In certain phases of our life, we tend to be body-oriented while in others, we are mind-oriented. Very rarely, are we breath oriented. The more we entertain our body, the more unfit it gets and becomes a cause for complaint. Whereas the more we entertain our breath, the fitter our body will be for Pranayama, meditation or Dhyana. We believe that our problems are associated with the body and, therefore, lay a great deal of importance to our body. But, the fact is, that the problems originate in our mind which disturbs our breath. Body, mind, and breath are interconnected. So, the struggles with our body are just symptomatic of a stressed-out mind.
And, the solution is to detach the body from constant thoughts.
On certain days, we experience lethargy in the early hours of the morning, and we do not have the will and momentum to start the day on a brisk note. Slowly, as the day progresses, the momentum picks up and our activity increases. But by evening, we are unable to slow down our activities due to an overactive mind. If we do not slow down our thoughts and activities, it may lead to a vicious cycle of sleepless nights and late mornings. In order to break this cycle, we must learn the basic techniques to slow down. In the guru-shishya parampara, the guru used to cultivate experiences for the shishya, which the latter could then use to create his own formulas.
God has created human beings as a complete package. We do not need to look outward to find solutions; all the answers lie within us and we only need to turn inward. This is the age of Kalyug, and we are regular householders living in a lot of distress. The good news is spirituality, meditation and Dhyana are comparatively simpler in Kalyug. We can bring ourselves to slow down the momentum and feel quieter in the evenings through an easy daily ritual – a simple Pranayama or even a simple act of lighting a lamp. Simple Pranayama techniques taught in the class that focus on elevating the chest, descending the abdomen and broadening the centre of calves can be very effective. Usage of different props to achieve it are also explained in the class.
Similarly, lighting a lamp has a calming effect on us. The wick needs to be perfectly placed and the lamp refilled with oil periodically for the light to burn longer. Guruji says, ‘Yoga is a flame’. The asanas and Pranayama help us place our inner wick optimally. It is our duty to oil this lamp regularly by getting on the mat consistently, understanding the frequency of our mind and respecting it, instead of waiting for a sign. If we follow our daily routine, calmness will follow and we will find the flame within us.