== EVEN SMALL THINGS HELP IN SADHANA ==
Namaskar,
In recent times I have been struggling-- more than usual-- in sadhana. I
did not know which way to turn for help. Life was busy and it seemed
like sadhana was getting away from me.
Certainly there are so many high ideals to inspire us to move ahead, but
those all seemed quite elusive to me at the time.
After talking with one acarya, I thought I should try and work from the
ground up. So I took renewed interest in my asana practice as way to get
back into a proper sadhana flow. Here I do not mean asanas as in all
those postures that are currently part of the new yoga craze. Rather I
am referring to the three or four sadhana oriented asanas as given by
Beloved Baba.
By His grace, it has been these postures which have revived my sadhana
practice. Of course there are many things that create a good sadhana
flow including kiirtan, svadhyaya, satsaunga, second lesson, diet,
intermittent dhyana etc. All these contribute significantly to our
meditative state and success in sadhana.
At the same time, we should also not forget how seemingly small(er)
practices like asanas also play an important, if not invaluable, role.
WHAT ARE THOSE ASANAS
In a nutshell, we are talking about shashaungasana, viirasana,
padmasana, and siddhasana, all of which are featured and described in
Caryacaraya III as well as in the Acarya Diary.
* Shashaunga'sana (Hare Pose): The real beauty and spiritual use of this
asana is doing it before one's sadhana practice. It helps calm the mind
and breath and awakens and stimulates the pineal gland. So doing 8
rounds of this asana just before starting one's sadhana practice is
extremely useful.
Personally, I found this asana to be quite beneficial in focusing the
mind on my sadhana endeavour. Without that, I find that my mind runs
hither and thither.
* Viira'sana (Hero Pose): As we all know this is our 3rd lesson asana.
In the past I always used to kneel on my knees without curling the toes
underneath, because that was easier and more comfortable. But now I sit
in the posture correctly. My acarya told me that without doing so, then
3rd lesson will not be strong. And without a pointed approach in 3rd
lesson, then dhyana is basically a waste of time. So this viira'sana is
essential for sadhana.
In the beginning, curling my toes underneath caused me great pain. But
in just a short amount of time, the position became quite comfortable
for me and I can better understand how it enhances concentration. Now,
by Baba's grace, when I am in this posture, my mind easily gets more
focused and I feel strong energy swirl through my entire body.
* Padma'sana (Lotus Posture): Baba has placed great emphasis on this
posture, especially in our practice of first lesson. In particular, it
is helpful for doing our shuddhis. Because the whole import of doing our
bhutashuddhi, asanashuddhi, and cittashuddhi is to withdraw the mind
from worldly things and situate our mental feeling at our Ista cakra.
And padma'sana helps goad the mind away from the physical realm. By
first placing the right foot on the left thigh and then bringing the
left foot over onto the right thigh, then that enhances concentration.
To complete the pose, we then place the right hand on top of the left.
Plus the tongue should be rolled back towards the roof of the mouth.
This we have all learned and know. Even then it is not easy. I was
having trouble with this, and my entire sadhana program was falling to
pieces.
By Baba's grace, my acarya noticed that I was merely sitting in a lazy,
cross-legged position in sadhana, so he gently guided me to take up the
practice of sitting in padma'sana. In the beginning I could just barely
get into the position, but I could not remain there long. Within five
minutes, or even two minutes, I thought that my knees would explode.
Over time, my endurance in this pose has increased such that now by
Baba's grace I can complete my entire first lesson in padmas'ana. And
yes, it has been helpful for controlling the mind and allowing me to go
deeper into my sadhana & mantra japa.
* Siddha'sana (Siddha posture): This asana looks relatively easy but is
extremely difficult. Sometimes people refer to this as half-lotus so
they think it is easier than padmasana. But in truth many find it much
more difficult.
As my acarya told me, siddha'sana is to be used primarily for dhyana.
That is the specialty of this pose because the heels are pressed in
towards the muladhara and svadishthana cakras, thereby controlling &
even numbing those lower points and their associated vrttis.
Once that area is suspended through this special process of siddhasana,
then it is quite certain that at the very least the mind will not
degrade, and with proper thought and psychic approach the mind will move
from its home at ajina cakra and rise up to sahasrara cakra.
Although a difficult pose, this one has also been extremely helpful for
me in getting back into a better sadhana flow.
Note: Due to the nature of this pose, it is not proper-- due to
anatomical reasons-- for sisters to sit in this posture. Rather they
should use a modified version thereof, or padmas'ana. Best will be to
talk to their Didi about this.
ONE IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT DHYA'NA
One other interesting thing is this.
My acarya told me that in trying to do dhyana many people in fact have
their mind in ajina cakra-- not sahasrara cakra. Unbeknownst to them,
some sadhakas do like this. My acarya says this becomes quite evident
when he and other acaryas do lesson reviews-- both of Dadas and margiis.
And in that case, one cannot do true dhyana.
To help ensure the mind reaches up to the sahasrara cakra, one can
lightly touch the very crown of the head as that will help goad the mind
in that direction. Of course, without strong spiritual ideation and deep
devotion, then the mind will not reach up to that pinnacled point. So
touching alone will not suffice, but it can help if the other factors
are alright.
TRY TO BECOME SIDDHA IN OUR SADHANA ASANA PRACTICE
Siddha means 'accomplished', 'practiced', 'comfortable', 'established'
etc. We should become siddha in each of the four mentioned sadhana
asanas. Of course we are not hatha yogis who practice thousands of
asanas all day long. But these four above asanas are integral to a
spiritually-vibrated sadhana practice. Specifically, siddha means being
able to sit in postures like padmasana for 1, 2, or even 3 hours at a
time without feeling any discomfort. Once the physical body is
established in this pose, then the mental realm can truly delve deeper
into the practice and sanctity of sadhana.
So we should all try to achieve a state of 'siddha' in our spiritual
asana practice.
MANY FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO PROPER SADHANA
There are many factors that contribute to a vibrant sadhana practice. By
Baba's grace, that is why He has given us Sixteen Points and countless
other teachings and guidelines. All these enhance our sadhana practice.
That said, when I was really struggling, then I found the aspect of our
seated, meditative poses to be a helpful tool of rejuvenating my sadhana
career. It may be a small piece to the puzzle, but maybe others will
also find it helpful. That is why I decided to write this letter.
Others should also write in with their thoughts and reflections.
BABA'S GRACE
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 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." (CC-3)
Namaskar,
Mukunda
Note 1: A'SANA PICTURES ARE NOT ALWAYS PROPER
Everyone should be careful when studying or learning any new asana.
Because many of the drawings and displays of our asanas are not depicted
properly or accurately in our AM Publications. This is something that
will have to be fixed. Till then, always be sure to consult with an
appropriate acarya or senior margii regarding the practice of asanas--
i.e. consult with someone who himself is strict and established in their
asana practice.
