== HOW TO IMPROVE SADHANA: Part II ADDENDUM ==
Namaskar,
Recently, two letters were posted on the first point of Sixteen Points:
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/06/improving-sadhana.html
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-improve-sadhana-part-ii.html
I spoke to one acarya about point #1, "After urination, wash the urinary
organ with water", and in addition to agreeing with all points in the
above two letters he had some other interesting knowledge to share. It
is that which I pass on to you here.
In addition he addressed the problem of life adjustment regarding the
amount of water after urination. This is also discussed in greater
detail below in this mail, however in a nutshell Dadaji stated that
while on tour/traveling he may just carry a 100ml bottle of water to use
after urination, but quickly added that whenever he is in a domicile or
jagrti then he most definitely switches over to a 1 litre container and
uses that entire amount after urination, as the benefits are quite clear
and readily apparent.
Now let's get into the details.
PURPOSE OF POURING LOTS OF WATER
Here are some of the great benefits of pouring one full litre of water
or more over the genitals during and after urination.
1. It cools down the genitalia and that keeps the tamasik vrtti in
check. By keeping that area cool by using lots of water, then that
tamasik vrtti will not dominate the mind. This is one tremendous benefit
for any sadhaka, and verily every person.
2. Pouring large amounts of cold water over the pubic region creates an
exchange of blood in that area which bring freshness to both body and
mind. That circulation of blood nourishes all the glands, organs, nerves
and cells of that region.
3. The muscles, nerves and overall biological system get strengthened by
the use of adequate amounts (1 litre or more) of cold water.
4. It will prevent and eliminate bladder problems faced by older people
who cannot control the flow of urine during the nighttime. That happens
because the muscles and nerves weaken over time, but when cold water is
regularly used then those bodily systems remain strong and in tact, in
which case one will not suffer from that problem in old age.
5. One other great benefit of using 1 litre of water or more over the
entire genital area is that it will ensure that all excess urine is
removed from the urinary tract, as well as from the bladder. This keep
the body clean and disease free.
TRY IT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF
Then acaryaji told the we should all experiment because by doing it once
we would see a huge difference.
Indeed if anyone just pours one spoonful of water on the pinpoint of the
genital then there will be a little benefit and perhaps a touch more
urine will release; but then if you pour a minimum of one litre of cold
water over the entire pubis region and groin, then very soon all the
leftover urine that was in the bladder will easily empty. You will see
at minimum 100ml or 200ml of urine release from the bladder. Normally
that urine in the bladder will not release, but when a full litre of
water is used, then it will. Whereas if just a little water is used then
that urine remains in the bladder and even in the urinary tract itself -
in which case it will crytallise and block the flow of urine.
Everyone is encourage to try and experience this for themselves, and of
course many margiis may already be using this amount of water, i.e. 1
litre.
PROBLEMS AFTER 50 OR 60 YEARS OF AGE
If you pour a small mount of water, such as only one spoonful or even
just half a cup, then the entire pubic area remains warm. In that case
the blood just stagnates; it does not vigorously circulate as when a
full litre or more of cold ware is used. Hence the muscles will not get
nourished or strengthened.
After years of not getting adequate nourishment, those muscles and
nerves become weak. That is why when people reach 60 years of age, many
lose control over the flow of their urine. On an involuntary basis,
urine just releases. That is why older people have to use pads or
diapers in their undergarments. It is unfortunate that many have to face
this humiliation when it is so preventable by using an adequate amount
of water.
Of course this happens with kids too because they do not have the
requisite strength to control their urination; hence they do "bed
wetting" etc. But in later childhood that strength or ability to control
develops. Naturally then all adults have that control as well. Just they
lose it over time. However, this is not an eventuality or function of
age; it is a function of poor life practices. If one pours an adequate
amount of water over the entire publis region, then those nerves and
muscles will remain strong even into very late age. Then one will have
proper control over the flow or urine.
Unfortunately, most of the population is unaware about this so it has
turned into a serious problem with the elderly - then 99% of the people
seem to suffer in this way.
YOUR CHOICE
All in all this is a well proven formula: It is your choice whether you
want to use one spoonful or one litre of water during and after urination.
SIMILAR TO NATUROPATHY
In naturopathy, a similar cooling technique is used to heal and cure the
body of problems and Baba has given this as a tub bath (Reference CC-3,
'Different Yogic Practices: Vistrta sna'na or vya'paka sna'na). In this
practice the corp is soaked, but the limbs remain outside the tub. This
water therapy is used to treat various diseases.
Here the whole point is that cool or cold water is needed to both
maintain and cure the body.
If a certain part is weak or diseased then the treatment is to pour cold
water over it and by that way the blood will rush all around. Due to
this exchange of blood, the diseased area gets properly nourished. If
cold water is not used, then there is no exchange of blood and hence no
nourishment - it is then that that gland becomes weak and susceptible to
disease.
So we should all be vigilant to use at least a litre of cold or cool
water after and during urination.
HALF BATH & BABA'S INSTRUCTIONS
So the technique of using a full litre or more of cold water after
urination has many, many benefits. This pouring of water around the
genital area is highly important when doing half-bath too; this is a
well-known practice in Ananda Marga.
When Baba first introduced the checking of 16 pts then during dharma
samiiksa He explained that when doing half bath then one must pour water
over the whole area from the low belly to the feet. That is the best way
to do half-bath and that is Baba's system. It is not just that water is
sprinkled on the toes and the tip of the genital. Rather from the navel
all the way down, lots of water is to be poured in order to cool that
entire region. Then one will get the true benefits of half-bath. That is
Baba's system.
UNIVERSAL APPLICATION OF AM TEACHINGS
Even after understanding all of the above, my acarya said that there are
a few wts who simply think that using 100ml of water is the way - since
that is how they do it while traveling.
But we should understand that the teachings of Ananda Marga are
universal in nature - they are for all. On this earth there are some
places that are extremely cold and other areas that are totally desert
and suffer from a scarcity of water, in that case Baba gave the common
solution that using even a little water is acceptable. Likewise when
acaryas are traveling by train or plane or bus, they may be carrying
just a small shaoca manjusa, in which case using a little water is
acceptable. It has some benefit - it is better than nothing.
But to get the full benefit, then one must pour one litre or more. Thus,
whenever circumstances permit we should use a full pitcher of water
after urination, not just that small shaoca manjusa we use when traveling.
We must remember that Baba's teachings are to be practiced - they are
not merely rituals. And by practicing we get the realisation of what
works best. Thus although when traveling we may "adjust" and use a
smaller container of water, whenever possible we should use a full litre
of water, or more. Try it just once and see the benefit.
Like all His guidelines, we should follow Baba's teachings of point #1
of Sixteen Points in a rational manner, and not as a ritual or rigid
format.
So that is the answer to some who think that since it is not practical
to use a lot of water when traveling then it is fine to not use a lot of
water when at home or in a jagrti.
BABA'S BLESSING
By His grace He has given us all the teachings for living a healthy life
- one which is disease-free. Point #1 of Sixteen Points has much value.
By following it and sharing it with others, to margiis and non-margiis
alike, then they too can get the benefit. On this matter, as with all
His teachings, we should guide and serve as many as we can.
Baba says, "...In order to march ahead on the road of human welfare, we
will have to strengthen ourselves in all the arena of life. The complete
seeds of welfare in all the spheres – physical, mental, moral, social
and spiritual – are embedded in the sixteen points. Hence be firm on the
sixteen points." (A'nanda Va'nii #45)
Namaskar,
Nagendra
Note 1: COLD TUB BATH IN ANANDA MARGA
Baba says, "The practices given below are prescribed only for specific
diseases. Therefore, they are to be performed only after consultation
with an a'ca'rya."
"(1) Vistrta sna'na or vya'paka sna'na: A bathtub is most convenient,
but if this is not available, an earthen trough will suffice. If this is
not available either, a wet towel can be used, soaking it repeatedly in
water. Fill the bathtub with cold water, and sit in it undressed so that
the area from the navel down remains submerged. Keep your feet dry and
out of the tub. The area from the neck to the navel should be kept
covered with a shirt or dry cloth. The crown of the head and the back of
the head should be kept covered with a wet towel."
"Now take another towel and rub the area from the right side of the
abdomen to the groin seven or eight times. Do likewise on the left-hand
side and horizontally from right to left and left to right. You should
make sure that the towel on the head remains wet."
"After this, wipe the abdomen, hands and thighs and take a full bath. If
this is not possible, then leave the tub wearing a shirt."
"This should be practised behind closed doors. In the absence of a
bathtub or an earthen trough, a wet towel may be wrapped around the
areas to be bathed, but in order to compensate, cold water must be
poured constantly over the towel, and the towel which is to be used for
the massage must be kept wet. After vya'paka sna'na, the thighs, pubic
area and abdomen should be warmed with a dry towel."
"Before and after this bath one should not eat, in order to allow the
stomach to rest." (CC-3)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comment here