Yoga Nidra - the blissful relaxation

 

"Most people sleep without resolving their tensions,

This is termed Nidra.

Nidra means sleep, no matter what or why,

But Yoga Nidra means sleep after throwing off the burdens, 

It is of a blissful, higher quality altogether.

When awareness is separate and distinct from the vrittis -(thought waves)

When waking, dream and deep sleep pass like clouds,

yet awareness of atma (inner self) remains

This is the experience of total relaxation.

Relaxation does not mean sleep.

Relaxation means to be blissfully happy,

It has no end.

I call bliss absolute relaxation;

Sleep is a different matter.

Sleep gives only mind and sense relaxation.

Bliss relaxes the atma, inner self;

That is why,

Yoga Nidra is the doorway to Samadhi (the blissful state of being)"

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Life has changed so much over the last 100 years or so, no system is the same as in ancient times including the system of ourself.  It seems our minds and bodies have seemingly lost the point of balance and harmony on every level and we seem so engrossed in all the wrong things.  Diseases have sprung up with new dimensions and we are now dealing with stress-related disorders like never before.  The effects of social media and material life are really revealing themselves and our inability to be able to deal with a highly competitive pace of life in all areas.  The problems of such diseases as diabetes, hypertension, migraine, asthma, ulcers, digestive disorders, cancers to name but a few arise from tension in the body, mind and our way of thinking and feeling.  The main problem is in our minds, when there is disharmony in our minds then how can there be harmony in our bodies?  Tensions arise in thinking, eating, socializing, working even sleeping - if the mind is tense the stomach will be tense and so forth.  In Yoga Nidra we have an opportunity to release the tensions on all levels - muscular and physical, emotional and mental and tensions from the soul.  It gives us the means to rest efficiently and find our inner medicine repairing ourselves on all levels.  It takes us away from certain agonies of life and brings us back to a natural state of contentment and peace.

Do you habitually bite your nails, pick at your skin, scratch or stroke a part of the body, pace about or tap your feet?  Do you talk compulsively or display irritability - we do these things because we lack awareness of our own inner tension.  Even in sleep thoughts and worries revolve in our mind and can cause unhelpful or bad dreams and a tense body, sometimes do you wake up more tired than when you went to bed?  These tensions must be released for the health of our whole and complete self and thus in turn for those who surround us.  Looking after a sick loved one puts a lot of stress and tension on the other - the more healthy we are then the more healthy those who surround us are, so we need this complete relaxation not only for ourselves but for our loved ones too.

Yoga Nidra gives us a beautiful gift - it is the scientific way of removing tension and thus the actual state of relaxation can dawn.

You need to experience it for yourself -

Please listen here and release your inner and outer tensions and simply feel much better!!  It is a very accessible practice for all - simply lie down on a mat or even on your bed and keep aware of the instruction - I myself practice a little Yoga Nidra before I go to sleep each night - so please enjoy and make it a part of your weekly life -  This moment is a happy moment!

https://soundcloud.com/nicola-zammit/yoga-nidra-for-deep-rest-and-earth-connection

Sending you all beautiful relaxation and love from the heart

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Mangala - Nicky

Best Friends: Worst Enemy - different states of mind.

 

"The mind is its own worst enemy as well as its own best friend.  According to yogic thought, the mind has five different types of behavior.  In the Kshipta state, it is fragmented, distracted and scattered on various objects.  It is restless and jumps from one thing to another.  In the mudha state it is dull and forgetful.  Vikshipta is the gathering mind, it is occasionally steady and at other times distracted.  This is its condition during practice as it struggles to become focussed.  In the ekagrata or one-pointed state there is only one idea present.  In the niruddha state full control is achieved.

The greatest impediment to concentration is restlessness and tossing of the mind.  When a beginner sits for practice, the thoughts, unaccustomed to this new game and freed from their usual grooves, leap about in an uncontrolled way.  To remove tossing and other obstacles to one-pointedness, adamantly fix the mind on one object alone.  When it runs away, as it naturally will, pull it back again.  It will want to create hundreds of alternate thought forms, but if not disciplined no progress can be made."

Swami Vishnudevananda from Meditation and Mantras.

We all know that the mind can be terribly busy and when it is not busy it seems to want to create unhelpful thoughts to keep it busy.  This can lead us to more anxiety, worries and obsessive thinking.  As Swami Ji states; it will want to leap about in an uncontrolled way - this can leave us feeling lost or frustrated.  For sure accepting that we have busy troublesome minds is the first step - and then finding some empathy with the mind that it is busy and refraining from becoming cross or angry with over expectations.  It is like we need to make friends with this wonderful instrument that we call the mind, and then it can become so strong and useful to us.  Discipline of practice is certainly the key - finding a regular time and place for your practice and not missing even one session is essential.  Not making excuses to get you out of practice is a big step forward or refraining from the 'I will do it later" syndrome or " I haven't got time" syndrome.

Make a commitment for yourself to practice - once a week, twice a week or even once a day - whatever is manageable then make that commitment.  After some time I promise - you will never look back.

During practice either be it asana (yogic postures) or pranayama (breathing) or meditation fix the mind on something - the breath is a wonderful place to start, and know that the mind will jump about - and feel fine with yourself that it will jump about.  No-body empties their mind - this would put you in a comma!  Just breath and follow your breath and when you notice your mind has jumped somewhere else, then recognise that and simply come back to your point of concentration.  This in actual fact when you notice you are distracted and bring the mind back is a very pure moment and something to feel good about - you noticed you were distracted and then you came back to focus.  That moment is very powerful and true, so be pleased with it - actually the distractions are tools and blessings for you to be able to strengthen the mind and become more focused and peaceful over time.  This does not happen over night - but joining classes will give you encouragement from other practitioners and teachers and the inspiration to keep going until you reach the point of "I can't wait to get on the mat, or cushion or whatever!!" 

So please put the effort in, be guided by inspirational people that have walked the path and are walking the path themselves and give yourself a hug and a great big smile for your practice and putting the effort in.  Whatever happens during the session you would have done a wonderful thing for yourself and for the peaceful energy of the world - which we all need, as does the earth. waters, sky's, sun and moon.

So go ahead and do it - no more I am too busy - My head is too busy - of course it is - and that is why we should practice, without pressuring ourselves to be anything or this or that but honoring and loving yourself.

At least do that - love yourself - wherever your head is!!

Have beautiful days and nights and suns and moons

Sending love from the heart

Mangala - Nicky

Image above made in Yoga Mangala home studio - Bhujangasan - Cobra pose

The Synthesis of Yoga - a brief outline of the four main paths.

 

Yoga today is widely practiced throughout the world,  however there is still a lot of misunderstanding of what yoga is and how it should be practiced.  People turn to yoga for many different reasons, maybe for a particular health reason or simply to gain a stronger more flexible body.  I believe that somehow there is a deeper yearning for something 'more' something deeper in life than just material wealth.  Many people are searching but are not sure where to look.  There is a dissatisfaction with the external world and a yearning for a more meaningful existence is growing globally.  

Yoga has the ability and gives us the tools to find that deeper meaning and live more in harmony, balance and with contentment, even a return to childlike wonder and sense of joy even at the touch of a breeze or looking at a shell on the beach.  

The rising sun delights us at the opportunity of a new day - a new moment and the moons light illuminates a soft touch onto our beings. 

'You can have calmness of mind at all times by the practice of yoga.  You can have restful sleep.  You can have increased energy, vigour, vitality, longevity and a high standard of health.  You can turn out efficient work within a short space of time.  You can have success in every walk of life.' Sri Swami Sivananda

From my own experience yoga has brought a huge bounce to my life a great sense of wonder and energy, has seen me through extremely difficult and turbulent times, may I even say trauma, and again has brought the bounce and joy back into life.   It is an amazing gift that is there for all of humanity if you wish it, but you do have to practice it - it works slowly over time - you need to put effort in and find your discipline and dedication, at the beginning you need a wonderful dedicated and experienced teacher that will guide you correctly, then my friend you will be able to feel the fruits and flowers of your effort with no limit or boundry - the universe will be yours.  And once you have your practice - with only a mat needed - no-body can ever take it away from you, you will be as strong as the majestic mountains.

So many people know of asana practice - the yogic postures and exercise but Swami Sivananda told us we must practice from all four paths to reach our goal of balance and harmony.  And through my own experience, I completely agree, the benefits are so diluted when we are only exposed or practice from one or even two - so here is a very brief outline of the four paths necessary to reach our goals. Extracts taken from 'YOGA your home practice companion' by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre.

What is Yoga?

Traditionally there are four paths.  Although each of them is a complete discipline in itself, it is best not to follow one path only.  Combining the four paths helps the emotional, intellectual and physical aspects of your life to develop harmony.

The four paths of Yoga.

Of the four paths, especially in the West only one is generally well-known and widely practiced - the physical and mind focusing path of Hatha and Raja Yoga, which includes postures and breathing exercises.

Hatha and Raja Yoga

This is the yoga path of body and mind control.  It is best known for its practical aspects, particularly its asana (postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises.)  This path teaches ways of controlling the body and mind, including silent meditation, and its practices gradually transform the energy of the body and mind into spiritual energy.  This path suits people who are looking for inner and outer transformation.

Karma Yoga

This is the yogic path of action and you practice it when you act selflessly, without thinking about success or reward from that action.  The path is valued for purifying the heart and reducing the influence of the ego on your words, actions and interactions with others.  Practicing Karma yoga is the best way to prepare yourself for silent meditation.  It suits people with an active outgoing temperament.

Bhakti Yoga

This is the yogic path of devotion.  It involves prayer, worship and ritual such as festivals or holy days, including chanting and singing devotional songs.  Those who practice it eventually come to experience God as the embodiment of love.  This yoga path has great appeal for people who are emotional by nature.

Jnana Yoga

This is the yogic path of wisdom or knowledge, and it involves studying the philosophy of vedanta.  It teaches ways to examine the self and analyse human nature.  The goal of this form of yoga is to recognise the Supreme self in yourself and in all beings.  This path is best suited to intellectual people, and is considered by many to be the most challenging path.  Swami Ji recommended that one be firmly grounded in the other three paths, then one can start with Jnana Yoga.

So I wish you all beautiful exploration of all four paths and in every success in your journeys - why be stuck when you can be spinning like a child for no reason at all - just in pure delight.

AUM shanti shanti shanti 

always from the heart

Mangala - Nicky

'One' Words from Sri Swami Sivananda

 

Extracts from Bhakti Yoga by Swami Sivananda

'Brahman is one. Truth or God is one. Scriptures are one. Vedas are one. Virtue and devotion, concentration, meditation and samadhi are one.  Realisation, true religion, the religion of love and the religion of self-realisation are all one.  Energy is one. Sun and Moon are one. Space is one. Thought image is one, though languages are different.  Mercy and sincerity are one.  There is no such thing as American sincerity and Japanese honesty.  Body is one.  It is made up of the five elements in England, China or Africa.  Blood is one.  The blood of a Chinese person, African, English or American is all the same.  It contains the same blood-plasma, haemoglobin, red corpuscles and leococytes. 

The feeling is the same in all.  If you call anyone a fool or a vagabond he gets upset or angry.  Everyone gets hungry, thirsty, has defication, exhilaration, depression, happy and wonderful moods.  The heart, liver, spleen, bowels, the organs of action and sensation, the intellectual faculty that comprehends is the same in all.  The goal to be reached by all - realisation of the self is the same.  

Take the kernal, core or essence and ruthlessly throw away the skin or shell.  Are they not fools who leave the grain and waste their time in quarreling about the chaff?  I pity them.  They are hopeless specimens of humanity.

Life is short and time is fleeting.  Time is precious.  Remember the goal and the purpose for which you have taken this physical body.  Struggle hard towards the fulfiilment of the end you have come here to accomplish.  Let all march courageously toward the goal, be it by train, tonga, bike, car or plane.  Let all strive after the truth, which is fundamentally the same in all sects, cults or schools. 

If the essence of all religions is one and the same, to what avail is this wrangling and quarreling amongst sects or people?  Let us therefore strive in right earnest after the achievement of that great end of human life, the true essence of all religions - devotion to Gods divine love or Bhakti - which alone can free us from the wheel of births and deaths, give us higher knowledge, infinite bliss, supreme peace, essential satisfaction and immortality!'

Sri Swami Sivananda

If anyone is interested in the complete book Bhakti Yoga in PDF format please contact me on nickymangala@gmail.com with your email address and I will happily forward it to you.

For now have beautiful days taking care of yourself and those that surround you and find your oneness.

AUM 

Nicky / Mangala 

Kurmasana - Tortoise Pose

 

Benefits of the Tortoise pose - Kurmasana

Improves respiratory system encouraging very deep breathing and allows our attention to draw away from the external and go inward. Creates a lovely stretch in the back of the legs, back, shoulders and chest creating space within the body. Improves digestion as there is compression into the abdominal region. I love this pose as I feel a deep sense of quiet as I withdraw - something we all need! Enjoy this wonderful tortoise posture and withdraw from the outside. Sending shanti to all.

"IF"

 'IF'

By Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you are loosing theirs 

and blaming it on you

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you

But make allowances for their doubting too

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies

Or being hated, don't give way to hate

and yet don't look too good nor talk to wise

If you can dream and not make dreams your master

If you can think and not make thoughts your aim

If you can meet with triumph and disaster 

and treat those two imposters just the same

If you can hear the truth you have spoken

twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools

or watch the things you gave your life for broken

and stoop and build them up with worn out tools

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss

and loose, and start again at the beginning and never breathe a word of your loss

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

to serve your turn long after you are done

and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says hold on

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue

or walk with kings nor loose the common touch

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you

If all men count with you but none too much

If you can fill the unforgiving minute with 40 seconds worth or distance run

Yours is the earth and everything thats in it

and which is more you will be a man my son.

Wishing you all Love, courage, health, peace, wholeness and auspiciousness from the heart

Mangala - Nicky

Classes at home in private studio - one on one or via Zoom, please feel free to contact me by email

nickymangala@gmail.com 

The Shanti Mantras - creating a vibration of peace.

 I spoke a little about the joy of chanting in the previous article and wanted to share with you the very profound and important Shanti Mantras found from the Upanishads - the summery's of the ancient Vedas or Hindu scriptures that are so relevant to us all no matter from which culture you are from.  Great wisdom and knowledge of how to direct ourselves through life can be found in these wonderful threads of wisdom that can allow us to be guided to sow together a wonderful life.

The Shanti Mantras help to create a vibration of peace, have been chanted over centuries and centuries and are especially important in our present pandemic climate, where we are all in adversity in some shape or form and now is the time if ever there was one to evoke peace with all physical beings, with the earth, the seas, the plants and animals, with our teachers, with different parts of our body and with the Divine souls or Devas.  

"Everybody wants to have a happy life, however real happiness is not about having money or power, it is about achieving inner peace, if you have peace of mind you will be happy by day and by night.  Happiness is related to our emotions and we all have the potential to experience positive as well as negative emotions.  Which ones we cultivate depends on how we use our intelligence."  His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

So by chanting we are constantly working to purify ourselves, cultivate wisdom and purify our minds which is so important in todays toxic societies.  We can focus the mind and invoke the Guru - the one who brings light, put aside the I, I, I, me, me, me and start to connect to this very special energy that these mantras bring - become a part of it and not feel apart from it.  Chant with Bhava - feeling with sincerity and journey to your inner peace - real peace is happiness: pleasures of the material world do not form happiness - dive inwards and know that everything on the outside is not as it appears and as long as we are caught in the illusion of the world we will find obstacles of some shape or form.  So the Shanti Mantras help us to find the reality of the true self and create positive vibrations for the whole universal energy.

The Sanskrit is difficult - but don't worry just try and have good intention and over time you will find it becomes easier and you can relax and take refuge within the words.  I have shared the link of a youtube clip so you can chant along with it to help you.    Enjoy every sound you make knowing it is making a difference.

Om Sam No Mitrah Sam Varunaha

Sam No Bhavatvaryama

Sam No Indro Brhaspatih

Sam No Visnururukramah

Namo Brahmane Namste Vayo

Tvameva Pratyaksam Bramasi

Tvameva Pratyaksam Brhma Vadisyami

Rtam Vadisyami Satyam Vadisyami

Tanmam Avatu Tadvakaram Avatu

Avatu Mam Avatu Vaktaram OM shanti shanti shanti

Om may the sun be good to us, may the waters be good to us, may the king of Gods and preceptors of Gods be good to us. Prostrations to the supreme. Prostrations to thee - you are indeed the visible Brahman (supreme absolute) I shall call thee just, I shall call thee true, that you may protect me and my teacher. Om peace peace peace.

Om Sahana Vavatu Saha Nau Bhunaktu

Saha Viryam Karavavahai

Tejasvi Navadhitamastu Ma Vidvisavahai OM shanti shanti shanti

Om may that protect us both teacher and student, may that cause both to enjoy the bliss of liberation, may we work with enthusiasm and determination to find the truth, may our learning be brilliant and may we not have any misunderstandings between us.

Om Apyayantu Mamangani

Vakpranascaksuh Srotramatho

Balamindriyani ca Sarvani

Sarvam Brahmaupanisadam

Maham Brahma Nirakuryam

Mama Brahma Nirakarot

Anirakaranamastu Anirakaranam Me Astu

Tadatmani Nirate Ya Upanisatsu Dharmah

Te Mayi Santu Te Mayi Santu OM shanti shanti shanti

Om may my limbs, speech, eyes, strength and life force grow vigorours.  All these are Brahman (supreme absolute) May I never deny Brahman may Brahman never deny me - may there be no rejection. Let all virtues abide in me - delight in the self.

Om Bhadram Karnebhih Srnuyama Devah

Bhadram Pasyema Aksabhir-yajatrah

Sthirairangai Stustuvagm Sastanubhih

Vyasema Devahitam Yadayuh

Svasti Na Indro Vrddhasravah

Svasti Nah Pusa Visvavedah

Svasti Nastarksyo Aristanemih

Svasti No Brhaspatir Dadhatu OM shanti shanti shanti 

Om may we with our ears hear what is auspicious, may we hold with our eyes what is auspicious, may we enjoy the life allotted to us by the Gods - may we offer our praise with our strong body. May we have inner prosperity - may we receive what is good for us - may we all receive what is auspicious.

Wishing Peace Peace and Perfect Peace to all living entities 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENfQpDbmdmY&list=WL&index=14&t=3s

Mangala - Nicky