A rhythm of nature

Slow down the pace to savor the fullness of this is a way to practice smother (“contentment"), one of the five miasma (“observances") that make up the second stage (total eight) of the path of yoga Paternal. Growing smother means to realize that the serenity is relished in the present moment. When we feel unhappy, it is often because we would like the current situation is different, perhaps similar to a past event or something like that occur in the future. The practice of smother us to be satisfied and happy now, regardless of the circumstances. This does not mean giving up our lives change, but able to live fully every change, accepting the reality of things. 

Acquire serenity 

When we are in the midst of nature, we feel more happy, satisfied and serene. Perhaps because the natural environment stimulates our interest in this. The heats of the sun, singing birds, the spectacle of the clouds that gather before a storm attract the attention. The contentment that comes from the mere fact of being immersed in nature can in turn lead us to stop the search for happiness in objects that can damage the nature. The desire to buy a new pair of shoes, or any other consumer good, may arise from a feeling of dissatisfaction. When, however, to appease our unhappiness, we use the remedy shoppers buying items, which we have not really needed, contribute to environmental degradation. Indeed, polluting the air, water and soil with harmful emissions and wastes coming from industrial production of many consumer goods, impoverish natural resources. But when I feel the true happiness, perhaps triggered by an incident that has put us in close contact with nature, do not feel the need to win "extra elements" to compensate the dissatisfactions of life. From this point of view, practice is to live smother ethics of yoga in order to promote the protection of the planet today, also in view of the future. Santos The exercise provides a way to experience the "pleasure" while you are immersed in nature. The exercise also provides an opportunity to truly understand the meaning of happiness and, at the same time, restoring a loving relationship with the earth. 

Connect with nature in order to rediscover the happiness 

This exercise is essentially a meditation to be performed while you walk by repeating the mantra: "walking with smother is happy." The exercise consists of three parts: the preparation, the walk and the conclusion. 

Preparations in silence 

Choose a place outdoors where you can perform the exercise in silence and without interruption for 20-30 minutes. You can choose a path through the woods, in a city park or on a beach. At this stage, let the silence teach you to enjoy happiness. Replace the noise that echoes in your mind with the inner voice of the mantra and the symphony of sounds of nature around you. Initially, devotes several minutes to heat the body and mind relaxation. Perform gentle movements (like turning your back, open your arms up and on the sides, stretch your back and rear thigh muscles). Then close your eyes and abandoned now with awareness of body and breath. Finally, turn our attention to the sounds of nature, as the wind lifts the leaves, or waves on the shore s'infrangono. Try to establish a connection with the landscape and the living beings, and to feel at one with creation. 

Walks with the mantra 

At this point, yet again, in silence, the mantra, "walking with smother is happy." After the initiation of mantra, open your eyes and start walking. Proceed slowly keeping alive the attention both internal and external. Concentrates on the repetition of the mantra inside, and at the same time, observe the world around you. Slows the pace of about half that usually takes dell'andatura when stroll. Note the feelings at every step. Be aware of the earth under the feet of you and caresses your skin. Pay attention to the rhythm of the mantra, "walking with smother are happy." Try to synchronize the rhythm with the movement and breath. Let the mantra you cross and that his teachings penetrate into your body. Be careful what you try and messages that come from nature and the understanding and enrich your experience of happiness. By repeating the mantra, the movement and breath, not only able to absorb the gifts of the earth, but you will feel more prepared to smile. 

Finish in happiness 

After the walk, sit in silence and again with the breath and inner awareness. So, once again expands the meaning to embrace the world around you. Absorbing the experience of happiness ... Natural

Trataka, listen with a view

Observing children abducted in a game or listening to a fairy tale of which await the final, we can not fail to note their total concentration, absorption of all their faculties, a "state of consciousness" to their normal, no on their lives, which makes them appear even posted their own identity. At that time we fully identify what they are watching or listening to, without filters. They are an "attentive mind" and experience a real and absolute concentration, sometimes the experience leaves an indelible mark in the memory and it is not uncommon that, now adults, are able to accurately recall every detail, with the same transport. As adults things change. To get to "the" state of consciousness, we need a reverse path. Starting a great job of cleaning, get rid of knots, mental and emotional traps, "ghosts" that we created, firmly rooted in their positions, generating anxieties, fears, addictions. 


Clear your mind 

Yoga defines very well this confused state of mind and teaches how to deal with security. It is no coincidence that Trataka, of which we are today, is an integral part of the 6 Shatkarma, the practices of purification. Trataka The word in Sanskrit means "to be set one thing", the practice involves constant attention to a point chosen with gaze and eyes wide open, being careful not to bang the eyelashes. Trataka contributes to the performance of asanas to obtain equilibrium, stability, and that kind of awareness of self that arises from the absence of thoughts, images and all that usually crowd the mind. It is a way to convey the look first and then the mind on a specific point, by excluding everything else. With this method, it generates a continuous flow of energy that, over time, becomes food and refreshment for the mind. The object of the gaze can be either external to your body (something like Bahir Trataka) and internal (Antar Trataka). 


Trataka external 

Both the "Gheranda Samhita" is the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" (the treaties of traditional Hatha Yoga) provide simple suggestions about proper conduct of Trataka. As Swami Saraswati Sathyananda of Monghyr: "We must train our eyes to long so that they can be set on an object (the flame of a candle, the symbol of OM, the tip of your nose or the center between the eyebrows), also avoiding the minimum pulse of the eyelid. Until then, eyes closed, the object becomes an image acquired and firmly inside of himself. " 

Every practitioner knows, from experience, that when running an asana is necessary "to support their gaze firmly on anywhere, without meaning, without any form or attractive, so that the constant attention stabilize the position and thereby causes breathing properly. And the mind is free of unnecessary thoughts. Because of the many distractions, attractions and attachments that most people suffer in a lifetime, it becomes almost impossible to most people, try out this delicate condition of internalization that is not a prelude to sleep, but a sign of stability, self-awareness and deep peace. Making it also as a ring junction between the purely physical practices and those of the mind, Trataka highlighted as part of a merger between Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga. But above all, Bahir teaches Trataka to fix, without assessment, at a point with respect to "discover" within himself, the "after-image" what remains after you have established a long thing. 


Internal Trataka 

This form induces rapidly increased introspection and exploration of the mind. Practice is blind and possibly Kechari Mudra (the gesture that connects you with the space), ie with the tongue rolled back and the tip in contact with the soft palate. In this way, it stimulates the pituitary and all the hormonal system, but it also creates an ideal condition for meditation.

Yoga is an ancient discipline

Yoga is an ancient discipline, an art thousands of years based on a harmonious development of body, mind and spirit of every human being. The very meaning of the word Yoga literally means "union" and derives from the Sanskrit root  means a union of physical and spiritual entity opposite. Body and mind, stillness and movement, masculine and feminine, sun and moon, these are some of opposites that the practice of yoga is to unite with the ultimate goal of bringing reconciliation and balance among them. Consequently, every human being, practicing Yoga, contributes to this cosmic balance thanks to achieve a harmonious state with the surrounding environment and a consequent sense of inner peace and wellbeing. 

His career almost 5000 years, its historical moments, its milestones, its changes and growth are described in detail in the history of this section. Yoga was born in India, but has developed, especially during the last century, around the world thanks to a number of important masters. Yogi, throughout the twentieth century, it occupied in fact to promote their business in the world, opening schools, taking seminars and conferences and contributing to the spread of this discipline and its philosophy in all regions of the planet. Practice that, without showing signs of wear or failure, continues uninterrupted today. Some of these Yogi, personalities of culture and of great spiritual depth, are described and reported within the guru of this section. 

Finally, those who want to learn the location within the historical and philosophical roots of yoga, they will find more interesting material in the basic texts of this discipline as well as in key myths that lie at the base. In the texts of this section will then be possible to find some hints on the main writings of the founding philosophy Yoga, while the myths / rituals you can read some interesting sights on the major Indian mythological characters, which will certainly arouse your curiosity and whet your imagination.

Yoga The rules of the "journey"

The word Vipassana in piles means "profound vision." This ancient technique of meditation taught by the historical Buddha in India 2,500 years ago, is also known as "the art of living." We must learn to participate in a course of 10 days by a qualified teacher. Participation in the course is subject to acceptance by the organizers, having signed a declaration on their psycho-physical. Throughout the period of withdrawal, students remain within the boundaries of the Center, without contact with the outside world. They shall refrain from reading and writing and withdraw from any religious or other discipline. Followed by an intensive daily program that includes approximately 10 hours of meditation, interspersed by moments of rest. In order to learn properly, there was silence, without communicating in any way with the other participants, if necessary, with the teachers. Learning this method requires much effort, but the practice of Vipassana gives many benefits: the time is changed into the habit of our mind to react with the attraction or repulsion with an attitude of equanimity. 


Teaching is divided into three parts. In the first, participants agree to refrain from any action likely to harm themselves and others. For the duration of the course, observe five moral precepts, which consist nell'astenersi dall'uccidere any living creature, from stealing, from lying, from all sexual activity and use of alcohol and intoxicants. The observance of these moral norms, together with the silence allows the mind to calm down, and therefore makes it able to devote the next task. The second part is to practice for three and a half days, Anapana meditation, a technique that allows to develop a focused mind, directing its attention on the continuous flow of breath that enters and leaves the nostrils. 

On the fourth day, the mind is calmer and more concentrated. It is then ready to learn the third part of the technique, which is the observation of the physical sensations that are present in the body, experience and understanding of their impermanent nature, and the gradual development of a balanced mind. This practice leads to direct experience of some universal truth, like everything impermanent, suffering associated with this reality, and the inconsistent nature of his ego. The implement these truths, through the experience, start a process of purification of the mind. Students receive regular instruction several times a day and the daily journey is explained in the discourse evening, registered, the master SN Goenka. For the first nine days there was complete silence, in the tenth it takes to speak, so riabituandosi gradually to a normal life. In the tenth day we learn the meditation of Place (ie the goodwill toward all.) The course ends in the morning dell'undicesimo day.

The power of silence

My eyes, still, the horizon is lost. I see the distant lights, and I seem to belong to another world, the world from which I retreat for ten days, in order to reassess and see from another perspective. At the sound of gongs us all move towards the meditation hall. Respecting the noble silence, everyone is immersed in their thoughts and memories, while the whole continues to experience back as the film of a film. I sit down, close my eyes and beginning to observe. 

According to the instructions of Vipassana, we must remain property for one hour, three times a day, trying not to identify with the physical pain that sooner or later, however, arrives. We must train the mind to remain calm, fair, impartial, given that physical pain becomes unbearable only when pain becomes mental. The work that we are given is to observe, in addition to the breath, physical sensations in the body and to experience their impermanent nature. Arise and go, rise and go, incessantly. We are continually repeated that the real wisdom is to recognize and accept that every experience is impermanent. With this knowledge we will never be overwhelmed by the ups and downs of life. We all came here to learn the art of living. 

Suddenly, I feel weak, alone, immersed in this deep malaise that does not allow me to move. Rivivo with the same intensity, the same suffering and anxiety of a situation 15 years ago and beginning to cry. Part of me wonders "how could you?" And continues to suggest "notes, trying to maintain a peaceful mind." My face is completely wet, I feel the tears in the throat, but I get around. I continue to observe, so that will pass. I was convinced that he had passed this pain, of course, was much more profound than I could imagine. The song from the tape warns that an hour has passed. I slowly get up and go out with a strange feeling of emptiness and lightness emotional body, rather shocked by just living. In the morning the next day, during the first meditation group, I feel, quite deliberately, to recall the same event that made me cry the night before. I am fair to observe quell'episodio of my life as if it belonged to me at all, but with a feeling of deep compassion and love for the protagonist (which in reality was I). The knowledge that once again, thanks to Vipassana, it changed something inside me, makes me smile.

Meditation and physiology

Meditation is usually present as an antidote to stress. This idea was adopted and approved in the 90's. But some twenty years ago such a statement was new and sounded defiant. It is in the 70 years of meditation for the first time applied a scientific approach. Studies have shown that it produces noticeable physical changes in the number of observed parameters. 

It was found that meditation leads to a slowing of metabolism: oxygen consumption decreases and reduces the allocation of carbon dioxide, reduces the level of salts of lactic acid in the blood. This was a remarkable discovery, since the salts of lactic acid in the blood are linked to anxiety and stress in humans. Another shock was the discovered relationship between meditative practices and forms of certain brain waves. Getting scientists with experienced meditation showed that consciousness exceeds our ability to measure it. 

The book "The Relaxation Response" published by Herbert Benson (Norbert Vinson) in 1975, highlighted the therapeutic benefits are deeply relaxed state of the organism. This discovery led to new approaches in developing programs for psychosomatic treatment. Relaxation became used to help patients suffering from high blood pressure, and in the treatment of stress disorders. 

Research continued in the 80's, and in 1984 the National Institute of Health released a report which recommended the use of meditation as a primary measure to reduce blood pressure in addition to diet and prescribed medication. The researchers found that meditation reduces the body’s neither sensitivity to nor epinephrine, hormones that appears in the blood during cardio-vascular insufficiency. 

It turned out that the relaxation helps with angina and arrhythmia, but also helps reduce blood cholesterol. But much remains to be learning about the body and mind. West collected the data for twenty years that very little compared to the knowledge gained over centuries of quiet eastern practices. 

Yet studies have quite convincingly argued that meditation has a measurable physical effect. Undoubtedly, future survey will enrich our knowledge. New directions of research will enable us to penetrate deeper into the links between the brain and certain types of mental activity linked. The physical results are expected to be useful, if we look at meditation as opposed to stress. However, we remain committed to the Eastern view, as a means of meditation and spiritual transformation of the way to enlightenment.

Meditation: a sound mind and healthy body

Ancient times the followers of Confucius, Taoists and Buddhists to pay attention to the meditation. Through meditation, they believed, a man cleans his thoughts and clearing your mind. Modern medicine confirms that meditation can improve concentration of mind, to effectively eliminate stress, and even alleviate the chronic disease. Recently, more and more Westerners are practicing meditation, receiving from this great benefit. 

Medical research 

The founder of the Clinic for stress management and awareness of the Center in the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, presented a report on the conscious meditation. He presented the data of ten years of clinical studies for more than 4 000 people who received 8-week course, known as the Program of stress Reduction and Relaxation Program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. 

Recreational force conscious meditation as a systematic approach to the development of new types of control and wisdom in our lives, based on the internal capacity of the body to relax. This form of meditation can be used in such problems as headaches, high blood pressure, pain, heart disease. They all relate to overstretch. 

Do meditation healthy people? Studying the life of the monks, who spend in meditation sometimes whole life, experts have found that meditation improves cognition. If you - a sensitive man, take to heart everything that happens, then meditation can help change your perception of the world. It will contribute to good mood a long time. If within eight weeks you will be on 1 hour, in contemplation, it will strengthen your mental immune system, enhance positive thinking. 

East and West - two views on one issue 


Residents of East and West belong to the residents of contemplation in the same way. In America, contemplation is not associated with religion. Americans see meditation as an exercise for the mind. They believe that human intellect can practice exercise. They also believe that our thinking can be trained to work with emotions, focus, and discipline the mind. 

In the traditional culture of the East there is a fundamental notion: people - an integral part of nature, and soul and body interact. In addition to meditation, oriental, people are paying attention to the improvement of character, ethics and commit blessings. Their concept is this: when the person is discharged from the mind of earthly thoughts that between mind and body achieve optimum state. 

Practice - criterion of truth 


Visitors can try the following simple method: take the pillow with crossed legs, keep your back straight. If that is so uncomfortable to sit, you can relax the body, close your eyes. Breathe slowly. If there are random thoughts, please feel free to disregard them. Try to avoid feelings. If you can not concentrate, do not worry. Since you have noticed such a situation, it is a step forward. Continue to follow the thoughts that you attend, but did not swim for them. Such practices are to perform better every day, and then your thoughts will become clearer. A good-state of conservation of each day will help you become more stable good mood.