How yoga meditation was preparing us for the modern-day mind. Mental health awareness month.
When it comes to mental health, I always go back to the second sutra of yoga; Yoga is the control of thought waves in the mind. Uncontrollable thought waves seem to be the case of the modern mind, which is fast, holds experiential trauma, is busy, and is distracted constantly either by technology or overstimulation by our busy environment. We dedicate this post to Mental Health Awareness Month.
Sutra 1.2:
yogaḥ = yoga
citta = the mind
vṛtti= fluctuations, modifications, thought waves
nirodhaḥ = restraint, control, suppression
It's hard to overlook such correct and precise ancient psychology that resonates all too much with today's time. So, let's not ignore this powerful practice and understanding of the mind's function.
Let's take a look...
I am highlighting a few points of yogic psychology, which helps us understand body to-mind-to consciousness connection.
Yoga meditation highlights the four functions of the mind...
(1) manas (sensory, processing mind)– the receiver and organizer of information from our senses.
(2) chitta (memory bank) which stores impressions and experiences.
(3) ahaṃkāra ("I-maker" or Ego)- the ego, the part of the mind that makes us self-aware.
(4) Buddhi (knows, decides, judges, and discriminates) – the discriminating and intellectual part of the mind that classifies and reacts.
We should...
Understand each function individually and coordinate them all with one another.
To coordinate them we need to...
Observe actions and speech, and watch the mind functioning while going through your actions and speech.
Observe at the same time the THINKING process associated with the action and speech.
The act of attempting to observe these Four Functions, as they function, is the key to the practice.
This allows us to develop the position of a witness where were can be more consciously aware of our thought patterns and reactions by practicing self-observation. We can take back charge of our minds and reactions.
Practice...
This takes practice, awareness, and repetition. Practicing mediation on a 2-3 times a week minimum can help develop these skills of becoming a witness. Having a meditation that's correctly geared towards those goals is important.
Practice this meditation... It targets these key points and develops the skill of a witness attitude. Understand your speech and actions and the thinking process behind them.
Putting it all together...
Just like physical fitness that builds muscle mass, meditation does the same for the mind, allowing us to better drive our thought patterns by building stronger awareness. It takes practice, time, and consistency but unlike muscle building, the effects of stress relief in meditation are almost instant so you will feel a difference quickly. Get some relief fast and ease the edge off of your racing thoughts with yoga meditation!
Check out our meditation programs.
More to come on meditation resources.
Stay tuned- The Vault Meditation.
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