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yoga is a science of the body. We should consider yoga to be an empirical science, an experiential science, with the final aim of attaining samadhi through awakening the kundalini. But the practices start right from the ground level. I obtained these views from the study of Swatmarama's opinions.
This subject of mind is dealt with in Swatmarama's Hatha Yoga Pradipika in a very simple, systematic way for hatha yoga practitioners. We shall see this from his views, and that is why I collected all the terms related with mind in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. I divided these terms into different sections on the basis of their usage.
My first study was on the various terms manas, chitta, buddhi, antahkarana. All these terms have been dabbled in by philosophers who have explained the differences between them. But Swatmarama says that for a yoga aspirant or a hatha yoga practitioner, there is no need to differentiate between them because we have to harmonize this mind basically with the total inner consciousness. This is a very practical reason for not differentiating these terms.
Secondly, we all know that, if there is anything negative in a man, the culprit is the mind. This is why it is said that mind is not only man's enemy but also his friend, because it is the mind that is the cause of all attachment and also of enlightenment. If we can organize the mind in a controlled way, then it can become the instrument for enlightenment. Swatmarama also says in this regard, that he has viewed the application of the mind for the practitioner of yoga or hatha yoga in three parts. The first is the role of the mind before taking up yoga or hatha yoga, the second is the role of the mind during the practice of hatha yoga, the third is the experience that results from the practices. This is the reason why hatha yoga is called an experiential science because these experiences arise on the mental plane. In this way Swatmarama has viewed the role of the mind at three levels in a very scientific way.
I will give one example each for these three applications of mind. The first condition that is required in order to take up hatha yoga is desire. The will to reach the pinnacle of hatha yoga or of raja yoga has to be formidable and unyielding. This will or desire is a mental state of psychic strength or energy. If this will is there, then all these things explained later on in hatha yoga such as determination, courage and patience will
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