Showing posts with label Satsang. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Satsang. Show all posts

Pratipaksha Bhavana, Nispandabhava & Anitya Bhavana (Satsang)



The topic for the Satsang on Sunday, 4th November, 2012 was 'Pratipaksha Bhavana, Nispandabhava and Anitya Bhavana' (English).


Following is the transcript of the speech made by Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra on the topic.

Smt. Hansaji and Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra
“We use this word ‘wisdom,’ what is it? It is this kind of an understanding of the nature of things. We are holding on to certain rigid ideas, and we feel sad, we miscalculate and do wrong things, this should go and it does not. We’ve got a very emotional childish nature; we immediately like it and we want it to stay. 

 You see, in yoga you consciously learn to make the mind a little free, to make the mind broader and larger, and build up a new way of looking at life, this can be done especially from an early age. Once we reach a certain maturity, then we think we are very clever and we are not able to make any change, but many have carried out these kind of techniques and they are able to face up to anything in a very balanced way and have helped the society also. Because life is rattling us all the time, every moment something is happening to our own people, happening to the place we work and what not. We have to learn to accept and carry on, it’s a very simple advise, but we have to test whether we really can follow it. If we can follow it, we will be successful people.”

"In life there are ups and downs. Problems come, people change, someone might love you today and hate you tomorrow. The problem is when we have expectations; and then when problems come, we get shaken up to such an extent that we get a heart attack or depression; the whole world starts looking like a bad place. This should not happen.

The world is as it is and we are as we are. But somewhere our Bhavanas (emotions) get disturbed. This is where we have to have some philosophy, some thought on which our life should be based. That is why yoga is called a Darshan Shastra, a philosophical science which deals with what we see.

Once, a king asked the wise men of his kingdom to give him a gift that would make him happy whenever he was sad and make him calm when he got too excited. The wise men gave him a ring which said “This too shall pass.”

This is Anitya Bhavana, where everything is temporary and changeful, nothing is permanent. When we feel that “I know everything” or start feeling comfortable with life, God gives us a shock and we topple down. This is to bring us out of our ego that we know everything. What we think does not matter, there is something else, a law, governing our life and we cannot stop it. So continue gaining more knowledge.

These feelings and the corresponding understanding should come because we get disturbed by our emotions and can come out of it only through emotions. And the technique to stop the mind is Nispandabhava – do not think, just listen, don’t analyse, be quiet.

If we do not want to be unhappy or hurt, nothing can hurt us. So we have to uplift ourselves and bring in balance in ourselves. So when the world starts looking bad and negative, understand that this state is in ourselves. Stop thinking and quieten the mind. Concentrate on slow breathing or a sound. These simple techniques can help. Then bring in the right understanding.

That effort is required. A wise man would say “Don’t worry, everything will be okay.” We also have the same consciousness, why can we not think that way too?"



Q & A
Q. What can be done when others, eg. parents try to change us?
Dr. Jayadeva: At an early age, we have to change or we won’t grow. But after a certain age when we have clarity, we can make judgements and change when necessary or then observe and be balanced.
Smt. Hansaji: Flexibility should remain till we die. We can change, but we can’t impose our ideas on others. If we feel we are 100% correct, fine, but make sure that we don’t bring our ego or likes and dislikes with it, or that will create a problem.

Q. How do we control our mind during adverse situations?
Dr. Jayadeva: We have to cultivate a balanced state of mind and that is an exercise – throughout the day, whenever you get the chance, just enjoy the balanced peaceful state. It can come by viewing nature, keeping the mind without thoughts, by repeating some sentences and words…it can be done in many ways.
Smt. Hansaji: There are two ways. One is preventing the problem. Tell yourself that everyone is justified for their behaviour, according to their nature, Samskaras, etc and not choose to suffer because of them. Fix a time in the morning, afternoon, evening and night t sit quietly and tell yourself to accept things the way they are. The second way is long-term management – when disturbed, use techniques to settle down and quieten yourself.

Q. When everything is changeful (Anitya), then why does the mind not accept something permanent (Nitya)?
Dr. Jayadeva: Because we have Intellect (Buddhi).
Smt. Hansaji: We are ignorant and we should not forget that. So keep learning every time.

Q. How does one deal with one’s emotions when there is a conflict between what you ought to do and what you want to do?
Dr. Jayadeva: We should be realistic, wise and understanding. There is a servant and occasionally he may break a glass vessel. He is scolded for it but he does not get disturbed and says, “Was this particular glassware going to be permanent and last forever? Then why get disturbed?”
Smt. Hansaji: Of course, that does not mean we should be careless, so use the philosophy well.

Q. At times it becomes difficult to keep the mind quiet. What techniques other than Nispandabhava can be practiced?
Dr. Jayadeva: There are many techniques. Every religion tells us of some prayer, some symbolic words. If we can go on pursuing them, then they can help.
Smt. Hansaji: Pooja-Paath (prayer and rituals) can be useful here. If the mind tends to get disturbed, keep a fix time to do them and when you have control over the mind, use it in a constructive way. Other yoga techniques like Asanas, Pranayamas and Kriyas help in settling the mind. Music, a walk in nature, observing birds, trees, animals and the calm atmosphere is also useful.
 

Q. How to develop a good feeling towards a person who keeps hurting you.
Dr. Jayadeva: If you have decided not to get hurt, then you can manage it. But whenever someone hurts you then immediately you get the feeling of hurting the other individual; that you cannot control.
Smt. Hansaji: This is a tug of war. Someone wants to hurt you, don’t get hurt. If they say something hurtful, take it as a joke. The problem is that we are always ready to feel hurt by others. Become strong. It should be a challenge that if a person is hurting you, then you should enjoy it. Then see how the other person disappears.
 
 Q. If someone is unhappy because of debt, what to do?
Dr. Jayadeva: In the beginning, we get a shock but then we should also understand the laws of nature. This is ..some people can’t forget this unhappiness and some people see, understand and go on with their work.
Smt. Hansaji: When we are unhappy, we should think of a worse situation and work. Even if we get one Roti a day to eat, thank God and do not choose to suffer.
 




Satsang is an open meeting held every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz East, Mumbai. It involves an interesting presentation to the public, made by the students of the Teacher Training Course. Each week, a new presentation of a Yogic concept is made in a simple way through skits and decoration for the general public, followed by a short speech from our Gurus, Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.

Swadhyaya (Self Study)



The topic for the Satsang on Sunday, 15th September, 2012 was Swadhyaya (Self Study).
Following is the transcript of the speech made by Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra on the topic.

Smt. Hansaji and Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra
"This kind of sentence – ‘Who am I?’ is quite popular. We immediately give our name and qualifications and believe that we have mentioned everything. We hardly have gone deeper to understand our awareness, our own sense of ‘I.’ External things we know – I know my surname, I know my place of sty and all that. But the deeper understanding of life, the purpose and meaning, the direction and the ultimate satisfaction, this we hardly know and we never try to know the end because we are very busy with other things. This is a very sad thing.

This reminds me of a story that came in a New York paper. A small man wanted to open an account in a bank. He went to the best bank in New York city. He got in. Instead of the gateman saluting him, he saluted the gateman. He asked to see the manager. They thought he was putting in millions in the bank so they took him there. In the presence of the manager, he was very nervous. The manager was kind enough and asked, ‘What do you want?’ The man said, ‘I have opened an account and want to withdraw money.’ The manager was surprised. He said, ‘If you have opened an account, you can withdraw it.’ The man went out quite dazed and confused and finally walked out of the bank. He did not know why he got in, why he got out. It is just a rough story of why we come into life, we grow up, become old enough, meddle with things, compete with some people. Till then, we are confused. We have not got any grip over life and its meaning, about ourself, our purpose and we carry on. It is a very sad thing.

Actually in this world, the things that happen are meant for us to understand and enjoy. But we hardly come to that stage. We are all the time pushed about and are frightened and running here and there and we never understand and enjoy life as it is.

You see, in yoga, we try to quieten our mind, clear our heads and see life as it is and accordingly plan to live. There are already people who follow such procedures and they lead a life suiting their situations and accustom themselves to that and enjoy it and there are people who have millions and are wanting to make more millions and are talking about taxation, etc. and are running around confused and frightened. That also happens.

The lesson is, let us understand ourselves. Let us understand our purpose. Let us decide to enjoy and not just make more money and run here and there ad never understand why we are here. That would be a very sad thing."  
"The word Swadhyaya is very important because our self development is dependant on it. We read and hear good things but that is only passive learning. We don’t even remember 10% of what we come across. We should remember good things but should apply it to our life. Sit for some time and analyse how you can apply what you have learnt to your life. Go into the details like ‘when’ and ‘how’. Self effort is required.

Swadhyaya comes in Niyamas – it is something that is done regularly. After applying it, when you experience, that is when learning takes place. Otherwise life is meaningless.

There is a famous traditional story - The Devas and Demons were thinking about what is that important thing by which everything in the universe is working so much in tandem? They try to know the truth. They go to God. God said, ‘Look at yourself in the mirror.’

The Demons looked and were happy with what they saw. They thought the Truth is ‘me’, ‘myself.’ Whereas the Devas looked at the body and thought, ‘Is that everything? The body is changeful. The body cannot be the Truth. So they went back to God. He said, go deeper. They did and found that, ‘I am not the body, mind or possessions.’ They reached the level of consciousness and then of universal consciousness. They did Swadhyaya.

Intelligence is also a limitation. After reaching a certain level, you should stop using even your intellect. Be quiet and peaceful – Citta Vritti Nirodha.

So the first step is to think of the purpose behind all the things we do. Watch yourself, look within, analyse yourself. We have to form a habit of looking within ourselves again and again as opposed to looking at others or outside us. Thinking is needed, but not about others – Why did he do this or say that? It should be about ourselves. Swa means Self and Adhyaya means Study. Build a relationship with your self. We don’t know ourselves. We react to others, we don’t even live to the fullest. So think about it.

Just listening to a lecture or reading a book is not Swadhyaya. We have to work. Too much reading or television is a waste of our valuable life. Sit quietly and spend time with your Self."



Q & A

Q. What should be the purpose of our life?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - You think of yours, I’ll think of mine.
   Smt. Hansaji - It is our habit to ask and simply find the answer. That is not how learning works. Find out for yourself. Every one has to work on themselves.

Q. I am not able to concentrate. What to do?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - If from the beginning you are not able to direct the mind, start again. Whatever work you do, put your mind to it. If you can tell what you ate today, it will be beneficial. We eat but don’t think about it. That’s the mistake.
   Smt. Hansaji - This is a matter of habit. There is a practice in yoga called ‘Reflection’ where you recall the whole day’s activities. If you can’t remember something, it means you are not doing it with concentration. We only remember things when we take interest in something and analyse it and think of it again and again. Put in effort.

Q. Why do different people have different views and difference of opinion?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - Because they are different people. Each one will have different thinking. How can you expect that the person’s opinion will be understood by you? You can’t understand. It will be unique.
    Smt. Hansaji - And because of this, it becomes your responsibility to know yourself more. Everyone’s level, thinking and methods are different.

Q. I do not get good sleep. What to do?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - If this is since a long time, get it treated. A psychologist can provide the treatment. But if it is since few days, then we can do some work ourselves. Do not speak before sleep or talk of things which will increase thoughts. Do few Asanas, remember good things. With this, sleep can come.
  Smt. Hansaji - Sleep is a very natural phenomenon. If you are not getting sleep, there is some basic problem that we have to find out. Anyway, if you sleep for 2-3 hours, don’t worry. Rest of the time, do some yoga techniques. If it does not work, take psychiatric medication first, start getting sleep and then slowly start working on it.
 

Q. How to take the first step for Swadhyaya on ourselves?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - Keep a diary and write on what you did.
    Smt. Hansaji - Yes, write on what you did during the day, when you got angry, etc. But don’t write of others.

Q. Rising inflation is becoming a big threat to a person’s satisfactory life. What is your opinion?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - Well, you have spoken this, everyone has heard. If they have heard you, they will give you some money.
   Smt. Hansaji - Stop this kind of thinking that there is inflation and things are getting expensive. Keep some faith that in this big world even an ant and even an elephant finds some food from somewhere. If there is a problem, the solution will also come. Thinking will not help.
 




Satsang is an open meeting held every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz East, Mumbai. It involves an interesting presentation to the public, made by the students of the Teacher Training Course. Each week, a new presentation of a Yogic concept is made in a simple way through skits and decoration for the general public, followed by a short speech from our Gurus, Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.

Santosh (Contentment)



The topic for the Satsang on Sunday, 2nd September, 2012 was Santosh (Contentment)
Following is the transcript of the speech made by Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra on the topic.

Smt. Hansaji and Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra

"These mental attitudes and these things are practically inborn. No amount of advice to remain content and not to wish for things can help because the desires are there. They require some expression. It's only the understanding that can help. You see, while experiencing life, the understanding occurs that all these material objects have a limitation and it is much more happier to be without them, to be with whatever one has.

This is the understanding that has to come and it does not come easily. It may come very late in life, practically when we have lost our capacities to enjoy and then we have to submit and reconcile to whatever remains. The older person could have some little food which he or she can eat, a good dress can be put up but more things the person cannot enjoy. The person can't walk, can't run, there are no physical activities at the physical level. Mentally also they are dull, so these things reduce. So nature teaches.

But there are people who much earlier can see through the ways of life and realize that changes can occur. What pleases us today may not please us tomorrow. So these people become like good spectators. They watch, observe, but don't get much involved and don't run after things. They possibly in the end have seen a lot in life with a calm, quiet mind and understanding."  
"For applying Santosh in life, real self-effort is needed because desires unknowingly enter us and they look very innocent and we feel, "What's wrong in fulfilling this small desire?" This is not about a desire and finding a solution, a way of fulfilling it. It is about the personality. If one is alone, one wants to talk to someone but ends up talking negative things about others. A lady was travelling by car and saw corn. She felt like eating it so she immediately stopped the car. However, she ate just a little and got full so she said "enough." The lady was a bundle of desires and was never satisfied.

 To see good in life, first we need to see what we have with us, see how wonderful it is. So many people don't have what we have. There is a story of Akbar and Birbal where a man comes and draws a line. He then challenges them to make the line shorter without touching it. Birbal comes and draws a longer line beside it, thus automatically making the original line short. This is the attitude and approach we should have. We have a lot compared to others who don't have anything. A man wanted very good shoes but could not afford them. He was sad, but then he saw a man who didn't have feet. He then realized how lucky he was that at least he had feet to walk with.

 Be a little sensitive, see the world and then in our life we will be able to group things as worthless or worthwhile. Desires keep coming, but let them go. They are the outcome of emotions. Humans have one more capacity - Intellect (Vivek Buddhi), i.e. discriminative power. Use it when desires arise. Then as discriminative power increases, desires decrease even more. 

 The sooner we apply this in practical life, the happier we will be. So try not to immediately satisfy your desires. First sit, think, and act with a scientific mind. Contentment is the most valuable wealth. Do not expect from others. Be happy from within."



 Q & A

Q. We have come from a country where Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) is worshipped and yet we regard money as evil. Why does such an attitude in people exist?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - Well, the proposition is simple, that we should respect material wealth but the other proposition has not sunk into us that material wealth is a limitation. That we have not understood.
    Smt. Hansaji - The story of Goddess Lakshmi goes that she came when they churned the ocean. So it's very clear. You have to work very hard to earn it for your use. But the money has to be pure because it is a Goddess. So it should not be black money or stolen from others or earned through the efforts of others. Negativity comes with money only if it is wrongly acquired. Desires should not come into the picture. We should work hard and money will automatically come. So if this is the attitude, everything is beautiful but if a person deviates from this, it becomes evil.

Q. There is so much happiness in my heart that I can't handle it. What to do? (Audience laughs)
A. Dr. Jayadeva - Start helping others. Help the brick layer, the man digging on the road. Then your happiness will be cleared.
    Smt. Hansaji - Good, by asking this question, you made others happy. Go on giving happiness. It will multiply and you will also know how to use it because it is also an emotion and you have to use it properly or it will go overboard.

Q. What is the ultimate truth we should be looking for?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - The ultimate truth is that we need not be looking for it at all. It is there in us. You see, awareness is there - it is ultimate. If you have no awareness, no knowledge, no understanding, then there's nothing. So let us maintain this awareness and not sully it or dirty it by desire.
    Smt. Hansaji - Just make sure the awareness remains. Keep doing your duty and the rest will come on its own. 

Q. Should we have Santosh for knowledge and education?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - Well, certain amount of Santosh is necessary because knowledge is endless. One can go on reading and reading. There are millions of books that can be read. That doesn't help.
  Smt. Hansaji - Knowledge does not come by reading, nor by listening. According to yoga, knowledge comes by applying into life and experiencing. Yoga cannot be learnt by reading. So for knowledge of life, you don't have to do so many courses. Knowledge of life comes when you pick up one aspect and go deeper into it, experience it, spread it in your day to day living. Then a stage comes when you stop reading and listening. A stage comes when you sit quietly, peacefully without thoughts and knowledge from within reveals itself.

 Q. When we are surrounded by competitiveness, how is it possible to maintain contentment?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - Move out of that place. 
    Smt. Hansaji - The word 'Contentment' is greatly misunderstood. It does not mean "No Progress." Let the world be competitive. You don't get into the competition. But you see that every minutes you are sincere in your work. Do your best without distraction and everything will fall into place. Don't see the result or where you are in the competition.
Q. How to keep contentment between husband and wife as both of them have different desires?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - Anyone sitting in this lecture should start and the others will slowly learn.
    Smt. Hansaji - Contentment comes when you accept each other as they are. Thank God for a lovely partner and with that feeling, both together, or individually could learn to develop themselves. It does not mean you have to be after each other to improve each other. 
Q. What is joy of giving?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - Have you ever given anything? If you have, you will know.
    Smt. Hansaji - You can't put it in words. It should be experienced. The feeling of being of some use gives a different joy from the joy we get from material possessions.
Q. A good desire or goal makes us work harder. For example, an Olympian has a strong desire to win a medal and that drives him, wherein the Bhagwad Gita and yoga say you should do work without desiring. Can you explain this paradox?
A. Dr. Jayadeva - Well, the Olympian who wins the medal is definitely happy, but what about the others who don't get it? They are unhappy. So why follow that channel? Let the Olympian do the best he can. If he wins or does not win, then also he will be happy.
    Smt. Hansaji - Instead of this race, if you can enjoy the game, the running, the play, that would be so much more pleasurable. Others who lose are getting unhappy, then we are creating more unhappiness in the world than happiness. One stage will come when you will lose and it will be difficult to handle because you have won a few medals before. Why get more complications in life by having such competitiveness in anything?
Satsang is an open meeting held every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz East, Mumbai. It involves an interesting presentation to the public, made by the students of the Teacher Training Course. Each week, a new presentation of a Yogic concept is made in a simple way through skits and decoration for the general public, followed by a short speech from our Gurus, Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.

Change Yourself


Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra

The topic for the Satsang on Sunday, 29th July , 2012 was ‘Change Yourself’

Following is a translation of Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji’s speeches as reported by the students of the Teacher Training Course.


"We are dragged by various situations and circumstances and we carry on all our life. We blame others and say that we are not brought up properly or do not have good company. In order to change, one has to have the strong urge and feeling inside. When something big happens, that is when we say we want to change and forget. We need to cultivate the quality of awareness, decision making and action. We come to The Yoga Institute, but there needs to be a deep burning desire to make change possible. This might take months or years. Occasionally we read scriptures and hear about them but it doesn't remain with us. "
- Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra


"Yoga is a science of awareness. It is a culture of consciousness, and the character of consciousness is to always be in a blissful state. An individual’s true self is ‘Sat-Chit-Anand’ which has to be maintained under all circumstances.

People take birth and perish. People experience feelings as per the external circumstances - being happy in joyful situations and being sad in sorrowful situations. But through yoga we develop wisdom to maintain our balanced state of mind and not get affected with the external stimulus.

We have got to believe in a higher reality and we will automatically get the strength to withstand under all circumstances.

We must accept all the situations in our life. We must accept the occurrence of birth and death. When we get unhappy or negative in life, this indicates that we lack faith in God. We should always have awareness of God, or else the pain will overpower us.

We don’t know what is going to happen in the next moment, but we should be prepared for change, because change is the nature of existence. We must keep our efforts ongoing and not get stuck in the material world."
- Smt. Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra


Satsang is an open meeting held every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz East, Mumbai. It involves an interesting presentation to the public, made by the students of the Teacher Training Course. Each week, a new presentation of a Yogic concept is made in a simple way through skits and decoration for the general public, followed by a short speech from our Gurus, Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)