Science of essential AM practice
Namaskar,
Astaunga
yoga - the eight-limbs of yoga - includes yama, niyama, asana,
pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. When my own asana
practice became disturbed, I sought out one Dada as I did not want to be
deficient in any way. At the earliest opportunity, I asked a different
Wt, i.e. rector Dada, to review my asanas. He was very busy arranging
things related with the master unit. When he inquired about my problem, I
told him that earlier I did not have any serious problem. But when I
started doing the asanas assigned to me by one Dada, then I began to
experience various issues.
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Some wts do not study Baba's books
I
related what happened when I had visited Ananda Nagar. I requested Dada
to prescribe some asanas for me, then in a distracted manner he told
some asanas while I was walking along with him. Since practicing those
asanas, my situation worsened.
After
listening to this, my rector Dada told that, "You have to understand
the basic condition of our workers, WTs. Because of organizational work
pressure, everyone in the Ananda Marga Wt cadre is busy. Consequently,
some do not sufficiently study Baba's books nor the Ananda Marga acarya
diary; while others do not have proper knowledge about asanas and their
positive and negative effects. In that case, some do not know which
asana is related with which disease, while some other workers certainly
know. If you find a Wt who is knowledgeable, then that is very good -
learn from them. Otherwise, refer to Baba's books [as explained below]
because getting improper guidelines from an unqualified worker could be
harmful."
Here are more of the topics and key points that Rector Dada conveyed to me that day.
Asanas
are a tested and proven science. They should be prescribed very
carefully, only after proper analysis and inquiry regarding the
practitioner's physical and psychic diseases or problems. Asanas are not
just free-hand exercises. Asanas are deeply healing postures of comfort
that are related with various glands and subglands.
Sadguru
Baba has revealed a completely new science. In the past, various yogiis
were doing asanas, but they were not aware about the serious
consequences. And they did not know the way asanas link with various
propensities. In His discourse "Glands and Sub-glands", Baba has
revealed the secret.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "This is a new science which is unknown today." (1)
Baba
has given the science in His Ananda Marga teachings how asanas affect
various cakras and their related glands and subglands.
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Proper system should be followed
Asanas
should not be learned or practiced in a haphazard way. If anybody does
asanas without proper awareness, those asanas can cause serious harm or
create more diseases: Physical, as well as psychic. To avoid this
situation, better is to follow Baba's direct teaching.
In
the asana book, it says that margiis should consult with acaryas. Then
how can margiis decide their own asanas with the help of the books only?
The answer is simple: Yogic Treatments book.
In
that text, various diseases and their respective asanas have been
detailed. One should carefully read about their health problem. The
recommended asanas for that problem should be practiced carefully and
diligently, otherwise there is the possibility of causing harm.
One should consult Yogic Treatments
Here is more of what Dadaji and I discussed that day.
Dada
confided in me, "You see my situation. I am extremely busy in my master
unit work. If any asthma patient or heart disease patient asks me about
asanas, what can I tell them? And if I give them the wrong asana, that
will be very bad. So for the sake of safety and welfare for others, I
suggest that everybody should read the Yogic Treatments (Yoga Cikitsa),
and follow the guideline. In that way they should decide upon and
practice their asana. That is a very safe method."
Then I replied, "Dadaji earlier nobody ever told me this in such a clearcut way."
Dada
replied, "On this very point, what can I say? I know my own
shortcomings. I do not have any hesitation to accept them. Due to
extreme pressure of work, some WTs do not have time to study all those
huge teachings of various diseases and their remedies and asanas. So
those concerned persons should decide. That is why Baba has written this
book. Otherwise, what for?"
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Better than wrong guidelines from uninformed acarya
Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, "The object of the art of
healing is to cure a patient, both physically and mentally. So the main
question is not to uphold any particular school of medical science;
rather, the key task is the welfare of the patient."
"Just as diseased body organs can be restored to normal by
administering medicines internally or externally, they can also be
healed, more safely and more perfectly, with the help of yogic ásanas
and mudrás. The aim of this book, therefore, is to make the general
public aware of the yogic methods of treating the various illnesses.
"My purpose is to let people cure themselves by practising the ásanas
and mudrás described in this book. People are requested not to take the
risk of practising ásanas and mudrás by themselves, but rather to do so
under the guidance of an experienced ácárya [spiritual teacher]. Ananda
Marga ácáryas will always be ready to help without any remuneration.
Detailed instructions for practising the ásanas and mudrás, for bathing,
etc. have been given in Part Three of Ananda Marga Caryácarya. If
necessary, the reader may consult that book." (2)
Dadaji
added, "In normal times - when all acaryas are up to the mark in all
respects, then getting acarya consultation on asanas from a Wt is best.
That is Baba's guideline. But in this era, if a proper acarya is not
nearby, then one can adjust and learn directly from Baba's above books,
i.e. Caryacarya - 3 and Yogic Treatments. That will suffice - that is
better than getting improper guidelines from an acarya without the
requisite knowledge. However, if one is very new to Ananda Marga tantra
yoga, they should refrain from learning on their own. Then they should
wait to in contact with a wt or practicing margii."
Some warnings about asanas
In
the last Dada warned, "Be careful. If asanas are done correctly then
that is very good and highly beneficial. But if they are done
incorrectly, they are very harmful. If you need help with a particular
asana ask your bhukti pradhan, unit secretary, or any Wt or senior
margii who has a keen understanding of that particular asana. One of the
tragedies nowadays, when yoga has become so popular around the world,
is that many are practicing without following the do's and don'ts such
as proper diet, correct form, or wrong asana entirely, and in result
they hurt and harm themselves."
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After
that he showed me Baba's discourse, "Glands and Sub-glands", where Baba
has revealed the operative aspect behind the science of yoga asanas.
Some asanas give pressure on the glands and then the secretion of
hormones increases. And that affects the body and mind. Whereas other
asanas have a depressurizing effect on other respective glands. That
functions in the opposite manner. Some asanas work in one direction, and
then other asanas work in the opposite direction.
And
Baba also especially warned, that in various diseases certain asanas
are prohibited. Like, in high blood pressure, sarvangasana
(shoulderstand) is very harmful. Similarly, in the case of heart
patients, salabasana is very bad. There is a long list of such
conditions. So the best is to consult Yogic Treatments book. That is the
safest way.
At His feet,
Acintya
Note:
The "I" in the above account refers to our dear margii brother Ram
Prasadji. He is the one who spoke to rector master dada about asanas. I
have merely noted down the points and recounted the scene so others
could read what happened. Thus the "I" does not refer to me (Acintya),
the "I" reflects brother Ram Prasadji.
Baba’s warning on asanas
First Baba gives this general warning about the proper practice of asanas:
Ananda
Marga Yogic Treatments states, "People are requested not to take the
risk of practising ásanas and mudrás by themselves, but rather to do so
under the guidance of an experienced ácárya [spiritual teacher]. Ananda
Marga ácáryas will always be ready to help without any remuneration."
(Yogic Treatments, Preface)
Here
the point is that if asanas are not practiced properly then they can
harm the patient / practitioner. And verily if you go carefully through
the entire Yogic Treatments book, one will see that Baba gives the dos
and don'ts of so many diseases and only the asanas which Baba prescribes
will be beneficial. Other asanas will exacerbate the situation.
Yogic
Treatments states, "Remember that patients should practise no ásanas
and mudrás other than Utkśepa Mudrá when the disease [heart disease] is
critical. Only after some improvement in the disease should these ásanas
and mudrás be practised. When patients are more or less cured, they
should practice Karmásana instead of Padahastásana. The practice of
vyápaka snána is also especially helpful in this disease." (3)
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Caryacarya
states, "During menstruation, pregnancy and within one month of
delivery, women must not practise ásanas or any other exercise." (4)
Acarya Diaries & asanas
#1:
Then in the Acarya Diaries, Baba warns that the seated spine twist
(matysendrasana) is harmful to sisters and warns that headstand is
dangerous to all as it increases anger and puts too much pressure on the
eyes. And verily there are numerous articles by non-margii medical
experts about the harmful effects of headstands.
#2:
Here below are a few instances where Baba discusses the relationship
between the practice of asanas and the onset of disease and / or health
conditions.
Caryacarya
states, "Ásana” means “a position in which one feels comfortable” –
“Sthirasukhamásanam.” Ásanas are a kind of exercise by regular practice
of which the body stays healthy and hardy and many diseases are cured.
But ásanas are not prescribed for the general cure of diseases; only
those diseases which create trouble in the path of meditation may be
cured by the help of specific ásanas, so that sádhaná may more easily be
done." (5)
#3:
As you know, many aspects of Guru's teachings have been given in seed
form. In the future, there will be further exploration into how the
misapplication of asanas leads to physical debility and disease.
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~ In-depth study ~
How asanas affect body & mind
Ananda
Marga philosophy guides us, "Cakra is a Sanskrit term while "plexus" is
the Latin term. Besides the main nerve centres at the point of each
cakra, there are also sub-centres where sub-glands are located. These
sub-glands influence the propensities attached to each cakra. This
science is largely unknown today." (6)
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, "By performing a'sanas regularly, human beings
can control the propensities attached to each cakra, and hence the
thoughts which arise in their minds and their behaviour. This is because
a'sanas have a profound effect on the glands and sub-glands." (7)
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, "All a'sanas have either a pressurizing or
depressurizing effect on the glands and sub-glands. For example,
mayu'ra'sana [peacock posture] has a pressurizing effect on the
man'ipura cakra. The secretions of the glands and sub-glands of the
man'ipura cakra and the propensities associated with them will become
more balanced if this a'sana is practised regularly." (8)
Ananda
Marga philosophy says, "If someone has a great fear of public speaking,
it means his or her man'ipura cakra is weak. Through the regular
practice of mayu'ra'sana, this propensity will be controlled and fear
will be eliminated." (9)
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, "Other a'sanas may have a depressurizing
effect on the man'ipura cakra, and if these a'sanas are performed
regularly the glands and sub-glands associated with the cakra will
become less active. Increased glandular secretions generally make the
propensities more active and vice versa." (10)
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, "By practising a'sanas regularly, one can
control the propensities and either increase or decrease their activity.
So aspirants should select the a'sanas they perform very carefully.
This effect of a'sanas on glands and sub-glands has never been revealed
before." (11)
Asanas prescribed to make meditation easier
Ananda
Marga Caryacarya says, "“Ásana” means “a position in which one feels
comfortable” – “Sthirasukhamásanam.” Ásanas are a kind of exercise by
regular practice of which the body stays healthy and hardy and many
diseases are cured. But ásanas are not prescribed for the general cure
of diseases; only those diseases which create trouble in the path of
meditation may be cured by the help of specific ásanas, so that sádhaná
may more easily be done. The relation between the physical body and the
mind is very close. Mental expression is brought about through the
vrttis, and the predominance of the vrttis depends on different glands
of the body. There are many glands in the body and from each there is a
secretion of a particular hormone. If there is any defect in the
secretion of hormones or any defect in a gland, certain vrttis become
excited. For this reason, we find that in spite of having a sincere
desire to follow the moral code, many persons cannot do so; they
understand that they should do meditation, but they cannot concentrate
their minds because their minds become extroverted due to the external
excitement of this or that propensity. If a person wants to control the
excitement of these propensities, he or she must rectify the defects of
the glands. Ásanas help the sádhaka to a large extent in this task, so
ásanas are an important part of sádhaná." (12)
Aśt́áuṋga Yoga into the curriculum in all grades
Ananda
Marga ideology states, "Proper attention should be paid to the
physical, psychic and spiritual development of small boys and girls.
Just as they sit and study to develop their intellectual capabilities,
they should also sit to do their spiritual practices with their parents.
That is the way they will develop their spiritual practices. They
should take diikśá [spiritual initiation] from an ácárya(á) [spiritual
teacher] when they grow up. They should practice the lessons of sádhaná –
japa, dhyána, ásana, práńáyáma, etc. – along with their regular
academic lessons. All that is necessary for their trifarious
development, and it must be perfectly balanced. One should remember that
the absence of a proper balance will harm not only the individuals, but
also the society as a whole." (13)
Ananda
Marga philosophy teaches us, "We must develop the physico-psychic
aspect of students through proper physical culture, which will include
yoga ásanas, proper diet, games, sports, etc. And to develop the
psycho-spiritual aspect, we must reorient the entire curriculum of all
schools from kindergarten to postgraduate level according to the
Neohumanist philosophy, and must incorporate the practices of Aśt́áuṋga
Yoga into the curriculum in all grades. This will be the practical
approach. And the guiding philosophy, the controlling philosophy should
be: “This universe is ours” – and “we” means humans, animals and
plants." (14)
Can control the propensities
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, "By performing ásanas [postures for
physico-psychic well-being] regularly, human beings can control the
propensities attached to each cakra, and hence the thoughts which arise
in their minds and their behaviour. This is because ásanas have a
profound effect on the glands and sub-glands. How? All ásanas have
either a pressurizing or depressurizing effect on the glands and
sub-glands. For example, mayúrásana [peacock posture] has a pressurizing
effect on the mańipura cakra. The secretions of the glands and
sub-glands of the mańipura cakra and the propensities associated with
them will become more balanced if this ásana is practised regularly. If
someone has a great fear of public speaking, it means his or her
mańipura cakra is weak. Through the regular practice of mayúrásana, this
propensity will be controlled and fear will be eliminated. Other ásanas
may have a depressurizing effect on the mańipura cakra, and if these
ásanas are performed regularly the glands and sub-glands associated with
the cakra will become less active. Increased glandular secretions
generally make the propensities more active and vice versa. By
practising ásanas regularly, one can control the propensities and either
increase or decrease their activity. So spiritual aspirants should
select the ásanas they perform very carefully. This effect of ásanas on
glands and sub-glands has never been revealed before." (15)
Ananda
Marga ideology states, "Concentration is a major sádhaná, is a major
intuitional sádhaná. But there are certain helping sádhanás. Ásana and
práńáyáma, for example, are helping items. They are not sádhaná, they
are called sádhanáunga." (16)
Ananda
Marga philosophy guides us, "The indriyas are the controller of the
body, the mind the controller of the indriyas, and the vital energy the
controller of the mind. That's why on the path of spiritual practice,
and particularly in the practice of astáunga yoga (the eight fold path
consisting of yama, niyama, ásana, práńáyáma, pratyáhára, dhárańá,
dhyána, and samádhi) práńáyáma plays a very significant role." (17)
Overall benefits of asanas
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: What is the definition of ásanas?
Answer:
Sthirasukham ásanam (Patanjali). Ásanas are calm, quiet and easy
postures which are held with proper inhalation and exhalation. They
exercise the nerves, tissues, glands and organs of the human body. While
practising ásanas one enjoys physical comfort and mental composure.
The
regular practice of ásanas keeps the body healthy and cures many
diseases. Ásanas control the glands, the glands control the secretion of
hormones, and the secretion of hormones controls the propensities. So
ásanas help a sádhaka [spiritual aspirant] to balance the body and
concentrate the mind." (18)
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Question: Why do we practise ásanas?
Answer: We perform ásanas for the following reasons:
- To increase the flexibility of the body.
- To rectify glandular defects and balance hormonal secretions in order to control the vrttis [propensities].
- To balance the body and mind.
- To withdraw the mind from undesirable thinking.
- To prepare the mind for subtler and higher sádhaná [spiritual practices]." (19)
How asanas are named
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: How do we name ásanas?
Answer: We name ásanas as follows:
(1)
Some ásanas are similar to animal movements so they are named after
those animals; for example, matsyamudrá [fish posture], garud́ásana
[bird posture], etc.
(2)
Some ásanas have the characteristics of animal structures, so they are
also named after those animals; for example, kúrmakásana [tortoise
posture], etc.
(3)
Some ásanas are named by the qualities of the ásana; for example,
sarváungásana [shoulder stand; literally “all-limbs posture”]. The
entire body is benefited by this ásana." (20)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: How many types of ásanas are there?
Answer:
There are mainly two types of ásanas: svásthyásanas and dhyánásanas.
Svásthyásanas are practised primarily for physical health and
secondarily for spiritual elevation. Dhyánásanas are practised primarily
for concentration of mind and meditation. Dhyánásanas include padmásana
[lotus posture], baddha padmásana [bound-lotus posture], siddhásana
[siddha posture, the posture of a perfected one] and viirásana [hero
posture]." (21)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: What is the difference between sarváungásana and vipariitakaranii mudrá?
Answer:
While practising sarváuṋgásana the mind is fixed at the point between
the tip of the two big toes, whereas in vipariitakaranii mudrá the mind
is fixed at the tip of the nose or at the navel." (22)
About mudras & more
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: What are mudrás, bandhas and vedhas?
Answer:
Mudrás are postures which exercise the nerves and muscles. Mudrá
literally means “externalization of internal bháva [ideation]”. There
are only a few spiritual mudrás where the internal ideation is not
externalized. The practitioner of mudrá may or may not enjoy physical
comfort and mental composure. During the practice of mudrás one has to
continue one's conscious endeavour to remain in that posture, but in the
case of ásanas one need not." (23)
Ananda
Marga ideology states, "The Paincakośas shall have to be perfected, but
how is it possible? They can be consummated only through the practice
of Yama and Niyama. The Annamaya Kośa is perfected through Ásanas
(physical postures). Yama and Niyama Sádhana perfect the Kámamaya Kośa.
The Manomaya Kośa is perfected through Pránáyáma. Through Pratyáhára the
Atimánasa Kośa is perfected." (24)
Ananda
Marga Caryacarya states, "After this, at the age of twelve, the child
should take initiation from an ácárya/á in Sádhárańa Yoga, and at
sixteen or afterwards, they should take initiation in Sahaja Yoga from
the ácárya/á. If considered essential, ásanas may be taught before the
age of sixteen." (25)
Here are pertinent links:
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/magazine/how-yoga-can-wreck-your-body.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/endocrinology/news/association-of-yoga-exercises-and-vertebral-compression-fractures/mac-20439187
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6664709/
References
1. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
2. Yogic Treatments, Preface
3. Yogic Treatments, Heart Disease
4. Caryácarya Part 3, Asanas, Rules for ásanas, point #21
5. Ananda Marga Caryácarya Part 3, Asanas
6. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
7. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
8. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
9. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
10. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
11. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
12. Caryacarya - 3, Ásanas
13. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Táńd́ava and Kaośikii
14. Prout in A Nutshell - 9, Pramá – 4
15. Yoga Psychology, "Glands and Sub-glands"
16. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, How to Concentrate
17. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 6, Ekendriya – 6
18. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #4
19. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #5
20. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #6
21. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #7
22. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #8
23. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #9
24. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, The Call of the Supreme
25. Caryacarya - 1, The Process of Initiation
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
You will protect me always
Note: Only those who sincerely practice the higher lessons of sahaja yoga meditation can understand this song in the depths of their heart.
“Áloker ei yátrá pathe, prabhu tumi saunge theko…” (Prabhat Samgiita #3396)
Purport:
O’ Prabhu, my Lord, on the path of this journey of grand effulgence, my path of sadhana, please remain with me all along. Kindly stay by my side each and every moment - and guide me every step. While moving forward on the spiritual journey, if I stop doing my sadhana and leave Ananda Marga and bhagavad dharma, don't let me drift away. Please bring me back onto the path of supreme fulfilment. Keep me along with You, in Your close proximity. Kindly stay with me always; do not leave me. Let me feel Your presence at all times.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, since eternity You have remained with me and coloured me in Your colour of vaeragya, divine love. Now, even in this transitional period and difficult hour, please do not forget that You are my eternal Bandhu: You were helping in the past, and in the future also You will protect me always.
Baba, on this path of forward movement towards the Supreme Goal, indeed You are not only remaining with me along the way but You are also the ultimate destination - the Goal. According to Your playful liila and Your desire, You keep drawing me close. Due to Your pull, my mundane attachments are fading away and my 'I-feeling' gets lost in Brahmabhava. Please inundate me in bliss by taking me beyond the periphery and domain of my I-feeling.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, in all my duties and practices - please keep me at Your lotus feet. On the path of this journey of spirituality, I request You to remain with me always. Keep me in Your eternal shelter every moment...
Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #3396:
[1] Journey: On any journey three things are needed: (a) the traveler, (b) the path, and (c) the destination. In Ananda Marga teachings, the sadhaka is the traveler. Our spiritual practice is the path. This refers to our spiritual way of living such as asana, pranayama, dhyana, sadhana and all our bhakti practices related with Sixteen Points. And Parama Purusa is the destination. Ananda Margiis, all the 24 hours and every breath through all kinds of lessons and practices, are moving along the continuous journey towards Parama Purusa. One fine morning they will reach their destination by His grace. This aforesaid song describes how Parama Purusa is with the sadhaka on their journey and He is the Goal as well.
[2] Where one's unit I-feeling ends, only Parama Purusa remains. Then one will dissolve or merge into Him. So when a person becomes completely ensconced in the deepest spiritual samadhi, then in the sahasrara cakra one will taste that divine nectar, and their whole existence will be inundated with His infinite cosmic grace.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Which bondages to increase and decrease
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "It is the sense of duty that causes one person to renounce everything; and it is the sense of duty that inspires another person to readily accept the burden of caring for his or her family. It is the sense of duty that makes a person great. Of all bonds, the bond of duty is the strongest, and the bond of moha [blind attachment or infatuation] is the worst. Humanity will have to break the bonds of moha and increase the bonds of duty willingly and consciously. This is the law." (1)
Reference
1. Namámi Krśńasundaram, Disc: 13
== Section 3: Links ==
Postings to ReadTiers of margiis
Tanmatras & guru puja
Bogus story based on hallucination
How Baba blessed me
Colour festival: inner spirit
