How can we change our behavior?

The behavioral outcome of Raja Yoga as stated in the Yoga Sutras (1:33) explains how it is possible to change our behavior.

Maitreekarunaamuditopekshaanaam
Sukhadukhapuyaapunyavishayaanam
Bhaavanaatashchittaprasaadanam.

In the relation to happiness, misery, virtue and vice, by cultivating the attitudes of friendliness, compassion, gladness and indifference respectively, the mind becomes purified and peaceful.

Four thoughts

Do we follow the attitudes of friendliness, compassion, gladness and indifference respectively in order to make the mind purified and peaceful? So how can we change our behavior?

The first is friendliness: One is attracted to persons, who are happy and avoids an unhappy person. So, Sukha (happiness) and Maitri (friendliness) go together.

The second is recognition of suffering (dukha) and the mental behavior of one’s attitude towards suffering, to express compassion. Developing this attitude will motivate one to be helpful in the recognition of the suffering to be empathetic.

However, compassion means that one is involved in helping this individual. It is important to understand that one does not undertake the suffering of another. In Yoga, the word Karuna is used. Karuna means to participate in the problem solving in an objective manner.

The third is virtuous: When one sees a virtuous person then one becomes full of positive energy. When one goes to visit a Guru, one experiences this magnetic energy. This energy would enable one to be on the path of self-realization. This is the combination of punya (goodness) and Mudita (inner joy).

The fourth is ignoring the wicked: Yoga believes in working on the inner self and not reforming other persons.

Strength is cultivated with positive inputs

The sutra is indicative of that if one can cultivate and strengthen a positive state of mind and being, then the outer behavior need not be worried about, the appropriate response will take place. If you see a snake or a scorpion, you avoid them. In order to counter a force, one needs to have a stronger force. This strength is cultivated with positive inputs.

Focus on cultivating the positive within yourself; maintain your balance, be an observer, hold the mind in control. This the essence of behavioral Raja Yoga.

Extracted from Yoga magazine, 26th October 2016, discourse by Swami Niranjananda.

Aim Hrim Klim

Patanjali statue by User: Alokprasad, CC BY-SA 3.0