Surya Namaskaar

There are many customs that are integral part of Vedic culture that pertains to showing our gratitude to the Nature (Prakirti) that manifests in the form of Sun, Moon, rivers, forests and animals around us. Since times immemorial Sun worship was a central and integral part of religious practice on the Indian subcontinent.  This is evident in the presence of Konarak and Arasavelli (A.P.)  Sun temples.

There are numerous references of praising the Sun for the purpose of good health and prosperity, in Vedas. Some of these Vedic hymns were incorporated into "Nitya Vidhi" (Daily routine prayers) for the well being of an individual, through the salutations to the Sun. These daily procedures were termed as Surya Namaskaar (literally translates as "sun salutations"). 

Answers from Bhagwad Gita on attaining pure Bliss

Srimad Bhagwad Gita is a sacred Hindu scripture, which is considered among the most important texts in the history of literature and philosophy. The content of Gita is the conversation between the Arjuna and the God-personified Sri Krishna in the midst of a battlefield. It clarifies the doubts of all the seekers of inner happiness with extraordinary ease, logic and prudence. Presented below, are a few straight forward answers related to the process of attaining inner bliss.

Question: How can one attain that wonderful state of bliss?

Answer: The state, that is free from contact of sorrow and the affinity for the world, should be known as Yoga. Such Yoga is attained with determination of an unwearied mind. (Gita

6-23)

Two types of meditation

In ShivaPurana (Lingan Purana and Vayu Porana), Shivji gave discourses on Ashtanga Yoga (8 phases of Yoga) to Mata Parvati. The seventh phase of Ashtanga Yoga is described as Dhyana or meditation. For a true seeker, it is vital to understand the importance of meditation in order to progress to the higher stages of spiritual experiences. The spiritual knowledge and practices of a true seeker should be deep rooted in experiences during meditation.

The scientists of the yore, our Rishis and Yogis, categorized meditation broadly into two categories. One is the concentrative meditation where the emphasis is given to fixing the attention or concentration. And the second is contemplative meditation which involves analytical investigation. A true seeker is skilled with both of these types of meditations. Meditation is an art that can be learned with determination and can be mastered by persistence. So, practice is the key, like learning any other art. Just like with any other art, the importance of an experienced teacher cannot be undermined. When it comes to all the phases of Ashtanga Yoga, guided practice is very helpful for the beginners.

The art of Ashtanga Yoga

"Ashtanga Yoga" are the eight phases of Yoga that can help a soul to realize the Supreme Soul, a being to realize the oneness with the Supreme Being, a consciousness to realize being the part of the Supreme Consciousness. According to the ancient texts, these eight phases of Yoga were first explained by Lord Shiva during his discourses to Mata Parvati.  After Vedic period, around 400 BC, a great sage Maharishi Patanjali explained Ashtanga Yoga in detail in Patanjali Yoga Sutras.

When a seeker begins his seeking under the guidance of a Self realized Guru, the seeker is expected to follow the logical path, that are the eight steps of Ashtanga Yoga.

Yamas

The first phase of Yoga involves moral code of conduct that helps the seeker in controlling inner and outer senses. This helps in becoming free of any kind of lust and desire. The five Yamas are: 

Ahiṃsā (अहिंसा): Nonviolence, non-harming other living beings
Satya (सत्य): truthfulness
Asteya (अस्तेय): non-stealing
Brahmacārya (ब्रह्मचर्य): celibacy
Aparigraha (अपरिग्रहः): non-avarice, non-possessiveness

The superior most path of Self realization

A group of pious villagers often used to gather in the evenings for divine discussions on the subject of life and God. On one of such lovely evenings, when they gathered under the huge Pipal tree, one of the villagers began the discussion by saying, “Friends, we are fortunate to have so many holy men and saints in our village during past few years. But I often wonder, they all tell us about various paths to the realization of Truth. But which path would be the most superior one?”

Another villager tried to answer, “In my opinion, with the help of the path of Yoga and meditation, many Yogis have attained the higher state of existence in the Himalayas and elsewhere. So, the path of Yoga and meditation should be followed by the true seekers.”

Life is much more than a race

Just imagine, you are driving on a highway on your new car. You are in high spirits, enjoying the comforts of soft cushioned seats, listening to your favorite music, appreciating awesome scenery on both sides of highway and thanking the almighty for all his blessings. Life is beautiful, you are enjoying the journey and you have covered more than half a distance.

Suddenly, you saw a Mercedes zooming ahead of you at high speed. Not only one, but many others are getting ahead of you. You assumed that it’s a race and you have to get ahead of these guys. Now, you stared peddling at full speed as per the capacity of your car. Under pressure, you started ignoring the rules of the road as all of your attention is to get ahead in the race. Not only that even if your car is getting minor dents on the way, you are ignoring that. You are no more appreciating the scenery. Instead all of your focus is now on winning the race. Same journey that you were enjoying before has become a tiring endeavor.  

The science of Pranayama

Prana refers to the subtle vital life force that is the link between the physical body and the mind. This vital energy makes us breath and keeps us alive. Pranayama is a Yogic discipline of breathing exercises developed by the ancient sages of India thousands of years ago. 

Prana flows through thousands of subtle energy channels called ‘nadis’ and energy centers called ‘chakras’. The quantity and quality of prana and the way it flows through the nadis and chakras determines one’s state of physical and mental health. If the Prana is well regulated and its flow is spontaneous, smooth and steady, the mind remains calm, positive and enthusiastic. Many ailments are attributed to the blockages in the prana flow throughout the body as per ancient science of Ayurveda. 

Pranayama is the fourth 'limb' of the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga as per Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Regular practice increases and enhances the quantity and quality of prana, clears blocked nadis and chakras, and results in the practitioner feeling energetic, enthusiastic and positive. Regular practice of prananyama techniques brings harmony between the body, mind and spirit, making one physically, mentally and spiritually strong.  A seeker practices Pranayama before sitting in meditation because such breathing exercises helps in calming the mind and prepares it for meditation. 

Gratitude brings you peace and inner happiness

Happy moments? ... Praise God.

Difficult moments? ... Worship God.

Painful moments? ... Trust God.Quiet moments? ... Seek God.

Every moment? ... Thank God.

Most of the people resort to the Supreme power during the difficult moments of life. But how many of us praise God during happy moments? The remembrance of God at all the times and the sincere heartfelt gratitude towards God brings you long lasting peace, equanimity and inner fulfillment.

Quotes on mysticism

Mysticism is the pursuit of communion (or Yog) with, identification with, or conscious awareness of an ultimate Reality, Divinity, spiritual Truth, or God through direct experience, intuition, instinct or insight. When the seeker realizes the union with the Supreme Truth, he or she becomes a mystic - full of divine peace and spiritual blissfulness. Mysticism is the path only for those seekers who have the boldness, strength and intelligence to look beyond the rigid constraints of traditional religious institutions. 

Recently, I came across a few interested quotes about mysticism which I want to quote here.

The finest emotion of which we are capable is the mystic emotion. Herein lies the germ of all art and all true science. ~ Albert Einstein

I said before, the most beautiful and most profound religious emotion that we can experience is the sensation of the mystical. And this mysticality is the power of all true science. ~ Albert Einstein

When you study natural science and the miracles of creation, if you don't turn into a mystic you are not a natural scientist. ~ Albert Hofmann

Mysticism and materialism

A seeker went to a Saint and asked humbly, “Dear Sir, it is commonly believed that for pursuing spiritual path, one has to give up material pursuits. Most of the sadhus and holy men even give up their household to pursue mysticism. Can’t both coexist – mysticism and materialism?”

The compassionate Saint looked at the seeker and with a gentle smile and chanted a shloka,

“Shuka Tyagi, Krishna bhogi, Janak Raghav Narendra, 

Vashistha Karmanishtsya, Sarvesham  Gyaninaam samana bhokta   II”

Shukadev was a renunciate, Krishna relisher, Janak Kingly,

Vashistha action oriented, all Self realized ones equally enjoys  II

The Saint continued, “Son, materialism and mysticism are independent of each other. Materialism is in respect to the outer world, whereas mysticism is all about the inner world. Sure, both can coexist, but only with the help of spiritually elevated and purified intellect. One doesn’t have to give up the material world for achieving the goal of supreme blissfulness of the inner world. Kabir, Guru Nanak, Sant Ravidas and many Saints realized the goal of life while leading a married household life. Even I haven’t given up my worldly pursuit while pursing my spiritual goals.”

Your true essence is Ram

A young IAS officer came to know about the arrival of a Brahmnishta Saint in the town. Under the influence of his saatvic (virtuous) sanskaars, he went to meet the Saint. The Saint was sitting in a room with about a dozen devotees and talking about the significance of reciting the holy name (Naam japa).

At the end of the discussion, the Saint told the devotees to clarify their doubts and ask questions. The Officer asked, “Dear Sir, please tell us an easy and practical method of realizing our Aatman and the God.”

With a smile of his face, the Saint said, “Son, reciting the holy name of God while contemplating upon his essence is the easiest and practical way to realize the true Self. Recite Ram... Ram … Ram every day and fill your heart with the love and devotion for that holy name.”

“Sir, we already know that. Please tell us something new.”

“Oh you donkey, don’t just keep on asking questions for the sake of asking.”

There was a complete silence in the room. Even the Saint closed his eyes in silence. With a heavy heart, the Officer stood up and left the scene.”

A sincere new year wish

New-year time – the time of joy and freshness; the time to celebrate and welcome the new year with a lots of hope, optimism and enthusiasm; time to be with friends and family; time to make new resolutions; time to thank God for all the blessings and pray for more. Yes, once again it’s that time of the year which brightens us all.

A true seeker of inner happiness also remembers that along with the festivities and celebrations, it’s the time for some calibration – the time to review and grade ourselves against the true goals of human life – the goal of realizing the Truth; the goal of Self realization; the goal of achieving inner peace and true happiness.