Learn Patanjali Yoga with Free Lessons & Tips

• Whether Mind and I are one or different ? May be
• Is it mandatory to experience the thoughts arising in the mind ? Yes
• Is it possible that the thought arises in the mind ; but it is not experienced by us ? No
• Do we have control on our thoughts ? No
• If not , can we get control on our thoughts with some practice / efforts ? Yes

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In Indian tradition, the word used for philosophy is Darshana.

These six principal Hindu darshans are Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta.

Non-Hindu darshans include Buddhism, Jainism and Charwak. 

 

1. Samkhya: Purusha (Self) + Mind/Chitta +Senses + Subtle and Gross Principles

2. Yoga: nature of mind, how to control mind/mind

3. Nyaya Praman: (means of attaining knowledge) Jiva - Jagat

4. Vaisheshika: Classification of matter existing in the world

5. Mimamsa: All appropriation of deeds/objects done for the fulfillment of desires

6. Vedanta: What is Atma / Self?

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The eight limbs of yoga (Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi) have been discussed. By following the eight limbs of yoga, the avidya etc., of the yogi seeker is destroyed. Due to this, all the disorders of the mind are eliminated, and the mind becomes pure and concentrated.

In this way, due to the purification of the impurities of the mind, pure knowledge is transmitted to the yogi. Which remains present in the seeker till the state of consciousness is attained.

As soon as the seeker practices the eight limbs of these yogas with full devotion and devotion for a long time, continuously. In the same way, first of all, all the five afflictions (Avidya, Asmita, Raga, Dwesh and Abhineesh) are destroyed. After the destruction of the Kalashas, pure sattvik knowledge emerges in the seeker. And that pure sattvik knowledge remains in the seeker till the state of discretion is attained.

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The eight-fold royal path of Ashtanga Yoga.

Self-restraints, Fixed observances, Posture, regulations of breath, Abstraction, Concentration, Contemplation and Trance are the eight parts of the self discipline of yoga. 

The biggest hurdle in turning to yoga is the seemingly obsessive-compulsive disorder. The rage, the hatred from which this attachment is manifested, is termed as tribulation. Emotions that create the illusion of happiness but actually cause sorrow are drained by proper conduct, thought, study and surrender to God. Patanjali calls the means of "तपश्चर्या", Swadhyaya and Ishwar Pranidhan 'Kriya Yoga'. The rites of happiness and sorrow remain in the mind and are stored. This collection of rites is called 'Karmashay'. It is said that this karma is the cause of rebirth and future happiness and sorrow. 

The seeker should practice Ashtanga Yoga. Patanjali's emphasis on strict adherence to the rules of Yama is evident from his calling the rules of Yama 'Mahavrat'. In the case of mood swings, the senses have to be thoughtfully removed from their subjects. Withdrawal reduces the mind's restlessness and gives him the ability to practice 'Antaraṅga yoga'. 

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Isn’t it genuinely mesmerizing when an Indian classical dancer narrates whole Krishnalila with her gestural vocabulary, and we can understand it? Yes! That’s the power of beautiful hand gestures. Knowingly or unknowingly our hands, say it all that our face disguises. They become eyes for the blind, and words for the mute. They are symbols of expression and weapons of protection. They form means of helping and tool of tools. Hands are the most gracious, skilful and eminent evolution that has ever ensued to man.
Mudras are hand gestures which mean ‘energetic seal’, mentioned in traditional texts of Hinduism and Buddhism. Mudras are used in conjunction with asanas, pranayamas and meditation. Some Mudras are done separately after asana and pranayama to help awaken the chakras and arouse Kundalini Shakti. According to Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Mudra is also referred to as specific body position which channels the energy produced by asana and pranayama into the various centres and arouses particular states of mind. Natyashastra also describes various Mudras which are used as a symbol of expressions in Indian classical dance forms. They are exquisite with captivating hand movements and their perfect coordination.
Now let us understand why Mudras are so significant. When we go back to the creation of this cosmos and relate it with our body, we can find the unity of creation; because our body is a miniature form of the universe. So the creator is one, and the theory of design is also the same! And that puts the light on a miraculous approach of five elements of existence, also known as Panchamahabhootas. They are space, air, fire, water and earth. These great forces of cosmos influence every area of human life, and every event is the result of the interaction of these five elements. Thus balance in these five elements results in the state of health; however, imbalance results in disease. These five elemental energies are manifested in our hands, and hence the science of Mudras depends on the connection of our five fingers with five essential elements of existence. The fingers representing five elements are The Thumb for Fire; The Index finger for Air; The Middle for Ether or Space; The Ring for Earth; The smallest for water.
The energy in any form has a definite fashion to exhibit its flow. And in our body, the energy flows through the energy channels known as ‘Nadis’ in yogic literature and ‘Meridians’ in traditional Chinese literature—any interruption in the flow of energy results in the state of disharmony and disease. Our hands are emitters of this energy, and therefore they play a vital role in healing arts, either for the other person or self-healing. So, the position of our hands and fingers can channelize the energy to bring physical, emotional and spiritual upliftment.
Another fascinating fact of our hands is the power of energy exchange. Over some time, there were many types of research conducted to demonstrate the electro-magnetism of our vital organs. And they found that the heart generates the most extensive electromagnetic field in the body. Then, researchers set out to determine whether the heart’s electromagnetic field, as measured by an electrocardiogram (ECG), in one individual could be detected and measured in another person when they are holding hands of each other. The results of The Electricity of Touch experiment were positive: The data showed “when people touch or are in proximity, the transference of the electromagnetic energy produced by the heart occurs through the hands.” So, isn’t it interesting when we lock our fingers in beautiful Mudras, the energy is exchanged within! Yes! That means the blocked energy channels are set free, and the energy flows harmoniously through them.
Across various disciplines, it is said that there are many varieties of Mudras combined in different ways. In our next blog, let us have a look over key Mudras and understand how they can benefit us.

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योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः means - A process of blocking the patterns of Awareness, here I must be clear that - it means not the blocking of awareness but blocking of Patterns of it. 

As in meditation - Awareness present but patterns is blocked/Absent.  

When flow or PATTERNS of consciousness BLOCKED ,We can achieve different and fundamental state of consciousness. 

CHITTA means INDIVIDUAL CONSCIOUSNESS. It includes- Consciousness state of mind + subconscious state of mind + unconscious state of mind. 

Chitta = Pure Consciousness or = Individual Consciousness .

It includes 3 Types of Consciousness and 3 States of Consciousness .

Then one more question arise- what is mind???

Mind is just a instrument of knowledge, which see the chitta and perceive it according to choices/ stored samskara.

Another question- What is Consciousness???

Consciousness is unimaginable, beyond body, within this body ,some times outside this body ,it is infinite, unending or can say - Ananata . It is like a thread connecting many lives and incarnations .

For clearly understanding we must be know about -- What is Vritti ???

As we know Vritta means circle,  hence vritti means circular, as waves in still / pond water. 

Chitta vritti = Attitude of chitta or we can say modes of mind .

Blocking of the patterns arising in all the dimensions of Consciousness and due to this blocking expression of individual awareness (arising in different places) transcended .

Because there is 5 stages of Mind (according to PYS) and 5 Types of Vritti . once they block one by one ,we can reach step by step at the stage of samadhi or merge with super Consciousness. The final AIM of YOGA.

 

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योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः means - a process of blocking the patterns of awareness, here I must be clear that - it means not the blocking of awareness but blocking of ways of it. 

• As in meditation - awareness is present, but patterns are blocked/absent.
• When the flow or patterns of consciousness is blocked, we can achieve a different and fundamental state of consciousness.
• Chitta means individual consciousness. It includes- consciousness state of mind + subconscious state of mind + unconscious state of mind.
• Chitta = pure consciousness or = individual consciousness. It includes three types of consciousness and three states of consciousness.
• Then one more question arises- what is mind? The mind is just an instrument of knowledge, which sees the Chitta and perceives it according to choices/ stored sanskara.
• Another question: What is consciousness? Consciousness is unimaginable, beyond the body, within this body, sometimes outside this body. It is infinite, eternal or can say - Ananta. It is like a thread connecting many lives and incarnations.
• For clearly understanding, we must know about -- what is Vritti? As we know, Vritta means circle. Hence Vritti means circular, as waves instil / pond water. 
• Chitta Vritti = attitude of Chitta or we can say modes of mind.
• Blocking of the patterns arising in all the dimensions of consciousness and due to this blocking expression of individual awareness (arising in different places) transcended. I think it is the right meaning of योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः
• Because there are five stages of mind (according to Phys) and five types of Vritti, once they block one by one, we can reach step by step at the stage of samadhi or merge with super consciousness - the final aim of yoga.

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The description of Ashtanga yoga is found in the book "Yoga Sutras" written by Maharishi Patanjali. In it, through various sutras, the eight organs of Ashtanga yoga have been explained, which are as follows: - (1) Yama, (2) Niyam, (3) Asana, (4) Pranayama, (5) Pratyahara, (6) Dharna, (7) meditation and (8) samadhi.

The main aim of the practice of these eight limbs is the attainment of God. Along with your spiritual progress, physical and mental health can also be improved, and various psychological and physical diseases can even be cured.

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Jai Gurudev Hi Kamal, As you might be aware that Yoga Asanas deliver better results when you practice it correctly otherwise it can harm you more than you expect. Recent studies have indicated that around 10% of new yoga practitioners are getting hurt due to wrong way of doing Yoga Asanas and other wings of Yoga like pranayama, diet practices and meditation etc. Apart from the way you practice yoga, there could be other reasons likes your physical fitness, your condition just before you start yoga practice (like low glucose level), hydration levels during and after Yoga practice, severity of Yoga practice etc can also cause you headache. Studying carefully how you are doing yoga asanas and stress on your nerves, and other factors I mentioned above guiding on those lines might help you to get rid of it. However it has to be dealt case to case basis when supervised personally. Try to bring the changes suggested above and let me know if you can see improvement. Wish you happy recovery and happy Yoga practicing!!! Jai Gurudev!!! read less