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Jain Education International
पंचम खण्ड / ३१६
nerves make our body and mind restless and weak, opening all doors to the bad impact of passions and emotions. Just practising Asanas now and then. is not enough. Our healthy daily routines should also contain pranayama, internal and external cleanliness (selected kriyas and body hygiene) small healthy habits, such as taking early morning sun, little strolls after meals etc. Besides all this it is equally important to observe a pure and healthy diet, considering quality and quantity of food taken in, and last but not least. psychosomatic and relaxing practices (conditioning, Savasana, Nispanda bhava etc.). But the most important of all these is the spirit in which they are carried out.
The external world troubles some. They see problems. They see injustice, imperfections and difficulties. Yoga tells us that external things. are neutral and are not the real cause of our suffering. The external world is a product of certain inherent material forces called the Gunas. Like a toy kaleidoscope these ingredients of matter keep chaging their position and create different patterns and designs. Some one likes the colour and designs, some one gets bored. To a large extent our involvement with things creates various feelings and various attachments. One person gets excessively attached and suffers a lot. Another has a different philosophy and does not get easily affected. Let us not talk of how big is our problem, rather let us say how strong is our identification with the problem, because another man watching the situation may not feel any problem at all. A glass is filled with some water and one may say it is full with water, another may say it is half empty.
1. The essence of a fuller life is Karma-Yoga of the Gita. It includes(a) A belief in a higher reality.
(b) Acceptance of full responsibility of duties you are expected to perform.
(c) Total participation in the work at hand.
(d) Overcoming the sense of I and acceptance of a higher power that guides us.
2. Cultivate the habit of taking stock of yourself. Stop to reflect.
3. Cut away your mind from the hubbub of the outside world. For a short while do not think of your appointments and pressing engagements. Think of yourself.
4. Become aware of your own body and the working of your own mind.
5. Condition your mind with the help of yogic practices.
6. Learn to train your mind to participate in whatever you do.
7. Develop co-ordination between mind and body through simple. yogic asanas like Talasana, Utkatasana, and kriyas like Trataka.
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