Baba
Skip asanas: lose benefits
Namaskar,
The irony is that while the world over the general society is enthralled with yoga asanas, albeit done incorrectly, yet in our own AMPS society, some do not give due diligence to practicing asanas. Our asanas are to be done twice daily, before morning and evening meals. They should also be done using a watch or stopwatch to ensure each asana is done according to the correct timing. Yet, what we often see at retreats and AMPS gatherings is that after dharmacakra people go directly from the meditation hall to the dining hall and the practice of asanas is skipped. This problem is quite pervasive amongst our Wt ranks as well.
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Groundwork for sadhana
Yet, the practice of yoga asanas is so beneficial. They keep the body healthy and prepare the mind for sadhana. And verily there are so many benefits. Sadguru Baba's below guidelines are enough to convince and inspire even those who do not like asanas of their importance; in which case those sadhakas will certainly start practicing asanas regularly according to the prescribed system.
Sadguru Baba says, "This is a new science which is unknown today." (1)
Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments guides us, "The object of the art of healing is to cure a patient, both physically and mentally. So the main question is not to uphold any particular school of medical science; rather, the key task is the welfare of the patient."
"Just as diseased body organs can be restored to normal by administering medicines internally or externally, they can also be healed, more safely and more perfectly, with the help of yogic ásanas and mudrás. The aim of this book, therefore, is to make the general public aware of the yogic methods of treating the various illnesses.
"My purpose is to let people cure themselves by practising the ásanas and mudrás described in this book. People are requested not to take the risk of practising ásanas and mudrás by themselves, but rather to do so under the guidance of an experienced ácárya [spiritual teacher]. Ananda Marga ácáryas will always be ready to help without any remuneration. Detailed instructions for practising the ásanas and mudrás, for bathing, etc. have been given in Part Three of Ananda Marga Caryácarya. If necessary, the reader may consult that book." (2)
Control the propensities of each cakra
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Cakra is a Sanskrit term while "plexus" is the Latin term. Besides the main nerve centres at the point of each cakra, there are also sub-centres where sub-glands are located. These sub-glands influence the propensities attached to each cakra. This science is largely unknown today." (3)
Baba then gives the link between asanas, cakras, and propensities.
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "By performing a'sanas regularly, human beings can control the propensities attached to each cakra, and hence the thoughts which arise in their minds and their behaviour. This is because a'sanas have a profound effect on the glands and sub-glands." (4)
Pressurizing & depressurizing effect
Here it is explained how the asanas affect the glands:
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "All a'sanas have either a pressurizing or depressurizing effect on the glands and sub-glands. For example, mayu'ra'sana [peacock posture] has a pressurizing effect on the man'ipura cakra. The secretions of the glands and sub-glands of the man'ipura cakra and the propensities associated with them will become more balanced if this a'sana is practised regularly." (5)
Here is a specific example.
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "If someone has a great fear of public speaking, it means his or her man'ipura cakra is weak. Through the regular practice of mayu'ra'sana, this propensity will be controlled and fear will be eliminated." (6)
Sadguru Baba then explains more about the precise way in which asanas exert their effect on the cakras.
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Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "Other a'sanas may have a depressurizing effect on the man'ipura cakra, and if these a'sanas are performed regularly the glands and sub-glands associated with the cakra will become less active. Increased glandular secretions generally make the propensities more active and vice versa." (7)
Baba concludes by giving the link between importance of asana selection, and their effect on each person's propensities:
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "By practising a'sanas regularly, one can control the propensities and either increase or decrease their activity. So spiritual aspirants should select the a'sanas they perform very carefully. This effect of a'sanas on glands and sub-glands has never been revealed before." (8)
How asanas help the sadhaka in sadhana
Ananda Marga Caryacarya teaches us, "“Ásana” means “a position in which one feels comfortable” – “Sthirasukhamásanam.” Ásanas are a kind of exercise by regular practice of which the body stays healthy and hardy and many diseases are cured. But ásanas are not prescribed for the general cure of diseases; only those diseases which create trouble in the path of meditation may be cured by the help of specific ásanas, so that sádhaná may more easily be done. The relation between the physical body and the mind is very close. Mental expression is brought about through the vrttis, and the predominance of the vrttis depends on different glands of the body. There are many glands in the body and from each there is a secretion of a particular hormone. If there is any defect in the secretion of hormones or any defect in a gland, certain vrttis become excited. For this reason, we find that in spite of having a sincere desire to follow the moral code, many persons cannot do so; they understand that they should do meditation, but they cannot concentrate their minds because their minds become extroverted due to the external excitement of this or that propensity. If a person wants to control the excitement of these propensities, he or she must rectify the defects of the glands. Ásanas help the sádhaka to a large extent in this task, so ásanas are an important part of sádhaná." (9)
Very beneficial for youths & students
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Proper attention should be paid to the physical, psychic and spiritual development of small boys and girls. Just as they sit and study to develop their intellectual capabilities, they should also sit to do their spiritual practices with their parents. That is the way they will develop their spiritual practices. They should take diikśá [spiritual initiation] from an ácárya(á) [spiritual teacher] when they grow up. They should practice the lessons of sádhaná – japa, dhyána, ásana, práńáyáma, etc. – along with their regular academic lessons. All that is necessary for their trifarious development, and it must be perfectly balanced. One should remember that the absence of a proper balance will harm not only the individuals, but also the society as a whole." (10)
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "We must develop the physico-psychic aspect of students through proper physical culture, which will include yoga ásanas, proper diet, games, sports, etc. And to develop the psycho-spiritual aspect, we must reorient the entire curriculum of all schools from kindergarten to postgraduate level according to the Neohumanist philosophy, and must incorporate the practices of Aśt́áuṋga Yoga into the curriculum in all grades. This will be the practical approach. And the guiding philosophy, the controlling philosophy should be: “This universe is ours” – and “we” means humans, animals and plants." (11)
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "By performing ásanas [postures for physico-psychic well-being] regularly, human beings can control the propensities attached to each cakra, and hence the thoughts which arise in their minds and their behaviour. This is because ásanas have a profound effect on the glands and sub-glands. How? All ásanas have either a pressurizing or depressurizing effect on the glands and sub-glands. For example, mayúrásana [peacock posture] has a pressurizing effect on the mańipura cakra. The secretions of the glands and sub-glands of the mańipura cakra and the propensities associated with them will become more balanced if this ásana is practised regularly. If someone has a great fear of public speaking, it means his or her mańipura cakra is weak. Through the regular practice of mayúrásana, this propensity will be controlled and fear will be eliminated. Other ásanas may have a depressurizing effect on the mańipura cakra, and if these ásanas are performed regularly the glands and sub-glands associated with the cakra will become less active. Increased glandular secretions generally make the propensities more active and vice versa. By practising ásanas regularly, one can control the propensities and either increase or decrease their activity. So spiritual aspirants should select the ásanas they perform very carefully. This effect of ásanas on glands and sub-glands has never been revealed before." (12)
Helping lessons enhance concentration
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Concentration is a major sádhaná, is a major intuitional sádhaná. But there are certain helping sádhanás. Ásana and práńáyáma, for example, are helping items. They are not sádhaná, they are called sádhanáunga." (13)
Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "The indriyas are the controller of the body, the mind the controller of the indriyas, and the vital energy the controller of the mind. That's why on the path of spiritual practice, and particularly in the practice of astáunga yoga (the eight fold path consisting of yama, niyama, ásana, práńáyáma, pratyáhára, dhárańá, dhyána, and samádhi) práńáyáma plays a very significant role." (14)
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Question: What is the definition of ásanas?
Answer: Sthirasukham ásanam (Patanjali). Ásanas are calm, quiet and easy postures which are held with proper inhalation and exhalation. They exercise the nerves, tissues, glands and organs of the human body. While practising ásanas one enjoys physical comfort and mental composure.
The regular practice of ásanas keeps the body healthy and cures many diseases. Ásanas control the glands, the glands control the secretion of hormones, and the secretion of hormones controls the propensities. So ásanas help a sádhaka [spiritual aspirant] to balance the body and concentrate the mind." (15)
Q & A: Why practice asanas
Ananda Marga philosophy reminds us, "Question: Why do we practise ásanas?
Answer: We perform ásanas for the following reasons:
To increase the flexibility of the body.
To rectify glandular defects and balance hormonal secretions in order to control the vrttis [propensities].
To balance the body and mind.
To withdraw the mind from undesirable thinking.
To prepare the mind for subtler and higher sádhaná [spiritual practices]." (16)
Q & A: Names & types of asanas
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Question: How do we name ásanas?
Answer: We name ásanas as follows:
(1) Some ásanas are similar to animal movements so they are named after those animals; for example, matsyamudrá [fish posture], garud́ásana [bird posture], etc.
(2) Some ásanas have the characteristics of animal structures, so they are also named after those animals; for example, kúrmakásana [tortoise posture], etc.
(3) Some ásanas are named by the qualities of the ásana; for example, sarváungásana [shoulder stand; literally “all-limbs posture”]. The entire body is benefited by this ásana." (17)
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Question: How many types of ásanas are there?
Answer: There are mainly two types of ásanas: svásthyásanas and dhyánásanas. Svásthyásanas are practised primarily for physical health and secondarily for spiritual elevation. Dhyánásanas are practised primarily for concentration of mind and meditation. Dhyánásanas include padmásana [lotus posture], baddha padmásana [bound-lotus posture], siddhásana [siddha posture, the posture of a perfected one] and viirásana [hero posture]." (18)
Ananda Marga philosophy raises the matter, "Question: What is the difference between sarváungásana and vipariitakaranii mudrá?
Answer: While practising sarváuṋgásana the mind is fixed at the point between the tip of the two big toes, whereas in vipariitakaranii mudrá the mind is fixed at the tip of the nose or at the navel." (19)
Mudras vs asanas
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Question: What are mudrás, bandhas and vedhas?
Answer: Mudrás are postures which exercise the nerves and muscles. Mudrá literally means “externalization of internal bháva [ideation]”. There are only a few spiritual mudrás where the internal ideation is not externalized. The practitioner of mudrá may or may not enjoy physical comfort and mental composure. During the practice of mudrás one has to continue one's conscious endeavour to remain in that posture, but in the case of ásanas one need not." (20)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The Paincakośas shall have to be perfected, but how is it possible? They can be consummated only through the practice of Yama and Niyama. The Annamaya Kośa is perfected through Ásanas (physical postures). Yama and Niyama Sádhana perfect the Kámamaya Kośa. The Manomaya Kośa is perfected through Pránáyáma. Through Pratyáhára the Atimánasa Kośa is perfected." (21)
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "After this, at the age of twelve, the child should take initiation from an ácárya/á in Sádhárańa Yoga, and at sixteen or afterwards, they should take initiation in Sahaja Yoga from the ácárya/á. If considered essential, ásanas may be taught before the age of sixteen." (22)
Conclusion
Asanas are an essential part of our Ananda Marga way of life. Just as we attend to our meditation daily, similarly due diligence should be done with our asanas as well. And one will notice an immediate difference in their overall health, and they will experience a boost in their sadhana practice.
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At His feet,
Acintya
References
1. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
2. Yogic Treatments, Preface
3. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
4. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
5. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
6. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
7. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
8. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
9. Caryacarya - 3, Ásanas
10. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Táńd́ava and Kaośikii
11. Prout in A Nutshell - 9, Pramá – 4
12. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
13. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, How to Concentrate
14. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 6, Ekendriya – 6
15. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #4
16. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #5
17. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #6
18. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #7
19. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #8
20. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #9
21. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, The Call of the Supreme
22. Caryacarya - 1, The Process of Initiation
* * *
The below section is an entirely different topic, unrelated to the above material.
It stands on its own merit as a point of interest and ideological awareness.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
"Tumi je esecho álo sáthe enecho, sabár maner kálo dúr karecho..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2201)
Purport:
My Parama Purusa, You have come to me with grand, divine refulgence. By Your august presence, all are in spiritual bliss and their blackness has been removed from the mind. You have wiped away the staticity and cimmerian darkness from all existence. Now people have become neo-humanists, leaving behind their narrow and group sentiments. My Supreme Entity, You never give credence to desha’ca’r or loka’ca’r and never pay heed to worldly protocol and or the traditions of reception. Overlooking those things, You have come to me and showered Your grace. Baba, You love all - good and bad, sinners and sadhus - equally.
Baba, in the vast, infinite, spiritual sky, You are that single, shining star that attracts every person. The Cosmic Nucleus of this entire creation You are that singular and unparalleled Entity. The entire creation dances around You in Your sublime rhythm. The ekta'ra' (one-string instrument) of each person's mind is being played to fully satisfy and satiate You. Baba, You have filled each-one’s mind and heart with hope.
Parama Purusa, please come closer and closer in new and newer form, colour, and adornments. Nutan, the ever-new, You have given a voice to those who are helpless and dumb - unable to speak and incapable of protesting or fighting against exploitation - and have given everybody the right to sing and chant the glories of the Supreme Entity, which they did not have in the past. You have blessed one and all.
Baba, my Parama Purusa, Your greatness and magnanimity are beyond all imagination. Please remain eternally in my heart...
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #2201:
[1] Desha'ca'r & Loka'ca'r: The particular traditions of an area, country, or land are known as: desha'ca'r; and the popular and commonly followed customs of the people are known as: loka'ca'r. As we have all seen, in various countries and places there are so many social norms and rules which govern the social life. Some of those codes are just and some are exploitative. For example in some areas, the so-called low caste, the females, and the people of colour do not have the right or privilege to go to the temple, or learn meditation, etc. They are forced to live as second-class citizens and denied the opportunity to participate in spiritual practices. All these various customs and traditions fall within the dual categories of desha'ca'r and loka'ca'r. But Parama Purusa never pays heed to such things. He never cares about those dogmatic codes and rules. By the loving heart of the bhaktas, He gets pulled towards them. In that way He comes in the abode of the bhakta.
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Lord Krsna’s aim
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Lord Krsna came about 3500 years ago, when the war of the Mahabharata took place. People's individual qualities then had not taken a collective shape. People did not know the art of living collectively...they fought among themselves because they had no collective sense. Lord Krsna thought that if He combined all there would be collective spirit in the true sense of the term. Then alone all human faculties would get expanded. He tried to make people understand, but they did not understand, because there was no collective spirit in them...to synthesize them all Lord Krsna was born. Lord Krsna wanted to bring about a social synthesis, the seed of which was sown by Lord Shiva." (1)
Note: There are many things in the world which cannot be solved individually. It needs collective support. In any society where there is collective spirit then they can do a great job. That is the central idea of the above teaching.
Reference
1. Discourses on the Mahabharat, The Meaning of the Name
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Way to go close to Him
Ananda Marga ideology says, “Why would He have provided them with a vocal cord?...As He has equipped humans with the means to speak, He will have to listen to them. Human beings will definitely have something to say; they are expected to tell their troubles to their nearest and dearest ones. Otherwise, to whom should they go? To whom should they complain?” (1)
Note: In His above teaching, Baba is guiding us that we should communicate all our joys and sorrows to Him. This should be our regular practice in our sadhana, in dhyana. So all the intimate thoughts and feelings which lie hidden in our mind and heart should be shared with Him. This is our way. And it is this type of sharing which builds closeness in our spiritual life. It heightens one’s feeling of bhakti. So it is a straight and easy equation. He wants that we should communicate our inner thoughts to Him. And by this way we will feel closer to Him. And that feeling of closeness is bhakti - i.e. coming in greater proximity to Parama Purusa. So in His above teaching Baba is clearly showing us how we can come closer to Him.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 2
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Social cycle in a nutshell
Prout philosophy states, “The samája cakra [social cycle] moves on. After the Shúdra Age [the age of manual workers] comes the age of warriors – that is, the Kśatriya Age; next comes the Vipra Age [the age of intellectuals]; then the Vaeshya Age [the age of capitalists]; and then, after shúdra revolution, in the second parikránti [peripheric evolution] of the social cycle, comes a new Kśatriya Age – the age of the kśatriyas who led the shúdra revolution. The social cycle moves on in this manner. By merely espousing idealism, its rotation cannot be checked."
"One age follows another in succession. The end of one age and the advent of another can be called kránti [evolution]. The period of transition at the end of one age and at the beginning of another can be called yuga saḿkránti [transitional age]. And we can call one full rotation of the social cycle – that is, from one shúdra revolution to the next shúdra revolution – parikránti. In every age a particular varńa [social class] emerges, both as ruler and as exploiter." (1)
Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #34
== Section 4: Links ==
