By: Vijay Kumar Verma ( Editor-ICN Group )
Normally we come across camps on Dhyan Yog being organised by Yog gurus. And a good number of people perturbed by tensions of life are drawn to attend such camps at exhorbitant costs.
Dhyan is often made to link with meditation and meditation with concentration, in such camps. And with pride people claim to undertake meditation on a regular basis in their lives. But a little conversation on their life styles reveals the truth how deeply they are involved in the materialistic life even after attending such camps.
Dhyan is gradual disconnect with materialism. And more so Dhyan is the 7th stage of Ashtang Yoga.
Can one be made to learn the 7th stage straightaway without going through the first six stages which are an integral part of preparing oneself for Dhyan Yog?
Obviously not. Let us learn about the different stages explained by Maharishi Patanjali. It is essential not only for yogis but all of us to go through these stages to reach Dhyan Yog. These stages are:
1. YAM is the first stage of Ashtang Yog. This stage prepares us to withdraw our Mind and Indriyans (instincts) from ills of Hinsa (violence) etc. There are five steps of Yam to be practised in our lives. These are:
a ) Ahimsa (Non violence )- It is not only our physical overture over others but also that of mind, speech and thoughts. Even thinking ill of others is beyond troubling others physically or mentally.
b) Satya – Truth is not only what one speaks. It is aligning the process of thoughts, actions and speech. Normally we tend to speak according to circumstantial requirements while there is something else in our thoughts and mind. As we come across someone on road we tend to utter how wonderful it was to meet him, or that “I was just thinking of you”, but inwards it had struck our mind, oh how bad it was to face that person while on way to the holy business.
Often we tend to smile at others while curse them in our thoughts. Our speech should not be hurting others and if uncontrollable we should try not to speak.
c)Asteya- It means not to steal. Possessing something which doesn’t belong to us is Asteya. Even the thought of possessing through fair or foul means is Asteya. we should be contended with what God has bestowed upon us.
d) Bramcharya – It not only means not getting married but also staying chaste in thoughts and all actions. A brahmchari must be able to achieve total control on his sensual and physical insticts like eyes, ears, nose, skin, reproductive organs etc.
The way water has the properties of liquid, ice, and steam and return to its original form Similarly Bramcharya is our true state. Truly we have no inherent qualities of Kaam (vasna), Krodh (anger), Lobh (desire), Moh(attraction) and Ahankar (pride). These bad thoughts come to to us like thieves, stay with us for sometime and steal away our physical strength, our values and peace of mind. If we perceive it to be all natural in life then no one can save us.
In Bhagwat Geeta also Lord Krishna says that we are a soul and not just a body. And the natural insticts of a soul are Friendship, love, sympathy, service, submission, peace and anand. It is we alone who invite these bad thoughts which result into bad actions and ofcourse bad karmas..
e) Aprigrah- It means non accumulation of worldly possessions. One should be contended with minimum money, bare necessities of life, a small house etc. While the major aim of life should be worshipping God. One should not be proud of worldly possessions and belongings. All these are temporary and must be utilised for the welfare of others.
The ills of amassing wealth, the ills of protecting those possessions, the ills of attachments with these items lead to violence against others, one way or the other.
One should abide by the rules of all these Yamas with total involvement of our thoughts, speech and actions. Normally while following these principles we tend to set our own limitations of time, place, circumstances beyond which we feel that we are free to go astray. But there cannot be any self drawn limitations.
The second stage of Dhyan Yoga is Niyam which we will discuss in the next episode.
Till then…..
Aayshmaan bhavah!
