DISCIPLINE OF SAKSHIN GHATASTHA YOGA

The foundation for the inner understanding of Sakshin Ghatastha Yoga is the practice of unifying particulars and universals. Particular is the experience of technique, a manifestation, event or object limited by time and space. Universal represents the underlying principle of ultimate truth. These two are also characterised as form and formlessness, relative and absolute. In all yoga practices the particular technique is unified with the universal truth of the present moment. This principle has an ancient tradition in India, Tibet and China.

The basis of training in Sakshin Ghatastha yoga is to make the spirit strong. The student is required to develop consciousness through the process of witnessing all actions until a state of pure awareness is reached. The manifestation of ignorence shows the unwillingness of the individual to drop attachment to the conditioned mind, this inhibits the development of consciousness and keeps the spirit weak.

Originally the mind is still, free of all thought processes, like an clean mirror. When thoughts enter, dust begins to accumulate; when the mirror is completely covered with dust, objects cannot be reflected the way they truly appear.

Being empty of all thoughts, positive or negative, is the objective of the asana and meditation practices. Once the principle of no-mind has been understood, and through dedicated practice realised, nothing will be lacking. The outcome of these actions is the natural development of total awareness.

Those who study and practice yoga are not concerned with good and bad, success and failure. In order not to develop bad habits in the practice, the asana have to be repeated over and over striving with the entire being. Executing techniques in a natural way, extending to the maximum in every pose and remaining focused with the mind strengthens the spirit. Slowly stiffness will vanish, physical and mental strength will develop, and the asana will be able to be performed in a free flowing manner.

One goal of asana training is sahaja yoga (spontaneous union). In sahaja yoga one intuitively knows what is required at any given moment. This is to practice without adhearing to any fixed forms but applying freestyle action and allowing the body to express itself naturally.

Traditionally from seven years old trainees entered the Matha (yoga monastery) and began training. Three main aspects of the training were taught to lay the correct inner understanding and physical foundations of the yoga process. These aspects are: 1. Classical learning of yoga philosophy, 2. Training in asana, pranayama and mudra techniques, 3. Dhyan (meditation) for the realisation of no-mind, to develop compassion and to experience enlightenment.

The teachings of Sakshin Ghatastha yoga have their roots in the principles of classical hatha yoga and the disciplines developed by the ancient Tantric masters of India, Tibet and China. This style of yoga is progressive and involves the practise of clear and distinct graded asana forms. Each grade has one or more fixed sequential forms that allow the practitioner to enter the state of no-mind.

Sakshin Ghatastha yoga works directly with the prana to integrate and strengthen the physical elements of the body - muscles, tendons, bones, inner organs, circulation of blood and lymph and the breathing process.

The concept of prana has been understood for thousands of years by practitioners of yoga, chi kung, martial arts, ayurveda and other Asian medicine systems. It is a phenomena intrinsically present in all life. Prana is like water in that it can manifest itself as a dynamic flow. Asana can both increase the amount of prana and also remove obstacles to its smooth circulation. In this way asana is the master irrigator of the body. The channels are excavated; the energy is introduced and distributed throughout.

While performing asana with slow, relaxed breathing, the specific alignment of the body parts creates the necessary conditions to trigger the flow of prana. A greater movement of prana results in an increased level of vitality and health within the entire system. Since asana work directly with the flow of vital energy they can induce subtle changes in the body on a cellular level, enabling healing to take place naturally.

When there is no time in the day for asana training students must not forget meditation, even as little as five or ten minutes is enough. Our perceptions are transformed by meditation, the world is then seen through different eyes, without positive or negative imposition from the mind. Through the practice of the way of yoga the spirit is strengthened. Family life, work, yoga and meditation are not incompatible. The state of no-mind has no limits. When the student of yoga becomes unified in body, mind and spirit, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished. To be unified in body, mind and spirit the prime requisite is single-minded, unyielding determination. This is to remain total with whatever activity one is involved with.

When asana are performed with no-mind in the here and now, the being becomes vibrant. If the mind is distracted the asana will be dead no matter how technically perfect they are performed. Therefore if the inner attitude of the mind is correct the asana will also be correct. If the mind is disturbed so too will be the performance of the technique.

When everyday affairs do not allow time for the practice of asana, the inner understanding of yoga can still be cultivated by remaining a watcher of the body, emotions, and mind . Any work done well, with the total being involved, will strengthen the spirit.

When sitting in meditation everything must be forgotten. When there is nothing in the mind all circumstances can be clearly seen and dealt with. When there is anxiety and constant fretting the ability to deal with difficult situations cannot be realised. Daily physical and mental training is required to cultivate the spirit. Yoga practitioners live simple lives to reduce the distractions of the mind. It helps to be free of attachment to objects and events. When effort is made on the path of self realisation there is always insight into ones life. Dedicated training leads to the understanding of all the principals of yoga.