Light on Ananda Yoga
By
Data Dayal Mahari**** ****v Brat Lal
Copyright =A9 2007
Diversity is multiplicity. In multiplicity there is individuality. It
is a kind of pervading principle that is seen everywhere. The millions
of cells of the human body retain their individuality. We can never be
certain of their similarity. They are, one and all, yet different from
each other.
Picture the principle of multiplicity as an ocean, where in waves of
ideas arise and fall in each moment. In this ocean there are
innumerable centres and each centre has its own value. One centre is
the Sun; another is the Moon whilst others are the stars etc. Yet
another centre is humanity, consisting of millions of human beings all
centralized within that individual centre. That is enough about
multiplicity.
Unity is Diversity
Insight II
It is said that Divinity is Three-in-One and One-in-Three. This is
from the viewpoint of Triloki, i.e. the three regions of the universe
consisting of soul, mind and matter. But the same may be said of one-
in-a-hundred-thousand and hundreds-of-thousands-in-one. Both
statements are correct. This universe, though trilateral, consists of
innumerable solar systems, stars, satellites, moons etc. Being living
entities themselves, they are the abodes of countless creatures. Do
not think for a moment that the planets, suns, moons and stars are
lifeless objects. They are as lifeless as you are. Had the Earth been
lifeless, there would have been no life, neither above nor beneath its
surface.
Infinite, are the planets. There is no doubt about it. But there is
unity among them and united together they form one single entity. This
unity-in-variety exists everywhere. You simply have to look at a
subject very carefully and you will see for yourself that variety
finds its existence and sup****t within unity. Without unity there is
no possibility of diversity in nature. Variety is the very life of the
universe. But the units of this variety are so interlinked together
that they form one complete whole.
Question:
Diversity-in-unity and unity-in-diversity may coexist but what can we
conclude from it? And what is your point in making this assertion?
Answer:
God is one and not many. Other objects may be varied but there is no
multiplicity of Supreme Self.
Q:
There is diversity and side by side there is unity. With such
diversity and unity, wouldn't it presumptuous to assume that there is
only one Supreme Source?
A:
Diversity and unity may exist side by side, however their very
presence proves that there is oneness in the universe. For example,
consider the physical body containing so many particles. There is
diversity in the particles, but combined together they make up one
body. In the same way, combinations of innumerable categories of
diversity result in one composite Divinity, being a perfect whole.
This is the proof of the existence of one Supreme Energy.
Q:
Although the example is not wrong, still it seems deficient and fails
to illustrate the point that you have in mind.
A:
There is no deficiency in the illustration. If there is a deficiency,
it is in your own understanding, so I will give you another
illustration. Suppose the universe is like an ocean. The ocean is
composed of so many drops, waves etc. The existence of various drops
is diversity. There are many, but their aggregate is one ocean.
Similarly, creation is variegated but its creator and controller is
one and pervades the entire manifestation.
Q:
Up till now I thought that the Supreme Creator of the world was purely
a Spirit; but from your reasoning I understand that He is not without
form?
A:
You are perfectly correct. God is pure Spirit. But here (in the
creation), He is embodied Spirit. The macrocosm resembles microcosm.
The macrocosm mirrors the microcosm. As you are an embodied spirit, so
is the Supreme God. No spirit can work without a body. The body is the
manifestation of its existence. Without a body, manifestation is
impossible. There is a saying in Hindi:
And so, it follows
You are the pervading Element in your body
You control the mechanics and co-ordination of your physical form
Likewise, the entire universe with all its mechanics is the physical
form or body of the Spirit that is omniscient and omnipresent within
it.
Insight III
Union: The Aim of The Philosophy of Yoga
"United we stand, divided we fall" is an old saying. The Ideal of yoga
is union. Yoga comes from Sanskrit word yuj which means `to join'. The
English word yoke has also been derived from the same Sanskrit root.
Yoga and yoke mean the same thing. In yoke, the oxen are linked to the
plough, in yoga; the individual spirit is attached to God. Variety and
unity must necessarily exist side by side. However, unless the many
merge themselves in unity, confusion will result. The unity which does
not depend on many is called tyranny. Confusion and tyranny should
both be avoided. Unity and unification should be aimed at. This is the
object of yoga.
Yoga has been defined by the ancient seers in different ways, but the
object of all is the same =96 the union of individual spirit with the
Supreme Spirit. Patanjali, the founder of the yoga system is of the
opinion that cessation of vibratory fluctuations, called `chit-shakti'
or `mind stuff' is true and perfect yoga.
Yagyawalka, another well known yogi says that formless meditation on
the Supreme Spirit results in yoga. Both of them are right, for unless
the mind-stuff attains stability on the spiritual centre, which is the
abode of the Deity, it is not absorbed into it and there can be no
yoga or union with it.
Union with fire results in heat, union with ice results in cold. In
the same way, union with the Supreme results in supremacy. This is
yoga.
God is perfect, God is Supreme, God is whole and God is all in all.
Everything in the universe is interconnected with God. Living beings
are born; they live; they work; they die and they are absorbed in
Spirit. It is a fact: but the idea of diversity creates the notion of
separation in a person's mind and therefore leads to misery. God is
never separate from the human being. Humans can never be separate from
God. It is only the false notion that has caused this imaginary
separation. The sooner it is removed, the better for humankind. This
is the aim of yoga.
Every drop of water has the full force of the ocean behind it. Every
tiny spark of fire has the fierce strength of the burning element
behind it. In the same way, every man or woman, whoever they may be,
have all the forces of Nature behind them. An individual, holding this
view, would be strong of will and strong of mind, while it is the
reverse case for those who do not possess such faith.
Insight IV
Various kinds of Yogas
Yoga is the union of weakness with strength; the union of ugliness
with beauty; sickness with health; poverty with wealth; of pain with
happiness and the imperfect with perfection.
Individuals are weak, ugly, sick, frail and miserable according to the
false notions of their separation from God, who is in reality, strong,
beautiful, healthy, wealthy and happy. God pervades all beings and is
therefore not separate from them.
Imperfection implies weakness of every kind. In perfection, lie
perfections of various kinds. God is perfect and therefore, those who
unites themselves with God, are sure to
become perfect or at least participants in Perfection. God is both
abstract and concrete. In the concrete there is the gross. In
abstraction there is subtlety. Therefore everyone can believe and
trust in Spirit according to their particular bent of mind. There is
no necessity to debate on the existence of God. God is real, and the
totality of everything that is, will be or that ever was.
It is wrong to assume that the yoga system is only a science for
acquiring supernatural powers. It is a vast subject embracing all
systems of thought, which have any connection whatsoever with the
ideas of perfection and imperfection. Yoga seeks to remove
imperfection and guides one to attaining perfection. Therefore we
venture here to divide yoga into at least five categories, as below:
(1) Hatha yoga (physical culture)
(2) Prana yoga (vitality culture)
(3) Mansic yoga (devotional culture)
(4) Gyan yoga (intellectual/insight/wisdom culture)
(5) Ananda yoga (culture of bliss)
According to Hindu Scriptures, every human being is endowed with three
bodies. The first body is the physical frame, which can externally be
seen, felt, touched, smelt and tasted. It is composed of two sheaths.
The first sheath is the external physical frame made up of skin,
flesh, blood, bones, etc. This is called annamai kosha. The second
sheath consists of vitality, which pervades the entire system. This
sheath is called pran-mai kosha.
The second body is called the subtle or mental frame, set inside the
external, gross constitution. It is also composed of two sheaths: one
is called the sheath of the mind or mano-mai kosha and the other is
called the sheath of the intellect, the vigyan-mai kosha.
The third veil is called the causal body, which is the innermost
sheath covering the individual spirit and is called anand-mai kosha.
Being at such close proximity to Spirit, it is saturated with Bliss
and is therefore designated as the `sheath of happiness'.
Insight V
Explanation of Various Systems of Yoga
A. Hatha yoga is the system of physical development by exercises for
the attainment of great physical and physical prowess.
B. Prana yoga is the system of breath regulation and making it
rhythmic so that one might attain the development of psychic and
volitional will power.
C. Mansic yoga is a system of mental development, controlling the will
and mind stuff; concentrating them on centres which the yogis have
observed within the body.
D. Gyan yoga is the system of intellectual development through raja
yoga and study of philosophical books.
E. Anand yoga is the system of attaining happiness by concentrating
the attention on the centres in the anand mai kosha. Ananda yoga finds
no description whatsoever in any of the sacred books of the Hindus. It
has been revealed, prescribed and taught by Sat Purush Radhasoami
Dayal in his infinite Mercy for the good of the aspirants who are
suffering from the miseries and tortures of mundane life.
Insight VI
Further Explanations
Yogis are of opinion that the mind should not be developed at the risk
of the body. The body should be cared for first, since it is the
foundation of human life. According to the yogis, the physical frame
is not only the seat of ones activities but it is an emanation of the
thing inside, which, proceeding from within, becomes an envelope for
itself. It is the principle of expression, manifestation and assertion
of ones individuality. Unless it is sound and healthy, the healthy
development of other forces or powers, though not impossible, is
highly impractical. There is a saying in Latin,
Mens Sana in Cor****e Sano
(A sound mind in a sound body)
=85 and it is true. Therefore, yogis prescribed various sorts of
physical exercises for those who were physically weak. All systems of
hatha yoga fall into this category.
The body is the foundation and prana is the super structure. If the
foundation is strong, the super structure is also strengthened. If
pran-yoga is performed with caution, it will result in freedom from
various diseases. But at present, adepts of this school are scarce.
And anyone who practices pran-yoga, without the help of a real expert,
is in danger of not only losing their health but also deranging their
mind. Once a person injures their nervous system through negligence,
their case becomes almost incurable.
Mansic-yoga is the science of controlling mind stuff through various
methods. It has got various other names such as bhakti-yoga, prem-yoga
etc. The real object of this karma-yoga system is to develop the mind
in such a way that it should be rooted just like a rock, caring little
for the external influences that influence it and make it uneasy. The
mind should feel at-one-with and should be absorbed in the object of
its devotion. Creating a sound mind is its only motive and the mind
made sound, will be able to comprehend everything that is unfathomable
to the uninitiated. The mind is the intermediate link between body and
soul and according to yoga system; it is the mediator and adjuster of
differences, thereby bringing about harmony.
As an intermediary it has its own im****tance. It stands in the midst
of five im****tant centres of the body, two of which, the anna-mai
kosha and pran-mai kosha, lie below it and the other two vigyan-mai
kosha and anand-mai-kosha, are situated above it. The mind is located
between these two extremes. It is not only an analyser of all things
but it is a synthesiser also. In addition to acting as medium in
relation to their centres, it ac***ulates various sorts of internal
and external impressions and retains their memories. This causes
agitation now and then and disturbs the equanimity and quietude of the
mind. If this is controlled, everything is controlled.
Gyan=96yoga is the system of developing intellectual faculty and making
it so refined that it can grapple at the most intricate problems of
Life and attain the condition of intuition and intuitional realization
and become at one with it. This is its ulterior motive. One therefore
becomes a Gyani who is at one with the universe and attains Nirvana
while living. But people do not so easily understand the system. It
requires a great deal of concentration and erudition. It has got other
names also, e.g. dyan-yoga, nam-yoga, etc. This much, I think is
enough for a novice in yoga practice to understand the respective
merits of the four yogas, which are discussed in several yogic texts.
Anand yoga is the system of yoga taught by the Holy Radhasoami Dayal.
It is also called Sahaj yoga, shabad-yoga, surat-shabad-yoga, udgith-
yoga, anhad-yoga and pranava-yoga. All these signify the same common
purpose. Anand-yoga as it is called is the system of developing anand
in its practitioners, through the exercise of Shabad or Sound-
Principle. It is the easiest of all systems. It stands supreme and is
innocent, harmless and very practical. Every man or women, young or
old can devote some time to its attainment; at any time; in any place
and under any cir***stances. Only the habit has to be acquired first
and then it naturally becomes second nature; aiding the ascension of
the soul to higher regions. This is the simplest, imaginable process.
Insight VII
A few Sayings on Happiness
1. Humans, endowed with all noble qualities of head and heart,
noble aspirations and noble activities, were made for living happy
lives and not lives of misery
2. To be happy costs nothing; to be miserable costs heavily
3. A happy person is a winner but one who is miserable is a great
loser. One who has lost their happiness, has lost everything
4. A happy person is ever healthy, wealthy and wise; while the
miserable are the opposite
5. To live one moment of life's happiness is far better than to
live a life of misery for a thousand years
6. One who is happy lives with God and one who is miserable, is
Satan's companion
7. Happiness is God. One who gives any other name to God is
ignorant; for God is happiness itself
8. Happiness is positivity, misery is negativity. One who is
happy throbs with buoyant life and one who is miserable, lives an
empty life
9. To remember God is to be happy. To be happy is to remember
God. A happy person is always with God
10. Misery is another name for death and if you would believe me, I
say that misery is worse than death. The jaws of misery are terrible;
but even the clutches of death are more merciful
11. Happiness does not dwell in hoarding money or in taking pride in
one's possessions. It is exists in the person in who's mind happiness
has centred.
12. Do you drink? No amount of liquor will ever make you happy
13. If you are happy and conscious of it, you are the most fortunate
person
14. One who knows, says and believes so, is in reality a happy
person. While one who boasts of their knowledge, is the greatest fool
possible. The wise are those who see their ignorance
15. The happiest life is to be lived on Earth and not in Heaven. One
who lives a happy life gains Paradise on Earth
16. Seek happiness within and not outside yourself, for there it is
17. If you want to overcome weakness and gain health, familiarize
yourself with healthy exercises and you will overcome weakness and
become healthy
18. If you want to get rid of wind related diseases, regulate your
rhythmic breathing
19. In the same way, if you want to control your mind, concentrate
your attention on the mental centre and you will be able to control it
20. Exercise your intellect and you will become an intellectual
person
21. Likewise, by concentrating your mind on the centre of happiness,
you will render yourself the happiest being
22. One who seeks happiness in wine, wealth and women, is in reality,
following the will-o'-the-wisp and he will never find happiness and
embrace it on his chest
23. It is strange, happiness is always with you and yet you are
without it
24. If you want to be happy, be kind and thoughtful to others.
Relieve the wants of the needy. Give bread to the hungry, water to the
thirst and you will get happiness in return.
25. Forgive those that trespass against you. Respect the sentiments
of your neighbours. Be indifferent to the shortcomings and offensive
attitudes of your foes and you will be happy
26. They say that happiness and virtue rest upon each other. But the
fact is this: where there is happiness there is always virtue with it.
A happy man is always virtuous. Virtue is another name for happiness
27. Happiness is the heritage of a cultures mind. Those who lead a
life of contentment and continence, are free from anxieties,
perturbations, perplexities and worry
28. Happy people are neither commanders nor servants. Their prestige
is only happiness. They are children of Nature, simple in habits and
high in nobility. If a great person is not conscious of their
greatness; or a superior does not know they are superior, they are not
ruffled under the fluctuating conditions of superiority and
inferiority, greatness and lowliness.
Edited & Revised by Sant Harjit Singh
http://www.babafaqirchand.com/
|
