Healthy and happy life is the most sought of the goal of everyone. Whatever be one’s socio-economic status and occupation, one always aspires to have healthy and joyful life. But one should also remember that vigor and happiness are interwoven with physical, mental and emotional well-being. Those who give importance only to physical fitness cannot sustain good health unless they are mentally and emotionally fine. This is fact emphasized in the ancient Indian texts and is reflected in the holistic way of life guided there. The modern science of medicine has also recognized the importance of mental and emotional fitness in healthy and hearty life and therefore the causes and remedies of many diseases and disorders are searched in the patient’s psychology these days.
The Indian sages of Vedic times – the rishis, had discovered the super science of yoga and thereby guided practical ways for accomplishing complete well-being. The rishis had devised methods to awaken the unlimited powers (potentials) of human life by means of yoga. The experimental science of yoga, as developed by the revered Rishi Patantaji is known as “Ashtang Yoga” (ASÚanga Yoga). Though yoga has become a familiar term across the globe and plethora of so called yoga-schools are flourishing these days, people at large are ignorant of the real meaning and purpose of yoga. They regard it as a ‘package’ of physical exercises alone. No doubt, the physical exercises (asanas) derived from the Ashtang Yoga are most natural and effective means of physical fitness but its domain is not confined to these. In fact, it encompasses all aspects of life. What makes the real difference and bestows great benefits is to practise the asanas along with understanding the basic philosophy of yoga while also attempting to adopt it in action.
The word meaning of yoga is – union, addition. It has originated in spiritual context and implies – the union of individual self with the Absolute, Eternal Self. In simple terms, the philosophy of yoga teaches us that a life when lived as per the will and disciplines of the Supreme Creator becomes a life united with His Supreme Powers. The Ashtang Yoga has eight (ashta) components (ang) sincere adoption of which accomplishes health, vigor and joy in life and leads to its divine evolution. These components are termed — Yam, Niyam, Âsana, Prañayama, Pratyahara, Dharaña, Dhyana, Samadhi. The first four have direct bearing upon physical and mental health. The later successively pertain to emotional transmutation and spiritual upliftment.
The seekers of ultimate ascent of happy and hearty life are required to successfully traverse the eight phases of Ashtang Yoga. The details of these with practical guidance can be found in comprehensive texts and commentaries on “Patantali Yoga”. The book “Patanjali Yoga Dasharna” published by Shantikunj Hardwar, is especially suited for present-day readers. It is also recommended for beginners who want to have a thorough but lucid illustration on this discipline of deeper knowledge.
Those desirous of physical and mental health alone should also note that adoption of the disciplines of Yam and Niyam is a pre-requisite for most fruitful results of their endeavors of the physical and breathing exercises of asana and prañayama.
The disciplines of Yam include – satya (truthfulness), ahimsa (non-violence), brahmcharya (chastity of body and mind), asteya (restrain from stealing or craving for others’ belongings), aparigraha (austerity; avoidance of materialistic accumulation). Niyam incorporates – ïaucha (purity and cleanliness of mind, body and surroundings), tapa (penance and self-discipline for self-refinement), swadhyaya (self-study and self-development in the light of elevated thoughts), santoSa (contentment), iïawara- prañidhana (devotion to divinity). Neglect of Yam-Niyam and adoption of a conduct contrary to these triggers untoward accumulation in the inner spirit and gives rise to hidden psychological complexities. This negative development hampers health and happiness in several ways and results in acute problems in the long run.
The importance of disciplined routine and righteous conduct for vigor and vitality is also highlighted in the Holy Gita (Chapt. 6, Shloka 17):
Yuktaharaviharasya YuktacheSÚasya Karmasu |
Yuktaswapnavabodhasya Yogo Bhavati Duhkhaha ||
Meaning: Adoption of – ahara (air, water, food intakes), vihara (chores esp. those pertaining to Nature’s direct effects), cheSÚa (determined attempts), and karma (actions), as prescribed in [the science of] yoga eliminates all pains and worries.
Âhara, being the key source of nourishment and strength of the body, is given importance in health sciences. As per the ancient texts, the intrinsic natural property (guña) of the food exerts corresponding impression on the mind too. Therefore, the yoga- science gives prime attention to what and how one should eat. It prescribes satoguñi ahara (see Ayurveda and Yoga scriptures for details). In simple terms, fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, sprouted grains and easy to digest fresh-cooked food prepared from cereals and pulses naturally available in the present season are best if eaten without deep frying and sans spices and sweetening. Weather changes with season; the degree and nature of this variation depends upon the climate. Vihara (lifestyle including clothing and timings of daily chores esp. the timings of food intake, stroll etc) should be adjusted as per the prevailing weather to minimize the negative effects of excess heat, cold or rains etc and maximize the benefits, e.g. walk on fresh dew in spring, exposure to the mild sunlight in winter, etc.
CheSÚa and karma should be aimed at benevolent goals and should be attempted using wisdom. Even the daily practice of physical exercises should be done with due punctuality, alacrity and thoroughness. For example, one should not take a shortcut to practising some shoulder-exercises while walking. Sleeping and waking up are also important actions. There should be good balance of rest and mental and physical activity every day. While going to bed one should let his mind free of all tensions and feel as though it’s the end of one life. The next day would bring new life, which should begin with new hope and determination. One should wake up with new energy and light and plan for better management of the day ahead. The resolutions for the day should be doable and must incorporate improvement in some respect so that the mistakes of the past are not recurred and the thoughts and actions today are modified.
Well-being of the masses and dissemination of divine cultural values along with social development are principal objectives of the Yug Nirman Mission of the All World Gayatri Pariwar. Its multi-faceted reformatory and reconstructive activities are initiated by revered Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Acharya, a seer-sage of the present age who pioneered spirituality as an art of living, and propounded thought-revolution and revival of the Rishi Culture in new scientific light.
As a first step towards uplifting the physical and mental health of the masses, he had presented a stream of yoga, which is simple and suitable for the masses today. This is referred as “Pragya Yoga”. Shantikunj – an Aranyak of our times, which is situated in the lap of the Holy Ganges and under the pristine shadows of the Himalayas – is a center for training of Pragya Yoga.
This yoga aims for healthy tuning of all the three bodies (physical, subtle and causal) of a person. The asanas rejuvenate the physical body and prañayamas (breath control exercises) elevate bio-energy and help cleansing and calming the mind, and chanting of mantra in the heart helps augment inner strength. Pragya Yoga is a combination of all three incorporating selected asanas and prañayamas with chants of mantras.
Several of the sagacious writings of Acharya ji offer lucid guidance on how to adopt Yam Niyam in today’s life. Comprehensive personality development and spiritual refinement courses and sadhana camps organized at Shantikunj Hardwar on regular basis provide the necessary support, inspiration and practical training.
Source: Pragya Yoga for Healthy & Happy Life
Author: Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya
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