Yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India is an effective way to bring body, mind and soul in unison. It was developed by ancient yogis to use as one of the ways to contemplate the meaning of life. Yogis in olden days used to practice yoga to develop awareness. Unlike today, when yoga is treated merely as a form of exercise to bring about physical improvement. Earlier yoga was done with an intent to sacrifice and get rid of the ego, and become aware.
A yogic lifestyle is no longer about self-awareness now. Instead, people are endeavoring perfection, hankering to have a “yoga body,” and trying to master challenging poses, that’s all! Millions of people across the world claim that they practice yoga, but only few are self-aware. Probably they practice yoga the right way. Yoga is not just about physical and competitive activities; however, it is a way of life. It is a practice to be mindful, to become aware by dis-identifying with the constant mental chatter.
What is Awareness?
Awareness is a state of being conscious of yourself and your surroundings. In a layman’s language awareness is the ability to control the mind. The state of being conscious and aware of oneself is called self-awareness and is considered the highest form of awareness.
Why is Awareness Important?
Needless to say, awareness is very important to lead a happy life. Believe it or not, our whole life is supported by awareness. Have you ever bothered to notice why you suddenly start screaming the moment somebody else parks his car in your place in the parking? No, you might have never got time to introspect or maybe you think it is normal. Unfortunately, it is not normal. It is because of unawareness of mind we all behave a certain way. Unaware mind is a reactive mind, it doesn’t analyze the situation. Aware mind on the other hand, is a balanced mind that analyzes a situation before responding to it. Aware mind doesn’t react, it responds.
Just slow down for a while and see whether you are aware of things you are doing or you are just reacting to the life’s situation. If the latter is your answer, then it’s time to practice yoga to develop awareness. Obstacles are the distraction of the mind which are created from the external outputs. They prevent the mind from having awareness. Yoga however is one of the best tools to build awareness on both physical and psychological levels. It teaches one to be aware of his body, mind, breath, and soul.
Patanjali Yoga Sutra tells about 5 different states of mind, viz., Dull Mind (moodha awastha), Scattered Mind (Kshipta Awastha), Focused Mind (Vikshipta awastha), One Pointed Mind (Ekagra awastha), and Controlled Mind (Nirudha awastha). It is imperative to develop awareness to go from a dull mind to one-pointed mind. The moment you have one pointed mind, you are aware of everything that is going around you. Many people do Yoga to develop Awareness. If Surya Namaskar is done at a fast pace it is good for agility, but when it is done slowly with awareness of breath, it will build awareness. Because the mind goes into witness state. Where the mind is not taking any inputs from the external world.
How Yoga Helps to Develop Awareness
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali refers to 8 limbs of yoga, viz., YAMA (Restraints, moral disciplines or moral vows), NIYAMA (Duties or observances), ASANA (Posture), PRANAYAMA (Breathing techniques), PRATYAHARA (Sense withdrawal), DHARANA (Focused concentration), DHYANA (Meditative absorption), and SAMADHI (Bliss or enlightenment). All these 8 limbs offer guidance on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life.
The fifth aspect of Patanjali Yoga Sutra i.e., PRATYAHARA (Sense withdrawal) deals with awareness. Pratyahara is designed to make the mind internalized. All the techniques that lead to Pratyahara, like Pranayama help make the mind aware. In Pranayama one has to focus on the breath which leads to Pratyahara. Likewise, there are certain mudras which when practiced develop Pratyahara, like Shanmukhi mudra. Upon practicing breathing techniques and yogic mudras, the mind starts going within. It starts to disidentify itself with the external outputs.
Pratyahara is a tool to internalize the mind. Regular practice of asana, mudras, pranayama, and meditation builds the witness attitude. All these are powerful tools that help people to calm and silence their mind, and attain self-awareness. Only when you are aware or you have a focused mind, can you achieve great things. A focused mind can only be achieved with awareness.
When you practice yoga to develop awareness, you become more aware of your body, mind, breath and emotions. When you are aware you become witness to all the processes happening in the body and mind. Awareness is considered a base for both physical and psychological well-being and yoga is a tool to achieve awareness. The awareness that is attained through yoga practices impacts our lives tremendously.
Benefits of Having Aware Mind
- Shifting from a reactionary mind to an aware mind increases the efficiency and efficacy.
- One who becomes aware experiences peace at every stage and situation of his/her life.
- Aware person becomes free of day-to-day stress and strain.
- Awareness helps you to deal with day-to-day activities more diligently and conscientiously.
- Aware person completely avoids negative actions which might have repercussions in the future.
- Person who is aware does not react, he responds to the situation. He analyzes the situation thoroughly before responding or taking any action. Needless to say, when we respond things are better.
- Awareness also affects our karma (future punya and papa). Of course, when you are aware of your actions, you will not do anything that will add to your bad karmas. You will be aware of all your deeds, you will do nothing to harm others, which will ultimately affect your karmas in a good way.
- Lastly, awareness helps you lead a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life, which is the ultimate aim of our existence.
The Bottom Line…..
Inculcate yoga to develop awareness in your life. Aware mind will help you deal with the adversities of life with peace and patience. You would be gentler and kind towards your own self and towards others in life. At first, you may find it troublesome and annoying. But, gradually you will start reaping rich dividends. Awareness will save you from many mishaps, fallibility and unpredictability.
BECOME AWARE!!