In the previous post we looked at Vaikhari, the grossest form of sound i.e speech. Today we shall look at Madhyama from the perspective of inner speech i.e thoughts and emotions.
In order to experience silence it is useful to keep the body silent and stable (also refered to as asana — sthiram sukham iti asanam — yogasutra of Maharishi Patanjali). Outer silence at the level of the Vaikhari is not just to do with keeping the mouth shut and not speaking but also to do with asana — ie. keeping the body silent and stable. Emotions are subtler than this gross body which we can feel through our outer sense organs. Most of our emotions have direct physical correlates. Emotions have clear frenquency ranges. Anger is a certain frequency while happiness is another frequency. And hence they have popularly been associated with colour (as the phrase “red with anger” indicates). There are many causative factors that lead to emotional imbalance. Something as simple as overeating and a sedentary lifestyle can cause a feeling of emotional heaviness and dumbness (mandha). With emotional disturbance many people experience a constant state of being on the edge of the emotions where any moment at the slightest provocation (or no provocation at all) they might fly off the handle.
To get a handle on this, in Yoga, it is recommended to dissipate Raga and Dwesha (attraction and repulsions). Strong likes and dislikes can easily cause us to fly off the handle. And hence being aware of this, one develops preferences with respect to a purpose and a higher life goal. And hence when there is a surge of emotion one’s sense of purpose is reinforced rather than one’s ego. And over a period of time the emotions are carefully directed as an undirected mind is likened to horses that have not been reined in.
Investing the time and energy in Developing a sense of higher purpose is so very important. Developing a sense of cheerful purposefulness is very helpful. Along with this, developing a sense of forgiveness and inclusivity creates an inner harmony.
Comments