The
Wisdom of Yoga
by Acarya Ganadevananda Avadhuta
"If you want to know all, know One."
Interesting concept isn't it? It is one of the many realizations
coming from the ancient wisdom of yoga.
Deep realizations are the product of synthesis, often stimulated
by practical experimentation, and yoga falls pretty much within
this type of reality, in which bookish knowledge has a very relative
importance.
Today many people are intellectually sharp due to their education
and the complexity of modern life and yet, this precious wisdom
remains elusive, just like it was thousands of years ago.
What is that 'one' the pearl of yoga wisdom is talking about? It
is your own inner "I".
How do you know that you exist? When you think, "I know that
I exist." That inner "I" which knows of it, is the
consciousness within you, which is eternal and can't be limited.
By deeply concentrating the mind, we can go beyond the normal state
of awareness, and reach deeper levels of consciousness. This journey
within ends when we reach the realization that our own consciousness
is the very same endless Consciousness that pervades the entire
Cosmos. This feeling of complete unity with the creation is the
ultimate goal of yoga and it is a state of unimaginable joy or bliss,
which is called "Ananda" in Sanskrit, the ancient language
of India.
What is "Ananda Marga" Yoga?
Well, you already know what is 'Ananda' so we just need to translate
Marga' which means 'path'. "The path of bliss" is primarily
a philosophy, a practice and a movement that offers physical, mental
and spiritual practices capable to lead sincere seekers toward deeper
inner realizations. It is also a service-oriented movement dedicated
to the all-round welfare of humanity, animals and plants. Only when
we make a balanced effort between self-realization and service,
then our ultimate potentiality is gradually fulfilled.
Ananda Marga yoga teachings are based on the system of Tantra Yoga
first systematized by Sadashiva 7000 years ago. "Tantra"
literally means, "that which liberates from darkness".
The techniques of Tantra gradually liberate one from physical, psychic
and spiritual bondages through the expansion of consciousness.
Tantra yoga's concepts and practices have been inspiring countless
human beings to achieve all round progress perhaps also because
it supports no blind belief, religious doctrine, ritual or dogma.
It follows a subjective approach yet remaining adaptable enough
to allow external adjustments. You can learn Tantra only through
your personal experience and, in this sense, Tantra is 99% practical
and 1% philosophical.
The main characteristic of Tantra is that it represents a continuous
fight with our own weaknesses. This is because without a meaningful
effort it is impossible to conquer a crude idea and to replace it
with a subtle one.
Human beings exist on three levels: physical, mental and spiritual
and to fulfill their existential purpose, need to constantly grow
in each one of them. Ananda Marga Yoga incorporates practices and
exercises that help develop all three levels and thus is considered
the most complete yogic approach.
The Yoga of Biopsychology
As with everything that has been evolving for so long, Yoga has
many branches or approaches to reach its Goal, and probably the
most known here in the West is its use of special postures, called
"Asanas" in Sanskrit.
Yoga postures can help you in controlling, through their subtle
effect on the glandular system, the many propensities of the mind.
This is because our minds, our thoughts and our emotions have an
indisputable relationship with our bodies and actions, and vice
versa. This is the subject study of biopsychology, a new and yet
ancient science that is an integral part of Yoga practices. Let's
see what is this science all about and why the regular practice
of Asanas can help you become a more balanced and happier human
being.
There are seven energy centers in the body, which are the controlling
point of the 50 main human emotions. These centers are called 'cakras'
(or chakras) which means 'nucleus' and they are the controlling
nuclei of the human body.
Where are the cakras located? You know, the spinal cord seems to
be one entity, but there are actually three channels connected with
it, containing three subtle nerves. One central nerve descends from
the brain, passing directly through the spinal cord to the base
of the spine. The second and third start at the root of each nostril
respectively and twist and twine around the central nerve, crossing
at five points in the trunk of the body until they reach the base
of the spine.
Where these three nerves cross each other within the spinal cord
marks the location of the first five cakras and around each of them
there are a number of cluster glands
The first cakra is located two fingers above the anus, the second
is located at the root of the genital organs, the third at the navel,
the fourth cakra is found at the center of the chest, and the fifth
is at the vocal cord. Of the other two cakras, the sixth cakra is
located at the pituitary gland and the seventh and highest cakra
is located at the crown of the skull where, as a baby, our skull
was soft.
There are fifty sets of cluster glands producing fifty hormones
or chemicals in the body. Each hormone or chemical activates a unique
feeling, emotion or tendency within the mind, so there are a total
of fifty mental tendencies. This chemical stimulation of the body
affects the mind. Therefore, the cakras are physico-psychic; that
is, the body influences the mind.
The three subtle nerves act as the extensions of the brain so when
a particular thought, memory or idea or emotion arises in the mind,
the glands respond accordingly and the corresponding hormone or
chemical is released into the blood activating the particular emotion
or tendency. So the cakra is also psycho-physical because the mind
stimulates the chemical reaction in the body leading to emotional
behavior.
Thus the cakras, with related glands, hormones and nerves, act like
antennae capable of receiving the subtle vibrations that are constantly
reaching us from each and every entity we come in contact with,
and transmit through the nerves, a stimulating signal that activates
the chemicals of a particular gland, prompting the mind to experience
an emotion, feeling or urge as a result.
The Yoga of Knowledge (Jinana Yoga)
The yoga of knowledge consists primarily of meditation. It develops
the feeling of oneness with the Cosmic Self. A concept that is almost
synonym of meditation is the one of "Sadhana" which means
"the effort to become complete". Any effort made to express
the potential of your life constitutes sadhana. So whatever activity
you do, needs to be measured against this simple yardstick. Of course
the most important aspect of sadhana is psycho-spiritual development.
Tantra is an intuitional science aimed at the realization of the
infinite consciousness and meditation is its key practice. In meditation
you make an effort to fully concentrate your intellect on the idea
of the infinite. Eventually you develop a "pointed intellect"
or "intuition": a direct super-conscious knowledge.
Now that's a challenge! How can you think of infinity? You have
no comparative elements through which you can relate to it. Well,
this too is an ancient question and, as such, for long time yogis
have struggled with it. Fortunately they found a workable answer
and certainly there is no need to re-invent this "wheel".
The answer is the "mantra". "Man" means mind,
and "tra" means liberate. So "mantra" means
"that which liberates the mind". Mantra is a crucial part
of meditation and in fact mantras, which are all in Sanskrit, are
but symbols of the infinite. Hence, through the regular mental repetition
of its acoustic form, and contemplation on its meaning, you can
gradually develop sufficient intuition to realize the true nature
of your inner self.
Along with the mantra, there are other techniques to be learned
that are meant to help your mind withdraw from what keeps you distracted
and unable to concentrate on the mantra. You can learn a simple
meditation technique, that is if you are interested in exploring
the uncharted waters of your mind. As you grow in experience, so
do the tools of meditation at your disposal but you will have to
learn them from a qualified teacher who will know when it 's time
for you to know more.
In the West, the word 'initiation' has sometimes being given a sinister
meaning but in Tantra it simply marks the first step on a spiritual
journey within. During initiation, you learn a personalized meditation
technique and a mantra that will be able to awaken your latent psycho-spiritual
potential and continue vibrate the right cakras within you.
While explaining the concept of initiation, it is impossible not
to mention who makes it possible, the realized teacher, in Sanskrit
"Guru" which means "one who liberates others from
ignorance".
A Guru's life and example should be impeccable. He must have complete
and direct knowledge of the ultimate goal of life. Without the guidance
of such a self-realized teacher, it will be an impossible task to
overcome the many obstacles that anyone, seeking to know the inner
self intimately, will encounter.
The Yoga of Service
The yoga of service creates the circumstances to apply the experience
you acquire by meditation in day-to-day's life, thus helping you
establish the realization of the true essence of this vast Cosmos.
Service to others is a fundamental part of your spiritual progress.
Without a service attitude, once having learned meditation you could
develop a tendency to focus on just your own progress, thus constricting
your individual ego instead of expanding it to its infinite potential.
Therefore you shouldn't be satisfied with the personal progress
that can be achieved in solitude rather, the mental expansion caused
by your meditation will creates a natural desire within to see others
grow. Hence, you can experience maximum happiness by actively contributing
in social life and help bring happiness to others. In other words
the radius of your concern will gradually expand until your outlook
becomes universal.
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