Patanjali Yoga Sutras

Patanjali Yoga Sutras

CHAPTER I - SAMADHI PADA

CONCENTRATION: ITS SPIRITUAL USES

॥ प्रथभ् सभाणधऩाद् ॥

1. अथ मोगानशु ासनभ ॥् १॥

atha yoganushasanam

Now concentration is explained.

2. मोगणित्तवृणत्तणनयोध् ॥ २॥

yogashchittavrittinirodhah

Yoga is restraining the mind-stuff (Chitta) from taking various forms (Vrttis) A good deal of explanation is necessary here. We have to understand what Chitta is, and what are these Vrttis. I have this eye. Eyes do not see. Take away the brain centre which is in the head, the eyes will still be there, the retinæ complete, and also the picture, and yet the eyes will not see. So the eyes are only a secondary instrument, not the organ of vision. The organ of vision is in the nerve centre of the brain. The two eyes will not be sufficient alone. Sometimes a man is asleep with his eyes open. The light is there and the picture is there, but a third thing is necessary; mind must be joined to the organ. The eye is the external instrument, we need also the brain centre and the agency of the mind.

Carriages roll down a Patanjali Yoga Sutras street and you do not hear them. Why? Because your mind has not attached itself to the organ of hearing. First there is the instrument, then there is the organ, and third, the mind attachment to these two. The mind takes the impression farther in, and presents it to the determinative faculty—Buddhi—which reacts. Along with this reaction flashes the idea of egoism. Then this mixture of action and reaction is presented to the Purusa, the real Soul, who perceives an object in this mixture. The organs (Indriyas), together with the mind (Manas), the determinative faculty (Buddhi) and egoism (Ahamkara), form the group called the Antahkarana (the internal instrument).

They are but various processes in the mind-stuff, called Chitta. The waves of thought in the Chitta are called Vrtti (“the hirlpool” is the literal translation). What is thought? Thought is a force, as is gravitation or repulsion. It is absorbed from the infinite storehouse of force in nature; the instrument called Chitta takes hold of that force, and, when it passes out at the other end it is called thought. This force is supplied to us through food, and out of that food the body obtains the power of motion, etc. Others, the finer forces, it throws out in what we call thought. Naturally we see that the mind is not intelligent; yet it appears to be intelligent. Why? Because the intelligent soul is behind it. You are the only sentient being; mind is only the instrument through which you catch the external world. Take this book; as a book it does not exist outside, what exists outside is unknown and unknowable. It is the suggestion that gives a blow to the mind, and the mind gives out the reaction. If a stone is thrown into the water the

water is thrown against it in the form of waves. The real universe is the occasion of the reaction of the mind. A book form, or an elephant form, or a man form, is not outside; all that we know is our mental reaction from the outer suggestion. Matter is the “permanent possibility of sensation,” said John Stuart Mill. It is only the suggestion that

is outside. Take an oyster for example. You know how pearls are made. A grain of sand or something gets inside and begins to irritate it, and the oyster throws a sort of enameling around the sand, and this makes the pearl. This whole universe is our own enamel, so to say, and the real universe is the grain of sand. The ordinary man will never understand it, because, when he tries to, he throws out an enamel, and sees only his own enamel. Now we understand what is meant by these Vrttis. The real man is behind the mind, and the mind is the instrument in his hands, and it is his intelligence that is percolating through it. It is only when you stand behind it that it becomes intelligent. When man gives it up it falls to pieces, and is nothing. So you understand what is meant by Chitta.

It is the mind-stuff, and Vrttis are the waves and ripples rising in it when external causes impinge on it. These Vrttis are our whole universe. The bottom of the lake we cannot see, because its surface is covered with ripples. It is only possible when the rippled have

subsided, and the water is calm, for us to catch a glimpse of the bottom. If the water is muddy, the bottom will not be seen; if the water is agitated all the time, the bottom will not be seen. If the water is clear, and there are no waves, we shall see the bottom. That bottom of the lake is our own true Self; the lake is the Chitta, and the waves are the Vrttis. Again, this mind is in three states; one is darkness, which is called Tamas,

just as in brutes and idiots; it only acts to injure others. No other idea comes into that state of mind. Then there is the active state of mind, Rajas, whose chief motives are power and enjoyment. “I will be powerful and rule others.” Then, at last, when the waves cease, and the water of the lake becomes clear, there is the state called Sattva, serenity,

calmness. It is not inactive, but rather intensely active. It is the greatest manifestation of power to be calm. It is easy to be active. Let the reins go, and the horses will drag you down. Anyone can do that, but he who can stop the plunging horses is the strong man. Which requires the greater strength, letting go, or restraining? The calm man is not the man who is dull. You must not mistake Sattva for dullness, or laziness. The calm man is the one who has restraint of these waves. Activity is the manifestation of the lower strength, calmness of the superior strength.

This Chitta is always trying to get back to its natural pure state, but the organs draw it out. To restrain it, and to check this outward tendency, and to start it on the return journey to that essence of intelligence is the first step in Yoga, because only in this way can the Chitta get into its proper course. Although this Chitta is in every animal, from the lowest to the highest, it is only in the human form that we find intellect, and until the mind-stuff can take the form of intellect it is not possible for it to return through all these steps, and liberate the soul. Immediate salvation is impossible for the cow and the dog, although they have mind, because their Chitta cannot as yet take that form which we call intellect.

Chitta manifests itself in all these different forms - scattering, darkening, weakening, and concentrating. These are the four states in which the mind-stuff manifests itself. First a

scattered form, is activity. Its tendency is to manifest in the form of pleasure or of pain. Then the dull form is darkness, the only tendency of which is to injure others. The

commentator says the first form is natural to the Devas, the angels, and the second is the demoniacal form. The Ekagra, the concentrated form of the Chitta, is what brings us to

Samadhi.

Yog and Meditation Training Program for Buldelkhand School Children's at Banda district.

This February I visited my village GalalI Distt Banda. I have provide training of yog and meditation for school children. This is the first kind of training of yog and meditation in my village and government school too. School children participated and enjoying a lot. They wanted to more yoga training in future.  I am very happy to contribute for our nation.

For More :

Anoop Kumar Bajpai

Director of Yog and Meditation Centre, Gurgaon, Galauli, Banda.

You can send your feedback and suggestions 

yogawithanu@gmail.com

or 

call : 888 291 6065

Yoga for constipation - Yoga For Beginners

Yoga for constipation - Yoga For Beginners

Being constipated means your bowel movements are difficult or happen less often than normal. Almost 

everyone has it at some point in life, and it's usually not serious. Still, you'll feel much better when your 

system is back on track. 

The normal length of time between bowel movements varies widely from person to person. Some 

people have bowel movements three times a day. Others have them only once or twice a week.

Going longer than three or more days without one is usually too long. After three days, the stool or 

feces become harder and tougher to pass.

How does constipation happen?

Constipation has different meanings for different people. For some, untimely stools means constipation

 while for some, it is the passage of hard stool. Whatever may be the case, the most common 

explanation for the cause of this problem is undoubtedly our unhealthy lifestyle.

Inappropriate work hours, less time for rest and intake of too much junk food harm our body in a way which we fail to notice. Also, a diet low on fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, especially food low on fibre, causes constipation. Less intake of water is another reason.

What Are the Symptoms?

You may have:

·                     Few bowel movements

·                     Trouble having a bowel movement (straining)

·                     Hard or small stools

·                     A sense that everything didn’t come out

·                     Swollen abdomen or abdominal pain

·                     Vomiting

Why Does It Happen?

Some causes of constipation include:

·                  Antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum

·                  Changes in your usual diet or activities

·                  Colon cancer

·                  Eating a lot of dairy products.

·                  Eating disorders

·                  Irritable bowel syndrome

·                  Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis

·                  Not being active

·                  Not enough water or fiber in your diet

·                  Overuse of laxatives (Over time, this weakens the bowel muscles)

·                  Pregnancy

·                  Problems with the nerves and muscles in the digestive system

·                  Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement, which some people do because of hemorrhoids

·                  Some medications (especially strong pain drugs such as narcotics, antidepressants, or iron pills)

·                   Stress

·                  Under active thyroid (hypothyroidism)

  

Yoga to the rescue

But the good news is, there's nothing to worry about because before constipation gets serious and results in other stomach disorders, we can take care of it with regular practice of yoga exercises. Infrequent bowel movements leads to straining and bloating of stomach and is not taken care at time they lead to hazardous pelvic diseases. Treatment helps many people find relief from constipation. But as we say prevention is better than cure. So the best way to prevent it is to inculcate Yoga in our daily routine.

Yoga helps revitalize our body and also increases the flow of blood and oxygen in the system. Since most of the yoga postures involve pelvic movement, yoga practice can really help in relieving our constipation woes.

Here are some postures which, if practiced regularly, can set infrequent bowel movements to normal.

1. Mayurasana (Peacock Pose)

This posture helps improve digestion and destroys the effects of unwholesome food. It also increases intra-abdominal pressure, which reduces spleen and liver enlargements. The pose is also beneficial in toning the bowels and removing constipation problems.

2. Ardha-Matsyendrasana (Sitting Half Spinal Twist Pose)

The important physiological aspects of this asana (posture) are that it stimulates the pancreas, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, and ascending and descending colons; hence improving bowel movements and providing relief from constipation.

                           

  

3. Halasana (Plough Pose)

This posture provides comfort to the liver and intestine. It is an inversion posture which increases blood circulation in the pelvic area and boosts digestion.

 4. Pavanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)

 As the name suggests, this posture helps release gas from the body, a common trouble for most of us suffering from regular constipation. The posture can help cure several digestive disorders, including dyspepsia. It also helps in relieving acid reflux which is caused by indigestion.

  

5. Baddha Konasana (Butterfly Pose)

This forward-bend posture helps improve our digestive system and also relieves gas, cramping and bloating of stomach. The posture also helps in reducing stress which is necessary for good digestion.

So stop worrying and start practicing! Just a few minutes of your daily time and you can actually look forward to a healthy digestive system and a happier you! Don't forget to improve your diet habits as well – fibre-rich food, fruits and vegetables, and sufficient intake of water will all help keep constipation woes away!

अस्थमा के लिए योग- ( Yoga pose for Asthama)

अस्थमा में गला व छाती काफी सेंसटिव हो जाती है, योग से उन्हें शक्ति मिलती है। आईए जाने अस्थमा में योग के कौन से आसन आजमाने से आपकी सेहत को आराम मिलता है और पहले से बेहतर महसूस करने लगते हैं।
अस्थमा के मरीजों को कई तरह की सावधानियां बरतनी होती है। ऐसे में अगर वो योग का सहारा लें तो उनके लिए थोड़ी आसानी हो सकती है। योग आपके शरीर व दिमाग को तरोताजा  कर उसमें नई ऊर्जा पैदा करता है।

सुखआसन

दरी या चटाई बिछाकर आराम से दोनों पैरों को मोड़कर पालथी मारकर बैठ जाएं। इस आसन के दौरान मन को शांत व तनाव मुक्त रखें। अब शरीर को सीधा व तान कर रखें, जिससे शरीर व कमर बिल्कुल सीधी रहें। इसके बाद दोनों हाथों की अंगुलियां खोलकर घुटनों पर रखें । इसके बाद सामान्य रूप से प्राणायाम करते हुए जितनी देर तक इस आसन में बैठना सम्भव हो उतनी देर तक इस आसन में बैठें।

अर्ध मत्येंद्रआसन

1st pose 

                                                  2nd pose


इस आसन में पहले अपने दोनों पैरों को सीधे फैला लें उसके बाद अपने बाएं पैर को मोड़कर एड़ी के सहारे बैठें। अब दाहिने पैर को घुटने से मोड़कर खड़ा कर दें और बाएं पैर की जंघा से ऊपर ले जाते हुए जंघा के पीछे जमीन पर रख दें। अब बाएं हाथ को दाहिने पैर के घुटने से पार करके अर्थात घुटने को बगल में दबाते हुए बाएं हाथ से दाहिने पैर का अंगूठा पकड़ें। अब दाहिना हाथ पीठ के पीछे से घुमाएं। सिर दाहिनी ओर इतना घुमाएं कि ठोड़ी और बायां कंधा एक सीधी रेखा में आ जाए। नीचे की ओर झुकें नहीं। छाती बिल्कुल तनी हुई रखें।

शवआसन

शव का अर्थ होता है मुर्दा अर्थात अपने शरीर को मुर्दे समान बना लेने के कारण ही इस आसन को शवासन कहा जाता है। पीठ के बल लेटकर दोनों पैरों में ज्यादा से ज्यादा अंतर हैरखते । पैरों के पंजे बाहर और एडि़यां अंदर की ओर रखते हैं। दोनों हाथों को शरीर से लगभग छह इंच की दूरी पर रखते हैं। हाथों की अंगुलियां मुड़ी हुई, गर्दन सीधी रहती है। अपनी आंखे बंद रखिए।

अनुलोम विलोम

अनुलोम विलोम प्राणायाम में नाक के दाएं छिद्र से सांस खींचते हैं, तो बायीं नाक के छिद्र से सांस बाहर निकालते है। इसी तरह यदि नाक के बाएं छिद्र से सांस खींचते है, तो नाक के दाहिने छिद्र से सांस को बाहर निकालते है। इसके नियमित अभ्यास से शरीर की समस्त नाड़ियों का शोधन होता है यानी वे स्वच्छ व निरोग बनी रहती है।


पवन मुक्तासन

पवन मुक्तासन से शरीर की दूषित वायु बाहर निकल जाती है। इसी कारण इसे पवन मुक्तासन कहते हैं। इसमें शवआसन की मुद्रा में लेटकर दोनों पैरों को एक-दूसरे से मिला लें। अब हाथों को कमर से मिला लें। फिर घुटनों को मोड़कर पंजों को जमीन से मिलाएं। इसके बाद धीरे-धीरे दोनों  मिले हुए घुटनों को छाती पर रखें। हाथों की कैंची बनाकर घुटनों को पकड़ें। फिर सांस बाहर निकालते हुए सिर को जमीन से ऊपर उठाते हुए ठोड़ी को घुटनों से मिलाएं

What 15 top meditation experts struggled with the most at the start

Even the meditation experts struggled to learn the ropes in the beginning.

Like playing golf or making the perfect boiled egg, meditation sounds a lot easier than it actually is. After all, you just sit there with your eyes closed - until, inevitably, you can't stop thinking about your endless to-do list, or your leg starts to cramp, or you have to use the bathroom.

Sure, there's a whole lot more to meditation than simply sitting still, but it doesn't have to be so difficult. "At the most basic level, meditation is simply about thinking thoughts, then letting go of them," says Suze Yalof Schwartz, founder of Unplug Meditation. "It's about learning to distinguish between thoughts that serve us and thoughts that don't." Yet all of us - even the pros - experience some growing pains when we begin.

If you want to take advantage of the science-backed benefits of meditation - better sleep, stronger relationships, less stress and a healthier heart, to name a few - check out what meditation and mindfulness experts struggled with at first. Then use their practical advice to overcome obstacles of your own.

1. I COULDN'T STOP THINKING

When I first started meditating, I had the misunderstanding that I wasn't supposed to have any thoughts. I constantly thought I was doing it "wrong" because I could not stop thinking! And the more I judged myself, the less likely I was to meditate.

What worked for me: When I learned that meditation includes observing our thoughts but not attaching to them, I stop judging myself as a bad meditator. To help me disengage from my constant to-do list going through my head, I kept a journal next to my meditation pillow. When I had a thought I wanted to remember or let go of, I would simply open my eyes and write it down. Then I'd close my eyes and come back to my breath. Giving myself permission to design a practice that worked for my very active mind was very helpful.

- Christine Hassler, life coach and author of Expectation Hangover

2. I DIDN'T WANT TO JUST SIT THERE

When I first started meditating, I had the same three doubts many people do: I can't sit still, I can't turn my mind off and I don't have the time.

What worked for me: All you really have to do is focus on your breath, whether it's for one hour, one minute or even 16 seconds. You could even accumulatively meditate all day long: standing in line at Starbucks, sitting in traffic, waiting for a meeting to start. And you don't have to sit still - you can move around and meditate at the same time.

- Suze Yalof Schwartz, founder of Unplug Meditation

3. I KEPT FALLING ASLEEP

I started meditating when I was a sleep-deprived, stressed-out sophomore in college. I meditated twice a day, in the morning and afternoon for 20 minutes each. But most afternoons when I tried to meditate, I would fall asleep!

What worked for me: I slept longer and had some coffee or tea before meditating.

- Daniel Goleman, psychologist and author of A Force for Good: The Dalai Lama's Vision for Our World

4. I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME

My biggest excuse was "I don't have time." Then I thought about it rationally: If I have time to watch "Goat Babies in Pajamas" on YouTube, I can certainly choose to take five minutes to meditate. Some days it's more, some days it's none, but I now see meditation as an opportunity to tap in, not another thing to fit in.

What worked for me: I set an alarm for the time I have carved out to meditate, or I physically write it in my day planner, usually midday. (I've learned early morning doesn't work for me - I know it's supposed to set up the day powerfully, but all I can think about is coffee!) There is no right or wrong way to meditate - just do it!

- Bethany Lyons, co-founder of Lyons Den Power Yoga

5. I DIDN'T WANT TO 'DO NOTHING'

When I began meditation, the very idea of sitting still and "doing nothing" was a huge obstacle. What I soon learned was that I was training my mind when I meditated, not "doing nothing." I began to learn that meditation gave me the chance to gain perspective, listen to my inner wisdom and make more conscious choices about how I wanted to show up for my life.

What worked for me: Begin with "mini-trainings" of 10 minutes of meditation each day and include simple practices like focusing on the experience of drinking a cup of coffee or walking down a hallway.

- Janice L. Marturano, executive director, Institute for Mindful Leadership

6. I THOUGHT MEDITATION HAD TO BE FORMAL

The one thing I found most difficult at first was making time for formal sitting meditation. I first got into it at the end of my last year at university, and after graduation I started working for a large company. I loved the work, but my days were long and I no longer had as much time to dedicate to formal sitting like I had as a student.

What worked for me: The key was turning how I understood meditation upside down. Instead of complaining that I didn't have time for meditation, I got interested in how I could develop awareness, calm and kindness whether I was in meetings, on the train, at the gym or working online. And I started hacking together little techniques for each of those different places. I still did formal practice, but I made it secondary to the more on-the-go style.

- Rohan Gunatillake, director of Mindfulness Everywhere and founder of Buddify

7. I WANTED TO MOVE AROUND

I started meditating when I was 6-years-old, so the big obstacle for me was just sitting still! And it wasn't just 6-year-old me: That itch to move continued for quite some time. The non-meditating mind runs around at 100 miles per hour, and the body often wants to follow it. Only in recent years have I been able to relax the mind to the point where my desire to move about has lessened.

What worked for me: People don't want to hear it, but meditation takes a lot (a lot!) of time before it starts to become "easier." Trying meditation three times and saying it doesn't work for you is like going for a run three times and being frustrated you didn't lose weight. In the same vein, if you meditate every day for a number of weeks, it becomes easier to do and you start to see results - you'll be more present, calmer, more focused and, dare I say it, kinder. So the best way to settle into meditation is to be patient and give it a chance to take root.

- Lodro Rinzler, Sonima meditation expert and author of How to Love Yourself (and Sometimes Other People)

8. I COULDN'T QUIET MY MIND

Racing thoughts was the biggest hurdle to consistent meditation for me. I could sit down, but then I was left with this interior world of thoughts. And my thoughts were particularly mean-spirited. When I closed my eyes and tried to quiet them, they became even louder, even more mean-spirited.

What worked for me: I overcame this obstacle by giving my intellect something to do - in my case, repetition of a mantra. The ego always needs to be "doing," and repeating a mantra guides my mind to a deeper, less active experience.

- Jeff Kober, meditation expert with Buick's 24 Hours of Happiness Test Drive

9. IT HURT MY LEGS AND BACK

When I first started trying to meditate, my calves and feet would fall asleep with the most painful pins and needles ever, and my back would hurt like crazy.

What worked for me: My breakthrough came when I went on a retreat and the teacher showed me how to prop myself up with cushions and blocks so I could sit with proper elevation and support. Because we were meditating all the time on that 14-day retreat and I was finally sitting in correct alignment thanks to the props, my spine got stronger. I've never had problems since!

- Brett Larkin, yoga and meditation teacher

10. I KEPT THINKING, 'HOW MUCH LONGER?'

When I first started meditating, I was definitely not a "natural." My mantra in those days was "How much longer?" My mind was like a monkey, jumping around all over the place, from my to-do list to the pain in my hip to my endless list of self-criticisms.

What worked for me: First, I made an agreement with myself to meditate every day for 21 days, no matter what. If I hadn't made this commitment, I'm pretty sure I would've given up out of sheer frustration. Like any new habit, it takes time for our neural pathways to rewire, so we are slowly building our attention muscle - the same way you build muscle by weight lifting. We also need to be a bit patient with ourselves as we learn a new skill. Once I was able to give up expecting my mind to be quiet and stop judging my experiences, it all seemed to flow a lot easier.

- Lynne Goldberg, founder of OMG! I Can Meditate

11. I WASN'T CONSISTENT

The biggest challenge I remember as a student of meditation was inconsistency. I seemed to oscillate between rigorous practice and irregularity. The problem? I was trying to fit in meditation.

What worked for me: Whatever we build into our lives - make a consistent and unquestioned fixture in our schedule - occurs. Whatever is fitted in only gets done part of the time. So if you want to deepen the consistency of your meditation practice, build it into your life. Then it won't easily get pushed out by life circumstances, variable moods or waning energy.

- Jeffrey Rubin, Ph.D., psychotherapist, meditation teacher and author of Meditative Psychotherapy

12. I DIDN'T WANT TO BRING UP EMOTIONS

From childhood, I learned to repress (rather than express) feelings such as fear, anger and disappointment. Over many years, we develop maladaptive coping strategies to keep these emotions buried, such as workaholism, consumerism or drugs and alcohol. The difficulty I found in meditation is that when I stopped to focus inward, the repressed emotions would surface, and I'd feel anxious and unable to focus or sit still - what psychologists refer to as "neurotic anxiety."

What worked for me: No one wants to feel those emotions they've been running from since childhood. It's an ongoing process, one I've been working on for more than 20 years of daily practice. What's key for me: a supportive community of friends and working one-on-one with great meditation teachers over the years. I highly recommend both.

- Josh Korda, teacher at Dharmapunx NYC

13. I KEPT THINKING ABOUT MY TO-DO LIST

My biggest hurdle at the beginning of my practice was stilling my mind. The moment I'd sit down to meditate, my to-do lists and other thoughts would start to run through my head.

What worked for me: Over time I learned to allow the thoughts to come and go, rather than push them away. I'd witness the thought and then return to my mantra or my breath. I learned to accept the thoughts as part of the practice.

- Gabby Bernstein, New York Times-bestselling author of Miracles Now

14. I QUIT AFTER TWO WEEKS

My first meditation experience was a weekly class in college. The instructor would walk around and thwack us on the back with a bamboo stick each time we raised our hands to signal a thought drifting into our mind. Well, I had lots of thoughts. (Ouch!) Needless to say, I only lasted two weeks in that class.

What worked for me: Later, I learned that it's normal to have thoughts - whether it's "I'm not doing it right" or thinking about your love life. Let the thoughts come, then gently let them go. And stay the course: When you have a consistent daily meditation practice rather than have only sporadic tastes of that blissful present awareness, you begin to experience that bliss more and more in your everyday life.

- Davidji, Grokker meditation expert

15. I KEPT JUDGING MYSELF

The greatest challenge in meditation, and my life, was what I call the "trance of unworthiness." On some level I was always evaluating how well my meditation was going and concluding it needed to be better. This paralleled my life where I had an ideal of who I should be and chronically felt I was falling short, imperfect: I should be more generous, less self-centered, less judgmental. The effect of feeling insufficient was a lot of striving and rarely relaxing and enjoying the gratification of the present moment just as it was.

What worked for me: I became mindful of how a sense of personal deficiency and failure was a pervasive source of suffering. Rather than judging myself for getting caught up in obsessive thoughts, I would stay mindful and find the fear or hurt or longing that was driving those thoughts.

- Tara Brach, meditation teacher and clinical psychologist

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life/what-15-top-meditation-experts-struggled-with-the-most-at-the-start-20150826-gj7zl2.html#ixzz3kNQFDZXC
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