by Tirtha Acharya | Mar 9, 2018 | Yoga
Nine Hindrances in Yoga which Interrupt Our Practice & Block yogic Progress
The path of yoga is very long and difficult. There are many hindrances in yoga filled hazard and diversion. However, the yogis who have already traveled on the path of yoga stated all the possible impediments on its path. These obstacles are explained in Yoga-sutra 1.30 of Patanjali. It states, “Vyadhi styana sanshaya pramada alasya avirati bhrantidarshan alabdha-bhumikatva chitta vikshepa te antarayah”. Buddhist literature, Samyutta Nikaya 46.37 and D.2, reveals five major hindrances to meditation. They are as follows: Sensory desire (kamacchanada), Ill-will (vyapada, also spelled vyapada), sloth and lethargy (thina-middha), Restlessness and worry (uddhacca-kukkucca), and suspicion (vicikiccha). Today we are going to discuss the obstacles or hindrances in yoga as per the Patanjali Yoga-sutra.
- Sickness (Vyadhi): Improper or abnormal function among various parts of the body and mind in the form of illness or disease. An unhealthy body cannot perform yoga easily. The mind and body of the sick person require healing. The first important thing for the yoga student is to keep his body healthy.
- Disinclination (Styana): When there is lack of motivation minds distracts from the duty. Many people have the habit of procrastination, even giving up the duty due to mental restlessness, lack of enthusiasm for practice and so on. Apathy, dullness or inefficiency towards the path is an effective blockage for the progress in the spiritual path.
- Doubt (Sanshaya): If we have any types of indecision or doubt about our path, then we lose our mental energy towards that path. Mind swings from the trust. Sometimes, blind trust also hampers on the path. However, lack of conviction and lack of faith in the virtues of practice, sometimes in the teacher or in their methods are the examples of Sanshaya.
- Carelessness (Pramada): Negligence, inattention, heedlessness, carelessness, lack of continuity and focus on practice etc omits or errors the practice. It sabotages the efficacy of our work.
- Sloth (Alasya): Laziness, languor, idleness, the habit of abstaining the practice or duty is another enemy on the path of progress which aborts in attaining our highest potentials. Feeling sleepy and tired during meditation creates a problem in the practice. We have the tendency of loving luxury, easiness while yoga requires disciplined and high effort. It needs tireless devotion, tapas (will-power) to be successful.
- Non-abstinence (Avirati): Over-attachment or overindulgence towards luxuriance, pleasing things, and comfortable life distract from the duty. The clinging towards the worldly matter should be given up for the true progress in the spiritual path.
- Delusion (Bhrantidarshan): Fantasy on image, immature sense of certainty, false vision, wrong understanding about meditation, making a fault in understanding and judgment etc. basically pertaining to practice; the mind accepts the truth an untruth and vice-versa. This misleads the person.
- Failure to gain ground (Alabdha-bhumikatva): Unsuccess to achieve next yogic phase or non-attainment of the required accomplishment demotivates in the practice. This slips down the achieved stage as well. The reason behind the unsuccess is faulty or poor practice. This failure discourages the people from the duty.
- Instability (Anawasthitatwa): Last but not least instability is counted as hindrances in yoga. Due to practice, some achievements have been achieved but practice is not continued. When there lack persistence or permanence of practice, the attained stage cannot be maintained. So steadiness of practice is very important to maintain the stage and progress forward. After the encounter of these basic hindrances, four normal hindrances may be seen according to the situation. They are the consequences of previous obstacles. In other words, these four are the symptomatic manifestation of above nine antarayas. In Patanjali Yoga Sutra it is stated as “dukha daurmanasya angamejayatva swasa-praswasa vikshepa sahabhuvah 1.31”:
- Duhkha(Pain or sorrow): It is a suffering which may lead to despair. A few people can overcome this suffering, but maximum people cannot tolerate it and give up without reaching the destination.
- Daurmanasya – It is stated as frustration, depression, despair or sadness caused by non-fulfillment of desires. When one frustrates he will lose the energy for effort. Only hope motivates the further path. If required preaching is given then I can be a great lesson. Arjuna was preached by Lord Krishna at the time of a great despair. If we can understand our depression, it can be open a new gate for success. As light eradicates dark, so understanding eradicates frustration.
- Angamejayatwa – The shaking, tremor or shivering of parts of the body appears due to above nine Antarayas. Sometimes shivering may occur due to Asana practice, mantra or meditation practice. It is the manifestation of imbalance in mind or in the body. When we encounter this obstacle, then we proceed forward.
- Shvâsa–prashvâsa– It means disturbance in inhalation and exhalation. Mental and emotional upset brings the irregularities on breaths. So, one should know the art of controlling the breaths. Regular Pranayama helps to overcome it. Besides, a practice of witnessing the breaths helps to stabilize the breaths.
These four are the indicator of the effects of obstacles in a subtle form. One can identify that how much the person is affected due to above nine hindrances in yoga practice. When one faces any obstacle then there is a natural pain. This creates frustration and depression. Sometimes people may shiver the limbs or other parts of the body. Similarly, they may face the unnatural respiration.
When we can be aware of these changes in our body we can control the impacts and get back to the path. So what we need is awareness, watchfulness towards the obstacles and their impacts on us. We need to be mindful so that we won’t be misled. Normally we have a habit of being shaken due to the obstacles. However, if we could develop a habit of witnessing the problems remaining in an equanimous state, the habit patterns slowly transforms.
One should be dedicated towards the goal. More dedication we have more focus we generate. Due to more and more focus, the nine obstacles in yoga and their four effects keep decreasing thoroughly. The mind should also be crystal clear on the path and goal of practice. It makes the mind single-pointedness which leads to higher experience.
by Tirtha Acharya | Mar 5, 2018 | Yoga
5 Best Relaxing Yoga Poses with benefit and awareness
The body also needs relaxation when it gets tired. For the proper conscious relaxation, there are some relaxing Yoga poses. If there are any postural abnormalities, relaxing yoga poses normalize the problems. These poses are important for all but especially advised for any back or spinal problems. They can be practice any time before or after asana and at any time when the body gets tired. The relaxing yoga poses is ideal to practice before sleep. They can be used as a part of the daily activities for relaxing.
1. Savasana (Corpse Pose)
This pose is one of the best relaxing yoga poses also known as Mritasana (dead man’s pose). Lie down facing upwards and keeping the hands about 15 cm away from the body, palm upward facing. If necessary a thin pillow can be kept to prevent discomfort. If cold, it is better to cover the foot with warm clothes. Fingers may curl up slightly. Close the eyes. Move the feet slightly apart as per the comfort. The body should be straight. If there is any discomfort, ease the body. Now make sure the body does not move and head does not fall to any of the sides. Observe the natural respiration. Let this mindfulness on natural breath be rhythmic and relaxed. Strictly restrict moving the body at all during the practice.
Breath Awareness: Begin to count the natural breaths from 20 to zero. Eg- I am breathing in 20, out 20. I am breathing in19, out 19. And continue till zero. If your mind wanders and forgets the count begin from 20.
Body Awareness: Observe the entire body from head to toes and toes to head, being conscious of body sensation of each and every parts of the body. Spiritual Awareness- Ajna Chakra.
Duration: Five to ten minutes or as per necessity. A minute or two minutes is enough between the asana practice.
Benefits: It gives relaxation entire psycho-physiological system. It promotes the awareness, concentration. Healing function of the body accelerates when a mind is conscious and body is stable. Activation of inactive cells of the body occurs when flowing the consciousness to the entire body.
2. Advasana (reversed corpse pose)
Lie down facing towards the ground. Stretch both hands above the head with the palms facing downwards. Resting forehead on the ground relaxes the whole body as stated for savasana. If there is any difficulty in breathing, a pillow can be placed under the chest.
Breath Awareness: Same as Savasana. Counting can be done while gently pushing the stomach against the floor.
Body Awareness: Whole body, parts by parts and piece by piece, top to bottom and bottom to top. Spiritual Awareness- Ajna Chakra or Manipura chakra.
Benefits: Suggested for those people with slipped disc, bend figure, stiff neck. Other benefits are like that of Savasana.
3. Jyestikasana (Superior posture)
Lie straight down on the abdomen with the forehead resting on the ground. Place the palms interlocking the fingers. Relax the entire body; be aware of body and breaths as in Savasana.
Variation– This can also be practiced with interlocked fingers placing palms under the forehead facing upwards.
Breathing: Spontaneous and natural.
Awareness: On the entire body, feeling the pleasing warmth of the palms transferring the power and removing the tension in the neck and related areas.
Benefits: It is good for all spinal problems. Curative for cervical spondylitis, stiff neck, and upper back.
4. Makarasana (Crocodile Posture)
Lie down on the abdomen. Raise the head to rest the chin in the palms, with the elbow on the ground. To make the better arch to the spine, keep the elbows together. If the body wants to relieve excess stress on the neck, elbows can be separated. The effects are felt at the neck and the lower back. If the elbows are far in the front, tension will be felt in the neck; if elbows are placed near to chest, tension will be felt more in the lower back. So, elbows should be adjusted at the balanced position. It is said to be the ideal position when the whole spine is equally relaxed. Close the eyes and relax the body. Be aware of the body sensation. After some time release the posture.
Breathing: Observe natural breath. Or practice moving the awareness up along the spine from the tailbone to neck and vice-versa while exhaling. Feel the movements of breaths clearly.
Duration: Till comfortable.
Awareness: Awareness of breathing process, concentration on lower back relaxing the entire body.
Contradiction: an Exaggerated lumbar curve or any back complaints should practice carefully. If any pain is experienced then they should avoid this pose.
Benefits: Good for asthma, lungs problems, slipped disc, sciatica, certain types of lower back pain etc. They should stay on the pose longer duration to resume vertebral column in its normal shape. It also releases the compression of the spinal nerves. For lower back pain, heed in this area and feel it distending and relaxing with every inspiration and expiration.Mastya
5. kridasana (Flapping fish pose)
Lie on the stomach with hands under the head and finger interlocked. Twiddle the arms to the left. The right leg remains straight. Bend the left leg and bring the knee near to elbow. Rest the right side of the head on the bent of the right arm, or down the arm if it gives comfort. Take relax. After some time change the side.Become aware of the body. Release the posture after some time.
Breathing: Normal and natural breath in a stable pose.
Duration: As per the time available and necessity. It may also be used for sleeping and resting.
Awareness: On body and breath, relaxing the entire body. Spiritual- on Manipura chakra.
Benefits: Activates digestive system, alleviates sciatic pain and relaxes the nerves in the leg. It releases the tension in the perineum. Whoever cannot do forward bending pose, they can do this pose as the counter pose of backward bending pose.
by Tirtha Acharya | Feb 22, 2018 | Yoga
yoga vs exercise: Differences between yoga and exercise
Most of the people think that yoga and exercise are same. Although both of them aim at improving health and fitness providing proper exercise to the body, they are different to each other. Yoga (like Ashtanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Bikram Yoga etc) aims at integrating body, mind, and spirit. It is a very ancient philosophy which leads human to enlightenment. An exercise is a form of physical activities which aims at building muscles and strengthening the different organs. Yoga makes the foundation to the physical body and travels to the spiritual world. But exercise simply limited to the physical body. Maharshi Patanjali has given the definition of and a concrete guideline for yoga. Ancient scriptures like Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagawat Geeta, Puranas etc. have also highlighted the Yoga.
The differences between Yoga and Exercise can be stated in the following points:
- Origin of yoga and exercise: The origin of Yoga is Hindu philosophy and flourished throughout the world. But there are different origins of different types of exercises. For example, wushu and kung-fu are originated in China. Similarly, judo, taekwondo, karate, wrestling, gym, kick-boxing, gymnastics etc. have different origins and purposes.
- Mindfulness: Exercise simply focus on physical training but ignores breaths and mindfulness. Yoga poses are the sitting, sleeping and standing exercises with a focus on inhalation and exhalation being mindful in both body (posture) and breaths (Pranayama).
- The consciousness of yoga and exercise: Asana wants consciousness over body sensation and focuses on a particular chakra. These things are found to be missed in exercise.
- Stability: Asana is the practice of physical stability in a particular pose with mental awareness; whereas exercise is the fast movement of the body.
- The intuition of yoga and exercise: Asana increases inner awareness, develops intuition and makes prepared for meditation and Samadhi whereas there is no place for meditation and Samadhi in exercise.
- Flexibility: It is not that yoga asana does not increase the physical strength. But it mainly focuses to increase the body flexibility whereas the purpose of the exercise is to increase the physical energy and defense the enemy. Regular yoga accelerates energy but cannot increase flexibility, rather it makes inflexible.
- Therapeutic purpose of yoga and exercise: Normally sick and unhealthy people cannot do exercise. So it often suits the healthy people only. But there are some asanas in yoga system to remove the sickness and diseases of the people. So, sick people get health from yoga, healthy people proceeds towards enlightenment through the practice of yoga. Thus, asanas are used for the therapeutic purpose as well.
- Respiration process in yoga and exercise: Respiration becomes faster and short during exercise. But during Asana, it becomes longer and deeper. We can also say that consumption of oxygen during exercise increases whereas, during asana, consumption of oxygen is lowered down.
- Duration: Asana is the practice to stay in a particular pose for a longer duration being stable; whereas exercises are often done in a fast motion consuming maximum energy and breaths.
- Body temperature in yoga and exercise: During asana body temperature remains same or drops; but exercise raises the body temperature. It means exercise warms up the body and normally focuses on a specific part of the body. But Asana acts for calming the body and involve the entire part of the body. Asana tries to reduce stress and pain in the body
- Metabolism: Metabolism process becomes slow in asana, but exercise increases the metabolic rate.
- Blood pressure & Heart rate: Blood pressure and heart rate are lowered down in asana. Whereas heart compels to work harder during exercise which rises up both blood pressure and heart rate.
- Food Intake: The practice of asana does not increase the food intake, but it lowers the unnecessary food intake. In exercise high amount of strength is required so the person need a higher amount of food.
- Tiredness: In asana energy is consumed slowly and regains during relaxation, so you won’t get tired of Asana very fast rather we feel fresh. There is a flow between each yoga asana which is created to regain energy and release the stress of muscles. Whereas in exercise energy is consumed rapidly, also there is no relaxation process. So, you feel tired.
- Philosophy: There is no any life philosophy in exercise whereas eight organs of Astanga Yoga have a separate philosophy. The yoga philosophy helps the person for all-round development.
- Limitations: Asana can be practiced by all; no restriction on gender and age. But there are limitations in exercise.
- Shape: Exercise, like gym and weight-lifting, develops the muscles and gives an attractive shape to the body. But asana deal to improve the vital function of the body such as circulation, respiration including medical benefits etc. Asana increases the longevity of life. Asana also provides a good shape to the body, however, the shape formed by the yoga seems more natural. Exercise like weightlifting and gym develops bigger muscles away from the bone while yoga pose draws muscles mass into the bone evenly. Bending, twisting, and stretching of the body in yoga asana create lean and strengthens the muscles.
- Versatile: Yoga is versatile. Some intense yoga pose like power yoga and vinyasa etc are formed in such a way that they have some properties as that of exercise like increasing blood pressure, boosting heart-beat whereas exercise normally has no properties of Asana.
- Various creatures: Asana tries to give a realization of becoming different creatures of the cosmos. For example, Mayurasana (peacock-pose) gives the realization of becoming a peacock. It develops the wisdom that the soul remains same for all types of body.
In each creature, there are some good qualities that human need to possess. Yoga asana also aims to generate those qualities from different living beings. Yoga creates the union, friendship and harmony with all the beings of the cosmos.
Exercise tries to learn the way of attack and defense like lion, tiger etc. Yet, there is no spiritual oneness in exercise.
by Tirtha Acharya | Feb 21, 2018 | Yoga
One Asana Hack : One asana every day can change your life
This article is focused on one asana hack in our life. One asana hack describes that doing only one asana every day can change our life. In Yoga Philosophy, Asana is the third Organ out of eight organs. It is said that there are as many asanas as the creatures of the universe. In the Universe, as per Hindu Philosophy, there are 84,00,000 creatures. But eighty-four asanas are the major. It means there are eighty-four ways to modify the body towards enlightenment through the practice of asana. According to one asana hack, it is not necessary to perform all these 84 asanas, only one asana is sufficient.
If a person practices just an asana correctly throughout the life, he achieves perfection. But a thoughtful mind wants the reason why only one asana is given importance. Sadguru says- if you just learn to sit correctly, move correctly, learn to keep the body in a right manner then you can know all the things in the universe that are needed to be known. This is the state of Asana Siddhi. Ancient yoga system states -If you can stay in any asana for 3 hours 36 minutes easily being absolutely comfortable (in a stable manner without movement), this is asana siddhi. However, Sadaguru has reduced its time limit to 2.5 hours.
If a person can achieve this accomplished stage of asana, then you can know everything within you whatever you want to know. But how this is possible! Only through sitting how one can learn everything within self which are necessary to be known! Let’s give an example of the TV set. If you fix the antenna correctly, TV discloses everything. The entire world can be known within your home via inside TV. If the antenna is not fixed correctly then TV can do nothing though it has the capacity to broadcast everything. Human beings are also like a TV set.
What a man is right now- he is so, due to experience and knowledge that he has acquired in his life. Whatever you are at present- it is the accumulation of your past experience and perception of your life. You become so as per your understanding of your life. In future as well, you will be delineated as per your realization. Whatever you know, understand and feel in your life, perception towards life; these make you what you are today. The whole system of yoga deals with promoting your perception. Yoga enhances the unlimited angle of perception towards the life.
If you stay in an asana in a right way, if your alignment is correct, and if it matches with universal geometry then you will be linked with the infinite knowledge. If a person practices these major 84 asanas; or becomes accomplished in any one asana and reaches in the rest 83 asanas then he will know everything that has happened in the creation till now because the memory of these all things is hidden within the human body. This hidden memory and wisdom can be activated through the right alignment of yoga as asana gets contact with the universal knowledge.
Yoga asana is the powerful medium for unification. Yoga means to unite. It means plural has become a singular, or duality changed into the singularity. Basically, there are only two existences- you and rest other. You recognize other existence as that, this, they, those, these etc. You have only two dimensions of experiences. You do not know what is there up and down of this universe. You do not know what is there front and back of you.
In fact, you know nothing about it. These all things that you feel to be known are just made for our comfort. The dimensions of two experiences are inside and outside. The purpose of yoga is to connect these two- you and rest of all. When there are you and no other, then there is only you and you. This is what the Yoga is. Asana is the physical medium to reach in this supreme singular phase. It is the easiest to work with the body.
If you try to work with the mind then it will unsettle and interrupt you in various ways. It has illusionary nature. You cannot get its language easily. You cannot know whether the mind is doing right or wrong. You can know regarding body at least it is doing right or wrong. You can identify whether it is helping or not. But if you try to engage with your mind then it will wander you in different ways. It makes you believe wrong things, and next day it deceives you. But the body does not do so.
Thus, you can believe your body. If you work on it with understanding, it definitely takes you towards supreme oneness. During the practice of yoga pose with correct alignment first, it gives you good health, happiness, bliss, and balance; then gradually it links with higher consciousness. The modern science has neglected the importance of balance. The balance is very important in both sectors spiritual and physical world. One can never be successful unless he possesses a balance. The practice of asana is the easiest way to bring the balance.
One asana hack suggests all the people sit in the right alignment, move with right alignment, rest the body in a right alignment. Sitting on a correct posture is also a type of asana, moving the body correctly is also an asana. Thus, people should always be aware of the body, alert on the body so that body never remains in the wrong alignment. It is a great austerity for the accomplishment. As the body starts being corrected mind also keeps becoming correct.
We cannot directly work with the mind. Body posture, its movement, and breaths etc. are only the medium to reach to the mind. To accelerate the progress on the yogic path- practice to breath consciously whenever you have time. In other words- be conscious of the incoming and outgoing breath. Accordingly observe your body frequently whether it is incorrect posture or not. Try not to change your posture during meditation at least for 2.5 hours. Keep practicing. Your each and every practice is an investment. The practice of yoga is the right use of time.
by Tirtha Acharya | Jan 27, 2018 | Yoga
Five Chittas: Kshipta, Mudha, Bikshipta, Ekagra, Niruddha
Chitta is a Sanskrit as well as Pali language word which means the consciousness of the human mind. In the famous book of Patanjali Yoga Sutra, he describes Chitta in detail. We can find the word Chitta is Buddhist literature too but we are focusing this article what Patanjali describes in his book of yoga. The most beautiful exposition of Yoga Sutra can be found in Vyasa’s writing. He has described five types of Chitta and their nature as Patanjali wrote. Vyasa has made Yoga Sutra very simple to understand.
The meaning of Chitta is the mind or our heart or the emotional part of our self which can affect all our activities of daily life. Chitta can lead us in the direction of its nature. There are five states of our chitta. We can upgrade our state of Chitta by regular practice of yoga. Yoga can neutralize our Chitta and maintain the peace of mind. Patanjali focuses on removing the Brittis (the fluctuation of the mind) of Chitta. The five types of Chittas are as follows:
Kshipta (Distracted)
Mudha (Dull)
Bikshipta (Partially Concentrated)
Ekagra (One Pointed)
Niruddha (Controlled)
1. Kshipta (Distracted)
Kshipta is the state of mind where most of the people are standing, most of the time. In general, people are in this state with the fluctuation of the mind. In the waking time we are in this state but not in sleeping. In this state, we are in the reckless situation. Our mind fluctuates with thoughts and feelings. This state is led by the Rajas Guna. In this state, people run for the materialistic gain. They want to work more and more for their growth. The chain of our desire never ends and we can’t come out from this state without great commitment. They indulge in love and hate. They have the ambition to achieve something in their life. They want to show to the people who he or she is.
Attachment and selfishness lead us to this state of mind. This is the agitated state of the mind. The mind can’t stay in one place and it scatters around different affairs of our life. We have to practice to be one-minded to get rid of this state. The regular practice of yoga can bring us one-mindedness.
2. Mudha (Dull)
Mudha is the lowest state of our consciousness of the mind. This state of our mind leads us to the dullness, laziness, delusion, fear, and sleepiness. Lust, greed and other many negative feelings can cause this kind of state of mind. This is the state; one doesn’t want to work anymore. The person in this state has the bad habits and he or she can’t think what is wrong and what is right. The restless mind brings us in this state. This state of the mind is led by the Tama Guna. This kind of mind is not alert to anything.
In this state of the mind, we can’t perform any creative activities because the mind becomes lethargic. Sometimes our mind can’t decide what to do and can’t think anymore. In that state of mind, we can be in the Mudha state. This kind of state of mind can lead us to the depression if we are in this state for the long period of time. This kind of mind is bad for anyone and we have to come out of this mind as soon as possible. In yogic practice, we can find the way to be free from this state of mind.
3. Bikshipta (Partially concentrated)
This is the state of our mind, sometimes concentrated and sometimes distracted. In the search for spirituality, we want to become one-minded but our mind cannot be still. This is the mid-state in the quest for higher achievement. We are led by the Sattva Guna sometimes and sometimes we cannot be in sattva guna. We can be in the rajas and tamas sometimes.
In this state, our mind cannot focus continuously on the spiritual path. In the concentration, we can be distracted and we have to bring our awareness again. It is not negative but we have to come out from distraction to the concentration again and again. We have to determine to continue the spiritual path at any cost. We should have firm determination to continue our spiritual path despite the distraction. We don’t have to be affected by any kinds of fluctuation of our mind.
4. Ekagra (One Pointed)
In the path of spirituality when we can focus on the meditation only, we can be in the Ekagra (Partially concentrated) state. This is the state of one-mindedness in our goal. If we cross the Bikshipta state, we can be in this state. It is the higher state of the spiritual path but not the highest state. We have to continue to practice our task in this state even we get the hints of our successful ascendance.
Ekagra Chitta is led by the Satva Gun. When the detachment increases with worldly affairs in our practice of yoga, we can realize that we are in the Ekagra state. Yogis are in this state and this can be said the Short-term Samadhi, lower Samadhi. Yogis can stay in one place without eating anything in the meditation. They get the wisdom inside.
5. Niruddha
Niruddha is the state of our mind which is the highest. In this state, the yogis are in the state of beyond three Gunas. This is the state of higher Samadhi or the state of Kaibalya, as many Hindu scriptures mentioned. The perfected yogi only can be in this state. In this state, yogi gets the liberation.
This is the state of complete control of the mind in the hand of Yogi. Yogi can lead his thoughts and feelings what he wants. He doesn’t become a slave to the thoughts rather than the yogi can control all the thoughts and feelings. Now, he needs nothing but he does everything as usual. No task is become compelled for him to do. He never affects the outside situation of this world. He doesn’t walk by the ego, his ego totally dissolves and he gets the supreme state. In this state, all the Brittis of Chitta can be controlled by the yogis. All three Gunas are balanced and yogi becomes more than Gunas.
In this way, we can say that the Niruddha Chitta is the higher state of our mind. To get this state, we have to practice yoga continuously. When we can omit all the Brittis of our Chitta, our goal of spirituality can be achieved. Without removing all the fluctuations of our mind, we can’t achieve the Niruddha state of Chitta. This may take a long period of time; we should continue our journey without rushing. We have to be happy in the process of our journey.
by Tirtha Acharya | Jan 19, 2018 | Yoga
अष्टाङ्ग योग का सम्बन्धमा लेखिएको पहिलो आधिकारिक ग्रन्थ पतञ्जली योग-सुत्र हो । योगश्चित्तबृत्ति निरोध भनेर यसमा योगलाई चित्तबृत्तिबाट निरोधको अवस्था भनेको छ । अष्टाङ्ग योग का बिभिन्न आठ चरण पार गरेर त्यो अवस्था हासिल गर्न सकिन्छ भन्ने बैज्ञानिक ब्याख्या छ त्यहाॅ ।
१. यम: अष्टाङ्ग योग पहिलो चरण
अष्टाङ्ग योग को पहिलो पाइला यम हो । यम भनेको नैतिकता हो । आफुलाई नैतिक बलमा जागृत बनाउनु यसको उद्देश्य हो । नैतिकता सफल जीवनको पहिलो आधार हो । त्यसैले पतञ्जलीले यसलाई सुरूमा नै राख्नुभयो । नैतिकताको अभ्यासबाट नै योगको बाटो सुरू हुन्छ ।
बैज्ञानिकहरूले पनि नैतिकवान ब्यक्तिलाई कम मानसिक समस्या हुने कुरा प्रमाणित गरेका छन् । सफलताको नियमको आधार पनि नैतिकता नै हो । पतञ्जलीले नैतिकतालाई पनि बिभिन्न पाॅच भागमा बिभाजन गरेका छन् । ती निम्न छन्:
1 अहिंसा
2 सत्य
3 अस्तेय
4 ब्रम्हचर्य
5 अपरिग्रह
● अहिंसा
हिंसा तीन प्रकारका हुन्छन्
♢ कायीक: भौतिक शरीरद्वारा अरूलाई चोट पु-याउनु ।
♢ बाचिक: बोलेर अरूलाई चोट पु-याउनु ।
♢ मानसिक: कसैको बारेमा अहित सोच्नु या अरूलाई चोट परोस् भनेर कामना गर्नु ।
यी तीनै हिंसा नगर्नु अहिंसा हो । बुद्धको मुख्य उपदेश पनि यही हो । अरूलाई चोट पु-याउने उद्देश्यले कुनै कार्य गर्नु हुॅदैन । यदि नजानेर चोट पुगेको छ भने माफी माग्नुपर्छ । यदि सीधै गएर माफी माग्न गाह्रो हुन्छ भने मनमनमा माफी माग्नुपर्छ ।
अहिले अमेरिका र युरोपलगायत बिकसित देशहरूमा एउटा नयाॅ ब्यबसायिक अभियान सुरू भएको छ । त्यो पनि अहिंसाको ब्यबहारिक प्रयोग हो । Win-win Theory. दुबै पक्षको हीतका लागि काम गर्ने । सफलताका गुरूहरूले पनि सफलताको एउटा अत्यन्तै महत्वपूर्ण पाइलाका रूपमा यो सिद्दान्तलाई लिएका छन् । अरूलाई हित गरियो भने स्वतः आफ्नो हीत हुन्छ भन्ने सिद्दान्त पश्चिमा ब्यबसायमा फस्टाउॅदै गएको छ । अरूलाई दुःख पु-याएर प्रप्त गरेको सफलता क्षणिक हुन्छ यो संसारमा पनि । त्यो कुरालाई युरोपियनले अहिले बुझ्दैछन् जुन कुरा हजारौं बर्ष पहिले पूर्बमा बिकास भएको थियो ।
● सत्य
सत्य भन्ने शब्द धेरै सुनिएको शब्द हो । तर, यसको अर्थमा भने अलि स्पष्ट नभएझैं लाग्छ । सत्य आफुप्रतिको इमान्दारिता र अरूप्रतिको इमान्दारिताको जोड हो । सत्यले सॅधै खुसी ल्याउॅछ यदी ल्याएन भने त्यहाॅ कतै गडबड छ भन्ने बुझ्नुपर्छ । गान्धीले सत्यमा रहेर अहिंसात्मक आन्दोलन चलाए । मार्टिन लुथर किंग र नेल्सन मण्डेलाले पनि सत्यको ब्यबहारिक प्रयोग गरे ।
हाम्रो जीवनमा सत्यको ठूलो महत्व छ । सत्यमा अडिग रहने मान्छे स्वाभिमानी हुन्छ । सत्य जीवनको पहिलो आधार हो भन्ने कुरा संसारका धनी ब्यक्तिहरूको जीवनी पढेर प्रष्ट हुन सकिन्छ ।
यदी हामी अरूसॅग सत्य देखिन खोज्ने र आफुभित्र सत्यता नहुने हो भने त्यस्तो अवस्था देखावटी हुन सक्छ ।
● अस्तेय
चोरी नगर्नु तथा चोरी गर्ने प्रबृत्तिको नहुनु नै अस्तेय हो ।
● ब्रह्मचर्य
ब्रह्मचर्यका दुई पाटा छन्
♢ ब्रह्म ज्ञानमा आफुलाई लगाउनु । ब्रह्म ज्ञानप्रतिको चासो हुनु ।
♢ ईन्द्रियजनित अथवा ईन्द्रियबाट प्राप्त हुने क्षणिक सुखलाई नियन्त्रण गर्नु वा त्यसलाई बुझेर त्यतातिरको ध्यान कम गर्नु ।
● अपरिग्रह
आफुलाई आवस्यक पर्ने कुराहरूको मात्र संकलन गर्नु । कुरा आवस्यक नै छैन भने त्यसको संग्रह गर्नु ठीक होइन । एक भए पुग्छ भने दुई चाॅहिदैन । दुई भए पुग्छ भने तीन चाॅहिदैन । तीन भए पुग्छ भने चार चाॅहिदैन । अरूको सामानको ईच्छा नगर्नु पनि अपरिग्रह हो । आफुसॅग जे छ त्यसमा सन्तुष्ट हुन सक्नु र आफुसॅग छ भन्दैमा अनावश्यक सामानहरूको संग्रह नगर्नु नै अपरिग्रह हो । आफुसॅग बढी भएको कुरा अरू कसैसॅग छैन भने त्यो अरूलाई दिनु पनि हाम्रो कर्तब्य हो ।
२. नियम : अष्टाङ्ग योग दोश्रो चरण
पतञ्जली योगसूत्रको दोस्रो सूत्र हो नियम । यम भनेको सामाजिक नैतिकता हो भने नियम भनेको व्यक्तिगत नैतिकता हो । यसअन्तर्गत पाॅचवटा नियम पर्दछन् ।
(क) शौच – शरीर र मन की शुद्धि नै शौच हो ।
(ख) संतोष – सन्तुष्ट र प्रसन्न रहनु नै सन्तोष हो ।
(ग) तप – स्वयंलाई आत्मानुशासनमा राख्नु नै तप हो । जसरी पनि आफ्नो साधनालाई जारी राख्छु भन्ने संकल्प हो तप ।
(घ) स्वाध्याय – आत्मचिन्तन गर्नु । अध्ययन गर्नु र ज्ञान सुन्नु ।
(च) ईश्वर-प्रणिधान – ईश्वरप्रति पूर्ण समर्पण, पूर्ण श्रद्धासहित ढुक्कका साथ बाॅच्नु । ईश्वरप्रति पूर्ण बिश्वास हुनु ।
३. आसन : अष्टाङ्ग योग तेश्रो चरण
सामान्यतया हामीले योगासनलाई नै सम्पूर्ण योग ठान्छौं । तर योगाआसन योगको एउटा पाटो हो । योगले हामीलाई शारीरिक तथा मानसिक रूपमा स्वस्थ राख्छ । स्मरण शक्ति बढाउने र दिनभरि जागरूक बनाउॅछ आसनले । आसनले हामीमा आत्मबिश्वास जगाउनुका साथै स्वाभिमानी पनि बनाउॅछ ।
४. प्राणायाम : अष्टाङ्ग योग चौथो चरण
यो श्वास लिने खास तरिका हो । स्वासद्वारा हाम्रा कोषहरूमा अक्सिजन बृद्धि गरेर प्राणायामले मानसिक तथा शारीरिक रूपमा स्वस्थ बनाउॅछ । यसले शरीरका बिकार हटाएर शरीर, मन र प्राणलाई शुद्ध पार्छ ।
५. प्रत्याहार : अष्टाङ्ग योग पाचौं चरण
इन्द्रियलाई नियन्त्रण गर्नु । अरू बाहिरी आकर्षणबाट आफुलाई पर राख्नु । बाहिरी आकर्षण क्षणिक हो भन्ने बुझ्नु । चित्तलाई ईश्वर स्मरणमा लगाउने हरसम्भव प्रयास गर्नु । सानासाना लोभमा नफस्नु ।
६. धारणा : अष्टाङ्ग योग छैटौं चरण
एकाग्रचित्त हुनु । चित्तलाई एकाग्र बनाएर एउटै सहज आसनमा बस्नु । सामान्तया हामीले जसलाई ध्यान भन्छौं त्यो धारणा हो । योग गुरूहरूले सिकाउने ध्यान नै धारणा भनेर बुझ्नुपर्छ । ध्यान त सिकाउनै मिल्दैन त्यो घट्ने कुरा हो ।
७. ध्यान : अष्टाङ्ग योग सातौं चरण
धारणामा आफुलाई स्थीर गराउॅदै जाॅदा ध्यान घट्छ । ध्यान घट्दा हामीलाई चरम आनन्दको अनुभूति हुन्छ । ध्यान घटिसकेपछि हामी निरन्तर रूपमा अगाडि बढ्नुपर्छ । ध्यान घटेपछि साधकलाई अध्यात्मको रस लाग्न सुरू गर्छ र उसले त्योभन्दा आनन्दको क्षण अरू कुनै पनि अनुअव गरेको हुॅदैन । त्यसपछि सबै शास्त्र ठीक रहेछन् भन्ने महसुस गर्न थाल्छ । उसको आॅखाको हेराइमा अनौठो परिवर्तन हुन्छ । आफु र अरूमा उसले फरक देख्दैन । हरेक घटनामा धन्यबादी हुन्छ । जीवनलाई उत्सव ठानेर बाॅच्छ । जीवनको सार्थकता अनुभूति गर्छ ।
८. समाधि : अष्टाङ्ग योग आठौं चरण
आत्मासॅग जोडिनु । शब्दले ब्याख्या गर्न नसकिने परम-चैतन्यको अवस्था हो यो । समाधी दुई किसिमका हुन्छन् ।
क) सबिकल्प समाधि: केही समयका लागि समाधिमा जाने र फेरि समाधिबाट बाहिर आउने अवस्था हो यो ।
ख) निर्बिकल्प समाधि: निरन्तर समाधिमा स्थित रहने अवस्था ।
ऋषिराम पाण्डेय
