VICĀRA िवचार

VICHARA / VICĀRA - conscious reflection or inquiry; subtle thought. is a yogic practice offered in philosophy that involves stilling the fluctuations of the mind via a contemplative practice. Vichara practice teaches the yogi how to discern between the real and unreal; between the and Atman. Sometimes considered a form of Jnana , the path of knowledge, it is a practice that runs through out all styles and is at the heart of the yogic path - the path of self-realization!

Vichara, or self-enquiry, (also jnana-vichara or ātma-vichār), is the constant attention to the inner awareness of I / I AM / Who am I? Yoga teaches us that this is the most efficient and direct way of discovering the unreality of the ‘I’ thought and reconnecting with pure consciousness.

At the very start of ’s Yoga we are introduced to the types of concentration available to us for self-enquiry. Sutras 1.17 and 1.18 describe the process of and the different dimensions and subtle layers of meditation practice.

YOGA 1.17 - िवतकर िवचाराननािसता रपानुगमात् संपजातः vitarka vichara ananda asmita rupa anugamat samprajnatah - “Samaadhi with consciousness happens in four forms: with reasoning, deliberation, bliss and self-consciousness.”

- “The deep absorption of attention on an object is of four kinds, 1) gross (vitarka), 2) subtle (vichara), 3) bliss accompanied (ananda), and 4) with I-ness (asmita), and is called samprajnata samadhi.” – translation by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

Vitarka means gross thought or reasoning. Vichara is subtle thought or inquiry. Ananda is even more subtle. Asmita means “I-ness” or sense of self. Rupa is appearance, nature, or form. Anugamat means resulting from or associated with. Samprajnatah means distinguishing or dicerning.

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 1 Samprajnaata Samaadhi means Samaadhi with consciousness and “is accompanied by reasoning, reflecting, rejoicing and pure I-am-ness.” - Swami Satchidananda

The four levels of concentration that Patanjali talks about are:

1. Savitarka/Gross: relates to concentration on any gross object while still accompanied with other activities of the mind, including meditation on sensory awareness, visualized objects, the gross level of breath, attitudes, syllables of mantra, or streams of conscious thought. 2. Savichara/Subtle: relates to subtle objects, after the gross have been left behind; the subtleties of matter, energy, senses, and the mind are, themselves, the objects of meditation, inquiry, and non-attachment. 3. Sananda/Bliss: emphasizes the still subtler state of bliss in meditation. In this state, the concentration is free from the gross and subtle impressions that were at the previous levels. 4. Sasmita/I-ness: focuses on I-ness, which is even subtler, as it relates to the I that is behind, or witness to all of the other experiences. - Swami Jnaaneshvara Bharati

Vichara, subtle thought or self-inquiry, sometimes loosely translates as “discernment”. It is a systematic process offered by Vedanta that offers us a methodology for making the unconscious, conscious – enabling us to attain the ultimate goal of stilling the waters of the mind and to connect with Infinite, Divine, Pure Consciousness.

We may compare this to Jungian psychology which seeks to bring our subconscious processes, thoughts and symbolic content to our conscious awareness. The yogic practice of vichara guides us to more conscious awareness of our subconscious patterns and tendencies so they lose their power to control, seduce and trap us in unconscious patterns.

Swami Satchidananda describes the process as follows: “Samprajnāta samādhi is a process of going inward - not evolution, but involution. Originally, the world or Prakrti, was unmanifested, or . When it begins to manifest, the ego

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 2 comes first, the the individuality and then the mind. Then, from the mind you get into the tanmātras, then the gross elements. That is the natural evolution.

In Yogic meditation we experience the involution. It could be called creation and destruction. But, actually, there is nothing created in you; nor is anything destroyed. As the Bhagavad Gitā explains, the unmanifest appears as manifest and then returns to the unmanifest. What we see outside is the manifested, the in-between. That is what we call the creation. That’s why, according to Yoga, we don’t say that God created anything. Yoga says God is just pure consciousness. And Prakrti is also there, its nature. Being to evolve and then dissolve….Unless you understand the Prakrti very well, you can’t get out of it. You can’t just ignore it or set it aside. That’s why the four stages of samprajnāta samādhi are to be practiced first, one after the other.”

YOGA SUTRA 1.18 - िवराम पतया भास पूवरः संसार शेषो ऽनः virāma pratyayābhyāsa pūrvah samskāraseso’nyah - “By firmly convinced practice of the complete cessation of the mental modifications, the impressions only remain. This is the other samādhi - asamprajnāta samādhi.” - Swami Satchidananda

This is the part where the Purusa, so long entangled in Prakrti is free. Satchidananda explains: “In samprajnāta samādhi the buried seeds can still come into the conscious mind when the proper opportunity is given and pull you into worldly experience. That is why all these four stages should be passed and you should get into asamprajnāta samādhi where even the ego feeling is not there and the seeds of past impressions are rendered harmless. In that state, only the consciousness is there and nothing else. Once that is achieved, the individual is completely liberated and there is no more coming into the world

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 3 and getting tossed….the world is just a shadow from which you are complete free.”

Ultimately, vichara is the practice of maintaining continuous conscious awareness on the higher Self, the - the untainted , or Supreme Soul. However, in the initial stages of practice, vichara brings us in touch with the higher aspects of our mind - the Buddhi, or wise, intuitive intellect – differentiating it from the lower functions of the mind, known as manas - desires of the mind, citta - the mind “stuff”, and - ego identity. The Buddhi mind brings us closer to that which is beyond the mind - Purusha/ Soul/ Source.

From Chapter III - The Chapter of Powers / Vibhūti Pāda (accomplishments / ) Yoga Sutra 3.56 - सतऩर◌ु षमो् शण ु दसाम ◌े कै वलभ इ ् णत ॥५६॥ sattva purusayoh suddhi samye kaivalyam iti “with the attainment of equality between the purest aspect of sattvic buddhi and the pure consciousness of purusha, there comes absolute liberation, and that is the end.” - translation by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

From Chapter IV - The Chapter of Absoluteness / Kaivalya Pāda (The root of Kaivalya is kevala, or without qualities or conditions, that which is cosmic.)

Yoga Sutra 4.25 - िवशेषदिशरन आतभावभावनािविनवृितः॥२५॥ vishesa darshinah atma bhava bhavana vinivrittih “for one who has experienced this distinction between seer and this subtlest mind (cleared of all the colorings), the false identities and even the curiosity about the nature of one’s own self come to an end.” - translation by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

“For the knower of the difference, (there is) cessation of all thought of the nature of Self.” - Yoga Darshana

“To one who sees the distinction between the mind and the , thoughts of mind as the Ātman cease forever.” - Swami Satchidananda

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 4 So how do we do it? Dharana is the binding of the mind to one place, object or idea. Dhyana is the continuous flow of cognition toward that object. Therefore, meditation and contemplation are the most powerful tools for using the fire of self- knowledge (jatavedas agni) to increase our conscious awareness and dis- identify with the lower mind. We may use Patanjali’s breakdown of the different subtle layers and dimensions as a way to discern.

Vyasa, in his commentary of the Sutras, Sage Veda & Lord Ganesha Veda Vyasa (Devanagari: वास, वेदवास veda- suggests contemplating on the infinite vyāsa), or simply Vyasa, is a central and revered Self/Purusha so that our awareness of it figure in most Hindu traditions. Vyasa is burns so bright that it dissolves the credited with authoring the , and avidya (the conditioning of the , as well as the traditional compiler of impermanent as real). We may then let the go of attachment to outcomes (vairagya) and surrender to the Divine.

Yoga gives us many tools and techniques to liberate ourselves from the chaos of an untamed mind - daily meditation, pranayama, asanas, kiryas, mantras and much more offer us tools for self-discovery and self-realization.

The Yoga , one of the foremost Vedantic texts, is full of illustrated examples of vichara, recommending self-inquiry as the highest and most direct path to Self-Realization.

The following excerpt is from the book, Kriyā-Yoga: The Science of Life-Force by Giri Swami Nityananda:

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 5 “In the Srimad Bhagavadgita (3.42) Lord Krishna says, ‘indriyani paranyahurindriyebhyah param manah, manasastu para buddhiryo buddeh paratastu sah’.

Our organs, indriyani, meaning our sense-organs and organs of action, are said to be greater, paranyaha ( than our body) , mind is greater than the organs, indriyebhyah param manah, intellect is greater than the mind, manasastu para buddhi, and one who, yah, is greater than the intellect is He, buddeh paratastu sah, the Self.

In this saying lies the solution to our problems. We have to bring our mind under the control of our discriminating intellect and the intellect under the control of the Self. Such a situation will bring only happiness. According to the sayings of Lord Buddha, "From right understanding proceeds right thought; from right thought proceeds right speech ; from right speech proceeds right action and from right action proceeds right livelihood." So we have to make noble our thinking, belief-system and thought processes, we have to purify our internal organ mind.”

The Breath, pranavayu, strengthens the Discriminating Intellect: How will discriminating intellect develop? How will mind be cleaned? For this we need faith and devotion, we should read the scriptures and control the senses. However, all these precautions are only mental based. We therefore need something to absorb the mind and that is our vital force, prāna. It was said in Yogic scriptures, “indriyānām mano nāthah manonāthastu mārutah" mind is the master of the sense organs and air (the breath) is master of the mind (GS, 4.29)”

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 6 SANKALPA स"#

A Few Words on Yoga & Intention

Much of the original practices which are now alluded to through modern meditation techniques and yogic styles were originally derived from ceremonial rites and practices called yagyas/yajnas or pujas. These ceremonies were often centred around the god Agni and were organized to work in unity with all of the elements of creation by making offerings to the devas and devis of all of the different elements; earth, air, ARTIST UNKNOWN water, fire and spirit.

One of the very important parts of any ceremony is to set an intention from a clear heart and clear mind for the work taking place at the time. Every time we sit or step onto our mats as teachers and infinite students we are initiating a ceremonial space and within this ceremonial space it is important to have an intention for our practice. This entire advanced training is a ceremony.

When we practice yoga we are connecting to and playing with the energetic (akashic) and astral or spirit realms (paramatma, , loka). All of yoga is formed and brought into the world for the purpose of connecting us to the divine spirit of the all that is, or the soul of the universe. We practice to realize ourselves as divinity and in this realization we become more of ourselves, expanding into oneness and expanding into yoga.

Oneness in this realm of the , illusion or samsara all of our thoughts and intentions have an affect on the world around us, even if we do not see the effects right away, the vibration of our thoughts most definitely resonates out

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 7 into the world around us and creates waves of energy which change our experience due to our perception of the moment of the now.

Yoga is a practice to clear the fluctuations of the mind, thereby clarifying the fluctuations of reality, tools such as pranayam, meditation, asana, mantra are available to us to assist in keeping our practice, spaces and energies as clear as we possibly can in order to manifest the most high energy from our practices of devotion and awakening.

As these practices actually amplify our abilities to function within and manipulate the subtle bodies and energetic realms, setting an intention for the ceremony of our practice becomes even more important the more advanced we become as practitioners and guides. Every practice gives you the opportunity to set an intention within your heart and mind, breathe into your heart a few times and ask yourself what do I need right now?

This can be a great exercise to do with your students, you can even ask them to share their intentions if they want or have everyone set their intention silently. The practice of setting an intention helps to give an additional focus to our practices, in the moments when we feel like the practice is slipping away from us, we get distracted or feel challenged, we can take a pause, take a few breaths and check in with ourselves about our intentions for our practice.

As practitioners and as teachers, we can set intentions for our minds, our bodies, our spiritual awakenings, , to connect to a deity or even use our practice as a healing prayer for a loved one or the world! When setting intentions it is important to be authentic and double check that your intention is aligning and resonating within the body, mind, heart and spirit - bringing you additional inspiration and support throughout your daily practice or current journey in life!

“SAN” - an idea formed in the heart / connection with the highest truth “KALPA” - “this is the rule I will follow above all others” / to take a solemn vow

A Sankalpa then is a “vow” or commitment” to live our highest truth.

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 8 The word “Sankalpa” is interpreted to mean a “resolution” or “intention”, often in association with the practice of Yoga Nidra; however, like many Sanskrit words a precise literal and direct translation does not exist.

“Sankalpa has the potential to release tremendous power by clearly defining and focusing on a chosen goal.” - Swami Saraswati

Sankalpa in Sanskrit yogic philosophy refers to heartfelt desire, a solemn vow, an intention, or a resolve to do something. Similar to the idea of “resolution” in English, however it comes from deeper within. When we resolve something we are making a decision of the mind and logic may often direct these kinds of intentions. When we create Sankalpa as part of our practice, we are reaching deep into the heart space and allowing love to be the guiding light moving us forward on this path.

Sankalpa refers to an idea formed and stemming from the heart space; therefore, it is an intention of the heart supported by the mind rather than the other way around. Sankalpa may not always appear to make immediate sense; it may often be led by intuition; it may challenge logic; rests in the idea that we can choose - actively and consciously - to change the motivations of our drive and desire through consciousness. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see yogis on the seeker’s path find new meaning to their practice on and off the mat as we move through the process of realizing we are not the mind or the body and that yoga is all about the journey into the centre of our hearts.

Sankalpa is conscious intention coming from the heart and committing to it brings us into alignment with our . In the West we set goals every day and resolutions at least every new year. Typically these begin with the words “I will …. fill in the blank”. Yoga would tell us that the first mistake is attempting to create new versions of ourselves in the future, as “I will” does not yet it exist and is therefore without power for us in the present which is the space of co- creation.

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 9 In yoga we learn simultaneously about discipline and surrender. Though it may seem counterintuitive, in actuality they are aligned with the path of self- realization. Yoga is really the unlearning of everything we have been taught - we learn to see clearly, think calmly, act with integrity and speak truthfully and we empower these acts with conscious awareness centred in our hearts. Sankalpa is intention of the heart supported by the mind, rather than the other way around (which is what most of us have learned).

With Sankalpa a deep inner awareness is cultivated. As we allow this and other yogic practices to re-align us with our dharma - “I will” transforms to “Thy Will”. The power of surrender in the realization that we are all one; that there truly is no “I” and that when we think, speak and act from the centre of awareness within our hearts, we shift into the space of devotion. This shift serves to further evolve our consciousness, transforms our lives and roots the motivations of our yogic path in the heart and therefore, in God/Goddess/ Brahma /Source/Love.

Your Sankalpa is a bond with your Soul and a statement that you turn to to remind you of your true nature whenever you are feeling lost or disconnected. It will guide your choices and remind you why you are here.

Sankalpa does not require the ego-willed motivation one is familiar with in Western-minded goal setting. This is a very challenging process of identifying a desire and then using the untrained mind to WILL or FORCE oneself into accomplishing the goal. A Sankalpa is not like this. In fact, yoga teaches us that Sankalpa will come to us when we open the space to receive.

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 10 According to Richard Miller, PhD, a clinical psychologist and teacher in the and Kashmir nondual traditions, “a sankalpa arrives with everything needed to fully realize it”. This includes iccha (tremendous will and energy), kriya (action), and jnana (the wisdom of how to deliver that action). “These are all aspects of the Divine, and they live within us. When the true sankalpa comes in, we awaken these three qualities of the Divine,” Miller says. “You don’t have to ask where you’ll find the will to do it. The energy and will is already there. The sankalpa informs us of the action we’re willing to take into the world.”

Sankalpa takes two different forms. One is the form of what many of us would refer to as affirmations. “I am strong and sovereign.” “I am peace within.” These types of sankalpas do not require any change or action - they are statements of our true divine nature. This kind of Sankalpa does not form from the intellectual mind but it serves to inform the mind about the direction our life is headed for as we repeat sankalpas, the subtle forces work to align these highest of truths with our manifest reality.

Sankalpa may also take the second form of a specific intention or goal as part of the larger context of the yogic journey. Setting specific sankalpas can help us to align our every day, in-the-moment choices with our truest and highest heartfelt desires. As we reach certain milestones, our sankalpas will keep us moving along the path and working towards the next step on it for even once we realize our life’s purpose, it often does not fall into place all at once and there are many steps along the path of aligning one’s life with one’s dharma.

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YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 11 DISCOVERING YOUR SANKALPA - the process of finding one’s Sankalpa is a centred within the art of listening. Here are the common steps as outlined by the Vedanta tradition. sravana - the courage and willingness to listen to the deepest desires of the heart; to be still, quiet, meditate and listen - the act of turning to and allowing the messenger in so that when we hear the call we must willing to sit with it, listen, reflect, meditate and contemplate - the willingness to respond - your sankalpa will call you into action in the world as it moves you into living your dharma - one must be willing to take action upon their Sankalpa as directed by the heart to receive it.

This process can be challenging because sometimes we judge ourselves before ever getting started and many of us have a difficult time articulating what it is we “think” we want to achieve. Starting with a quiet space, calm mind and an open heart, is the best way to open the channels beyond egoic attachments filling our minds with “goals”. However, as we first open to the practice, we may discover that things that seem “superficial” at first glance, may have much deeper reasons behind them. As we explore with playfulness and devotion in our hearts, we open to the possibilities within and the call of our Soul can be heard and felt.

Tripura Rahasya is a tantric text which teaches that the quality of the mind reciting the sankalpa determines its effect. In other words, to fully realize your Sankalpa, the mind must shift from dualistic thinking to non-dual awareness. One of the most powerful practices for realizing Sankalpa is yoga nidra. “Nidra” translated means “sleep” but it is not sleep - it is actually a process of awakening you to your true nature. When in yoga nidra one is aware and awake but dis-identified from mind and body - confusion between prakriti and parusha dissolve. When we repeat our Sankalpa in mind and thought, we may become lost in ego; however, if we hold our Sankalpa in yoga nidra or deep meditation, our Sankalpa is felt and integrated throughout our entire being.

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 12 Once we have identified and planted the seed of our sankalpa, we can begin the process of strengthening sankalpa shakti - the energy required to take action required by your resolve. We are moving from linear progress to intuitive flow.

Yoga teaches us that every choice we make either supports or undermines our resolve. This is true even for the decisions that don’t appear to be directly related to our specific intention. “Let’s say you’re aware that sugar disrupts your energy and sleep. But time and time again, you ‘forget’ this awareness and eat sweets anyway. Each time you do this, you reinforce the part of you that says ‘screw it’ to awareness and intention. You’re giving power to the part of you that goes against your consciousness.”

On the other hand, every conscious choice we make is an opportunity to strengthen sankalpa shakti. This is the basis for multiple Yoga practices calling for 40 day commitments to Self. We may work with kriyas or mantras or our Sankalpa to keep us on the path. One practice is simple: pick something nonconstructive that you do on a regular basis and commit to not doing it for 40 days. Endeavour to be present in the “space between thoughts” to bring awareness into the kinds of patterned, unconscious thoughts that enable habitual behaviours.

When we first begin to work with sankalpa, the practice can seem full of contradictions - we start by identifying what we want, but the only way to realize it is to acknowledge that we already are it, and already have it. We set specific goals, and we commit to breaking habits, but at every opportunity to act in line with these goals, we must first acknowledge that we are already whole and divine. Though it may seem counter intuitive at first, it is the deepening of our connection with truth that creates new alignment with our divine purpose and path.

YOU ARE LOVE! www.soulascensionhealingarts.com Page 13