An area where the breath is not going into is either not properly adjusted or there lies your blockage. Like this we use the postures to understand and locate our blockages. Through the use of the breath, where the breath is hindered, adjustments have to be made. In order to be observant, all kinds of software running in the head have to first be quieted. In order for us to be present, I have to eradicate all disturbance; disturbance of mind getting stuck in some pattern. This is the exploration of our being. Some thoughts or thought patterns are recurrent. It’s like the same CD playing over and over. Recognition of this, seeing it, that’s enough, just seeing it. So the CD, doesn’t continue to play without being heard. Often this is a background noise in which we live; all these programs, not one, not two, but many playing all together. Detect this to be present. And only when you’re present are you going to use your time in bringing about balance. Those softwares, those CD’s continuously playing, it’s them that influence our breath. When we become free, our breath becomes harmonious. Every CD playing, every software that is active creates tightness and tension. Those truly are the things that matter to us. When I see it, I catch it red-handed in operation. Now and again and again, thus detected, seeing, it becomes shaky. Our job is just to see it; to see all this happening. That’s it, nothing else. To start to have some aversion, anger, non-wanting or even hatred gives it even more power to grow. We need to see these things that interrupt our balance. When shall we do that, but in the asana practice?
One law is certain, and you will see this, that whenever there is a thought which matters it changes our breath immediately, this is a fact to be checked, to be checked and ascertained. Not my fact, not someone’s fact, a fact applicable to one and all. Svadhyaya or study of the self is about this. Seeing how or what involvement means; involvement of my mental states on my physical and energetic states. We do not, if we are wise, we do not control. Control is futile, we are up against forces that are too powerful to control. And those who try to control, make things worse. The only way to liberation is to become aware. To accept what is and to not fight it. If there is agitation, whenever there is agitation, relax. Know that this agitation is simmering. And just be with it, embracing it, not associating with it, but so to say taking a hand and accepting it as it is.
Reaction? Now acceptance, this is how it is, my feet have gone asleep. Don’t do anything; don’t do anything with the feet. Don’t play around. What does that mean? Playing around means that you don’t want it like that. Just let it be, let it be. Not ignoring it. Accepting it as it is; I’m walking a bit strange and just making a note. Please put the teaching into practice, into practice.
Agitation starts with a small thing, a small discomfort, a small feeling of dissatisfaction. A little thought that things are not as you wish them to be. That multiplies and it extends to this, that and that, till you become completely negative, unable to see any goodness in things. Break off. Nature, outer nature is a very good teacher for this. Turn away from your agitation and rest in something beautiful in nature. Allow that beauty to take over your being. The best contraceptive to agitation and negativity is appreciation.
Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre
Yoga Master Teacher Sharat Arora
Article derived from the “Pranic Healing” Intensive Yoga Course
At the Himalaya Shanti Ashram in Dharamsala in October – November 2013
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