Mahesh Yogi’s ideas in practice

K VIJAYARAGHAVAN

EVEN on certain particular days, when the aspirant may feel disturbed, distracted and even frustrated during the practice of meditation, he should, as Maharishi Mahesh Yogi notes, continue with his practice. Such states are merely reflections of the stages of cleansing oneself of the different layers of conditioning and experiences (samskara) within. The thread of awareness should be continued throughout the practice, in an approach marked by, what Mahesh Yogi terms, innocence and simplicity. He also likens this to walking or driving on a road with traffic, distractions and obstacles. Regardless of these, one continues to go along, adjusting one’s approach appropriately. This concept is also similar to that of J Krishnamurthy — watching the goings on within as a disinterested witness (sakshi bhava) and also the practical application of the observation of Satyananda Saraswati (founder of the Bihar School of Yoga) that “meditation is not concentration, it is awareness”. In fact, any work done in this spirit of true meditation, detachment and freedom from self-obsession, rigidity or craving for results, ultimately proves to be powerful and thus productive — the law of least effort and also the Bhagawad Gita concepts of karmanyeva adhikarasthe and surrender to the supreme power all around, as also echoed in the Bible (Isaiah: 41,10), “Fear thou not… I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”. This state of acceptance, peace, clarity and an apparent effortless naturalness (the state of “least disturbance”) is the basis for realisation of one’s full potential — “the field of all possibilities”, to use Mahesh Yogi’s term. This also is that state of self realisation and thus of an abiding confidence within — that state of equanimity, termed by Gita as samatvam, which verily is yoga. Doing all actions established in this state (yogastah kuru karmani), Mahesh Yogi points out, is the sure way to ensure that such actions prove to be right, evolutionary, effective and thus productive. Practical examples in daily life, as those of great leaders and statesmen, scientists, sportsmen, artistes and also those simple persons who may not have worldly attainments to boast of, but who are truly authentic — all these illustrate the actual working of the core of Mahesh Yogi’s exhortations on the art of right action (karmasu koushalam).