१. समाधि पाद (पतंजलि योग का प्रथम अध्याय)

In the past, I wrote about the 7 parts of Patanjali's Yog that include different states of body and mind. In this edition, you would see the different tendencies of the mind that Rishi Patanjali says you should control. Yog scriptures are very focused on mind (mentioned as Chitt or चित्त). In fact, they start by saying:

"योगः चित्तवृत्ति निरोधः । तदा द्र्ष्टु: स्वरूपे अवस्थानम् ॥ वृत्तिसारूप्यमित्ररत्र॥ "

That means, Yog limits the oscillations or tendencies of the mind. When that happens, the soul gets into its "own" form. At other times or until then, the soul acts under these tendencies and does not realize its own form.

Now, there are unlimited types of such tendencies of the mind, but Yog has classified them in 5 categories and each of these tendencies may have two faces (Good or Bad):

1. प्रमाण (Knowledge) - Yog mentions 3 sources of right knowledge: प्रत्यक्ष (Direct Cognition), अनुमान (Inference) and आगम (Revelation). Either you experience it, infer it or receive it by preachings of saints and texts such as Geeta, this knowledge forms a tendency that controls the mind. प्रत्यक्षानुमानागमा: प्रमाणानि।

Of the two faces, if this knowledge is twisted, the individual gets lost in the materialistic world, desires and comforts. But, if the knowledge is pure and without doubts, the soul can realize the blemishes of worldly substances such as their short-life, misery etc.

2. विपर्यय (Illusion) - False or illusory knowledge can also create beliefs or tendencies in our minds. For example, constantly transforming nature of worldly substances can be mistaken for their short-life and thus, lead a person to renounce them. This would constitute a good face of this tendency. विपर्ययो मिथ्याज्ञानमतद्रूपप्रतिष्ठम।

3. विकल्प (Imagination) - Fantasy or imagination of an object in its absence also captivates the mind. Thus, it affects the mind. A good face of this tendency would be to believe in god without ever having seen or perceived. A bad face would be immersing oneself in the worldly forms away from achievement of Yog. शब्दज्ञानानुपाती वस्तुशून्यो विकल्प:।

4. निद्रा (Sleep) - This is the state of total lack of awareness, ego and desires. Just as you wake up with soundness and purity from this state, it presents the good face of this tendency. The bad face would bring laziness and happiness in wasteful resting. Patanjali says sleep is also a state of conscious mind because we remember this state once we wake up. अभावप्रत्ययालम्बना वृत्तिर्निद्रा।

5. स्मृति (Memory) - The impressions of the subjects or situations that are experienced by above 4 tendencies are awakened under this tendency, known as memory. अनुभूतविषयासम्प्रमोष: स्मृति:।

In the end, Patanjali says that the control over these tendencies can only be obtained through practice and renunciation. अभ्यासवैराग्याभ्याम तन्निरोध:।

Individuals behave according to these tendencies in life, irrespective of the "own" self of the soul. These tendencies are conditioned according to many factors in biological and social environment for that individual. A level of understanding that can make the individual realize such placement of soul can only be acquired through dhyan or meditation, as we awaken the Kundalini powers in ourselves. Such powers are targeted by adopting Yog sutras such as Pranayam.

The need of concentrated mind before learning

You must have seen students toiling over to become educated and sometimes wonder why is it all that important. It is not just the process by which you attain the knowledge. But, that is the essence of the truth that a body must be tamed with self-discipline before it becomes effective in absorbing the wisdom. A Guru understands this and guides you through the process where you can control your mind and focus.

Speaking of concentration, old texts of Patanjali state the importance of Yog (or Yoga, as people call it). Patanjali wrote Ashtanga Yog to describe the process of controlling the mind. This text starts with the line, योग: चित्तवृत्ति निरोध:, meaning 'Yog limits the oscillations of the mind'. Ashtanga in sanskrit means eight limbs. Therefore this yog consists of eight limbs:

1. Yam (Moral Principles) - Non-violence, Truth, Non-stealing, Abstinence and Non-possesiveness
2. Niyam (Personal Disciplines) - Purity, Contentment, Endurance, Self-inspection and Devotion
3. Aasan (Yog Postures) - body postitions to release tension and prepare for meditation
4. Pranayam (Yog Breathing) - controlling the life forces or tendencies of the mind through breathing
5. Pratyahar (Withdrawl of Senses) - developing inner powers to reduce distractions
6. Dhaarna (Concentration on Object) - Focusing on the singleness
7. Dhyan (Meditation) - Withdrawing of mind and deep concentration
8. Samadhi (Salvation) - Realization of super joy and bliss

Goal of this discussion is to see the very high level view of the role of preparations for body and mind. In today's world, people want shortcuts. Some want to lose weight by doing Yog Aasan (as in step 3 above). Many commercial establishments cater to this need. But, is it really worth it? Yog was written by Patanjali for people to discover through a sequence of sincere steps. Before one can attain the real wisdom, the body and soul must be cleansed through Yam and Niyam. The Yog vidya or knowledge is meant to cleanse your thoughts and thus leading you to the super joy by providing a stable mind that lives in a self-disciplined body. Now, questions come as to how that is possible. And, my honest advice is that it is not, if you don't believe it. Only after your sincere efforts are put in with complete faith in this wisdom, you will spend time to fully utilize its benefits rather than wasting your resources getting entertained along with others in a skill sold at establishments. There will not be much harm either. You will flex your muscles and bones while doing these Yog aasans. Or, it could be that you are not interested that far into the world of controlling your mind.

In the ordinary life, it's a rare realization that mind cannot be controlled. Some, you would find, are so certain that they have controlled their mind and desires. But, usually it's on their own terms. That is not effective. That involves the self in the decision-making process.

Therefore, if you ever feel tired in difficulties that arise in life for you to learn a lesson or skill, just remember that it is a process that MUST occur for taming of the body and mind. Only a stable mind can acquire the precious lessons provided by the destiny. So, practice it in daily life and you will find that the ancient wisdom guides you through the process of learning and takes away your confusions arising everyday. As they said, getting prepared is half the battle.