Every year, as International Yog Day arrives, a familiar thought visits us – ‘i really should start yog.’ And in the same breath comes the excuse – ‘i am too busy. Maybe when life slows down…’ Yog equips us to shift from a busy to an easy life.
Yog stems from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’, which means connection. The question is: ‘What am i connected to, and what is the vibration of my connections?’ Answer is – ‘i am connected to my mind, body, role, people, work, gadgets, situations and the world around me.’
We are constantly connected. But today, many of these connections leave us anxious, tired and emotionally drained. A traffic jam disturbs us. A harsh word stays with us. A minor issue feels stressful. We have become reactive to the world outside rather than becoming creators of the world within.
It is time to take care of these connections, so they create happiness, good health, and harmony. This is where Raj Yog, as taught by the Brahma Kumaris, steps in. Raj Yog restores two connections. First is the connection with the true self as a soul. Second is the connection with God, the Supreme Soul, the ocean of purity and power. Raj Yog means self-rule or self-mastery.
Raj Yog engages three faculties of the soul: mind, intellect and sanskar. The mind creates a thought. The intellect visualises that thought. When we hold a thought and visualise it with awareness, it becomes an experience. Each experience gets recorded on the soul. Suppose you create the thought – ‘i am a peaceful soul’ and visualise yourself responding calmly –you begin to experience peace. Then, when a challenging situation arises, you will be able to respond peacefully. If such aresponse is repeated, peace gradually becomes your sanskar.
Raj Yog heals every connection. Every thought creates a response in the body. When the mind is calm, the body supports release of healthy hormones while reducing stress hormones such as cortisol. When we are internally energised, we shift from expectations to acceptance, hurt to forgiveness, and hatred to compassion.
Our vibrations energise the water we drink, food we eat, air we breathe, plants, animals, and nature. When we vibrate at a higher frequency, the planet’s vibration rises, and nature moves towards harmony.
To practise Raj Yog, visualise yourself as a soul, a tiny point of light shining in the centre of the forehead. As you create each thought, visualise it and feel it.
Begin morning meditation with the thought,‘i am a pure soul; i am energised by God’s love and wisdom; i am calm and stable in every situation. My every karm today is accurate.’
Throughout the day, take an hourly pause: Just take one minute to re-energise. Remember, ‘i am a powerful soul; i radiate acceptance and respect in every interaction; i am easy; i am light.’
Before meals, you could energise your food and water by repeating, ‘i am a happy soul. God’s powers energise my meal; my body is perfect and healthy.’
At bedtime, prepare for releasing and cleansing negative emotions; ‘i forgive everyone; i seek forgiveness from everyone; i am grateful for a perfect day today; i am surrounded by God’s protective canopy.’
Practising yog on the mat strengthens the body. Yog in every thought strengthens the soul. Together, they create a beautiful life.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
