Yoga & Meditation – Divya Jyoti Sansthan

Yoga and Meditation

TRUE HEALTH: HOLISTIC ASPECTS

The Vedic truths as realized by Indian Sages have defined health considering the holistic aspect of human existence. The mind-body system are integrated with subtle system of sensory structure, characteristics of vibrations/ waves of thought in the subtle sphere of Mind-stuff, CHITTA-VRITTI and inspired by deep rooted impressions of karma. As per Indian philosophy of human structure, it is the Chitta, where karmic impression of births, SANSKAR, gets reflected and determines the characteristics, i.e. Guna of Vrittis (reflections of mind, â€˜MANAâ€™). The physical, mental and emotional health, vigour, achievements, fulfillment as well as health and positive ness of life environment, all depend on the health of this integrated physical-subtle structure. These are the factors which determine human perception towards self and world around. It determines the way one behaves emotionally and responds to the stimulations of life environment whether it is work-life or personal or social life or whatsoever be. It is thus imperative to be aware to all these aspects of human formation and one should inncessantly endeavour to maintain/ regain health at all the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. To achieve true health, one should be aware to the basic and eternal law of spirituality based on which foetus grow, positive ness and smiles stimulate healthy metabolism, flowers blossom, cycle of life maintain a specific system, DNA coding preserves information; universe vibrates with its creation- preservation- destruction forces. One should understand and adopt the science of right living, right thinking and right way of meditating.

Yoga and Modern Science

Is yoga a mere exercise or what the science tells about the term spirituality is the query of all in this society. It is for them who believe that they are purely materialistic and have apathy towards the term spirituality. Let us examine what modern science tells about this subject.

Human energy field or subtle energy:

It has long been known that activities of cells and tissues generate electrical fields that can be detected on the skin surface. But the laws of physics demand that any electrical current generates a corresponding magnetic field in the surrounding space. Since these fields were too tiny to detect, biologists assumed they could have no physiological significance.

In 1970, David Cohen of MIT, using a SQUID magnetometer, confirmed the heart measurements. By 1972, Cohen had improved the sensitivity of his instrument, enabling him to measure magnetic fields around the head produced by brain activities.

Subsequently, it has been discovered that all tissues and organs produce specific magnetic pulsations, which have come to be known as biomagnetic fields. The traditional electrical recordings, such as the electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram, are now being complemented by biomagnetic recordings, called magneto cardiograms and magneto encephalograms. For various reasons, mapping the magnetic fields in the space around the body often provides a more accurate indication of physiology and pathology than traditional electrical measurements.

Rajayoga or Ashtang Yoga

The Yoga Science enumerated by the great Metaphysician, Great Yogi and The Great Sage Patanjali, is termed as Astanga Yoga as it has eight stage or limbs. About Raja-Yoga Swami Viveka Nanda says, “It is an analysis of mind, gathering the facts of the super-sensuous world and so building up the spiritual world”. With the practice of Yoga layers after layers of mind gets explored and deeper facts are realized. The eight principal parts of Raja-Yoga are:

The are five divisions of Yamas :

The are five limbs of Niyamas :

Asanas:

Asanas are steady, comfortable posture for starting sadhana. In the Yoga Sutras by Sage Patanjali, it has been stated that, “Sthiram sukham aasanam”. Thus here asanas have been defined as a state of being which makes one steady, comfortable, calm and quiet. Where as in Hatha Yoga Pradipika ( 1:17 ) has been described as specific body positions which provide steadiness of body and mind, remove diseases and opens the energy channels as well as psychic centers. Asana or postures provide physical help for concentration.

They differ from ‘physical exercises’ in the sense that they involve a synchronization of physical postures, focusing and rotation of consciousness and controlled rhythmic breathing process. Because of combination of these three, the effects of asana are much distinct, deeper and quicker than physical exercises.

Pranayama:

Pranayama is the process to stimulate the subtle forces of pranamaya Kosha by specifically controlling the breath. Pranayama regulates and influence the flow of Prana, the vital energy, the life force, in the energy channels (called as Nadi) through the breathing process.

While commenting on Pranayama, Swami Viveka Nanda has said,

“In Raja –Yoga breathing enters the psychic plane and brings us to the spiritual. It is the fly wheel of the whole body system it acts first upon the lungs, the lungs act on the heart, the heart acts on the circulation, this in turn upon the brain, and brain upon the mind.—”

By breathing in some particular process, the air within the body changes the direction causing the flow of subtle ‘Prana’ to clear the Nadis which results into specific healthy changes at all levels of human existence. There are four aspects of Pranayama:

Puraka—inhalation
Rechaka—exhalation
Antar Kumbhaka—internal breath retention
Bahya (Bahir) Kumbhaka— external breath retention

Pratyahara:

It is the process of turning the mind inward by withdrawing from external orientation. With relentless practice, sadhak (spiritual explorer) restrains his mind going towards external sensual pleasures and perceptions of outer world. When Prana start moving upwards and equilibrium achieved slowly senses are withdrawn from the external world and the mind becomes completely inward .

Dharana:

When senses are withdrawn from external world, a deep state of concentration appears. This stage of concentration on one subject is called Dharana.

Dhyana:

To sustain the stage of concentration is called Dhyana or meditation. Typically, there is a moment of concentration, when there are no distractions. Then, a moment later a distraction comes. Then, attention lets go of the distraction, and returns to the object of concentration. However, when that distraction does not happen, the continued concentration on the one object is called meditation. So Meditation is a stage of concentration which appears during the process of Sadhana. The stage of meditation is achieved, it happens, during course of Sadhana..

Samadhi:

Samadhi is the deep absorption, wherein only the essence of that object, place, or point shines forth in the mind, as if the mind were devoid even of its own form. When the observer becomes so absorbed in the process of observing the object that there seems to be only the object, which is the beginning of samadhi. It is as if the observer, the process of observing and the object being observed, all three get united in such a way that the only thing remaining is the object. When this deep absorption happens, meditation becomes samadhi. Thus it is the stage of illumination, the aim of all our efforts.

What is Yoga?

Yoga is the art and science of achieving true health. It aims for balancing and harmonizing the energy as well as functions of mind, body, psyche and emotions. The science of Yoga as Yoga Psychology, Yoga Philosophy and Applied Yoga Science, imparts healthy changes and rejuvenates all aspects of life. In deeper sense and in the sense of objective for which science of Yoga aims for, it is the true acknowledge for gradual expansion of consciousness and for optimization of human strength. It makes one in coherence with rhythms of Nature. It enhances the inherent natural power of health and vitality, releases stress as well as balances physical and subtle process of mind-body system.

In archaeological excavations at the geographical locations of Indus Valley Civilization at Harappa and Mohenjodaro, a lot of idols depicting different postures of asana and meditations have been found. Thus the knowledge of yoga is since ages. As per Indian mythology, Lord Shiva, embodiment of Supreme Consciousness, is the founder of Science of Yoga and His Creative Force, Shakti, representing supreme knowledge-Mother of all creations, Maa Parvati, is considered as first disciple to the knowledge of Yoga. Here it is believed that Yoga is a Divine Knowledge gifted to ancient sages so that human kind may be able to transcend human limitations and realize the highest reality of its existence. Through Yoga, practitioner first experiences healthy changes at physical – emotional level but soon he starts realizing his spiritual potentials. In Holy Upanishads of Hindu Scripture, Yoga has been defined extensively. The great sage Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutra, the holy treatise on raja yoga, a truly comprehensive, unified and scientific description of the yoga. In recent age great yogi metaphysician Matsyendranath and his chief disciple the great yogi Gorakhnath, did pioneer work in making Yoga popular to common mass. The great saint Yogi Gorakh nath wrote books in local dialect and Hindi. The Book ‘Hath Yoga Pradipika’ i.e. ‘light on Yoga’ is one of most outstanding creation on Hath Yoga written by the great yogi Swami Swatmarama.

There are many branches of yoga namely,” Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, UpasanaYoga. Laya Yoga, Mantra Yoga , Kundalini Yoga etc.” People adopt those which is best suited to them as per their physical-mental-emotional framework and need.

Yoga has successfully applied as therapy for management of various diseases like asthma, Hypertension, Diabetes, arthritis, digestive disorders etc. Medical Scientists are progressively accepting that due to harmonizing and balancing effect on endocrine and nervous systems, therapeutically effective results are experienced by practicing Yoga.

Yoga as a Complete Science Considers:

Yoga: is a Sanskrit word originated from the root “yuj” Which means “to join”. Yoga refers to ‘unity or oneness of ‘Atma’, the individual Consciousness to the ‘Paramatman’, the Supreme, the Universal Consciousness. It relates to both the processes or practices referred to as Yoga and also the goal itself, which is also called Yoga.

Paramatman: The Absolute. The Supreme Being, the ultimate Truth, the supreme Cause, the Supreme Consciousness, the Creator, the Supreme Spirit.

Atma: The human spirit, the individual consciousness, which is deathless, timeless, indestructible and an aspect of ‘paramatman’ . The individual Soul, Atma, is embodied and bounded to the physical manifestation of Paramatman, the world. Due to ignorance it does not realize its real eternal form.

Thus Yoga refers to “unite” or “join” the aspects of ourselves which were never really divided in the first place. It also means to “yoke” or to engage ourselves in a self-training program. Yoga means working with each of the levels or aspects of our being individually, and then unifying all of those into their original whole, or Yoga. As narrated above, yoga deals with the total health of a human i.e. physical mental, emotional and spiritual health i.e. the complete and ultimate solution to remain healthy.

Defination Of Health In Ayurveda

A person whose bodily humours are:

Regd.No. 176/1999-2000

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