तज्जयात्प्रज्ञालोकः॥५॥
tajjayātprajñālokaḥ ॥5॥
From mastery of that [Saṁyama], the light of wisdom [arises].
Enlightenment has been described many different ways by many different teachers throughout history. Various translations call it oneness or being in a complete state of yogic absorption. More casually speaking it can be described as sliding into a hot bath, shining the light in a dark area and one of my favourites is falling asleep.
The way in which falling asleep is similar to entering a Yogic state and these blissful yet deeply spiritual stages is simple: we get ready and prepare for sleep by brushing our teeth, taking a shower, and putting on our pyjamas. Then we lay down, relax, close our eyes and make the decision that we are ready to enter into sleep. So far, this is controlled and can be compared to the practices of the eight limbs of yoga: yama (moral restraint), niyama (personal discipline), āsana (seat), prāṇāyāma (breath control), pratyāhāra (sense withdrawal), and dhāraṇā (concentration). Then we wait and hopefully, fall asleep.
To take the example further, falling asleep then could be dhyāna (meditation), and deep sleep may be Samādhi (profound absorption). We are not actively falling asleep; we prepare and then it simply happens to us. When we go to sleep, our body and brain wants that deep sleep, that is when the real rest happens, similar with yoga we want to go for the real thing, enlightenment, bliss, oneness of being – not just having a nap.
While taking a nap is a good thing, it doesn’t compare to a good night’s sleep – liberation. As we learn how to prepare for sleep and how to enter a state of sleep, we get used to it, and our body and mind know exactly what to do. The same happens with the yogic practice of saṁyama. We prepare and enter the state, and in time we become better at it and enter the state of saṁyama more easily. Establishing mindfulness is important for saṁyama, and ultimately the state of yoga. It is like what the bed, pillows and linen is for our sleep.
The quality of our sleep greatly depends on how our day goes and any stresses and struggles in life, and so the quality of our meditation is reflected in our morality, discipline and mindfulness.
Deep sleep gives our body and mind the rest it needs and saṁyama thus allows for deeper insights and understanding of the object of meditation and can lead to heightened states of awareness and profound wisdom, in Sanskrit this is described as prajñā. Through saṁyama, practitioners can unlock greater mental and spiritual capabilities, gaining clarity and insight into the nature of reality and the Self. In other words, we see through the lies of the world and the ones we are telling ourselves.
Training our present moment awareness (one-pointedness of the mind) is to see reality as it is, without letting it be clouded and coloured by our thought conditionings, such as preferences, prejudices and dislikes. This one-pointedness of the mind is the key to wisdom and happiness.
In class, we follow the five elements of vinyāsa krama: being mindful of each breath, practicing ujjayi breathing, fixing our gaze (dṛṣṭi), applying mūla bandha (applied from the beginning until the very end), setting a high intention and moving consciously with the breath. This deeply connects us to the present moment, allowing to perceive reality as it is—the truth of the moment. As our concentration purges all thought and we restrain from reacting to sensual or mental modifications we train our equanimity (upekṣā). Thus we can clear our inner and outer vision to perceive things as they are, not as we wish them to be, contentment and happiness is one result of that. This creates a potent breeding ground for a saṁyama practice. It helps us see through the curtains of the illusion.
This month I wanted to share with you an Introduction to the Five Mindfulness Trainings from Thich Nhat Hanh
The Five Mindfulness Trainings are one of the most concrete ways to practice mindfulness. They are non-sectarian, and their nature is universal. They are true practices of compassion and understanding. All spiritual traditions have their equivalent to the Five Mindfulness Trainings.
The first training is to protect life, to decrease violence in oneself, in the family and in society. The second training is to practice social justice, generosity, not stealing and not exploiting other living beings. The third is the practice of responsible sexual behaviour in order to protect individuals, couples, families and children. The fourth is the practice of deep listening and loving speech to restore communication and reconcile. The fifth is about mindful consumption, to help us not bring toxins and poisons into our body or mind.
The Five Mindfulness Trainings are based on the precepts developed during the time of the Buddha to be the foundation of practice for the entire lay practice community. I have translated these precepts for modern times, because mindfulness is at the foundation of each one of them. With mindfulness, we are aware of what is going on in our bodies, our feelings, our minds and the world, and we avoid doing harm to ourselves and others. Mindfulness protects us, our families and our society. When we are mindful, we can see that by refraining from doing one thing, we can prevent another thing from happening. We arrive at our own unique insight. It is not something imposed on us by an outside authority.
Practicing the mindfulness trainings, therefore, helps us be calmer and more concentrated, and brings more insight and enlightenment.
The Five Mindfulness Trainings
The Five Mindfulness Trainings represent the Buddhist vision for a global spirituality and ethic. They are a concrete expression of the Buddha’s teachings on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, the path of right understanding and true love, leading to healing, transformation, and happiness for ourselves and for the world. To practice the Five Mindfulness Trainings is to cultivate the insight of inter being, or Right View, which can remove all discrimination, intolerance, anger, fear, and despair. If we live according to the Five Mindfulness Trainings, we are already on the path of a bodhisattva. Knowing we are on that path; we are not lost in confusion about our life in the present or in fears about the future.
Reverence For Life
Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating the insight of interbeing and compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to support any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, or in my way of life. Seeing that harmful actions arise from anger, fear, greed, and intolerance, which in turn come from dualistic and discriminative thinking, I will cultivate openness, non-discrimination, and non-attachment to views in order to transform violence, fanaticism, and dogmatism in myself and in the world.
True Happiness
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to practicing generosity in my thinking, speaking, and acting. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others; and I will share my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need. I will practice looking deeply to see that the happiness and suffering of others are not separate from my own happiness and suffering; that true happiness is not possible without understanding and compassion; and that running after wealth, fame, power and sensual pleasures can bring much suffering and despair. I am aware that happiness depends on my mental attitude and not on external conditions, and that I can live happily in the present moment simply by remembering that I already have more than enough conditions to be happy. I am committed to practicing Right Livelihood so that I can help reduce the suffering of living beings on Earth and stop contributing to climate change.
True Love
Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. Knowing that sexual desire is not love, and that sexual activity motivated by craving always harms myself as well as others, I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without mutual consent, true love, and a deep, long-term commitment. I resolve to find spiritual support for the integrity of my relationship from family members, friends, and sangha with whom there is support and trust. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. Seeing that body and mind are interrelated, I am committed to learn appropriate ways to take care of my sexual energy and to cultivate the four basic elements of true love – loving kindness, compassion, joy, and inclusiveness – for the greater happiness of myself and others. Recognizing the diversity of human experience, I am committed not to discriminate against any form of gender identity or sexual orientation. Practicing true love, we know that we will continue beautifully into the future.
Loving Speech and Deep Listening
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening in order to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in myself and among other people, ethnic and religious groups, and nations. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to speaking truthfully using words that inspire confidence, joy, and hope. When anger is manifesting in me, I am determined not to speak. I will practice mindful breathing and walking in order to recognize and to look deeply into my anger. I know that the roots of anger can be found in my wrong perceptions and lack of understanding of the suffering in myself and in the other person. I will speak and listen in a way that can help myself and the other person to transform suffering and see the way out of difficult situations. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to utter words that can cause division or discord. I will practice Right Diligence to nourish my capacity for understanding, love, joy, and inclusiveness, and gradually transform anger, violence, and fear that lie deep in my consciousness.
Nourishment and Healing
Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I will practice looking deeply into how I consume the Four Kinds of Nutriments, namely edible foods, sense impressions, volition, and consciousness. I am determined not to gamble, or to use alcohol, drugs, or any other products which contain toxins, such as certain websites, electronic games, TV programs, films, magazines, books, and conversations. I will practice coming back to the present moment to be in touch with the refreshing, healing and nourishing elements in me and around me, not letting regrets and sorrow drag me back into the past nor letting anxieties, fear, or craving pull me out of the present moment. I am determined not to try to cover up loneliness, anxiety, or other suffering by losing myself in consumption. I will contemplate inter being and consume in a way that preserves peace, joy, and well-being in my body and consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family, my society and the Earth.
– Dean Galip