Some Sadhakas Can't Do Blissful Dhyana - Why?

Date: Sun, 02 Sep 2012 20:50:29 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: "Vidyasgar  Deva"
Subject:   Some Sadhakas Can't Do Blissful Dhyana - Why?

Baba

 

 == SOME SADHAKAS CAN'T DO BLISSFUL DHYANA - WHY? ==

Namaskar,
It happens that some try and do dhyana but quickly become frustrated. This letter addresses this problem and offers a key solution.

As every Ananda Margii knows, our whole sadhana system is unique as it enables us to reach life divine and become one with Baba. Verily every sadhaka in AM has experienced moments like this in their life. The more sadhana we do the more intimate our link with Parama Purusa becomes.

So our AM sadhana system is the devotional-cum-scientific approach for becoming one with Brahma. And all the lessons are important. Each lesson serves a particular purpose and complements our entire journey of sadhana. That is why not a single lesson should be neglected; all should be regularly practiced. This we all know.

DELICATENESS OF PRANAYAMA & WHY SOME SKIP IT

Of all the lessons, pranayama may be the most delicate as there are many do's and don'ts related with its practice. For example, if the air is not clean, or if one is not in a sentient frame of mind, or if one is not focused on Parama Purusa, then one is not to practice pranayama.

The proper understanding of this, of course, is that one should do pranayama regularly, abiding by the aforementioned points.

Unfortunately, what happens though is that some sadhakas may skip pranayama entirely, due to the fear that all the conditions are not proper for its practice. But this habit of unnecessarily skipping pranayama is not at all beneficial. Rather skipping is detrimental as pranayama enhances one's concentration in dhyana whereby one can reach the Goal. Indeed, Baba guides us that without pranayama, dhyana is mostly a waste of time.

Here is a brief overview of some of Baba's teachings about the highly important practice of pranayama.

HOW PRANAYAMA WORKS

Here Baba describes how the function of pranayama is to control the ten vital airs and that by this way the mind becomes concentrated.

Baba says, "The process by which the pra'n'as in the body are controlled is called pra'n'a'ya'ma. Pra'n'a, apa'na, sama'na, uda'na, vya'na, na'ga, ku'rma, krkara, devadatta, and dhanainjaya – the collective name of these ten vital forces is pra'n'a'h. If you wish to increase your apperceptive power you must control the pra'n'a'h. Through regular practice, the mind will become concentrated. Pra'n'a'ya'ma is meant for sa'dhakas – it is better for non-sa'dhakas not to take the risk of injuring themselves by doing pra'n'a'ya'ma." (Caryacarya - 3)

So pranayama is one of the key tools for raising our level of concentration and it is a practice aimed specifically for sadhakas. Thus all those in the fake yoga movement who do pranayama may be doing more harm than good. Because pranayama is essentially for those sincerely involved in spiritual pursuits - i.e. the attainment of Brahma.

Here the main point is that one has to do pranayama in order derive all the wonderful benefits. By skipping pranayama one is merely robbing oneself of getting positive results. So skipping pranayama is just self-cheating, nothing more. We should do everything possible to be regular in the practice of pranayama and thereby get all the benefits. Here regular means two or four times per day, per the direction of your acarya.

LINK BETWEEN PRANAYAMA AND DHYANA

Of all our sadhana lessons dhyana is the most important as it is only with dhyana that moksa is attained. And here below Baba pointedly states that without pranayama, proper dhyana is virtually impossible.

Baba says, "There is an inseparable relationship between the va'yus of the body [ten basic energy flows] and the mind. Unsteadiness of respiration means unsteadiness of mind and vice versa. Pra'n'a'ya'ma is the scientific process to control respiration and hence the mind, as a result of which sa'dhana' is especially facilitated. The practice of dhya'na becomes a time-consuming affair if pra'n'a'ya'ma is not adequately practised." (Caryacarya - 1)

By His above guidelines it is clear that pranayama is an integral link for doing dhyana. Hence if due to fear or anxiety or if for any reason one is not doing pranayama regularly, then for them dhyana will just remain a dream only. That is Baba's direct warning. Indeed one will also struggle in first lesson as well.

So skipping pranayama unnecessarily because one is fearful that "all the conditions are not right" is not good, rather it will be habit forming and one will constantly justify in the mind that "for this or that reason I should not do pranayama today." The end result of which will be, that one's entire sadhana program will suffer, if not collapse.

A FEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT PRANAYAMA

Here Baba provides us with some special questions and answers about the practice of pranayama.

"Question: What is pra'n'a'ya'ma?"

"Answer: Pra'n'a'ya'ma is defined as:"

Tasmin sati shva'sa prashva'sayoh gativicchedah pra'n'a'ya'ma.

"That is, pra'n'a'ya'ma is the process of breath control along with the imposition of the ideation of Supreme Consciousness. It helps the mind in concentration and meditation." (Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, Question #11)


"Question: What is the spirit of pra'n'a'ya'ma?"

"Answer: Pra'na'n yamayati es'ah pra'n'a'ya'ma. That is, the word pra'n'a'ya'ma literally means “controlling the pra'n'a'h [vital energy]”. The psycho-philosophy behind the practice of pra'n'a'ya'ma is that the spiritual aspirant tries to let the pra'n'endriya [ten vital-energy currents] remain in a state of pause so that the paused unit mind will merge into the ocean of consciousness." (Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, Question #12)

By His above answers we can understand that pranayama is that special process which helps concentrate the mind and ultimately allows the sadhaka to drift in that infinite ocean of Supreme bliss.

By this we can understand that we should take every possible effort to do our pranayama properly, 2 or 4 times a day.

WARNINGS ABOUT PRANAYAMA

Here below Baba issues one of His chief warnings about the practice of pranayama. Specifically Baba warns us what will happen if the mind is lodged in a selfish way of thinking when doing pranayama.

Baba says, "There are abuses of pra'n'a'ya'ma also. If sa'dhakas during the period of pra'n'a'ya'ma-induced contraction, indulge themselves merely in the parading of their own petty vanity instead of using that force of contraction for the inculcation brahmabha'va (cosmic ideation); that is, if they devote themselves to the expression of their own little egos, they will gradually tend towards crudeness...Pra'n'a'ya'ma is exceedingly harmful – devastatingly disastrous – for those without cosmic ideation or Brahmabha'va." (Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 5)

So when doing pranayama we should be in a devotional state of mind - focused on our Ista. And indeed, in general when doing sadhana we are involved in thinking and ideating on Baba, in which case our practice of pranayama will be highly beneficial. So due to fear or worry if one needlessly skips pranayama then that will hinder their progress on the path of sadhana.

IMPORTANCE OF SADHANA

So pranayama is an essential element of sadhana which not to be skipped. And here below Baba guides us about the unparalleled importance of doing sadhana.

Baba says, "The main purpose of human beings coming here to this earth is to do spiritual practice. One is to render social service, one is to learn, one is to go through books, one is to help others, one is to do anything and everything just to encourage and accelerate the process of sa'dhana'. Sa'dhana' is the main theme of life. Whatever you do in the world, you should do it with a view to promote your sa'dhana' and help the sa'dhana' of others. Human beings come to earth to practise sa'dhana', to move closer to Iishvara, the Supreme Goal – to come closer to Parama Purus'a. Thus, the deeds of human beings will not be like the deeds of animals. Whatever human beings will do, they will do in such a manner that the progress in their sa'dhana' will go on accelerating." (20 July 1990, Kolkata)

So when sadhana is the main reason for our coming on this earth and when pranayama is such an integral element of enhancing and perfecting our sadhana, one is missing out on the entire aim of life by unnecessarily skipping pranayama. Indeed, by this way, by practicing regularly, one will overcome any feelings of frustration in dhyana and instead experience it in a sweet and blissful way.

BABA'S BLESSING

By Baba's grace He has given us all the tools and blessings to achieve the height of sadhana and become one with Him.

Baba says, "Now by dint of sa'dhana', one is to arouse and exalt that sleeping divinity. That svayambhu'liunga becomes one with shambhu'liunga. But for this one requires divine help. And I know one is sure to get divine help. And I know further that one is getting divine help. And I know still further that in future, for infinite time and infinite space, one will be getting this divine favour. And you are all sa'dhakas. You will certainly attain that supreme stance and enjoy that divine blessedness. You are sure to enjoy it, my sons and my daughters." (Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23)

Namaskar,
Vidyasagar

Note: PRANAYAMA IS A HELPING LESSON

Here is one special point. Many of the things we do in our spiritual routine are supportive aspects for doing sadhana. In particular asanas and pranayama are helping tools for our sadhana lessons of iishvara pranidhan and dhyana, i.e. first and sixth lesson.

Baba says, "A'sana and pra'n'a'ya'ma, for example, are helping items. They are not sa'dhana', they are called sa'dhana'unga." (Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, 'How to Concentrate')

Our other lessons of meditation like tattva dharana (3rd lesson) and cakra shodhana (5th lesson) also fall in the realm of sa'dhana'unga. That is they are helping lessons for doing our primarily lessons of sadhana which are first and sixth lesson, respectively.

 

 

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"A'ma'y du're rekho na'ko, tha'kite ca'i ye ka'cha'ka'chi..." (P.S. 495)

Purport:

Baba, please grace me, please do not keep me at a distance. I want to remain close to You - side by side. Baba, I am always struggling to maintain my tune along with Yours; this way I am surviving, this way my time is passing.

Baba, my each and every moment of the day & night is passing thinking about Your sweetness & Your glory. Even though I am surrounded by hundreds of pains, sufferings, and agonies, I am dancing with happiness, by Your grace. This way You keep me alive - floating in Your bliss.

Baba, when the sky is filled with the torture of the scorching desert, when my whole existence is burning due to the heat of the fire, in that circumstance I ask for the the soothing balm of Your divine grace, which is like the cool, refreshing, green shade. Thinking about You, Your ideation gives that soft, sweet, cool touch - and the burning heat changes into sweetness.

Baba, please grace me and give me shelter at Your lotus feet...