Baba
Solution to groggy, sleepy sadhana
Namaskar,
Ananda Marga ideology says, “Sometimes during sádhaná one falls into a relaxed “half-sleep”. This is called yoga nidrá. Most sádhakas experience yoga nidrá in the early stages of sádhaná. It is also akliśt́a because one does not become totally oblivious of oneself.” (1)
Lazy people prone to falling asleep in sadhana
When one begins sadhana and starts repeating their mantra, then in that initial period one gains a sense of composure. And that feeling of equipoise lulls them to sleep in sadhana. But those who fail to cross this beginning stage will never grow. One must cross that threshold and go higher.
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Please pay attention to the above yellow highlighted section. It is clearly written that in the early stages of sádhaná beginners often face this situation, while long-term insincere margiis may also fall asleep and waste their time.
In dharmacakra it is often seen that sadhakas who cannot do sadhana are prone to falling asleep - especially if it is warm. In that case they easily fall into a type of yoga nidra. Actually, you may have seen some who always fall asleep in sadhana. Verily, sleep is their sadhana. It begins 5 seconds after samgacchadhvam ends. Quickly, they are gone into a different world. Sometimes you may have noticed how they gently sway back and forth, and on other occasions they even hit the person in front of them. Then there are those who sleep in sadhana yet somehow maintain their balance by curling forward and dropping their chin. So they remain in a semi-upright, balanced position even though they are sleeping. Actually, lazy people are most prone to falling asleep in sadhana, because they don’t fight back against that desire to sleep in sadhana. At some point or another all have fallen asleep but it should not become one’s habit - good sadhakas are vigilant in this regard.
Sleeping in sadhana was a waste of time
Those who never experience higher sadhana think that yoga nidra is an exalted stage while those who have experienced proper sadhana think that sleeping in sadhana is a waste of time. They understand they could not move beyond that initial state of equipoise and the time passed. We cannot say that sleep in sadhana is completely useless because at least some kind of equipoise is achieved; yet it also has to be recognised that one is not repeating their ista mantra with bhakti during that time of sleep in sadhana. And for that reason we can say the time was wasted.
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Nidra means vacuity; so during sleep the mind does not do anything. And if one is not reciting their ista mantra then they are just wasting their time in sadhana. The power of the ista mantra advances one’s sadhana. The dirt of the mind washes away. And the more the mantra is recited the cleaner the mind becomes. So when one falls into yoga nidra (i.e. sleep) then all progress is lost. One will remain in that state of vacuity and the time is gone.
Some confused people think that yoga nidra is something very lofty. They think that way because of the term yoga. But they forget that the second word is nidra. This name is given because one is sleeping during sadhana. So it is not some exalted state. Rather they waste their time in sadhana. And if it happens regularly then in their entire life they might never go beyond that early stage. That is the sad situation. You may have seen many who begin sadhana and then immediately fall asleep - that is quite unfortunate.
Always falling asleep at doorstep of kitchen
Suppose a person is hungry so they go to the kitchen in hopes of getting something to eat. Yet upon trying to enter the kitchen, when they are just on the doorstep, they merely smell the food and instantly fall asleep - then and there, unbeknownst to them. A long time later they wake up and have no recollection about what transpired. Just they know that the time passed. And suppose this happens each and every time one enters the kitchen. If that happens every day then how long will that person live. So sleeping in sadhana means what?
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How to overcome sleeping in sadhana / yoga nidra
Thus far, we have investigated the harm and misuse of time from falling asleep in sadhana, i.e. yoga nidra,. Here following are simple methods to overcome this avidya maya, i.e. yoga nidra.
(A) Psychic approach will not work: When overcome by drowsiness in sadhana and one is falling asleep, then as soon as one realises this is happening they should not try to cure the problem by any type of psychic approach. People commonly think that they will simply refocus and remain alert. But that does not work. It will just be a waste of time. Because at that point one has been drifting in and out of deep sleep in sadhana and when they become a little conscious they think to concentrate harder. But really one is in a stupor and one will not be able to overcome the tendency towards sleep by a psychic approach. People like to believe this will be effective but ultimately they just start sleeping more. So a psychic approach will not do.
(B) Physical approach is needed: The proper pathway is to adopt a physical approach to get rid of the yoga nidra / sleeping in sadhana syndrome. Here various techniques one can do:
(1) Stand up and go wash your face and then sit in a cooler environment to help keep alert.
(2) Another way to cool yourself is to remove layers of clothing and uncover the head if using a hat or blanket.
(3) Open windows to bring in fresh air. If the room is not ventilated and carbon levels rise then that induces drowsiness and yoga nidra.
(4) If you feel sleepy even before starting sadhana then take a full bath to cool and refresh the body.
(5) If one is feeling sleepy during dharmacakra and you cannot get up and walk around then gently slap oneself on the cheek.
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How to overcome sleeping in sadhana / yoga nidra (cont)
(6) If you are feeling sleepy even before starting dharmacakra, then be sure to have a cup of water near you to gently wet the face and eyes, as needed. This way you can cool yourself without getting up and disturbing others.
(7) If sleeping in sadhana is an ongoing issue, then increase the time between your last meal and starting sadhana. This applies especially in the evening time, if one had a late lunch etc. Also know that sweets make one particularly sleepy in sadhana.
(8) If sleeping in sadhana has become habit forming, then a good way to break the cycle is to strictly divide sleep and sadhana. Do not continue to use sadhana time as a means to catch-up on sleep. Instead go and take rest in your sleeping place and then re-start sadhana when fully awake and alert. Do not condition oneself to sleep in sadhana.
(9) Sit facing a wall then that wall will serve as a reminder if you lean forward in drowsiness. Be sure to position yourself in such a way that you will not hit the wall too hard.
(10) Hang clothes very close (2 inches) to your head so that if you weave and bob in drowsiness then you will be alerted by that clothing.
(11) Sit in a different posture. Suppose you are falling asleep in first lesson then switch over to viirasana and do third lesson to revive oneself.
(12) Do not do sadhana near where others are sleeping - this should be strictly avoided.
(13) Keep your pets away from you. Do not do sadhana with a cat or dog nearby.
(14) These days very inexpensive motion detectors are available that attach to one’s ear. People who drive a lot use them so they do not fall asleep while operating their vehicle. But these devices will work equally well in sadhana. If your head starts dropping to one side or the other then it will beep and alert you.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
Sleeping in sadhana is highly detrimental. But the problem cannot be fixed if there is not due acceptance. If one is in denial thinking that - “I never sleep in sadhana” or if one thinks that “I can handle the problem just by sitting still” - then one will never get rid of this problem of yoga nidra. If really one needs proof, then set-up a small camera to monitor yourself and then watch the video later. If your torso or head is swaying or drooping then it means you were sleeping. In that case one should feel shame and repentance for having wasted the time. Sitting in denial or justifying the problem is not good. One should come to a place of acceptance and realise that treatment is needed.
In Him,
Ananda
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology Way of Life - 9, Cognitive Force and Psychic Practice
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
About respect
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Tadekaḿ jagatsákśiirupaḿ namámah – “If I am to pay respect to anybody, I am to pay respect to You only.”" (1)
Ananda Marga ideology says, “Tadekam’ jagatsa’ks’iiru’pam’ nama’mah. “If there is anyone to whom spiritual aspirants should surrender, if there is anyone to whom they should pay salutations, it is Parama Purus’a.” The system behind salutations is to look for the Supreme Being that is the inner essence of a person, and to pay salutations to that Parama Purus’a.” (2)
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, What Are You?
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, The Intuitional Science of Tantra
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Politicians should remain out of education
Prout philosophy states, "In a democratic system non-educationalist politicians poke their noses into university affairs. They do not know what education is, but they interfere to create a sentiment amongst the people to gain support for the particular ism they preach. They have no other motivation. In the democratic system public support has to be purchased to secure votes and this is the reason why politicians make an all out effort to create sentiments in the minds of the people. In communist countries, no other ism other than Marxism can be preached. People are forced to support it. Institutions which have educational value should be controlled by educationalists and not by politicians. Educationalists should also control the radio, otherwise the party in power will have the opportunity to propagate their ism through the radio system, just as they do in the books approved by university boards." (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout
== Section: Important Teaching ==
He “stole” Mt. Everest
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Mt. Everest, of the Himalayan range is the highest mountain in the world. This fact was established by Ra'dha'nath Sikadar. Most probably he named the peak after his supervising officer, the Surveyor General of that time, Mr. Everest." (1)
Note 1: Baba is revealing the reality that Ra'dha'nath Sikadar of India first established the truth that Everest is the highest peak in the world. Hence credit should be given to Ra'dha'nath Sikadar, not Mr. Everest. But Mr. Everest took the credit and kept it in his own name. Otherwise the name would be Mt. Ra'dha'nath.
Note 2: Generally speaking, people are not aware how this illustrious mountain of the Himalayan range was named. In particular, why was a European given for this peak when other Himalayan peaks are named in Sanskrit - like Mt. Kaela'sh.
Note 3: During the British rule of India, the 'Surveyor General' post was occupied by Mr. Everest.
Reference
1. Varn'a Vicitra, Sanskrit Grammar Book, last discourse part 1
== Section: Ananda Vanii ==
Original Ananda Vanii states: “The movement and the path, the means and the chariot are all inseparably linked. The path is not always easily accessible, smooth and littered with flower petals; nor is it always inaccessible, thorny and covered with stones. One must keep one’s eye fixed on the Goal. This Goal provides inspiration, supplies the means for forward movement and makes the little lamps of life infinitely effulgent. Since eternity this very Goal has provided and is providing inspiration to all and will continue to do so in future; and by revitalising the life-force as if with a flow of water, it will make the earth ever full of sweetness, and at the same time it will keep the triumphant flag of humanity flying on top of the golden mountain peak. So let one’s vision be fixed on the goal. There is no necessity to think of anything else.” (Ananda Vanii #67)
Note: Sadguru Baba has assigned a number to all His original and true Ananda Vaniis. In contrast, Fake Ananda Vaniis do not have any number. By this simple formula, one can easily recognise which is a true Ananda Vanii and which is fake. For the upcoming occasion of January 1st 2017, all Ananda Marga units should use one of Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis, not a fake one. By this way, one will surely get His blessing.
== Section 3: Links ==
