing thought.
The sage Patanjali mentions 3 stages of meditation, namely Dharna, Concentration, Dhyana, Meditation, and Samadhi, Union with God.
1. Dharana, the Concentration: Dharana is deep and undisturbed smooth concentration. When we see Divine light in our Divine eye, this is Dharana. We have nothing in the mind except beauty and light. A long Dharana becomes Dhyana.
2. Dhyana, Meditation: In Dhyana we are absorbed in light, feeling its grace and that it is Super-Conscious. This state of Dhyana leads to Samadhi.
3. Samadhi, Union with God: In Samadhi, we feel that we are the LIGHT, losing the identity the egoist senses, the "I-ness".
We become boundless and have sense of inseparatedness. Samadhi is the goal of every meditation and of everybody. We should feel the sense of vastness and expansion of self and being one with the infinite light in every meditative Samadhi.
So expansion is the 3rd and final stage of meditation. We get naturally into this stage, after relaxation and internalization the two stages. Expansion is the true nature of the God within, our true self.
We have seen:
1. Relaxation techniques control our BODY and Mind.
2. So-Hans technique withdraws Prana, or Energy, and get deep concentration.
Again, enjoy your expanded state of self, in meditation, feel inner joy, peace and happiness. This will show and you will feel that God is with you. Expand your joy and peace, till it permeates your every being and there is no restlessness. You will have inner communication with God. You will have deep connection to all life.
Methodology:
In Vedas the attributes of God are Light, Sound, Wisdom, Power, Equilibrium, Peace, Love and Bliss etc. In meditation, through Super-soul we attune to these qualities.
1. First practice "So Hans". This will get you calmness and concentration. Now you are choosing at least one quality, peace for example. Focus all attention on deepening feeling of peace effortlessly. You can use the phrases, "I feel peaceful", and "I am peace". Then feel the feeling of peace, beyond the words. Increase this state for a long time.
To feel the qualities of God, is communicating with God Himself.
Visualize peace spreading out from you, in expanding circles. It should touch everything and everyone. It should go to the whole planet.