In the previous episode, we had witnessed a very important discussion pertaining to “Detachment” and how this is very much applicable and implementable in today’s scenario as well. As Bhagawan says, performing our “Karma” with a detached mindset will automatically yield the ultimate result of realizing our “Atman”. If we perform our “Karma” with detachment, our mind will become a very good friend and a great companion of ours. However, if we’re getting into worldly pleasures and expectations while performing our “Karma”, our mind is going to become the biggest enemy of ours as well. Hence, both are possible with our mind and it is up to us to shape up our mind accordingly. It is in this regard, we’ve witnessed how we can practise “Detachment” even while staying in our “Grhasta-Ashrama”, and it is not necessary everytime that a detached person becomes a “Sanyasin”. This is a myth and we’ve seen an appropriate discussion on this yesterday.
Moving on further thus, Bhagawan is now going to explain how to perform a “Yogam”. Bhagawan explains that whenever we’ve to perform a “Yogam”, we should be alone and with single-pointed focus. We should not confuse here with the “Yogasana” that we do today. We might ask a question regarding this – “Oh! All of us learn “Yogasana” in groups of 50-100 people together these days. Is it wrong to do the “Yogasana” in a group because Bhagawan explains here that we should do it alone?” The answer is very simple – “Asanam” is something that we do for the well-being of our physical body (“Deham”), whereas “Yogam” is something that we do for the well-being of our mind and “Atman”. We should understand this difference very clearly. Many of us say “Yogasanam” for the daily practice of “Yoga”, but there are two parts to it – “Yogam” is for the mental well-being and “Asanam” is for our physical well-being. Here in this context, Bhagawan Krishna is not talking about the “Asanam” part. He is more focused towards the “Yogam” part here and for this, Bhagawan says that we’ve to be in unison if we’ve to practise “Yogam”.
Mainly, “Yogam” pertains to sitting in meditation and trying to calm our mind by making it free from external disturbances. If we’ve to sit in a group and do meditation, something or the other will keep on happening around us and we would easily get distracted, wouldn’t we? This is why Bhagawan is very specific and strict that while performing the “Yogam” part, we should be in complete solitude. Only then we would be free from all the external noise and disturbances. Moreover, Bhagawan says that the place where we sit down for meditation should be a good one. There should not be any foul smell around the place, nor water falling everywhere around. The place should not be very breezy and with a lot of sound. The place that we select should be very quiet and serene. Bhagawan says thus:
“Shuchou deshe pratishtaabhya sthiramaasanam aatmanaha!”
Now that we’ve looked at the place where we’ve to sit, Bhagawan is now talking about the “Aasanam” (Seat) that we should sit upon. Bhagawan says that the “Aasanam” that we sit upon should not be having any sort of cushion on it, however, it should be comfortable for us to sit upon. The “Aasanam” should enable us to sit erect with a straight back. If we sit on an “Aasanam” that has cushion in it, we’re going to fall asleep immediately! 🙂 Physical comfort should be bare minimal when we sit for meditation. However, having said that, the “Aasanam” should not have any sort of physical discomfort as well – It should not cause back pain when we sit for a longer time. Hence, there should be a certain balance here – The “Aasanam” should be devoid of cushion, but at the same time, the “Aasanam” should enable us to sit in an erect posture.
Thus, these are certain prerequisites that we need to follow when it comes to performing our “Yogam” and for today, let us understand this point very clearly. We shall continue this discussion forward in the next episode, wherein Bhagawan is going to explain how to focus our mind towards Him! Stay tuned for an important and interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 