WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR YOGIC/SATTVIC LIFE STYLE? (SADHANA FOR BEGINNERS-18)

A YOGIC LIFE STYLE requires five basic principles: 1. PROPER EXERCISE;--

A-As opposed to other forms of exercise like running or weight training, yoga is a total body workout. It strengthens the body, improves circulation, helps with flexibility, and stimulates the endocrine system.

B-Regular exercise keeps the immune system healthy, relieves stress, and improves sleep. Work on the cardiovascular system improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the heart muscle, reduces blood pressure, and improves circulation to the entire body.

2.PROPER BREATHING;--

This refers to pranayama practice. Control of prana, or energy, is obtained through the practice of breath control. Exercises like NADI-SHODHAN, etc. maintain a calm and steady breath during times of physical or emotional stress.

When the breath is calm, the mind is calm.

3.PROPER RELAXATION;-

A-Proper relaxation refers to both efficient and adequate sleep, and relaxation between asanas in the form of Savasana.

The capability to relax the body in a supine position while maintaining consciousness resets the internal equilibrium . When Savasana is practiced , the body is able to relax, it can heal and repair itself more effectively.

B-Proper balance in the body throughout the day by maintaining a well-planned schedule, time for healthy meals, and daily asana practice sets you up for adequate rest at night. Being able to fall asleep quickly, stay asleep throughout the night, and awaken refreshed takes practice and planning.

C-People tend to take sleep for granted, pushing limits throughout the day by ingesting caffeine in the afternoon or evening, eating a heavy meal too close to bedtime, and not allowing enough time for the brain and body to wind down (gradually lose power) before turning in for the night. Then they wonder why their sleep is restless and the mind is busy.

Proper relaxation is a staple(an important part), not a luxury.

4.PROPER DIET;-

The most fundamental ingredient behind this principle is simply choosing foods that are Sattvic.

What are Sattvic foods? They are bland (not overly spicy or fattening), whole (not processed or pre-packaged), fresh (think garden), and plant-based. They are also in moderate quantities, and limited to 2-3 meals a day. The proper yogic diet is meant to sustain the body and mind without emotional eating, binging (eating, to excess), or giving into cravings.

5. SELF STUDY & POSITIVE THINKING;-

By asking questions, we seek to find the truth.

A-Learning this fundamental truth brings us compassion towards all beings, awareness about our environment, and a continued longing for peace and understanding.

B-Positive thinking in this regard is of utmost concern. Always seek the truth with a positive attitude, bringing joy to others through kind words and actions. What good is learning if it brings suffering? Have a good sense of humor, be child-like (not child-ish), and smile to all you see.

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF SATTVIC LIFE-STYLE ? ---

12 FACTS;--

1-To shed the animal in man and to sublimate (modify )the human in him into the divine, to express this sublimation in his daily, hourly, life in thought, word and deed - that is truly divine life.

2-To speak the truth at all costs, to speak sweetly with love, to practise non-violence, celibacy, to behold the Lord in all forms is Divine life.

To be ever in communion with the Lord by annihilating mineness and egoism through faith, devotion and self-surrender is Divine life.

3-If you want to be a devotee of the Lord, you must also realize the evils of undivine life. This will surely save you, Repetition of the Lord's Names will purify the mind. But along with these you must also practise vichara, When the mind entertains unholy thoughts, remember the consequences, viz. pain, disease and death.

4-Also think of the advantages of leading a pure life. Remember the lives of saints and draw inspiration from them. Pray to God for more and more strength. Read Ramayana, Bhagavata and the Gita. All that is beautiful, all that gives some pleasure, appears so because of the beautiful, blissful God who is behind them all. Real beauty, real joy can be had only in God who eternally lives in your own heart.

5-Every attempt to cultivate divine virtues, selflessness, straight-forwardness, courage, serenity, generosity, mercy and self-restraint, this in reality is Divine life or life in God.

6-Ever keep up a balanced mind in success and failures, censures and praise, honour and dishonour, gain and loss, heat and cold. Give up identification with the body, husband/wife, children and all kinds of property. Identify yourself with the all-pervading immortal blissful Atman and rest peacefully in Brahman.

7-Of all creations of the Lord, man alone can comprehend and love God and attain to liberation. Really, man's knowledge should embrace the whole universe. There is nothing in the universe that man cannot know. It is the love of knowledge for its own sake, not because it brings us food not because it enables us to practise a profession but love of truth for its own sake. That is the destiny and glory of man.

8-Man's life must not be confined to the limits of his family: but should take in the entire village or town, nay, the whole state, the whole country, the whole earth and the whole universe. His love must embrace the entire universe. Therefore, when he loves knowledge for its own sake and his love is universal and boundless, then the mighty protector God is pleased because man attains the summit (the highest point )of his glory.

9-The true goal of life is to get back to the source from which we came. Just as the river flow restlessly till they join the ocean, the ultimate source from which they got their supply of water, just as fire leaps and burns furiously till it merges in its own origin, so too, we should be restless here till we obtain His grace and become one with him.

10-All is God: God is all. This world is your best teacher or Guru. There is a lesson in each and every experience. Learn it and try to become wise. Every failure is a stepping stone of your faith in God. Every disease is a Karmic purgation (purification). Every unpleasant incident is test of your inner spiritual strength.

11-If you have faith and absolute trust in the Lord the source for everything, your only deliverer, the only Reality, the power within you the powerful fountain of eternal Bliss and joy, you are indeed most blessed. He will surely take his seat in your noble and pure heart.

12-Think of the beautiful lotus flower within your heart. Everything that comes your way is an expression of his beautiful grace. God is your Divine parent, friend, guide, goal and support. He is your all. Faith in the Lord will lead you to Him. THE NEXT IS--IS VAIRAGA THE FOUNDATION OF SAHAJ YOGA? WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF MANTRA SIDDHI..........SHIVOHAM......