Posts Tagged ‘fluctuations of the mind’

Dhyana Yoga: Achieving Inner Peace

Posted: August 29, 2024 in Bhagavad Gita
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Meditation, as described in Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita, serves as a vital path to inner peace and spiritual growth. Known as Dhyana Yoga, this chapter emphasizes the importance of controlling the mind and maintaining self-discipline. Krishna advises Arjuna on achieving a focused, serene state where the mind unifies with the self, likening the mind to a turbulent river that requires guidance to find clarity.

To prepare for meditation, Krishna suggests creating a calm environment and adopting the proper physical posture, which aids in maintaining alertness and focus. The practice itself involves concentrating the mind on a single point, such as the breath or a mantra, and gently redirecting it when distractions arise. Though challenging, regular practice builds mental resilience.

The ultimate goal of Dhyana Yoga is to reach a state of deep inner tranquility, where the meditator experiences unity with the divine and a profound connection with all beings. Krishna assures that even if one struggles on the spiritual path, their efforts are never in vain, offering reassurance of spiritual progress and protection.

Balancing Memories and Emotions

Posted: June 8, 2024 in Musings
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anubhūtaviṣayāsaṃpramoṣaḥ smṛtiḥ
Memory (smriti) is retaining experiences.

Yoga Sutra 1.11

According to Patanjali, the last way of being is through remembering. Out of all the impressions you get in a day, the ones with strong emotions attached are the ones that stick. You might know someone who seems stuck in the past, always reminiscing about the good old days. This “old” attitude isn’t about age but about being attached to the past. This attachment might come from wanting to hold on to what’s gone or from trying to push away an old memory. Either way, it can drain your energy, leaving little for the present. Even obsessing over the future often ties back to past experiences, since your predictions are usually based on what happened before.

On the other hand, a “young” attitude is about seeing the freshness of each moment and responding with intelligence and grace. It’s not about thinking memories are bad or that you need to erase them. Memories are a part of your history and give you perspective. Instead, think about how you relate to your memories. Do you control them, or do they control you? Can you have a healthy relationship with your memories, and what would that look like?

One way to explore this is by looking at the emotional charge of a memory. Since emotions help create memories, understanding the emotional imprint can give you insight. Take a memory that’s important to you. Focus on the details, like what happened and who was there. Then, shift your focus to the emotional aspect. What emotions does this memory bring up? Do these emotions make you feel good, or do they drain your energy? When these emotions come up, do you push the memory away or hold on to it tightly? Can you just let these emotions flow through you until they fade, instead of keeping them bottled up?

As you practice this, notice any patterns in the emotional charges of your deep memories. Do these patterns suggest unresolved emotions? Reflecting on these memories, do they give you insights into your current attitudes and choices? Can you make peace with your memories and your past by letting go of their emotional charge, whether positive or negative? Recognize that past events have shaped who you are now. Accept that you probably made the best choices you could at each point in your past, even if you’d choose differently now.

Om Hari Om 🙏

Navigating the Twists & Turns

Posted: May 5, 2024 in Musings
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pramāṇa-viparyaya-vikalpa-nidrā-smṛtayaḥ

The five mental states are (1) correct understanding of what is, (2) false understanding of what is, (3) conceptualization, (4) deep sleep and (5) memory.

Yoga Sutra 1.6

Human psychology shows that our take on events is shaped by many factors, especially our state of mind. Take a festival, for example—some see it as fun with music and good food, while others view it as noise and waste. Same scene, different views. These differences don’t always come from who we are but from what’s happening around us. Someone who loves parties might feel down if they get bad news. The event doesn’t change; it’s our perception that does, affecting our choices and future experiences. Our thoughts mirror our state of mind, too. Knowing this helps us step back and see things clearly, without biases.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 1.6 identifies five types of mental twists:

  1. Pramana: Knowledge backed by evidence or proof.
  2. Viparyaya: Incorrect knowledge derived from misunderstandings or misperceptions.
  3. Vikalpa: Imaginative thoughts such as daydreams, fears, anxieties, and hallucinations.
  4. Nidra: The state of sleep – a realm where we experience various visions, dreams, and sensations.
  5. Smriti: Memory, replaying past events, conversations, and emotions.

Some might argue their mental state doesn’t fit these categories neatly, but getting hung up on that isn’t helpful. Our minds shift shapes, but we can rise above them. Watching these mental twists helps us move past them. But getting too caught up in sorting and judging them just keeps us stuck.

Om Hari Om 🙏

The Journey of the Self

Posted: April 29, 2024 in Musings
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vṛtti-sārūpyam-itaratra

At other times, when one is not in self-realization, the mind takes on the form of the activities of the material world.

Yoga Sutra 1.4

This sutra carries profound implications for those on the yogic path. Patanjali delineates the nature of the mind and its relationship to the self: when one is not in a state of self-realization, the mind identifies itself with the fluctuations of the material world.

These fluctuations are a natural aspect of the human condition, arising from our interactions with the external world. When we are not in a state of self-awareness or self-realization, our minds become entangled in these fluctuations. As a result, we lose touch with our true selves and instead identify with the ever-changing world around us.

Sutra 1.4 serves as a reminder that the goal of yoga is not merely physical flexibility or relaxation but a profound journey of self-discovery and realization. Through practices such as meditation, pranayama (breath control), and self-reflection, we can cultivate the awareness needed to observe these fluctuations without becoming consumed and defined by them.

By questioning who or what is experiencing these fluctuations of the mind, one can begin to peel away the layers of illusion that obscure their true essence. Practicing mindfulness in all aspects of life — from daily activities to interpersonal relationships — allows one to stay anchored in the present moment and connected to his/her true self. This deepened awareness fosters a sense of clarity and purpose, guiding us on our journey toward self-realization.

In simpler terms, as the Bhagavad Gita eloquently states, “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”

Sat Nam 🙏

Mastering the Mind

Posted: April 14, 2024 in Musings
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yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ
Yoga is stilling the fluctuations of the mind.
Yoga Sutra 1.2

As a practitioner of yoga, delving into The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is inevitable. Within this text, a significant focus lies on the mind – either mastering it or being subject to its whims. In Book 1, Sutra 2, Patanjali introduces “Chitta Vrittis,” the fluctuations of the mind. 

In Yoga Sutra 1.2, Patanjali defines the essence and purpose of yoga: “yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ,” meaning “Yoga is stilling the fluctuations of the mind.” This sutra underscores the necessity of controlling the mind, and recognizing its tendency to distort reality. Like ripples in a lake or social media filters, the mind’s fluctuations include correct perception, delusion, imagination, deep sleep, and memory. “Nirodha” denotes the cessation of these fluctuations, achieved through yoga practice, allowing one to observe the mind’s movements and act from a place of awareness. 

The modifications of the mind refer to the incessant inner dialogue that distracts from the present moment. In a yoga class, when thoughts drift to lunch plans, pending conversations, or comparisons with others, the mind loses its presence, succumbing to fluctuations. These mental distractions are precisely what yoga aims to quiet. Yoga Sutra 1.2 serves as a reminder that consistent practice enables us to better control our actions and reactions, facilitating thoughtful decision-making rather than being swayed by emotions.  

Many find meditation difficult due to its requirement of stillness and inactivity. However, with consistent practice, silencing these fluctuations becomes more natural over time. As our focus deepens on breath, body, and the present moment, mental space expands. Within this space, insights emerge, drawing us closer to our authentic selves.

Om, Hari Om 🙏