JUNE - 2013 Odisha Review

Yoganidra at a Glimpse

Dr. Chitta Ranjan Pradhan

The term Yoganidra has been derived from two citta and ultimately leads to dhyana and Sanskrit words, “” means union or one samadhi too. It is a journey from external world pointed awareness, and “nidra” which means to the internal. In Yoganidra mind becomes one sleep. During the practice of yoganidra, one pointed while body remains like a statue. appears to be asleep, but the consciousness is Adherents claim that half an hour of Yoganidra functioning at a deeper level of awareness. It can replace up to three hours of normal sleep, means even when you sleep, your self is awake although its regular use as a sleep substitute is and aware. For this reason Yoganidra is often not recommended as the body and mind still referred to as deep relaxation/sleepless sleep/ requires sufficient rest through standard sleep. yogic Sleep/psychic- sleep/transcendental sleep/ Miss-concept of yoganidra dynamic sleep/conscious sleep/ a scientific sleep Yoganidra is not merely a relaxation with inner awareness. Yoganidra is a process practice/savasana or this is not a therapy. It is by which one will travel from conscious to not a guided imagery or affirmations/ unconscious through sub-conscious. While one autosuggestion. It is also not a visualizing o r passes from conscious to unconscious through dreaming. But this thing comes out of the sub-conscious that particular state is known as practice. Yoganidra is not a meditation but one hypnogogic state by the psychologist. One hour attains the state of meditation during the practice. practice of Yoganidra is equal to four hours Yoganidra is not a concentration, but it increases deep sleep. In Yoganidra one leaves the waking the level of concentration Yoganidra is not a new state, goes past the dreaming state, and goes to practice of the modern society rather it has been deep sleep, yet remain awake. Yoganidra is a practiced by the ancient seers, sannyasins state that is very relaxing; it is also used by yogis down from the ages. Yoganidra is a simplified to release the samskaras or the deep form of ancient tantric technique. It brings: an impressions that are the driving force behind incredible calmness, quietness and clarity. It karm a. Yoganidra releases three fold tensions helps to rectify the perception and increases i.e. physical, mental and emotional tensions. stress tolerance power. It helps to bring the Yoganidra is one of the pratyahara practices, balance between body and mind, harmonizes the where one withdraws the awareness from physical and mental homeostasis. Yoganidra external sources and gradually enters into the facilitates to travel freely to the deferent levels of

63 Odisha Review JUNE - 2013 consciousness. It brings the three fold stillness at In a number of texts such as the Devi physical, mental and emotional level by relaxing Mahatmya and the Bhagavata Purana, Visnu them. It increases concentration, will power, (the sleeping Lord) reclines on the naga sesha strengthens memory, and helps to release the in yoganidra. The phenomenal world is the seeds of the psycho-somatic diseases. dream of Visnu. Yoganidra refers to yogic sleep. Yoganidra expands the different levels of It has been practiced for millennia by sadhus and awareness. Extra Sensorial Power (ESP) can be rishis. Of the three states of consciousness of developed by this practice like- Telepathy, Pre- waking, dreaming and d eep sleep, as cognition, and Clairvoya nce etc. It helps to expounded in the Upanisads, particularly the awaken the dormant potentials. It is a wonderful Mandukya Upanisad, Yoganidra refers practice for personality building by correcting specifically to the conscious awareness of the disturbed nature, by transforming gunas and by deep sleep state, referred to as “prajna” in correcting mental process (cognitive, conative and Mandukya Upanisad. This is the third of the affective) and mental forces (id, ego, and super- four levels of consciousness of omkara mantra, ego). Ultimately the practice of Yoganidra brings relating to the state represented by the M of the balance in the life by releasing stress in it’s AUM. The four states are waking, dreaming, pragmatic sens e. sleep, and turiya, the fourth state. The state of yoganidra, conscious deep sleep, is beyond or History and the origin of yoganidra subtler than the imagery and mental process of The modern practice of Yoganidra is the waking and non-lucid dreaming states. As a traced back to a myth which is purely state of conscious deep sleep, Yoganidra is a symbolic. Here, in this context, we quote a universal principle, and is not the exclusive classical Indian prayer: domain of any specific tradition. In hatha yoga om santakaram b hujagsayanam padmanabham there is a discussion of Yoganidra in fourth suresam, visvadharam gaganasadrsam chapter which is written by meghavarnam subhangam / laksmikantam Swatmarama Saraswati. In Samsara Pathe kamalanayanam yogirbhidhyanagamyam vande Siddhiyoga Khanda (Oriya Literature) written visnum b havabhayaharam sarvalokaikanatham // by Nilacala Saraswata Samgha, Puri, has a The expression of bhujagasayanam is discussion of yoganidra. There are many the focal point here. The Sanskrit word literatures where we may find the discussion of bhujaga means “serpent” and sayanam means yoganidra. As we know that the Lord Visnu is “sleep”. The Lord of the universe reclines on the always in Yoganidra over the bed of sesanaga. coiled body of the serpent named as ananta or In Brahma Samhita there is also a discussion of sesa naga. It is a divine serpent with infinite yoganidra. Which is mentioned as follows:- strength, who can support the lord of universe. tattvani purva-rudhanikaranani parasparam Ancient seers imitated the ananta- sayana of samavayaprayogac ca vibhinnani p rithak prithak / the Lord of the universe. And they gave the name cic-chaktya sajjamano ‘tha bhagavan adi-purushah Yoganidra to the process. In the process, they yojayan mayaya devo yoganidram akalpayat // (5.19) came in communion with the Lord. They It means before their conglomeration tried to get knowledge directly from the Lord the primary elements in their nascent state him self. rema ined originally separate entities. Non-

64 JUNE - 2013 Odisha Review application of the conglomerating process is the parts, while meditating on each part (of the body- cause of their separate existence. Adi-purusa, mind). With Maha mandaleshwar Paramhans primal Godhead, through association with His Swami Maheshwarananda’s and Swami own spiritual [cit] potency, moved Maya and Satyananda’s extensive worldwide touring and by the application of the conglomerating teachings, Yoganidra gradually spread principle created those different entities in their throughout , Europe, Australia and the state of cooperation. And after that He Himself United States and is taught in the system in consorted with Yoganidra by way of His eternal Satyananda Yoga and Yoga in Daily Life. Swami dalliance with His spiritual [cit] potency. Rama’s teachings on Yoganidra continue to be yojayitva tu t any eva p ravivesa svayam guham / taught via his Himalaya Institute and several of guham p raviste tasmims tu jivatma p ratibudhyate / / his non-affiliated students. The form of the (5.20) Yoganidra practice taught by Swami Satyananda It means by conglomerating all those includes eight clearly defined stages i.e.1. separate entities He manifested the innumerable preparation (Internalization), 2. Sankalpa, mundane universes and Himself entered into 3.Rotation of Consciousness, 4.Breath the inmost recess of every extend ed. Awareness, 5.Opposite Feeling, 6.Visualization, 7. Sankalpa, 8. End (Externalization); Some As we know adi- purusa is the Creator stages of the Yoganidra practice deepen of the Universe, he is the creator of creator; he pratyahara. Pratyahara is an effect as well has no beginning and no end. So he is also the as a state which is induced by the withdrawal creator of yoganidra. The Yoganidra is a of awareness from sensory perception. practice, which has been practiced by the According to some traditions, Yoganidra is divine and gradually came to the public best engaged as a guided, facilitated practice, that through seers and sannyasins. is with an experienced yoga teacher who verbally However, certain teachers and lineages delivers the in structions. do emphasize the practice of Yoganidra more Tantric origin than others, and have more experience with training adepts in its practice. Paramyoge shwar The basic idea of Yoganidra has been Sri Devpuriji was an early modern proponent, borrowed from the tantric nyasa. The who passed it on to Sri Deep Narayan characteristics feature of Yoganidra is the Mahaprabhuji and it was taught to his disciples systematic rotation of consciousness in the since 1880.On his journey to the Himalayas, Sri body, which originated from the tantric practice Devpuriji met, among others, Swami Sivananda of nyasa means ‘to place’ or’ to take the mind of Rishikesh, who is well known in Europe and to that point’ nyasa is practice in a sitting posture conveyed the technique of Yoganidra to several and involves the use of specific mantras which Yogis and Swamis. Swami Sivananda’s true were placed, felt or experienced at different disciple Swami Satyananda particularly began parts of the body. First the name of the part is popularizing the practice of Yoganidra about 40 recited, then it has to visualize or touch and the years ago. He drew a connection to the ancient Mantra was placed there. Nyasa is a means of tantric practice called nyasa, whereby Sanskrit consecrating the physical body by installing Mantras are mentally placed within specific body higher awareness or divine consciousness into

65 Odisha Review JUNE - 2013 the various parts of the body to tutelary deities regular practice of it one definitely increases his during tantric ritual practices. level of attention and concentration. Application of Yoganidra: 8. Self-Awareness- Without awareness Yoganidra is one of the unique Yoganidra can not be practiced. One must be techniques and by the practice of it many aware throughout the practice. This will be more positive traits and efficiency can be improved. beneficial in his day to-day life. For the better understanding let’s discuss some 9. Empathy-Empathy is the ability to feel others' bene fits of the practice of yoganidra. difficulties and happiness. Specially b y the 1. Self-Concept - Self-Concept including practice of Feeling of Opposite Sensation one can easily feel Hot and Cold, Heavine ss and Physical, Moral- Ethical, Personal, Familial, Lightness, Pain and Pleasure, Happy and Social, and Self-Criticism can be corrected and Sorrow within few minutes without the Strengthen by the practice of yoganidra. So one presence of the specific situation. In this way could be happy and content within. different feelings can be experienced. 2. Self-Efficacy - By the practice of Yoganidra 10. Self-Control-Self-Control is the key to the efficacy/confidence of one self can b e success in life. Without it nobody can uplift enhanced and one will get strength and energy to himself. By the practice of Yoganidra one could perform his day to day activities. easily develop the control over prana (vital 3. Memory- Memory can be sharpened and force), Mind, emotion, and over one’s own utilized of its maximum portion. Also one can nature. easily retrieve the matter from the stored memory 11. Insomnia-As we know that Insomnia is a by the practice of yoganidra. stress related problem. Due to the stress one 4. Behaviour- We know behaviour is an can’t sleep well. If the stress will be eliminated by important factor to develop the interpersonal the practice of Yoganidra the problem of relationship in the society and in the family. By the Insomnia can be minimized. practice of Sankalpa one can induce positive 12. Stress-Today Yoganidra has been familiar traits in his personality and correct the behavio ur. due to its wonderful effect to release the stress. 5. Creativity- By the practice of visualization Maximum problem occurs due to the stress one can strengthen his Imagination and Creative and there is no such successful medicine to faculties. So that he can formulate the innovative release stress. For that Yoganidra is a wonderful ideas. pana cea. 6. Receptivity-As we know by the practice 13. Mental Process- By the practice of of Yoganidra one can easily relax himself. Yoganidra the Cognitive, Affective and Conative When body- mind becomes relaxed process can be rectified and one will be able to receptivity also increases and could remember perform in a correct way. Ultimately he will be very quickly than othe rs. free from mental confusions. 7. Attentiveness-The practice of Yoganidra 14. Over ambitious and over competitiveness needs constant attention and awareness. By the are the main factors for the stressful life, if one

66 JUNE - 2013 Odisha Review will minimize these two definitely he will be free constructed in a right manner and the society will from stress and for that Yoganidra is a wonderful be greatly benefited by them. practice. Multi-dimensionality of yoganidra 15. Pers onality Development- Personality Here what has been attempted is aimed at giving can be nourished by inducing positive traits and a bird’s eye-view of the large extensive sphere eliminating negative one. The different of the potentiality of yoganidra. Once properly dimensions of personality including p hysical, understood the use can be multiplied and a mental, emotional, social and spiritual can be Sankalpa for each individual case can be constructed and uplifted by the practice of appropriately framed fo r improvement of yoganidra. physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual 16. Will power can be strengthened specially levels. The technique is simple but the effect it by taking Sankalpa and giving Auto-suggestion. produces to improve the quality of life is 17. Mental Force-By the practice of spectacular. Yoganidra one may bring the balance between Conclusion Id, Ego and Super-Ego which are the basic As we discussed above yoganidra ia a forces for the mental activit ies. conscious practice through which one can travel 18. Body Function- All the body functions to the different layers of mind at will i.e., conscious, including the function of heart, lungs, liver, sub-conscious and unconscious. It enables to kidneys, brain, endocrine systems and chemical explore the suppressed hidden desires, phobias secretion can be minimized and the work and root out the psycho-somatic problems at the efficiency can be enhanced by the practice of unconscious level. By the practice of Yoganidra Yoganidra. one can easily release three fold tensions and lead 19. ESP Power-Extra Sensory Power like- to a stress-free life by minimizing psycho- telepathy, pre-cognition, clairvoyance etc. could physiological problems. Ultimately it helps to uplift be developed by the practice of yoganidra. oneself by transforming the personality. Because when mind becomes relaxed at that Bibliography : time receptivity is very high, so definitely one can 1. S. Swatmarama. (1998), Hatha Pradipik a , receive extraordinary knowledge without the help Ka ivalyadhama, S.M.Y.M. Samiti, Lonavla, of senses. Maharastra, India. 20. Spiritual Attainment and Dormant 2. Swami.S.S (2001), Yoganidra, Bihar School of Potentials- By the practice of Yoganidra one Yoga, Yoga Publication Trust, Munger, Bihar, can explore his dormant potentials by entering 3. Panda, N. C. (2003), Yo ganidra: Yo gic Trance, into unconscious mind. Also one can awaken Theory,Practice and Applications, D.K Print the chakras by chakra visualization, which will World(P) Ltd, New Delhi. be greatly beneficial for the spiritual seekers. 4. Brahma Samhita, retrieved fro m, “htt p :// w w w.dha r m aks hetra.c o m /sa g es / 21. Education- As per the above discussion we realiza tion%20of%20brahma.htm#19” can say that Yoganidra definitely will be helpful 5. Brahma Samhita, retrieved fro m, “htt p :// for the students and they can learn more things w w w.dha r m aks hetra.c o m /sa g es / within a short time. Also their personality can be realiza tion%20of%20brahma.htm#20”

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