Buddhism is one of the most followed religions in the world. The teaching of Buddhism was started by Lord Buddha, and he showed the path of non-violence and peace. There are many teachings that Lord Buddha taught to the world and people who follow the path of Buddhism follow today. Among the many teaching that Buddhist follow is Brahmavihara.
Brhamavihara is considered the noblest emotion in Buddhism. There are 4 of the emotions in total and together they are known as chat Brahmavihara. Brahmavihara is made of two words Brahma which means the supreme or the creator and Varaha means to dwell or to live. We all feel lots of emotions and feelings, from negative to average to positive emotions there are all sorts of them. However, Buddhism says that among the emotions there are 4 which are the noblest and one must live life with those emotions.
The 4 chatu Brahmavihara are as follows: Metta (Loving-kindness), Karuna(compassion), Mudita (joy with others), and finally Uppekaha(equanimity).
Let us discuss the four emotions in detail.
Metta (Loving-kindness)
Metta is the first of the four Brahmavihara. It means loving and kindness. We are human beings, and we live in a society that is constructed by many people. Some are related to us by our blood, some by friendship, and some are unrelated to us. We feel strong love and affection towards those who are close to us and related to us. As the relationship gets longer the love and affection decrease.
Most humans love those closest to them and have little to no kindness and affection towards others. However, even if the animals love those who are related to them by blood then what difference remains between the animals and the conscious beings of us humans.
Metta of the Brahmavihara says that one needs to have love and kindness towards each and every one. In this world everyone is different not just by physical appearance but different also by behavior, way of thinking, knowledge, and so on. Some are characterized by their noble actions and good work, while others are known for their bad behavior and heinous acts. The one with noble emotion should see all of them equally and have love and kindness for all of them.
Karuna (Compassion)
Karuna or compassion is second of the 4 Brahmavihara. Compassion is one of the greatest gifts one can have as a conscious being. Compassion is the ability to feel and understand what another person is going through, generally compassionate people are able to feel and more importantly understand the pain another individual is going through. Like love and kindness, compassion is also reserved for the one close to us and not for all people and animals for most of us.
Lord Buddha himself is known for his compassion. He was compassionate to each and every one. When people have the gift of compassion instead of judging people can understand them. One can even look at the people who are thieves differently when they have compassion within them. Instead of getting angry at the one who stole one can understand what circumstances led them to do such an act. Lord Buddha himself praised the virtue of compassion as it is the root cause of various other good emotions and virtues.
Mudita (joy with others)
Mudita is the third of the 4 Brahmavihara. Mudita is the joy of others. This emotion is the reverse of jealousy, envy, and greed. We are all living our lives and have something different at our table of life than others. Some are good at their careers, while some have a good family life, and some are good at their studies.
Nobody has everything and everybody has something. In some aspects family and friends may be progressing a lot more than you. One needs to be happy for the progress of all and not just themselves. When people have joy with all others and not just by their achievements and progress of themselves then they will be forever happy. While in the opposite situation when one gets jealous of the progress and joy of other people will be forever unhappy and sad.
Upekkha(equanimity)
Upekkha is the last of the Brahmavihara. It is equanimity, meaning calmness and balance. It is said that we are more responsible for not what happens to us but how we react to what happens to us and that is what matters really. One needs to be always emotionally calm and composed. The individual who is able to keep himself calm and composed in every situation can see the world better and see the whole picture. When one is not emotionally composed than that individual can be manipulated by other individuals very easily.
Everyone cannot be emotionally composed each and every time. Sometimes one’s emotion gets out of the way due to various factors. It is hard to be emotionally stable with the one who has hurt you and caused many problems. However, it is best to be in a balanced state rather than in an emotionally disturbed state.
Being in a state of equanimity also aids one to get rid of the temptation and provocations of various kinds. One may face these situations at various points in life and be in a state of equanimity will aid you each and every time.
The path of enlightenment is a long one. One needs to have dedication, knowledge, and mental strength to walk this path. While walking this path also some things hinder the walker. Various sources define various causes of hindrance walking this path. According to concepts of the yoga sutras of Patanjali, there are five root causes of suffering, and they block the way to enlightenment and are known as Pancha klesha.
Pancha klesha is made from the combination of two words on which Pancha means five and klesha means obstacles or blockade. There is a total of five and each of them plays a role in causing suffering to humans. The Pancha klesha is Avidya, Asmita, Raga, Dvesha, and Abhinivesha.
Let’s take a look at Pancha klesha in detail:
Avidya(ignorance)
Avidya is a Sanskrit word and when translated it means ignorance, incorrect knowledge, and misunderstanding. It is the opposite of the word Vidya which means knowledge. Avidya, illiteracy is one of the greatest sources of suffering. This is true not just in the field of enlightenment but in each and every field. When one does not have the required knowledge, one lives in the dark.
A dark night without the aid of light is harsh and cruel. In the dark one does not know about the dangers they are in, nor is one aware of what situations and conditions they are in. Vidya or knowledge is the light in the dark that wards off the darkness and gives one the strength to walk through the dark path.
Another part of Avidya is half-knowledge and false knowledge which is even more dangerous than no knowledge. It is said that half knowledge and false knowledge can do more damage than having no knowledge at all.
The sages in ancient times used to amass lots of knowledge so that they could walk through the path of enlightenment. They used to amass a wide range of knowledge from Vedic texts to spiritual ways to end their suffering.
Asmita (Egoism)
Asmita is the second of the Pancha klesha. It is a great hindrance to the path of satisfaction and is a great cause of suffering. Let’s take a look at what ego is. Ego is a person’s sense of self-esteem and self-importance. Every person thinks they are capable in some way, they have confidence and know they are worthy. A good amount of it results in confidence, which is one of the greatest requirements for a good living.
However, when that confidence becomes too much, an individual develops an ego where he/she will think they are the center of everything. It does not matter even if the individual has amassed huge knowledge, when ego develops within them all the knowledge, they have amassed will be reduced to nothing. The ego which is developed within them even will not allow them to access the knowledge they have amassed.
A calm mind which is free from ego can only make the right decision at the right time. When ego develops, it gives birth to suffering and pain.
Raga (Craving)
Raga is the third of the Pancha klesha. It means lust, desire, and attachment to the material world, it is the craving and desire. This Pancha klesha is very dangerous as it implants the seeds of various suffering. Those people who have the knowledge and who are not egoistic also fall under the trap of this Pancha klesha. To get exactly on the point everyone who is not on the path of enlightenment or has not achieved enlightenment has some form of craving that they have for this material world.
Most people crave money, power, and other physical needs in their lives. Some who have gotten higher crave things like affection, love, and similar things but all of them are still attachments to the material world. One needs to let go of things to be completely happy and enlightened.
What one needs to understand is that human desire and craving are unlimited. If one of the cravings they are going to have the next one immediately or after some time. So, one needs to understand the Raga Pancha klesha and avoid it to let go of the suffering.
Dvesha(Aversion)
It is the fourth of the Pancha klesha. It means aversion and hate. It is the negative emotion and hate towards those who do not share a similar vision and thoughts. Hate is believed to be the hot charcoal one holds in their hand, the longer they are going to hold the burning charcoal the more damage it is going to do to them. Some consider hate and aversion to being their strength and that is not the case as it makes the person hollow from the inside.
There are many things in this world that can give rise to aversion. It can arise when someone does something wrong to them, while it can also arise as a result of greed for other people. Sometimes it also may arise when someone does not share your kind of vision and thinking. Whatever may be the cause of the hate and aversion, it is not right, and it should be discarded from the mind and body as soon as possible.
Abhinivesha (clinging to life)
It is the final of the Pancha klesha. It means to cling to life and fear death. Death is the final truth of life, the thing which comes to this earth as a living being must die that is the rule of nature that cannot be broken by anybody. The one who has taken birth shall die and the only question is when and where there is nothing else. Everything in life is uncertain and the only certain thing in life is death. Abinivesha of the Pancha klesha is where one lives in the constant fear of death and clings to their life.
It is one of the greatest causes of suffering. One thing people needs to understand is that death is inevitable, the one who once were here have gone and the ones that are here will also be gone, it cannot be changed so why to worry about it and life to the fullest when they can. While some live in the constant fear of not enjoying the moment they have now feared the death that will arrive in the future.
How to purify your Aura | 8 Aura Purification Method
Aura is the subtle body that is present in all of us. It is present not just in humans but in all kinds of living beings. Even the small animals and insects have a life aura within them. These energies are directly connected with the body, the mindset, and even the thoughts of the individual. They are responsible for keeping the body healthy and active. Sometimes various things affect the Aura of an individual.
They may be the lifestyle of the individual, or somethings sometimes they may get disturbed. However, there is no reason to worry as there are several ways to cleanse the aura and balance the body. There are many aura purification ways that one can do to purify the aura.
Crystals are believed to have possessed special energy from long ago. There are various kinds of crystals in the world and various healing systems use various crystals to heal the body. People tend to wear crystals as jewelry in various ornaments or keep them in the living room, offices, or similar places to keep their aura balanced. There are various energy around us, there are some positive energies and some negative energy. These crystals can absorb negative energy and some even give positive energy. Amethyst, Lepidolite, moonstone are some of the stones that are popularly used to balance the auras.
Meditation
Meditation is one of the oldest ways to balance and heal the body. These techniques were long used by the sages to concentrate their energies and even enhance their spirituality to achieve what they desire. Those sages used to meditate for months and even years to achieve their goals. However, to aura purification one does not have to meditate like that and even meditating for few minutes in a day is enough for aura purification.
Surrounding and environment
Aura is also affected by the environment and there is a significant role of surrounding and environment in aura purification also. When one lives in an untidy environment, bad surroundings or lives in surroundings that affect their psychology in a negative way it can disturb their aura. So clean and tidy your environment, even fill out the surroundings with the things you love. Even if it may not be possible for a large space and environment one can keep filling their room with the things that they like, and which give them mental and spiritual peace.
Aura purification bath
Even a normal bath is very good to balance various elements in the body. Bath can rejuvenate the body in various ways. However, an aura purification bath is even better than a normal bath. But what is an aura purification bath and how is it different from a normal bath? An aura purification bath is where various essential oils, herbs, salts are used for healing in various ways. First one fills the bathtub with water and then adds various essential oils, herbs and ingredients to the tub and then gets immersed in it to begin the healing process.
Chanting mantra
Mantra chanting is also used for aura purification. By chanting mantras, one uses the way of sound and vibration for aura purification. Sound and vibration are some of the fundamental energies of the universe, they are present everywhere not just on the earth. There are various kinds of mantras that produce various kinds of sounds. Our auras also respond to the sounds of chanting. Various vibrations and sounds produced through there can heal and restore the aura itself.
Be close to nature
We get everything from nature. It provides us with a place to stay, things to eat, and all of the things we use, or need are more or less taken from nature. Aside from all thing’s nature is, it is also the best healer there is. For aura purification try to be closer to nature and also one can take long walks and journey to the destination which is closer to nature and has natural ingredients that purify the aura.
Yoga
Yoga is one of the ancient practices that heal the body in various ways. Yoga not only heals the physical self but also the mental and spiritual self. Many people practice yoga because they know that it will make them physically more fit, but they have not yet explored its mental and spiritual dimensions. Right yoga practices can be even used for aura purification and even be extended beyond that. When yoga is practiced daily it will heal if one has disturbed aura and even make it brighter and stronger than it was before originally in the first place.
Herbal teas and herbs
Herbs are one of the most efficient aspects of Ayurveda. Even the original system of healing and medication was based on herbs and plants. One can try our various herbs and also various herbal teas for aura purification. Ginger tea, green tea, turmeric tea, basil tea, chamomile tea are some of the herbal teas that help very much in aura purification.
Incorporating laughter into your movement and breathing practice, laughing yoga aims to enhance joy, bring out your inner child, and assist you in letting go of the stresses of daily life. Yoga fans think that yoga reduces stress and lowers your chance of developing chronic illnesses, but you may wonder whether this is the case.
Importance of Laughing Yoga
Laughing yoga is a kind of yoga that is distinct in that it involves spontaneous laughter. This cutting-edge approach to the ancient yoga practice may be the only workout regimen that will simultaneously make you happier and healthier. It combines yogic breathing with laughter exercises to help you get healthier. Laughter is the best medicine, as shown by the following studies: look at the health benefits of laughing yoga to learn more.
1. It helps to lower blood pressure.
The relaxing activity and yogic breathing assist in lowering blood pressure levels.
2. It is an excellent kind of aerobic exercise.
Laughing Yoga may aid in weight loss by raising the rate at which your metabolism operates. To be more accurate, one hundred chuckles burn the same amount of calories as ten minutes of rowing. Additionally, the practice of laughing yoga has the additional advantage of massaging your inside organs.
3. It increases the quantity of oxygen taken in by the body.
It is possible to take deeper breaths and exhale more slowly when you laugh. Consequently, your body will be inundated with oxygen, which is very necessary for survival to take place.
4. It improves your capacity to focus your attention.
Your mind will be able to work more effectively due to all of the oxygen you are getting in when you are laughing. The upshot of this is that your brain will be more focused and engaged.
5. It contributes to the strengthening of your immune system.
Laughing from the belly will increase the flow of lymphatic fluid in our bodies and the number of lymphocytes in our bodies, which are the killer cells that keep us healthy and prevent disease. Therefore, your immunity increases in direct proportion to the number of lymphocytes in your body. According to their research, researchers at the National Cancer Institute in California and the Linda Loma Medical Center at Indiana State University discovered that laughing may boost the immune system by as much as 40 percent.
6. It helps you feel good about yourself.
After a nice chuckle, who doesn’t feel better about themselves? An intentional giggle is used to begin laughing yoga, but it rapidly becomes real as the practice continues. It has proven possible to develop such an infectious fitness routine. In response to laughter, endorphin is released into the body, referred to as the “happy hormone.” It also has the characteristic of acting as a natural pain reliever, which is beneficial, so if you want to get rid of the soreness in your body, attempt to laugh more often instead of less.
7. The respiratory system is benefited because of this supplementation.
Increased oxygenation of the lungs occurs when you laugh. This results in the lungs being revived and their function being reestablished.
8. Take efforts to enhance the overall health of your heart by exercising regularly.
When you laugh, your heart is filled with extra happiness. Because laughing causes the widening of your blood vessels, it increases blood circulation and makes your heart happy.
9. It aids in the development of pain tolerance.
Researchers conducted a study to evaluate the amount of pain tolerance a person has and its relation to laughing. The results of the study were published in the journal Pain. According to one research, laughing persons had greater pain tolerance levels than those who were not.
Ashtanga yoga includes 8 different parts: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi. Ashtanga Yoga provides you a detail pathway of 8 karmas that we need to practice as a yogi and practioner of yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga Retreat at NYTT & RC
If you have got a holiday, then this is an ideal place to spend your holiday. This course will be proved to be fruitful throughout your life. If you are conscious of your health and fitness then spare your time with us at least once in a year. This two weeks yoga retreat is fit for all. The beginners will learn a new dimension of life to live happily and harmoniously.
If you are unhealthy or have some health problem then you will get the technique to eradicate your problem without the help of doctor and medicine. You will discover a path of healthy living. If you have already attended some yoga class in previous, then you will expand your knowledge.This retreat will help to deepen your practice. It also welcomes an advanced level of yoga practitioner because this is the place of Yoga to give you spiritual realization through the practice.
This is a favorable place to uplift your realization. This place is situated at the lap of Nagarjuna-Sivapuri National park. So you can enjoy the greenery of the forest. The atmosphere is pure and free from the noise. You can view the entire city from here as it is at a height. The natural lifestyle of this place will be proved to be a boon for yoga practice. This course boosts your energy level and recreates your mental ability.
Ashtanga Yoga Parts:
Here is the brief explanation of Ashtanga Yoga 8 parts which is you will get in Ashtanga Yoga Retreat
Yama (Universal moral commandments): You will learn the importance of morality in the society and its contemporary aspects.
Niyama (Self-discipline and purification): You will learn to be loyal and honest with the self.
Asana (Yoga-postures): You will get information about 84,00,000 asanas and learn more than 100 asanas on a practical basis.
Pranayama (Control, conscious and cessation of breath): You will learn the art of breathing. What the breath actually is, how it is regulated and mastered, etc. are taught.
Pratyahara (mastery of the mind): Mind can be mastered after mastering the breaths.
Dharana (concentration): You will learn how to focus on a particular object.
Dhyana (meditation): You will learn different types of meditation techniques. Especially, mindful meditation is given priority.
Samadhi (Super-conscious stage): This is the highest level of yoga. You will learn its theoretical aspects.
In Ashtanga Yoga Retreat ,the teaching will be on both a theoretical and practical basis by an experienced teacher. After the completion of the course, you will feel that your life has been changed. You will really be pleased with the techniques that you learn here. You will find a mystery in your life. You will feel that life is a blessing. You will be guided in every step for your get betterment.
