By S A Roa-Rane, Yoga therapist and Research Fellow
Smadhi is a blissful super consciousness state in which a yogi perceives the identity of the individualized Soul and Cosmic Spirit.
In Hatha Yoga, The book Hatha-yogapradipika and the texts in most manuscripts consists of four chapters: asana, pranayama, Mudra and Nadanusandhana. the nervous system is understood through the concept of nadis, with the three primary ones being Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. These nadis are channels through which energy flows, and their balance is crucial for physical and mental well-being. The word Hatha is made up of two Sanskrit roots, ha being translated as the ‘Sun’ and tha as the ‘moon’. If we now add to this the word yoga which means ‘to join’, we have literally in Hathayoga, the yoga which joins together the sun and the moon. According to Hatha-yoga texts, in the right and left nostrits, begin the two Nadis called ida and pingala. Breath taken through the right nostril is called the ‘Sun breath’, whilst a similar taken through the left nostril is called ‘moon breath’. During pranayama, two nadis get stimulated and the union of the two breaths takes place at ajna, the important chakra between the eyebrows (Paramahansa Yogananda: HYP). The principal classical texts on Hatha-yoga are Gheranda-Samhita, Siva-Samhita and Hatha-yoga-pradpika.All of them give precise details of asanas, pranayama etc. and benefits accuring from them. Hatha-yoga entirely deals with the physical body. Its aim being to make the physical body very strong. Its practices are very difficult, and cannot be learnt in a day, and after all, do not lead to much spiritual growth Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika is one of the important yoga texts dealing mainly with Hatha-yoga. This book was composed around the 15th century by Svatmarama.
In yoga and tantric traditions, Ida nadi is associated with the left side of the body, the right hemisphere of the brain, and the lunar energy. It’s linked to the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and creativity. When activated, Ida nadi is thought to influence qualities like intuition, healing, and calmness. Pingala Nadi (also known as the right energy channel or sun channel) is associated with the left hemisphere of the brain and the right side of the body. It is linked to the sun, activity, and strength, and is believed to influence logical thinking, analytical abilities, and our conscious mind. When the Pingala Nadi is active, it can lead to increased energy, focus, and a tendency towards action and productivity.
Yoga and Ayurveda are allied sciences dealing with science of man in depth. Whereas Yoga and Tantra are the rich sources for the knowledge of nervous system and its biological and metaphysical aspects. The nervous system is broadly divided into three main types: the central nervous system Sushumna Nadi (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and the enteric nervous system (ENS). The CNS comprises the brain and spinal cord, serving as the command center for the body. The PNS connects the CNS to the rest of the body, including the somatic nervous system (which controls voluntary movements) and the autonomic nervous system (which regulates involuntary functions). The ENS is a part of the PNS that controls the gastrointestinal system. Sushumna Nadi, in yogic and Hindu spiritual traditions, is considered the central energy channel or the central path within the subtle body, running along the spine and connecting the base chakra (Muladhara) to the crown chakra (Sahasrara). It’s often associated with the central nervous system (CNS) and is believed to be the primary channel for Kundalini energy to rise during spiritual awakening.
Source : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542179/ ( Anatomy, Central Nervous System Lauren Thau; Vamsi Reddy; Paramvir Singh.)
Yoga Aasan and the Nervous System:
Headstand (Sirsasana) Considered a rejuvenating pose, it is believed to increase blood flow to the brain and calm the nervous system. Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana) pose is thought to improve blood circulation, especially to the neck and thyroid gland. Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani): restorative pose is known for reducing swelling and promoting lymphatic drainage in the lower limbs. Inverted yoga poses, like headstands (Sirsasana) and shoulder stands (Sarvangasana), are believed to influence the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which are crucial for hormone regulation. These poses are thought to improve blood flow to the brain, potentially stimulating these glands and promoting hormonal balance.
Yoga can positively impact the nervous system by promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Practices like deep breathing and specific asanas (poses) can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to decreased heart rate, lower blood pressure, and improved digestion. Specific Hatha yogic techniques, Like Mahabanda such as Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) and Navel Chakra Sadhana, can specifically target the ENS by correcting navel displacement and enhancing its function.
Maha Bandha, also known as the “Great Lock,” is an advanced yoga practice combining three bandhas: Mula Bandha (root lock), Uddiyana Bandha (abdominal lock), and Jalandhara Bandha (throat lock). It’s a powerful technique believed to purify the subtle body, balance the endocrine system, and elevate consciousness.
Maha Bandha, a yogic practice involving specific breath control and body locks, is believed to be a powerful tool for activating Kundalini energy. By directing prana (life force) through the central energy channel (Sushumna Nadi), Maha Bandha is thought to facilitate the upward movement of Kundalini, potentially leading to spiritual awakening and higher states of consciousness.
Maha Bandha is believed to work in relation to Kundalini:
Directing Prana:Maha Bandha involves the coordinated application of Jalandhara Bandha (chin lock), Uddiyana Bandha (abdominal lock), and Mula Bandha (root lock). These locks are believed to regulate the flow of prana, directing it into the central channel.
Awakening Kundalini:By directing prana into the Sushumna Nadi, Maha Bandha is believed to stimulate the dormant Kundalini energy at the base of the spine. This stimulation can initiate the upward movement of Kundalini through the chakras (energy centers).
Spiritual Experiences:The rising Kundalini is associated with various experiences, including heightened awareness, altered states of consciousness, and profound spiritual insights.
Kundalini is Dormant Potential energy.Kundalini is often described as being coiled like a serpent at the base of the spine, in a dormant state, representing potential energy. Kuṇḍalinī awakenings are said to occur by a variety of methods. Many systems of yoga focus on awakening kuṇḍalinī through: meditation, pranayama, the practice of asana, and chanting of mantras. Kundalini yoga is influenced by Shaktism and Tantra schools of Hinduism. While kundalini is often described as a potent form of energy, it’s not simply kinetic energy. It’s more accurately understood as a dormant, potential, or creative energy that, when awakened, can manifest as various forms of energy, including kinetic energy. While the movement of kundalini is often described as kinetic, it’s important to note that it is also linked to consciousness, spiritual experiences, and even divine energy.
Kundalini is also associated with consciousness and spiritual awakening. When kundalini manifests as action or movement, it is sometimes referred to as dynamic energy. Serpent power Awakening and Manifestation is kinetic energy, When awakened, kundalini can move upwards through the body’s energy channels (chakras), and this upward movement can be associated with kinetic energy, or the energy of motion. Kundalini is not solely a physical energy like electricity; it’s also a spiritual and psychological force.
Kundalini, a dormant spiritual energy, is believed to reside at the base of the spine (Muladhara chakra). When Kundalini reaches the crown chakra (Sahasrara), it signifies a profound spiritual awakening and union with the divine, leading to a state of bliss and liberation. This experience is often described as a sudden and spontaneous event, where the individual loses their sense of separateness and merges with the infinite.
When awakened, it travels through the central channel (Sushumna) and ascends through the chakras, activating and purifying them along the way.
The crown chakra, Sahasrara, is the final destination, representing the ultimate union with the divine. ,Kundalini (Serpent energy) travels through the central channel (: the central nervous system (CNS or it is called Sushumna nadi). Sushumna is one of the three main nadis (energy channels) in the body, considered the most important for spiritual awakening. It runs along the spine, connecting the base chakra to the crown chakra. Kundalini is a dormant spiritual energy believed to reside at the base of the spine. When awakened, it ascends through the Sushumna nadi. The seven chakras are energy centers along the Sushumna. As Kundalini ascends, it activates and purifies each chakra, leading to various spiritual experiences. In yogic philosophy, the Sushumna nadi, a central energy channel in the subtle body, is believed to be the pathway for Kundalini energy to ascend, leading to Samadhi, a state of profound meditative absorption and enlightenment. When the Kundalini awakens and moves through the Sushumna, it pierces through the chakras, culminating in a state of bliss and self-realization, often described as Samadhi.
Caution:It’s crucial to approach Kundalini practices with awareness and guidance from experienced practitioners, as the process can be intense.
The samadhi state involves a shift from the default mode network’s typical activity to a dominant activation of the brain’s attentional and sensory processing networks, resulting in an enhanced perception of unity, reduced sense of ego, awakening of a heightened sense of present-moment awareness, and deep compassion. samadhi is also interpreted as the identification with the Absolute: Paramahansa Yogananda: A soundless state of breathlessness. A blissful super consciousness state in which a yogi perceives the identity of the individualized Soul and Cosmic Spirit. Sahasrara is the chakra of enlightenment, or Samadhi. When Sahasrara is imbalanced we are unable to see through the mind chatter that clouds our perception. Deep sleep is a product of the mind, and within that, the physical brain. Samadhi is an escape from those constraints, it is in fact the opposite of deep sleep, being a state of full consciousness, whereas deep sleep is a state of unconsciousness.
The Samadhi & Concept of the Classification of Thoughts
[Patanjali Yoga Sutras Chapter 1 & 3 ]
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are one of the six darshanas of Hindu or Vedic schools and, alongside the Bhagavad Gita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika, are a milestone in the history of Yoga. The Sanskrit word yoga, as used by Patanjali, refers to a state of mind where thoughts and feelings are held in check. Sutra means “thread”. This is a reference to the thread of a mala, upon which (figuratively speaking) the yoga aphorisms that make up the work’s content are strung like beads. For that reason the title is sometimes rendered in English as the Yoga Aphorisms.
The concept of the classification of thoughts has been discussed in the previous post with some examples. Now we will go in depth about each type of thought wave that a person has. it is to be understood that thoughts of all kinds as such are a vritti, an anomaly which needs to be addressed and cured by practice of Yoga. A thought can be any of the above three types. But the fact remains that the thought can be a cause of pain in future and so needs to be addressed.
The bonding of Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms inside the water molecule is complicated. It is not possible to break this bond. Modern science till date has not been able to replicate the same. Water just changes its form with change in the temperature. This is a conclusively proven statement but it is not a common knowledge.
First Chapter: Consciousness and Superconsciousness Samadhi Pada(51 sutras)
Types of Thoughts Explained. Patanjali Yoga Sutras- I.7,I.8,1.9
प्रत्यक्षानुमानागमाः प्रमाणानि॥७॥Pratyakṣānumānāgamāḥ pramāṇāni||7||
Chapter First : Verse no 7 Patanjali Yoga Sutras
Proven, Inferred and Conclusively established knowledge, as it appears to a person, is known as proven or Pramana thought wave. It means knowledge which is obtained through proven methods, rational thinking and reliable sources. As stated earlier, this ancient scripture primarily focuses on the individual’s perception.
It is important to note that, the focus here is on the belief of the individual and not on the accuracy of any information. Information as such is Mithya (False). We will take it up later on at the appropriate time. At this time, it is important to understand that a Pramana thought is a clearly proven and an established fact which the individual believes to be true.
विपर्ययो मिथ्याज्ञानमतद्रूपप्रतिष्ठम्॥८॥ Viparyayo mithyājñānamatadrūpapratiṣṭham||8||
Chapter First : Verse no 8 Patanjali Yoga Sutras
सूत्रार्थ / Sutra Meaning:-The second type of thought wave is termed as Viparyaya. It is a doubtful state of thought. Unlike Pramana, there is no conclusive proof or an established fact in the Viparyaya thoughts. The individual(perceiver) does not have a conclusive proof about the thoughts in his mind.
Mithya is the wrong identification of an object or a wrong inference that an individual makes in his thought. In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, mithya (मिथ्या) signifies “false,” “unreal,” or “misleading knowledge” or “misperception”. It refers to a type of mental state where one’s perception of reality is inaccurate or distorted, leading to a misunderstanding of the true nature of things. This contrasts with pramana, which is correct knowledge or perception.
For example, if you want to understand the object then you have understood this object from Infinite perceptions, then you will understand exact object. Commentary by Sage Vyasha “Misconception is a false notion, abides in a form, which is not that.”The statement emphasizes that a complete understanding of an object requires considering it from all possible perspectives or “infinite perceptions”. This implies that our subjective, limited perceptions of an object are incomplete and that a true, objective understanding necessitates incorporating all conceivable viewpoints
Viparya, according to the Yoga Sutras, is false knowledge that differs from the true nature of an object. It is knowledge that does not conform to reality. For example, mistaking a rope for a snake is Viparya, because the true nature of a rope is not a snake.
Viparya means “wrong perception” or “illusion”. It is a distorted state of knowledge, where an object is not seen in its true form, but in some other form.
Some more examples of Viparya:
1) Seeing a fish swimming in water and mistaking it for flying in the air.
2) Seeing a tree from a distance and mistaking it for a man.
3) Seeing an object in the dark and mistaking it for a ghost or spirit.
1.8 – Patanjali Yog Sutra : All these examples are Viparya, because they produce knowledge different from the true nature of the object. The person overhearing their conversation, will generate thoughts about surrounding of its environment. Whereas the reality is completely different. This is a Vikalpa thought wave.
शब्दज्ञानानुपाती वस्तुशून्यो विकल्पः॥९॥Śabdajñānānupātī vastuśūnyo vikalpaḥ||9||
Chapter First : Verse no 9 Patanjali Yoga Sutras
सूत्रार्थ / Sutra Meaning
This sutra (Yoga Sutra 1.9) “shabda jnanaupati vastushoonyo vikalpaah” means that knowledge arising from words, devoid of an object, is called vikalpa. In other words, it is an imagination that is based only on words, and has no relation to any real object or experience.
This sutra is part of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and it means that vikalpa (imagination) is a type of knowledge that is based on words (language, thought) but is devoid of an object (real experience).For example, “the horns of a donkey” is a sentence that is a word-based knowledge, but has no relation to any real object because a donkey has no horns. It is a vikalpa.Similarly, “the son of a barren woman” is also a vikalpa because a barren woman has no son.
This sutra tells us that we should look beyond the web of words, to the real experience and understanding of the object. In short, vikalpa is a knowledge that is based on words but which has no connection with any real object or experience.
Chapter 3 : Vibhuti Pada(55 sutras)
Vibhuti is the Sanskrit word for “power” or “manifestation”. This book describes the “higher” states of awareness and the techniques of yoga to attain them.
|| 3.3 || तदेवार्थमात्रनिर्भासं स्वरूपशून्यमिव समाधिः
Chapter Thrid : Verse no 3 Patanjali Yoga Sutras
English
Tad – that Eva – as it were Artha – object matra – only Nirbhasam – shining; Sva – own Roopa – form Hoonyam – empty, devoid, is absent Iva – like, as it were Samadhih – oneness, integration.
सूत्रार्थ / Sutra Meaning
English: Samadhih is when the object of meditation only shines forth, as though devoid of it own form.importance has been given to the context and individual perception. It is not important to know whether it is true or false or correct or incorrect. Albert Einstein has given science a paradigm shift and brought relativity into limelight. He moved science forward from the Newtonian age which was more objective. It is what the person perceives that is the root cause for Vritti. It is an anomaly which needs to be understood and addressed.
Thus, an individual’s knowledge here is described as relative in nature rather than absolute. Thoughts are based on how an individual perceives something. Regardless of the fact whether it is right or wrong. These three types of waves- Pramana ,Viparyaya, Vikalpa encompass all types of thoughts that a person can have in his life incessantly. it is to be understood that thoughts of all kinds as such are a vritti, an anomaly which needs to be addressed and cured by practice of Yoga. A thought can be any of the above three types. More information or knowledge may change a thought from one type to other. But the fact remains that the thought can be a cause of pain in future and so needs to be addressed. Understanding these thought waves will help us to take control of our thoughts through the practice of Yoga. It helps to balance the thoughts and results in a peaceful mind.