As creatures of habit aren’t we constantly reminded that the one thing we can count on is change? Truthfully, I accept that change is inevitable and most of the time I say, “bring it on!” But, when my ski instructor challenges me to a new level of terrain, I cringe. Her popularity is a credit to her skill, so why do I resist? There’s comfort in familiarity. However, yoga invites the idea of welcoming change with a paradoxical twist from the ancient sage, Patanjali. In his epic text, The Yoga Sutras, he reveals that change is especially attractive when it leads to “the changeless.”
Ishvara and the Eightfold Path.
In Sutra 4.22, Patanjali teaches that there is a part within us that never changes, our true nature. Also known as our internal compass, or the soul, or atman. The state of changelessness is worth the effort to investigate because of the life enhancing qualities that follow. Like accessing a quiet place anytime at all, the more open we are to this subtle energy beyond the mind’s eye, we discover ishvara. It’s the Sanskrit word for the peaceful, permanent, unbound and untouched awareness. “The seer witnessing what is seen.”
Of the guiding principles in the Yoga Sutras, the Eightfold Path helps tap into this presence. An example of “witnessing one’s self” is to close your eyes and simply become aware of being aware. As yoga emphasizes the union of opposites; consciousness and manifestation are equal. In other words, harmonizing the material (body) with the spiritual (consciousness) connects us to a power greater than its sum and here we begin our journey with the Eightfold Path’s suggestions on civility, the Yamas and Niyamas.
So let’s talk about the mind.
The mind is a tool for the spirit. It processes sensory information carried out by the body. Of course, the mind’s natural state is to think and usually to an annoying fault, but to consciously tame and quiet the fluctuations of the mind is a requirement to enter the realm of ishvara.
Here are three preliminary steps in getting there:
1. Detaching from the roaming tendencies of the mind. (vairagya)
2. Investing the energy. (yatna)
3. Practice. (abhyasa)
Because the mind belongs to us but it is not who we are, it is the main instrument we use to function in life. Since it has a natural tendency to collect and process data, yoga offers useful disciplines (tapas) to choose what we do with the mind’s information.
Now, the brain is different from the mind. Sanskrit scholar, David Frawely describes it as a vehicle of the mind that mirrors its operations. To be clear, the real work as a human being is governance of these mental fields (the brain and the mind) and moving beyond its involvements at will. This can be further developed from more elements in the Eight Fold Path on which we will focus:
1. Asana (postures)
2. Pranayama (breath control)
3. Dhyana (meditation)
Asana or physical postures, bring us in contact with the body through proprioception, balance, and spatial orientation. The body is primarily an organ of utility, perception and expression. Author, Linda Kohanov, of the book, Power for the Herd, A non predatory approach to social intelligence, states that ninety percent of what we communicate is through body language. As a result, the body accommodates the mind in exchange and interaction in more subtle ways than the obvious. Unfortunately for most people, our sense of body awareness usually only occurs during moments of pain or strong sensations like hunger, sleepiness or sex. And, little attention is paid to the internal organs. Mostly occupied by surface appearances, it can be said that we are in the body, but not really in touch with the body ….or anybody else’s.
The benefits of yoga postures increases and fine tunes body awareness. Strength, flexibility and relaxation are byproducts, but as we pay attention to what is happening to the body through the dynamics of asana and synchronized breathing patterns the physical activity transcends into a holistic system of awakening the body, mind and spirit as a unit.
Pranayama or breath control is the next step. It works to calm fight or flight patterns caused by shallow breathing. The diaphragm‘s range of motion becomes limited with shortness of breath and can cause anxiousness. This signal is sent to the mind and in turn, the senses. Additionally, without sufficient breath the immune system is compromised as are other systems governing well being. One form of pranayama is called diaphragmatic breathing. Also known as belly breathing, it facilitates a condition of energized relaxation. First and foremost, diaphragmatic breathing provides ample oxygen to the body and brain. Studies from the Harvard Medical School shows that pranayama nourishes the body with the life force essential to calming the mind. “Breath focus” can also be used as a rope to anchor the mind because when we focus on it, the mind becomes internalized (pratyahara). It disengages from distracting thoughts, sensations and external stimuli for deeper layers of tranquility to become available. Conscious breathing keeps the mind occupied and less prone to wandering. In this way pranayama provides us with the oxygen, internal focus, and the peaceful energy necessary for meditation.
Dhyana is best defined by the Himalayan Institute’s description of resting the mind on an inner object, (such at the breath.) When it becomes stable it is called concentration (dharana). As this effort to concentrate is relaxed and held steady, the unbroken flow of concentration is called meditation (dhyana.) Meditation trains our attention and enhances awareness. To achieve this mentally clear and emotionally calm state (samadhi) is the passage into ishvara.
There are many paths to recognizing the higher universal consciousness of ishvara and yoga’s Eightfold path of the Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi culminate into what I think of as the “drop of water” adage: A drop of water is just a drop of water, but when it falls into the ocean it feels the power a wave. The Eightfold Path can facilitate the unbound, untouched and changeless, the power of ishvara. Asana, pranayama and meditation synchronizes this bigger picture and keeps us living in tune with the rhythm of nature.
Somewhere along the way, our concept of change and staying the same got turned inside out. Yes, there is comfort in the familiar and by turning our awareness inward and recognizing that which never changes, ishvara, we open a whole new perspective on how to navigate the myriad of changes in the whirlwind of daily life.
The more I practice asana, pranayama, meditation, and the rest of the Eightfold Path, more powerful its effect is on my consciousness. My ski instructor has proven that many times over. Cultivating the internal landscape of ishvara has improved my slope time on a whole new level of terrain. Inside and out.
References:
Bachman, N. (2011). The Path of the Yoga Sutras. Boulder, Colorado. Sounds True, Inc.
Bachman, N. (2005). The Language of Yoga. Boulder, Colorado. Sounds
True, Inc.
Busia, K. (2019). kofibusia.com Yoga Center Santa Cruz 428-C Front Street Santa Cruz CA 95060.
Frawley, D. (1977). Ayurveda and the Mind. WI. Lotus Press.
Hanson, R. (2009). Buddha’s Brain, the practical neuroscience of happiness, love, and wisdom. Oakland, Ca. New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response. Updated: April 13, 2018 Published: January, 2015.
Himalayan Institute. https://www.himalayaninstitute.org. Last updated: April, 2019.
Kohanov, L. (2013). The Power of the Herd. a non predatory approach to dosa intelligence, leadership, and innovation. New World Library Novato, California.
Satchidananda. S. (2001). The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Satchidananda Ashram, Va. Integral Yoga Publications.
Cover photo courtesy of meredithaustinphoto.com
