Friday, February 19, 2016

Sahaj Marg Raja Yoga: The importance of mind

By Sanskrit Kannan (SRCM Preceptor)


         Mind plays a vital role in the human existence, for it is the mind which distinguishes man from other species.  The word manuya (man in English) is derived from the root ‘man’, i.e., to think.  Hence, Raja Yoga (the royal path of Yoga) mainly focuses its attention on the mind. Every action is preceded by thought and mind is the origin for it.  Hence, by cleansing the mind, by transforming it from its animalistic tendencies to human and divine level, it becomes purified and becomes the divine mind.  Patañjali has defined ‘Yoga’ itself (YS I.2) as “yoga cittavtti nirodha”, i.e., the cessation of the tendencies of the mind is Yoga.  In his Yoga Sūtras, he has given prominence to the mind and not to the other physical activities like the Āsanas, Prāāyāma and there is no mention about the later texts of Haha Yoga.  Even the texts which extol the merits of Haha yogic practices, say that Haha Yoga is only the preliminary step to Raja Yoga.

         Sahaj Marg has fully understood this aspect and it focuses its attention on the mind, the root of everything.  The Amtabindu Upaniad, which is one among the Yoga Upaniads say,

         mana eva manuā kāraa bandhamokayo|
 bandhāya viyāsakta muktyai  nirviaya smtam” ||

(“The mind is the root cause for both bondage and liberation.  If the mind is attached with worldly things, it is bondage and if it is not so, it is liberation”).

         One important aspect of Sahaj Marg teaching and training is that the mind should not be controlled by force.  Here, the mind is slowly and gently refined and regulated in a very natural way by the transmission of divine energy by the Master and the Preceptors appointed by Him.  The cleaning practised regularly by the abhyāsis backed up by the meditation as prescribed by the Master, strengthens the mind and will power and checks the outward tendencies of the mind.  Thus, slowly the mind is transformed and gets divinised by attaching oneself with the Master.

         The mind is the seat of emotions and feelings.  The Bhad Ārayaka Upaniad (I.5.3) says,

         kāmasakalpovicikitsāśraddhā'śraddhādhtiradhtirhrīrdhīrbhīrityetatsarva mana eva

(“Desire, resolve, faith, lack of faith, steadfastness, lack of steadfastness, shyness, intellect, fear – all these are the mind only”)

         That is why Sahaj Marg emphasises the need to regulate the mind and not control it by any forceful means.  It may also be noted that Patañjali, who propounder of Yoga system of thought has recommended Samādhi by giving more attention to the mind.  The word ‘Samādhi’ can be explained as Sama + Ādhi, i.e., equilibrium of the mind (Ādhi means mental disturbance).  The word vyādhi is used to denote physical disease, which means that our ancients know that the mental disturbance could cause physical ailment too.  Hence, even in the Haha Yoga, control of mind is considered as a very important aspect and different means are adopted for the same.  But Sahaj Marg teaches a gentle, soft, natural and highly efficient path for this.  It says, “As you have to ride on a horse to train and master a horse, you have to start with the mind, train the mind and become the master of it”.  Training in Sahaj Marg gives more prominence to the mind than to the other organs.


8 comments:

  1. I find it almost unbelievable that we have all these knowledge, available openly but still not known or accessible to common person. I realised the importance of mind and role of thought, say around forty years, but that is way too late! I was like how come I lived my life like this without even understanding these fundamental aspects - but what do you do, you get it, only when you get it. Those who get it are fortunate however late they get it.

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    1. День добрый! Могу вам сказать одно: начать никогда не поздно! Вы уверены в том, что если бы вы узнали об этой практике в 20 лет и полностью осознали её значимость? Пробуйте и вы поймете что это за практика!!! Эти знания действительно открыты и доступны каждому.

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  3. Dear brother, could you tell me how did you find that IT IS THE MIND WHICH DISTINGUISHES MAN FROM OTHER SPECIES? There are some other kinds of messages... Be at peace.

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    1. Firstly Human mind is the only sense organ which can perform an activity as well as reflect on itself. Secondly, no other species has used the mind and in turn his/her will power to overcome physical shortcomings. For example human being can by repeatedly performing exercise build up strength far exceeding his original capacity. Regards and Thank you for asking a wonderful question.

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  4. Dear brother Puneet, Thank you for your answer. I thank and request brother Alexander Vasilenko to wait for some more time. I have discussed the concept of Mind which will appear in the second Volume of my book Yoga Vedānta and Sahaj Marg. As I am not well now, the publication of the book may take some more time.
    Regards
    Kannan

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  5. Dear brother Puneet, Thank you for your answer. I thank and request brother Alexander Vasilenko to wait for some more time. I have discussed the concept of Mind which will appear in the second Volume of my book Yoga Vedānta and Sahaj Marg. As I am not well now, the publication of the book may take some more time.
    Regards
    Kannan

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  6. i think the very purpose of regulation of mind is opening our heart which is the seat of Divine. The more work on mind is done, the nearer is our Goal.

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