Positive Health Online

The body is an inherent part of the brahmand and it is also governed by the laws of nature. If we observe nature, wherever there is collection, be it of any kind, an imbalance is bound to develop at the etheric level. Two of the important purifications in Ashtanga Yoga, are  non- collection and purity of thought, vairagya being the most important ingredient. One who tunes himself with the nature reaps maximum benefits and enjoys optimum health.

Our  bodies exist in layers and in order to bring about a change in the physical, one has to effect a change in the etheric layers. No matter how hard you try to achieve physical change by applying physical means, the effect will only be temporary and unsustainable. One must understand that it is something else which controls the physical. One has to reach there to be capable of bringing about a change, straining the body has the effect of consuming the vital prana which is the substratum of every cell.

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Even the dirtiest of waters becomes pure when it starts flowing, and rots, bringing about decay and imbalance when left to collect. The same process works for human beings too. Being a part of universal consciousness, we are a collective as well as separate entity. Each one is here on an individual journey, yet being a part of the universe has responsibilities towards others, nature and the entire universe as a whole. But engrossed in our nuclear world most of us conveniently forget our responsibilities and focus exclusively on ‘I’ and 'mine'. Such self-centeredness breeds negativity and one goes on collecting negative emotions such as greed and envy. So diseases are bound to manifest from such imbalances, especially psychosomatic ones. Then we resort to diets and medicines which only cause nutritional as well as chemical imbalances as a result of side-effects of anti-depressants and sedatives. Not only that, our dependency on suppressive drugs debilitates our ability to deal with the problems. So we get caught up in a vicious circle. All drugs are suppressants and inhibit the body's central nervous system artificially creating an environment of happiness and contentedness. They are actually harming the body by playing with its natural processes. All pains and turmoil at the emotional level are early warning signs of injury (spine, knees) or serious ailments in the body. They have long-term damaging effects if one suppresses the warnings of the body.

Firstly, it is important to remember when dealing with emotions and thoughts, that the human mind is, in essence, the most powerful device which can easily be harnessed to shape the body as well as the environment. The existing psychosomatic ailments are enough proof of the ability of the human thought process to cause disease in the body. The negative selfish thoughts of the brain can cause disease and when these are thoughts are changed to selfless thoughts, to help the creation, they lead to health and cause a change in the way we look. Yoga is a very practical tool for changing positively and directing the brain to self-heal the body, for that is the only healing tool known to mankind.

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However, this journey from self to selflessness is not always easy. Many individuals become trapped at the solar plexus, or surya chakra. This chakra serves as a powerful centre of emotions, attachments, identity and personal power. It is also where emotional patterns connected to survival, desires, attachments and status often accumulate. When emotions are not understood, processed or balanced, they begin to create emotional congestion. Over time, this imbalance can disturb the body’s natural flow of energy, affecting both mental and physical well-being. Stress increases, inner harmony is disrupted, and prolonged imbalance may eventually manifest as psychosomatic disorders highlighting the deep connection between the mind and body.

For example, a person suffering from depression may, from a spiritual perspective, be found to have a surya chakra that appears emotionally congested, draining vitality and restricting the free flow of energy. Similarly, a person who is highly egoistical may develop an expanded surya chakra, where excessive energy becomes concentrated and consumed. As a result, the energy is unable to move upwards towards the higher chakras. In this way, different emotions create different reactions within the surya chakra, obstructing the upward movement of energy. In today’s increasingly self-focused world, people often become deeply attached to possessions, relationships, social identity and the need to control situations and individuals around them. Such attachments generate negativity and inner imbalance, which eventually reflect in both the mind and body.

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You are not alone. If you look around you will find that every individual is entwined in the same set of four worries – health, finances, relationships and/or status. In the physical world, the root of all these problems is an unfulfilled expectation. While the actual reason for this is the basic nature of soul and it’s not being able to find solace.

Unfulfilled expectations gradually pull one into depression, where the person hopes and tries to fulfill his/her expectations and while they never get met, the body ages...hair become grey, skin wrinkles, senses dull and then one day the breath also stops. The expectations are still not met and so birth is taken to fulfill them.

Expectations are directly proportional to one’s ego. The higher the ego, the more one expects from him/herself and the things/people around, and when those expectations are not met, he/she goes into depression.

Medically, it is seen as an imbalance in specific hormones in the body which is triggered usually by psychological factors, age-related changes and in some cases owing to mental instability. Yoga says, this is because of avidya, which is lack of knowledge of reality. Everything in the physical world is unreal and is in passing. Basic nature of physically manifested world is destruction. Every second, all that is around us is getting destroyed. Actually, what we get depressed about doesn’t exist.

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The interesting thing about expectations is that there is no limit to them. King Yayati enjoyed youth and its related pleasures for a thousand years and even then his desires and expectations were still not met. He realized there is no way they could be met by further indulgence. So he returned the youth back to his son, and went in search of that which is permanent, real and does not disappoint you, for that alone is the key to bliss. And that reality, only a Guru can show you by giving you the experience of what you desire, and gradually change those desires and simultaneously lower the ego, so the expectations too fade away.

Expectations can never be met. The more you have, the more you expect. And the irony is, that whatever you have in the physical – be it health, wealth, relationship or power – will also leave you one day, and when it leaves the disappointment will be directly proportional to the pleasure it brought with it, all this is because of avidya. To give you an example, I knew a man who had a very loving wife. She cared for him and kept him happy. At sixty, she left the body, and the husband went into depression. A healthy man, he died of a heart attack within a month.

To move beyond this trap, one must cultivate emotional balance, awareness and selflessness. Acts of compassion, service and charity help lighten the burden of ego-driven thoughts and emotions.

Pranayamas like Ujjai Pranayama and Nadi Shodhnam Pranayama also help bring the body in a state of balance. Yogic practices such as Sanatan Kriya, when practised under the guidance of a Guru, may further support this inner transformation.

I detail here a simple kriya which when practiced in the presence of your Guru, instantly alleviates all kinds of depressions, giving you the experience of bliss, an instant glow is an added benefit. Sit in a comfortable position with your spine erect. Close your eyes and paying reverence to the energy of Guru, take your awareness to the centre of the chest cavity. Become aware of a light pink lotus at this point, and of a soft pink light emanating from it and filling up your body. Gradually let this light grow to fill up your immediate surroundings, the planet and all of creation. Now become aware of your Guru and connect with him/her in this light pink light ( you can join Dhyan Foundation sessions which are held offline and online also). Gently holding the hand of the Guru, drop all awareness, let go. Let there be no thoughts or movement beyond this point. Whenever you feel like, open your eyes looking first at the centre of the palms. Write to me about your experiences.

Further Information

Join and learn Self-Healing with FREE Sanatan Kriya YOGA classes with Dhyan Foundation UK at King’s College London.

"You eat every day, you sleep everyday - these are the essentials of life. Sanatan Kriya is the essence of Creation, of which life is a part"

~ Ashwini Guru Ji

The classes are FREE but a one-time registration is required here: https://dhyanfoundation.org.uk/register/  

Every Monday, 6:30-8:00 pm  

 Dharmic Prayer Space, New Hunt's House, Guys Campus

Ashwini Guru ji is the guiding light of Dhyan Ashram and an authority on Vedic Sciences. His book, ‘Sanatan Kriya: The Ageless Dimension is an acclaimed thesis on anti-ageing. Log onto www.dhyanfoundation.com or mail to dhyan@dhyanfoundation.com  for more