== WHY IS SADHANA DIFFICULT? ==
Namaskar,
Everyone in Ananda Marga wants to do sadhana; everyone desires to
advance on the path and feel that bliss-- but, as we all know, sadhana
is not always easily done. Rather, it is a most challenging endeavour.
Theoretically we all understand well that sadhana should be done and
even we have the desire and disciple to sit and try, but in the
practical approach we encounter so many seen and unforeseen
difficulties. The mind wonders; concentration is difficult; there seem
to be an endless stream of unwanted thoughts that barrage the mind--
things we were not even thinking of before doing sadhana. Those are some
of the mental obstacles. And then of course there are the physical
hurdles as well: The knees hurt; the back aches; the body feels hungry
etc. Indeed, when tallying it all, there are innumerable psychic and
physical barriers that make doing sadhana extremely difficult.
BABA HAS GIVEN US A HELPFUL TOOL
Fortunately for us, by Baba's grace, He has given us a most helpful tool
for overcoming these obstacles and making both the body and mind proper
instruments for performing sadhana. And that helpful tool which Baba has
given is our AM system of asanas. Asanas help calm and control the mind,
as well as prepare the body for meditation.
THE MISSING PIECE OF THE PUZZLE
However, of all our AM practices, we can say that asanas may be the most
overlooked and disregarded.
In our multi-disciplined approach of Ananda Marga, where every Ananda
Margii, be they acarya or family person, engages in a grand array of
yogic life practices, almost invariably the piece of the puzzle that
gets left by the wayside most often is the asana portion-- but often
that is the reason why sadhana is so difficult.
And that is the irony. All want to do sadhana and feel His bliss, yet it
is a difficult endeavour. And the very tool He has given for making
sadhana easier, is overlooked in AM.
EVERYONE DOES SADHANA...
...BUT WHO DOES ASANAS
For instance, if you go to any retreat or any dharmacakra, then surely
everyone will do their allotted iishvara pranidhan practice. Some may be
extremely sincere and some may be slightly more routinized, but everyone
does their first lesson practice-- invariably. And not only that, at
retreats there is also scheduled time for doing the various other
sadhana lessons as well. In this regard, most are quite faithful and
sincerely attend to their tattva dharana, pranayama, dhyana, etc. That
is why in Ananda Marga we say that, 'everyone does their sadhana'.
Whether their sadhana is rewarding, fulfilling, is a separate point, but
most everyone tries.
On the point of asanas, however, there is a definite and distinct lapse.
Take the following case: At a typical retreat of 150 attendees, 100%
will sit and try to do their sadhana, and only a handful will do their
prescribed asanas. This dichotomy we have all witnessed, thereby begging
the question, 'Why in AM is there such a night and day difference
between the number of people practicing sadhana and those doing asanas,
do we not realise that asanas are the very tool for allowing us to
progress in sadhana?'.
WHY A LACK OF EMPHASIS ON ASANA:
MISUNDERSTANDING THE SUPREME COMMAND
Perhaps, the reason for this strict adherence to sadhana and lack of
effort in asanas is because some misunderstand the Supreme Command.
Baba outrightly directs us to do sadhana "twice a day regularly". This
we have all read and repeated hundreds of times. So, all have deep
regard for sadhana, for meditation.
But what many do not realise is that when Baba uses the term "sadhana"
in the Supreme Command, He is also referring to our asana practice.
Because asanas are an inherent part of sadhana; they are part and parcel
of sadhana. And that He explains explicitly in Caryacarya; because
without asanas one cannot get success in sadhana.
But because the 'asana' term is not specifically mentioned in the
Supreme Command, many feel 'more relaxed' about doing them, or, more
precisely, not doing them.
To think like this however is all nothing but one gigantic misnomer.
Because in AM, asanas are a vital aspect of sadhana-- they are part of
the sadhana term, they are part of our spiritual practice. But this some
fail to realise and because asanas are not attended to, many sadhakas in
AM suffer and are unable to progress in sadhana. This is the common
problem many of us face.
FOCUS OF THE LETTER
And that is what this entire letter is about: How asanas are an integral
and vital part of doing our sadhana, and how without doing asanas
regularly then one cannot do proper meditation.
So if anyone is experiencing difficulty doing sadhana, or having trouble
concentrating, or suffering from a wandering mind, then often the answer
lies in the fact that they are not strict in doing asanas.
ABOUT OUR AM A'SANA SYSTEM
In today's yoga craze in the general society, they view the yoga
postures merely as a medium for improving physical health. This is their
limited perspective.
The dynamic pathway of Ananda Marga is quite different and unique. Our
approach towards asanas is distinctly spiritual in nature. Baba has
prescribed only those asanas which bring spiritual benefit to the
practitioner, as an aide to help one perform sadhana.
Baba says, "A'sanas 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 a'sanas, so that sa'dhana' may more
easily be done." (CC-III, 'Asanas')
And here below, in great detail, Baba describes the science behind our
asana practice and how doing AM yoga postures helps keep unwanted and
crude thoughts from entering the mind, thereby enhancing our sadhana
practice.
Baba says, "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 must rectify the defects of the glands. A'sanas help
the sa'dhaka to a large extent in this task, so a'sanas are an important
part of sa'dhana'." (CC-III, 'Asanas')
RECAPITULATION OF BABA'S IDEAS
Hence in His above teaching, Baba puts forth a number of revolutionary
ideas.
Firstly, that our minds-- our mental tendencies or vrttis-- are affected
by the hormonal secretions of the glands. Secondly, many who wish to do
meditation cannot do so due to the improper functioning of the glands
which excite certain vrttis, i.e. activate lower mental propensities.
Thirdly, the practice of asanas rectifies the glands and balances the
hormonal secretions, thus eliminating such disturbances of lowly
thoughts from entering the mind. Fourthly, for this reason, asanas are
an intrinsic element of sadhana.
All these points Baba has given in His above teaching. And the
overarching idea is that asanas are for our spiritual growth and
development. And without doing asanas, invariably sadhana will seem like
one unclimbable mountain. So asanas are intrinsically linked with making
the mind calm and cool to immerse oneself in the deep waters of
spiritual life.
This is an entirely new concept and unique idea which is unknown to the
world. Yet this idea Baba has clearly given in our Ananda Marga. Only we
have been taught the real inner secret about the value yoga asanas.
So as individuals and as a collective body, we should be adamant not to
let our days pass us by without doing asanas. And by doing them, our
sadhana will be more fruitful.
ONE MORE PROOF THAT IS NOT WIDELY CIRCULATED
FROM THE ACARYA DIARY
Here is one more highly interesting point that proves how asanas are an
inherent part of our spiritual practices-- and really this teaching
should be known to all. And indeed some of you may already be aware
about this.
Fairly recently, my acarya told me that in the Acarya Diary Baba directs
us what to do if uncontrollable circumstances force us to miss our asana
practice. Because just last month I had to embark on a three day journey
involving buses, trains, and planes, and my Dada was concerned about my
asana practice so he told me how to handle the situation if really I was
unable to find any time or place to do asanas.
Specifically, Baba states that if really we are unable to do asanas then
we are to double the number of rounds or trips that we practice in fifth
lesson. That means, if due to extraordinary circumstances one cannot do
asanas, then they will have to do six full rounds of 5th lesson (Cakra
Shodhana). Because in the absence of yoga asanas, then extra effort must
be taken to help purify those cakras-- which would be normally cleansed
by our yoga postures. That is what my acarya told is Baba's teaching
from Acarya Diary.
In the same breath, my acarya also warned me that Baba furthermore
states that doing double the amount of 5th lesson, in the absence of
asanas, will only prevent the degeneration caused by not doing asanas.
But 5th lesson cannot make-up for the complete benefits of yoga asanas.
So cakra shodhana (5th lesson) eliminates the loss caused from not doing
yoga asanas, but it does not give us the gain.
All this goes to show how in AM asanas are highly relevant part of our
sadhana practice and spiritual development. So we should never
underestimate their value.
WE SHOULD UTILISE OUR ASANAS
That is why it is such a tragedy that some or more in AM do not partake
in doing yoga asanas regularly. Because to get the benefit of good
sadhana, one must practice asanas; but such yoga postures hardly anyone
does in AM. And if one does not do asanas, then doing real sadhana is
but a dream. One can sit down no doubt and pass the time, but without
the support of regular yoga asanas, the human mind will be barraged with
an unholy onslaught of crude ideas that will pester the sadhaka to no
end, leading one to wonder, 'Will I ever be able to do sadhana?'. And
the answer is certainly 'Yes', but only if one becomes regular and
sincere in doing asanas.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace, by following our asana practice we will be able to more
deeply focus on our sadhana and realise Him.
Baba says, "A'sanas control the glands, the glands control the secretion
of hormones, and the secretion of hormones controls the propensities. So
a'sanas help a sa'dhaka to balance the body and concentrate the mind."
(YP, 'Q & A on Meditation')
Baba says, "Concentration of mind is...savikalpa sama'dhi, where the
only feeling that remains is 'I am That'." (AMEP)
Namaskar,
Manomohan
Note 1: SOME IMPORTANT REMINDERS ABOUT ASANAS
To practice AM yoga postures properly, Baba guides us that these
following points must be followed:
(1) Doing half-bath or full bath before practicing asanas;
(2) Doing asanas twice daily on an empty stomach;
(3) Using a stop-watch to time the duration of poses;
(4) Practiced in a laungota or under garments-- not with full clothing on;
(5) Done in sheltered environment that gets sufficient fresh air;
(6) Do asanas when left nostril or both nostrils are open;
(7) Use a mat or blanket for practicing asanas;
(8) Conclude with a self-massage followed by shavasana (corpse posture).
All these above points and more Baba discusses in various chapters of
Caryacarya part III.
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Uniqueness of Ta'raka Brahma
Baba says, "A Maha'kaola is one who makes others kaola by his infallible
spiritual guidance. But Ta'raka Brahma is a different Entity, a unique
Entity for He is the spiritual preceptor, social preceptor, Kaola, and
Maha'kaola, all in one. He is also something more: He acts as a compass
in every stratum of society." (NKS, '97 Edn, p.50)
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