Om Shree Swami Samarth
Silencing the monkey of mind 4 (Please refer to other blogs in the
series to understand the context of this one)
Svadhyaya is the fourth Niyama or discipline of the yogic path. Svadhyaya means self-study but this
translation does not give the real depth of its meaning. In true sense Svadhyaya
is study of consciousness. In the western context self-study is equivalent to
psychoanalysis which encompasses study of thought, feeling, behaviour etc.
However, Svadhyaya has nothing to do with our external personality of being ABC
or XYZ or being introvert or extrovert,
angry or shy. On the contrary, Svadhyaya leads us to deep introspection on
mysteries such who we are? Of what importance is our existence? Or why are we
here?
As we progress to this level this element of Svadhyaya connects
us to the inner sheath of our self. We delve deeper beyond our existence of
being ABC or XYZ into our higher self which layman’s word is also God. God is
nothing but our shinning inner self. This can be achieved by meditation.
Nevertheless, to be successful at this level we need to be accomplished sadhaks
of Saucha, Santosha and Tapas (refer other blogs for these Niyamas). Arduous
training and habits of mind will allow us to be thought free to connect to
who we really are.
Thus, to reach to our consciousness we have to meditate. The goal of meditation
is to connect to our inner self, to dive deeper and deeper
into our inner world which is full of bliss unattainable in the external world.
To reach this bliss however, we have to have the ability to calm and silence
the thought waves of our mind. Once all thoughts are banished, the road to see
the inner light is clear. As long as thoughts keep resurfacing this path will be foggy preventing us to see our clear self. But once the agitations of the
mind are silenced, the fog will also clear and then unlimited joy follows. This
inner contact is also called realisation of who we are.
Although, this seems easy but in reality is extremely difficult. Our
mind indulges in thinking, tempting us to wander from one pleasure to another but the ultimate pleasure is never found. Delight
is found only when we can direct our mind to our inner self.
There are different pathways to do Svadhyaya. These steps can be helpful
- Learning a few yoga stretches from a local yoga centre will be beneficial as this will enable the body to maintain correct posture without any discomfort during meditation
- Pranayama or breathing exercises are good way to calm the thought waves of mind. Routine of breathing in four counts and breathing out eight counts in slow and gentle manner, focusing on the breath could become a part of this process. Focusing on our breath allows us to create awareness of our body in turn calming the ongoing thought processes of our mind. If this practice is established, there will be moments when a stage of thoughtlessness arrives. Once this happens we can start connecting to our consciousness.
Nonetheless, the process of establishing inner connection can be fast
tracked if mantra jaap meditation is followed along with every in-breath and out-breath. Mantra or chant has an amazing
energy to retain our focus and dissolve the thought waves. Mantra can be from a
scripture of any religion or even some self-affirmation phrases such I am the
higher self or I am that self… works well.
For those on the path of
Swami seva can use OM Shree Swami
Samarth which is extremely effective but divine Names of
other faiths are equally potent.
The goal is not which divine name to chant, the goal is silencing the monkey of our
mind which leads us to distress, war, crimes, hatred, jealousy and vices of all
kinds.
