JOURNEY TO INNER HARMONY

Nearly 5,000 years ago, Yoga originated in the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, located in what is now India. The Rigveda, composed between 1,500 and 1,000 BCE, is the oldest known text to mention Yoga, describing it as achieving transcendence through the regulation of thoughts and emotions. Later, it developed into a more structured form of Yoga.

One of the significant yogic texts available is the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, compiled around the second century BCE. Patanjali’s 196 sutras cover various aspects of yoga practice, including ethical principles, physical postures, breath control, sensory discontinuation, concentration, meditation, and the state of samadhi. The Yogic spiritual science comprises two fundamental tenets: awareness and meditation. The only difference is that meditation does not necessarily require movement, whereas Yoga consists of both. The essence of Yoga is to balance the movements of the body and mind with an awakened soul. Yoga and meditation intertwine, guiding the practitioner towards a holistic well-being with inner balance.

Today, science and psychology agree on the benefits of Yoga and meditation. Regular practice helps reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels, promoting relaxation, and facilitating recovery. Furthermore, it strengthens the parasympathetic nerves that counteract the stress response, enhancing neuroplasticity and the brain’s ability to change and adapt functionally. All three factors interconnect to support overall well-being and resilience.

The word ‘Yog’ is derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means to unite all three: the body, mind, and spirit. On the other hand, meditation is the internal component of Yoga that promotes mental clarity and inner silence.

Unless all three aspects of the human self—body, mind, and soul—are involved, results can be discriminatory. In pursuing holistic well-being, Yoga and meditation emerge as popular practices to direct and control areas of the body and brain toward compassion and self-awareness.

Hence, Yoga and meditation combine to provide a holistic means to stabilise the body by quieting the mind. While interconnected and sharing common goals of enhancing mental and physical health, they are distinct disciplines with specific approaches and benefits. This article examines the distinctions, advantages, and potential synergies between yoga and meditation, providing insights into how each can contribute to a well-rounded lifestyle.

Yoga, rooted in ancient Indian tradition, is a comprehensive practice of eight branches that integrates Yama (abstinences), Niyama (observances), physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), withdrawal of senses (pratyahara), focused concentration (dharana), contemplation (dhyana), and Bliss (Samadhi). The term “yoga” means “union,” reflecting its goal of uniting the mind, body, and soul. The framework of these eight limbs provides a path toward self-awareness and a deeper understanding of the self.

Practising yoga postures before meditation can help prepare the body and mind for a more profound meditation experience. The physical activity releases tension, enhances circulation, and brings a sense of calm, making it easier to focus during meditation. Creating a structured routine with dedicated time for yogic exercises and meditation ensures a balanced approach to physical and mental well-being.

The key lies in consistency and mindfulness, allowing the transformative effects to unfold over time. Yoga primarily nurtures self-awareness by focusing on the mind, which is critical in distinguishing authentic reality. While the mind presents challenges and stress, overcoming them is crucial. Achieving mastery over thoughts is possible through self-awareness. Mind control does not stop thinking; instead, it involves using thoughts effectively and productively. This is made possible through introspection, which consists of watching the body and mind without judgement – this additional branch I refer to as Sakshi (witnessing) Yoga.

Our comprehension of the mind is limited to the conscious mind, which is active during wakefulness and is associated with emotional desires. It represents only a fragment of the overall mind. Attempting to influence consciousness is fruitless. We also need to know how to invoke the soul’s potential by entering the sphere of spontaneous intuitiveness, where the mind operates beyond the realm of thinking or cognitive states.

Recognising the constraints of the conscious mind is vital for present living. Delving into the mind’s mechanisms is intriguing, with the objective mind utilising primarily the senses for cognition. Dwelling on past or future thoughts, which the mind habituates, obstructs authentic living. Grasping the conscious mind is essential for embracing the present moment. Exploring beyond the conscious mind and senses is necessary to teach the mind how to transcend sensory wants and achieve clarity, contentment, calmness, and clairvoyance.

Furthermore, delving into the unconscious mind, where no thoughts prevail, and awakening the soul in that unknown section to check and guide the monkey mind, is crucial for self-discovery. Yoga is a concise solution to realising life’s purpose, encompassing a superconscious state that experiences total awareness in all states of mind. The only facet left out in Yoga is the concept of Advaita Vedanta (not two is the end of knowledge). Rishi Vasishta philosophically conjoined the two in the prehistoric scriptures described as Yog Vasishta, which Quantum Physics has now expounded and computed.

The core of consciousness makes the mind alive; awareness is pivotal. Consciousness is distinct from the mind, which acts as a versatile tool—understanding how the mind functions and its energy source is essential. Consciousness drives all mental activities, with the mind as a conduit. Your soul surpasses the mind, serving as the centre of awareness. The soul fuels intuitive thinking, listening, understanding, and judgement.

When you closely examine your life, you will notice the same repetitive patterns, functioning solely through the mind, involving old data. The past is stored in your limited mind; it no longer exists. Without an active mind, would your past exist? Only the present does. Reality is only the present, but the past persists in our minds. By transcending the mind, you go beyond karmic bondage. Past thoughts projecting into the future in the form of emotional desires are a mental trap. Yet you treat the past as a reality, which is an illusion. The mind is the root of this. By transcending the mind, you overcome everything at once.

The core effort of spiritual practices has always been to transcend the cognitive mind and view life beyond its limitations. Yoga aims for the individual soul to telepathically unite with the universal awareness in a state known as samadhi. Yoga’s focus is not on the existence of God but on self-discovery to realise that there is no self, only the non-dual, spiritually aware energy, which undergoes an illusory play of human experiences of dualities, such as pleasure and pain, or happiness and sadness. If one exists in the mind, the other is bound to follow like a shadow.

Yog is that state of absoluteness that takes you to the superconscious section of the mind, where you are neither affected by imagination nor thoughts. You go beyond your mind’s modifications, teaching you how to maintain a balance in life with awareness, taking action without identifying or attaching to the results. Not bothering about pain or misery, accepting every situation with grace and respect liberates your body and mind through spiritual knowledge, where tranquillity and serenity are sublime.

Therefore, integrating both practices can provide the most comprehensive benefits for a holistic approach. Yoga can prepare your body and mind for meditation, and meditation can enhance the mental and soulful benefits of Yoga. Many people find that practising both leads to a balanced and fulfilling routine. Engaging in Yoga and meditation as part of your routine can be highly effective for a holistic approach to overall health. Yoga and meditation offer a timeless journey in harmony, navigating the challenges of today’s existence while awakening that eternal truth within.

NAMASTE