Cause of impediments in yoga
There are many causes impediments in yoga.The subject yoga is pragmatic and has charisma, it can be a helpful tool to provide clarity in vision for all those who are seeking to walk with gathering enthusiasm; no matter in which profession you are (A Farmer, Teacher, Engineer, Salesman, Hotelier, Doctor, Artists, Yogi and so on).
The pursuit of Mantras and Shlokas in Indian Darshanas (texts), and Upanishads have been our guiding light in terms of meditation in all the times, which we have received from our ancestors and teachers, and still have values in the modern era.
it can give us so many of practical lessons, which cannot be taught and learned in the modern universities and schools, but our parents, grandparents and spiritual masters can share with us about how to live peacefully and mindfully.
The Shlokas of Hatha Yoga teaches us and bring our attention to “Badhaka tattvas” before entering into “Hatha Yoga Sadhna”, so that we can eager to live life holistically and simultaneously prepare ourselves for Salvation (through daily Sadhna and introspection).
Hatha Yoga in our life Pradipika chapter 1.15th throws the light on Badhaka tattvas (Badhaka means impediment/causes failure and tattvas refer to the living with principles/ habits/elements).
In a nutshell, the principles/habits cause impediments in Yoga Sadhna.
The impediments which are avoided by Hatha Yogis, Raja Yogis and Spiritual Traditions are:-
(1) Atyahara
- Atyahara is overeating or eating more than required. In terms of practicing daily Hatha Yoga (yoga in our life) sadhna, the units of energy are required, overeating demands a lot of energy consumption (digestive fire) to digest the food in the stomach and intestine, it terminates practitioner energy into ‘Tamsik state’ (laziness/drowsiness). This is most cacauses impediments in Yoga.
- If there is no control in habit of overeating, further this can cause digestive problems i.e. acidity, constipation, indigestion, heaviness and chest burning, etc.
- My reckon is if Yoga practitioners will only waste his/her energy here or in solving problems by doing the Shatkriyas (six cleansing practices) and the Asanas (referring to remedial postures) then what is left for us to do the further Sadhna.
- There is a special quote in the Bhagwad Gita, Bhagvan Krishna explaining Arjuna, the personality of a Yogi. He says “yoga is neither for those who overeat and nor for those who do not eat at all; it’s neither for those who sleep all the time and nor for those who remain awake most of their time”.
- Briefly in a nutshell, “a Yogi must eat to live, not live to eat”. The sense organ tongue and the brain should not overwhelm the primary aspect “self-discipline”, and “should not act like a greedy dog, just by seeing the pieces of cookies and breads”. The great Hatha Yogi Swatma Rama says, “The food should be Sattvic and consumed ¾ of our stomach, in which ¼ part of the stomach left empty for the gasses and digestion purpose”. A Yogi who follows up such appropriate diets during his/her life course, he/she is known as Mitahara Yogi (Mita means moderate and Ahara is the consumption of Food).
(2) Prayasa
Prayasa refers to Exertion, over-attempting.
- The fact is that a Yoga seeker should avoid exertion by physical-mental exercises, one thing you should know that we are not discussing here “Yoga teacher training program”, as the programs are held for a short duration, with various types of people, different background, I am empathically discussing personal self-practice for daily sadhna.
- The over attempting of physical and mental exercises results to strengthen the state of Rajo-guna (capriciousness) or Tamo-guna (lethargy/exertion), therefore along with this, over attempting can also cause lifetime imbalances to the organic body i.e. the joints pain, muscles pain, injury, mental turmoil, and psychological stuff.
- I guess, Hatha Yoga means not just to practice any styles of Asana and Pranayama for one or two hours, it’s like a fabulous but as well as discussed and planned practice from the competent teachers is recommended.
Hatha Yoga leads to stimulate the Pancha-prana (five chambers of vital forces), to exhilarate the Nadis (energy channel), bring balances between Ida and Pingla (Body and mind), expand the lifespan, develop the clarity in thinking, the will power and final journey towards self-realization/salvation.
Therefore a neophyte, regular practitioner and teachers should avoid exertion and must be devoted to under experienced Guru to have continuous guidance and blessings.
(3) Prajalpa
Prajalpa means talkativeness/useless talk.
- The former president of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has quoted that “silence is better than the meaningless words” A person who is having a tendency/habit of talkativeness wastes not only his/her energy and time physically and mentally but others as well.
- The habit of being talkativeness also increases the contact directory with people, therefore a person is involved physically, mentally to judge others, causing acid/poison in the mind.
The Yoga practitioner, who is involved in the arena of personal Sadhna, should avoid Prajalpa which makes the seeker mind extroverted, distracted from Sadhna, and therefore caught in the lust, anger, attachment, greed, jealousy, fragile ego, and so on.
(4) Niyamagrah
Niyamagrah means do not follow any of your own rules and regulations blindly.This is also impediment in yoga path.
- I have heard the story of a yogi who is from Rishikesh. He was doing a Tapa Sadhna (Austerity) followed by daily ‘holy Ganga bath’ every morning and evening, he was devoted to his practice without missing a single day, he used to sit with his half body under the cold water and half body above, for an hour to chant mantras. .
- He practiced for years and faced all seasons. But later on, he analyzed that his daily workout of Sadhna has given negative effects on his limbs, later he stopped regular bath and instead of, he used to take occasional bath In the Holy Ganga.
One day in his discourse that he questioned his Sadhakas (students and followers) what if sadhna, rules, and regulations become an obstacle? He said do not stick with any rules or sadhna which is harmful and creates conflict in progress.
The rules are meant to create a peaceful atmosphere, harmony with others, and progress, if the same rules become the barrier in ones Sadhna, we should immediately stop and ask the guru for the further guidance. It can be said that, Niyamas are encouragement for the individual and as well for the socially if it is scientific and practical, and sometime it also lead to impedes, if practiced blindly and non-scientific ways.
(5) Jansangha
It means a being with public contacts/ having connections with worldly-minded people.
- There are two kinds of people in our life, one who will motivate us to achieve the goal (the goal could be mundane or spiritual, both require intense practice and guidance) and such people are very few in our life. The second one who will catch your pules and will be pushing you away from the success, no matter how close they might be to you i.e. friend/relative/unknown.
- It all happens because of ignorance of ourselves/those with whom we spend unnecessary time. I guess, in very few people have an understanding of how to discriminate and remain assertive. We humans are highly emotional beings and mind changers, and therefore being under pressure to fulfill ours/others desire.
- Therefore Hatha Yoga tradition recommends to minimize our contact list (means not to live alone, but keep your-self in good circle of friends, relatives and competent teachers), and be focused on Antaranga Sadhna (increase the self-practice intensity and arrange a time to think how better we could be) in our free time. No matter how socially busy we are, how big our friend list is, how big our family is, arrange the time and have faith in your-self.
(6) Laulya
Laulya means a flickering mind/being greedy for the mundane life.this is a very impediments in yoga path.
The most impediment in yoga path is the sixth impediment Laulya (a flicker minded/monkey minded). If our first five practices of “avoids” are going well during the course of Sadhna, then the sixth one remains temporarily muted, since the food for the mind is stopped and Sadhaka remains calm and focused, but still mind can flicker and can take us many months or years behind in our practice/ it can cause stoppage and harm.
The competent Yogis and Guru
The competent Yogis and Gurus knew these impediments in their students. That is why sometimes they are strict with us; giving extra task they engage us in Karma Yoga to channelize our high-frequency energy into the right direction, being soft and silent and so on. All these acts by the Gurus help flicker minded students to be held with their own will power (Sattva+Rajas = Wise thought with action) and witness the change within.
The competent Guru is rough and hard outside, but sensitive and merciful inside. Thus there is no doubt, if a student of yoga is honestly engaged with Guru’s instruction on Hatha Yoga, then the mind will have to become a slave of your will power, the great benefits of health and success will be achieved, the practitioner will gain the spiritual progress and most importantly the Santosha (contentment).
Dear yoga enthusiast, I hope you have enjoyed reading article on Badhak Tattvas. The article is written in two parts, this one is half one, which is explaining “the Impediments in Sadhna”, and the another second part will be posted in coming days, which is known as in yoga philosophy “Sdhaka Tattvas” the principal practice of Hatha Yoga which will encourage yogi to achieve the spiritual goals with satisfaction.
My best wishes to all of you “stay healthy and motivated”. OM…
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check article on The Most Important favorable principles to a Yogi