The Essence of Yoga

Personal programming of our brain and thought is possible and includes the technique of Mantra. As well as the fine well known classical forms of yogic mantra we can find real value in devising our own. These can be comprised of sacred words and prayers from religious and philosophical teachings that we repeat for confirmation or identification with spiritual principles and qualities. The simplest of course are the affirmations we use to help ourselves strengthen the virtues to which we aspire in our Sadhana.

The ancient teachings remind us of the several forms of mantric expression – these being strong, vocalized word or words often chanted in group meditation; the gentle whispered mantra applied in our private meditations; and the one considered to have most potent direct effect upon the individual being the unbroken silent cyclic mental repetition that encourages us to link with the greater Universal Consciousness through our breath as in the sacred “Om” or “Aum”.

Many singers unconsciously or consciously use the science of sound to help voice skills or to stimulate moods and feelings that when magnified in a group emit considerable power and influence. They undertake specific exercising of the vocal chords and apply unique dedication to their art beyond the average understanding. Most of us who could be described as ‘shower time singers’ are not as self disciplined. So for the majority of us the simple guidelines we learn in improving breath control to help formulate and extend the power of our voice and our chanting through pranayama are satisfactory.

The principle of 3 word mantra is simple but helps us isolate and focus upon our individual purpose or values that gives us a wide range of more mundane application  e.g. Strength, truth,  harmony.  The more profound impersonal spiritual chanting of the sacred “AUM” recognizes the triune principles of divinity when intoning.

The 5 fold focus upon the Natural Elements of fire, earth, air, water and ether requires concentration and some imagination to harness one’s mind to an aspiration to understand all the natural spheres of life both outside and within our own nature from the solid physical to the subtlest and invisible realms of the soul.

Seven is a popular choice for artists and those who are attracted to the use of natural light and the symbolism of Light itself.  Perceived by us split through the natural spectrum of the beautiful rainbow colours the study of colour itself allows a 7- fold mantra technique that giving a single word to each colour that represents one quality of light itself – red, orange, gold, green, blue, indigo and purple.

Twelve fold mantra is often the choice of astrology students who wish to cultivate each of the human virtues exemplified in the zodiacal signs. Christians find it easy to attune to the mystical symbolism of the 12 disciples or the saints’ calendar as others associate particular powers to the 12 rays used to reflect the radiance of Divine Light. Yogis combine appropriate chants with the traditional physical exercise of Surya Namaskar. Others choose to exercise blending in the Lord’s Prayer as their Mantra.

Find the words that comfortably suit your understanding and your aspiration.

All affirmations and mantra when combined with our powers of visualization and concentration become potentially powerful tools in helping ourselves and indirectly, contribute a positive influence upon those who share our environment.

The aspirant undertakes certain self disciplines when following the spiritual path of Yoga. These are essential for everyone who wishes to apply themselves to the art of living with spiritual values replacing the material ones that dominate at present.

Classical yogic disciplines have remained unchanged for centuries. Although they can be adopted and also adapted by people of any culture or religion, the fundamental principles do not alter. Many aspects are incorporated in the lives of people of every nation and culture.

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Imagination is the fundamental tool for the individual when forming a self-image.

Unless one creates a self image the personality is apt to become pressured and influenced by what others think, and this may not be as you would wish.

Use your self image to become whatever or whoever you wish to be – to pattern your future, determine your habits and reactions and help you to succeed in your achievements.

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Most spiritual teachers teach the value of balance and have indicated to us that any quality can be exaggerated to our detriment even those qualities we consider are virtues.

As reminders of the need for balance in your personal and private self discipline or Sadhana, the following offer a helpful guide for you when drawing up your own personality needs to avoid extremes……

Balanced – Not fanatical

Beautiful – Not vain

Courageous – Not rash

Devoted – Not enslaved

Flexible – Not weak

Helpful – Not intrusive

Humble – Not submissive

Impartial – Not indifferent

Independent – Not isolated

Keen intellect – Not cutting

Kind – Not condescending

Loyal – Not undeserving commitment

Passionate – Not aggressive

Patient – Not procrastinating

Perceptive  -  Not hypercritical

Persevering – Not stubbornly persistent

Sensitive –  Not to personal hurt

Strong – Not domineering

In any teaching situation there is a place for meditation.

It is a tool for the instructor as it is for the student.

A few quiet moments interspersed with learning can help us, as students, absorb information in a relaxed state that better allows its processing by our subconscious mind. It is surprising how this can be effective in selecting material that is particularly helpful to us as well as offering an appropriate time for any remnant questions to surface.

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The aspirant undertakes certain self disciplines when following any path towards improvement including the spiritual path of Yoga where classic disciplines have remained unchanged for centuries. These practices belong to a universal system, the principles of which can be adopted and also adapted by people of any nation, culture, or religion.

For this reason it has attracted many followers in the present era as people realise that both physical health and spiritual growth can only be effected through self responsibility and self effort. Physical health requires purification of the blood and body cells. Psychological health requires elimination of past problems and clear focus on positive self determination.

Our spiritual state has similar requirements. In matters of the soul, each much cleanse not only the heart and mind, but ensure that the deepest  realms of one’s consciousness does not harbour any negative feelings, resentments or unresolved problems or attitudes towards others or in relation to life itself. Only this way can we ensure that our aspirations and our chosen route towards excellence is not inhibited.

In the spiritual life, growth in heart, mind and our being brings us new spiritual experiences through self purification and a clear understanding and application of the simple rules and teachings that we feel are good.

It is the practical implementation of our spiritual aspirations and cherished ideals in daily life, that is known as our personal Sadhana.  It represents our personal spiritual aspiration and the self discipline that is entailed in order to becoming that ideal.

Our Sadhana is a totally private practice shared by no one and only perceived by one’s often unknown and unseen spiritual Guru or teacher of greater spiritual stature.

Our personal effort and our spiritual quest in time brings its rewards. We experience degrees of elevation and expansion of our consciousness that culminates in the supreme state of awareness known as Samadhi.

Aromatherapy and the science of perfumery can be used for assisting personal sadhana and personality control.

For instance …

Aries  temperament with strong sense of personal ego balances the development of his nature through deliberate expansion of the attitude of surrendering, of letting go – difficult for the personal ego but aide by using the following perfumes with pranayama

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Yoga, being both a science and art, is applied to the lifestyle of those who sincerely embrace the principles philosophy that provides us with a fund of knowledge that is unique. The essence has been transmitted through the ages and in India, through the Vedic teachings that prescribe ethical conduct as the first step. All that remains is for us to have the wisdom how to apply the wealth of knowledge that we have accessed, in a manner that satisfies us completely as a personality, soul and spiritual being.

It is commonly understood that Yoga practices aim for physical and mental fitness. The physical disciplines that promise good health, vitality and freedom from disease are reasonable, yet more complete than the rules we were taught regarding body care. However, each is free to adopt any extra internal hygiene methods that seem to offer benefit, or to refine our body by rejecting any flesh foods, artificial chemicals and any other disciplines as we choose.

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Sadhana means one’s personal spiritual discipline.  This is based upon the moral/ethical precepts of Ashtanga Yoga that outline the general principles shared by all aspirants.  However, one’s own personal self discipline is essentially a private matter.

The purpose of Sadhana however is constant. It represents both our desire to grow to become a better human and our aspiration to become capable of expanding our own conscious experiences of the spiritual reality of the great Universal Consciousness that presides over all.

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We are referring to the emotional states of feeling contentment, happiness, joy, pain, suffering, sympathy, kindness, anger, envy, jealousy, compassion, irritation, fear, faith, anxiety, hatred, love, yearning, desire, pride, and many others in our emotional range. We all find the seeds of every possible human emotion inherent in our nature. It is a case of what emotions we have chosen to cultivate as to their expression in our personality.

There are less attractive or basic emotions that must be pulled out like we do weeds in the garden. Others that are more attractive, and help us to feel good inside take more careful nurturing but the rewards are obvious. As each of us makes different choices in selection and in methods of cultivation, our emotional nature develops accordingly. We have emotional energies that are uniquely available for our expression according to our character and purposes.

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