Yogatattva Upanishad (translation and study)
by Sujata Jena | 2024 | 72,363 words
This study explores the philosophical and yogic concepts within the Yogatattva Upanishad—an ancient Sanskrit text wihchi s part of the Vedic literature that delves into the essence of yoga and meditation, linking mental control to spiritual enlightenment. The thesis also emphasizes the importance of eightfold path (or Ashtanga Yoga) and the integra...
Part 1.1 - Types of Dharana (concentration of the mind)—Introduction
Concentration of the mind, the ability to express mental awareness of the point, where, without reflection. Perfection of concentration leads to meditation. In a state of concentration, the mind is not aware of the external environment or other peripheral objects surrounding the object of concentration. Why is concentration important? The best answer to this question is to compare the mind to a light bulb. The light rays of the bulb go out in all directions; energy is spreading. If you stand five feet from the bulb, you will see it and you will not be able to heat it, although there is a lot of heat in the center of the bulb, in the filament. In the same way, the Holy Spirit has great power in a powerful form, but it spreads in all directions. The mind thinks about different things one by one, without destroying the depth of any subject. Therefore, the average mind does not use its power. Why is concentration important? The best answer to this question is to compare the mind to a light bulb. Rays of light from the bulb go out in all directions; energy is spreading. If you stand five feet from the bulb, you will see it and you will not be able to heat it, although there is a lot of heat in the center of the bulb, in the filament. In the same way, the Holy Spirit has great power in a powerful form, but it spreads in all directions. The mind thinks about different things one by one, without dwelling in depth on any subject. Therefore, the average mind does not use its power. Recently, science has developed a laser and many advances have been made in modern technology using it. It is a process in which all the 216
lights coming from the source are connected to each other as they go in the same direction and in the same direction. The light source should not be larger than recommended, but if you stand five feet from the laser source, the light will burn directly into your body. This is the difference between normal light and focused light. Similarly, focused thinking is also very powerful. He has the power of high perception, the ability to see many of the truths that lie beneath the phenomena. He has the ability to achieve great things and perform unimaginable tasks. A focused mind is also a calm mind. Whenever you put your heart into something, you automatically enter a state of relaxation. Concentration is important for everything you do in life because it prevents the mind from wandering aimlessly in all directions. Without concentration, you will achieve nothing. You only have to look around you to see the truth of this statement. Work done with a focused mind is more enjoyable. A person with a focused mind can perform a variety of tasks effectively. A person who cannot concentrate, who thinks about other things while doing the work, makes mistakes and takes unnecessary time to complete the work, if at all him. He will continue to think as time goes by slowly. He will worry about himself, his problems, his family, while he is working. Due to poor concentration, the equipment is not good, so the work is not done properly. Therefore concentration is important in daily life as well as in spiritual practice. Bahyakasa Dharana: In Sanskrit, the universe around us is called bahyakasa. The word bahya means 'outside' and akasa means 'space' or 'ether'. Bahyakasa dharana is the exploration of outer space or ether, not in a rocket, but in a 217
meditative way. While the body continues to fall on the ground, the consciousness goes up to the sky, watching the planets, stars and asteroids. In this practice, we see ourselves as part of the great space of the outer universe, from which we ourselves and all other things, sentient and nonsensuous, emerge out. Antarakasa Dharana: In Sanskrit, the word antar means 'to do'. Thus, antarakasa is the inner space that constitutes the seed of our own creation. According to yogic thought and modern scientific thought, the material universe, of which we are all an integral part, has two main dimensions: the macrocosmic and the microcosmic. Everything within the bahyakasa, and the elements of time, space and matter, are part of the macrocosm. This is the world we live in. However, everything outside can also be seen inside, in its own form, and that is the microcosm. Just as the macrocosm is outside of us, in the space of bahyakasa, so the microcosm is inside, in antarakasa, in space. Therefore, in order to access the microcosmos, the inner universe, it is necessary to first develop our understanding of antarakasa, in the space from this in the world that takes its subtle form. The inner space is the essence or seed of all manifestations of energy or matter, represented by Sakti or Prakrti. In order to know ourselves, in order to expand our understanding, we must first enter the inner space. Only then can we begin to see what lies within the deepest part of our lives. Dharana Treatment: The word chid or citta means 'consciousness', so cidakasa is the space of consciousness. This hole is at head level, behind the forehead. Cidakasa is also known as the mental screen or ajna cakra visualization 218
screen. If you close your eyes for a few seconds, you will see a space in front of you. It is a mental screen on which you can see many subtle visions and feelings that are expressed from the deepest levels of your consciousness. Cidakasa can also be associated with caves. If you look into the cave from outside, all you will see is an impenetrable wall of darkness. It's so dark you can't see anything in it. However, when you enter the cave and your eyes are familiar with the darkness, then you begin to see things. Even though those things are there before, you can't see many things, even things you don't expect to see. That's how it is in the mind. At first, when you look into the cidakasa cave, you will not see anything; you will think that there is nothing to see. And as you do, you will begin to know what is inside of you. This is cidakasa dharana. In this practice, the cidakasa is visualized as a cave or dark room with four walls, a floor and a cell. Inside the ground is a tunnel that leads to the ground. It is susumna nadi. In front of the wall is an imaginary screen from which the vision unfolds. In cidakasa dharana, there is a progressive progression from physical and physical experience to psychic and pranic experience. Physical experience must be understood in the realm of cidakasa. This is done in three ways: (i) awareness of existing memory, (ii) recognition of indirect and natural manifestations in cidakasa and (iii) visualization. Memory is used in the sense that when we first become aware of the mind and try to calm the jumping mind, the wandering mind, then, at that time, the mind is always thinking or gets anything. It involves awareness. You may not be aware of it, but the mind uses thoughts, memories, and simple activities throughout the day. Therefore, thanks to the memory, the mind analyzes and creates a kind of understanding of this event, of this process. It can be something very simple, like a conversation you might have with 219
someone. This conversation or relationship continues internally in the form of memory. If you know this, you will also see a visual image of this link. As you increase your awareness, you will become aware of other sensory experiences, tactile experiences, such as the wind blowing on the body, the coolness of the air, the warmth of the clothes, etc. This awareness of the memory of the thinking consciousness is the first step of the cidakasa process. This process also seeks to eliminate any thoughts that form in the mind, and this thought may be the beginning of another series of events that may affect life later. It is difficult to know what is happening in the mind, how trivial things can change the thought process, the understanding of the mind and the understanding of the mind. So, being aware of psychological involvement is the first step in this process. The next section is a review of the creative manifestations of cidakasa, which are common: rising images, visible lights, figures that reflect, shadows that pass through the screen of cidakasa. So, here we have seen two aspects of cidakasa, one which is the engagement of the mind and the other which is the creation of the mind. In the second part, you must recognize color, shadow and light. This is the most important part of practice. At first it was difficult to distinguish the different colors. This practice is very complex and takes a lot of time to master. If you detect the blue color, then you must see the blue color in the head or light string or something similar that manifests itself. If you look for color, you will see red. If it is yellow, then you will see yellow. In this way, color awareness should gradually develop in cidakasa. This helps to control the visual sensations that are created because of the optical effects in the brain and which are also expressed as spontaneous and natural production of colors and cidakasa. 220
The third part is where we consciously create an image or idea and visualize it on the mental screen. This is done first by looking at all possible geometric shapes in cidakasa. Again, visualizing the process of psychic writing of numbers, letters and geometric shapes are psychically written on the cidakasa screen and used as something to chew, first individually and always together. The scene is followed by a fifth act in the sky that creates a subtle feeling of levitation. This, in brief, is the cidakasa dharana process. Ajna Cakra Dharana: The vision of Ajna cakra is part of cidakasa dharana, but it is a higher level. In going to practice cidakasa dharana, we tried to become aware of the different shows on the mental screen where different images, colors, figures, shapes, shadows, yantras and signs were seen, created and finally deleted. cidakasa dharana dealing with the cream of thoughts and tricks that happen spontaneously due to the relationship of the body and the mind with the four mental components; manas (mind), buddhi (intellect), citta (memory) and ahmkara (ego). Even achieving this level of cidakasa dharana takes a long time, because these practices are simple. To transcend physical and physical experience, transcend mental experience, transcend manas, buddhi, citta and ahmkara parts of the higher mind, the first act of cidakasa dharana must be done successfully. We also enter the different levels of ajna dharana. Hrdayakasa Dharana: In Sanskrit, the word hrdaya means 'heart'. Therefore, hrdayakasa dharana is concentration in the heart space. You may find this practice simple and easy, or you may find it complex and difficult. Everything depends on the power of feeling that you can create, because this particular dharana deals with the power of feeling that does not change 221
your mental thoughts. In this type of meditation, it is easy to feel completely depressed or completely uplifted. You might want to laugh. But one thing is very important to remember: when your emotions are overwhelming, don't try to control them. Don't worry, nothing will happen. An explanation of the hrdayakasa dharana practice is given at the end of the practice, but first there are several aspects that you should know. In short, the first points are: to create feelings, and the part beyond emotions. As we follow these practices, you must remember that you are doing them fully, as dharana, not just as a witness to what is happening. You should try to focus all your energy, emotions and thoughts during practice. Daharakasa Dharana: In the practice of akasa dharana, cidakasa refers to the practice of suffering in relation to events, memories and experiences that occur in the realm of name, origin, and thought. External sensory experience is negative in cidakasa. Subtle, emotional and emotional aspects are seen in hrdayakasa. Panic and spiritual experiences from Daharakasa were experienced there. However, in order to recognize the pranic and psychic experiences, the external mind, the mind that is now working within us, must be properly guided and trained.