“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, that is way great spiritual giants are produced.” – Swami Vivekananda

The yoga sutras mention that meditation is a natural unfoldment from a state concentration, and and that the state of meditation provides other subtler, spontanious and deeper states of experience.

This quote for me, makes me think if you follow this advice, ones whole life becomes a meditation on one thing to be achieved. Obviously day to day needs are to be taken care of, but to have one focus in you’re life no matter what you’re age, must be an interesting way to live.

Of course the question is, what one thing could we set our selves upon? and is it even worth setting our lives up in this way? If we did set our focus, it would certainly help us through the tough times, it could be a rewarding endeavor if it works with the type of person you are.

Swami Satyananda attained Maha Samadhi this morning, 5th Dec. Maha Samadhi is the final step in a yogi’s sadhana practice. Swami Satyanda founded the Bihar School of yoga and from this seed and the subsequent events, Mandala Yoga Ashram was founded. The Mandala yoga ashram is where I am studying to be a yoga teacher.

I have to say hearing this news does bring mix feelings and a level of contemplation. One point is that how much control is required to consciously die without the use of anything, this is an amazing concept. On another level, we all die at some point, but to be able to prepare and take control over the death of you’re own being, that’s amazing. And think about it, to be able to gain the state of Maha Samadhi in the face of knowing you are going to die. Meditation requires amongst other aspects relaxed, steady, calm and firm seated position. How do you get that relaxed and calm knowing what you will be leaving behind. I suppse this demonstrates a mastery over non-attachment as described in various traditions and yoga texts.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Every moment you have is an experience, how you view the experience is possibly more important than the experience, although the experience is vitally important.

Make the best of everything you have that comes your way, and the people you know and meet along the way. Enjoy everything you can and humbly accept the rest.

Life is about understanding, transformation and embracing ourselves as we are in the world as it is. Starting from this point we move as we are into what we will become.

This is why I find the tools of yoga so practical the more I learn how to use them in my life. Harmony and balance, a dynamic interplay of forces, each force requiring a continuous re-adjustment to maintain balance.  Try balancing something on your finger, like a spoon and once you find the point of balance , you will notice it requires minimum effort to continually maintain it’s position. Yoga for me is about learning where this balance point is, and how to maintain it.

As we continually refine and hone our ability to develop and maintain this balance we release more energy, and effort becomes effortless, we can do as we need, thereby allowing us to make the most of who we are, how we are and what we can do becomes spontaneous and more enjoyable. We become less attached and less adverse to what comes our way, although we will still have likes, dislikes and opinions, we may see them for what they are, transitory interactions rippling through who we are. This process of course shows much about who we are, and this is why I like Swami Vivekenanda when he says “Experience is the only teacher we have”.

Yoga isn’t just about sitting or standing on a mat and putting your body in odd positions, although these are very powerful and effective. The yoga tradition has so many other tools available that it caters for people of all dispositions and backgrounds.

Copyright © 2009 Russell Smithers

What is Yoga Nidra?

Yoga Nidra puts a person into a state of awareness that is completely relaxed both physically and mentally, you are on the threshold of sleep but not sleeping. Being in this state has many benefits that are outside the scope of this article, although, in short because you have relaxed everything you are allowing all aspects of you physical and mental body to rest.

Benefits

Yoga Nidra helps with stress, psychological disorders, memory, insomnia, addiction, pain relief, pregnancy, childbirth, menstrual disorders, geriatric medicine, blood pressure, cancer treatment and psychosomatic diseases. More information can be found in the the book “Yoga Nidra” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.

Understanding Yoga Nidra

The best way to understand Yoga Nidra is to practice it for yourself. I know this because I have seen the benefits of Yoga Nidra in only the first few sessions, but also I have seen the longer term benefits of other yoga practices such as; Ashtanga Primary series, Meditation, Shanmukhi Mudra and studying yogic philosophy; therefore, I would recommend trying Yoga Nidra and seeing the results for yourself.

Practising

Practising this technique is easy, you lie down and listen to instructions either from a CD or in class. I am using the CD “Experience Yoga Nidra: Guided deep relaxation” by Swami Janakananda Saraswati, this only lasts 21 minutes, I am using it when I get in from work because it helps me make the most of my spare time. Early morning and before going to bed are also good times. Instructions and a description are included on the enclosed leaflet.

Hatha, Pratyahara and Patanjali Ashtanga

Yoga Nidra is a form of pratyahara as described in the Patanjali’s yoga sutras. Those practicing the physical Ashtanga yoga practice (asana practice/Hatha yoga) as made famous by Pattabhi Jois will find this supplements their daily asana practice, although at the moment I have limited experience of this benefit at the time of writing.

Physical Yoga

Physical yoga (asana) and Yoga Nidra support each other. Practicing physical yoga helps free the body and reduce distractions during Yoga Nidra. Where as practicing Yoga Nidra helps you be in a better position to practice asanas. Asana practice (hatha yoga) was designed specifically to help people meditate without bodily distractions, and Yoga Nidra is a form of meditation.

Copyright © 2008 Russell Smithers