Swami Sivananda’s mission and vision was to make people aware of the divine life. He said that material stuff was only one end of the spectrum. In order to experience the evolution of our consciousness, we had to live a healthy life. A healthy life was a balanced body and mind.

Swami Satyananda, his direct disciple believed that practicing a Yogic life was vital for our well-being. Yoga imposed certain disciplines in our lives, and this enabled one to lead a harmonious life. The discipline he spoke about was the practice of the principles of Dharma. By following the principles of Dharma (moral values, economic values, pleasures, love, psychological values, spiritual values) we receive a very powerful tool, which is the quality of discriminative intelligence, Vivek buddhi. We develop self-understanding and self-compassion. This enables us to understand others and practice atmabhava (love for our fellow beings).

The principles of Dharma

We are all aware of our goals and objectives. We have aspirations and desires, and why not. We all want comforts and luxury and maybe plenty of other material possessions. It is perfectly normal to be acquisitive. It always come down to how much? Just as a bird cannot fly with one wing, it is vital that we find balance in our lives. This well-being comes from following the principles of Dharma.

Swalpamapyasya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat – Bhagawad Gita, Samkhya Yoga, Verse 40

Meaning:” Even a little practice of this dharma, this Yoga, will save you from dire fears inherent in this life.” What is this dire fear? It is the fear of death. The cycles of birth and death constitutes samsara and by the practice of Yoga one transcends this deadly fear. It is the sadhana of karma yoga which grants one liberation.

Lastly the reference of the word, Yoga, first appears in the Rig Veda. It is said that Brahma, the cosmic creator, preached the science of Yoga to Hiranygarbha, the golden womb. In Hindu mythology, Brahma, the creator represents the creativity in the individual and the creative power in the cosmos. In each and every being this cosmic creativity resides and it is the Brahma of the Vedas, who preached yoga to the people. The Rishis and sages tried this science and meditation and experienced the light (Sphota) and this led them to discover all they could about Yoga. Then came the Upanishads which tried to explain Yoga and finally Patanjali summed the sadhanas in his commentary. – Swami Satyananda Saraswati,1975

Yoga is within us, and we have to seek the divinity within us by Sadhana.

Aim Hrim Klim

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