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Meditation
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The
Energization Exercises: An Introduction
The Art and Science of Raja Yoga,
by Swami Kriyananda
The Energization
Exercises are a wonderful system of exercises originated by Paramhansa
Yogananda, and are his unique contribution to the science of yoga.
Yet they're based on ancient teachings and eternal realities. One
of these realities is that the whole physical universe, including
man, is surrounded by cosmic energy, and is made of that energy.
Scientists have now discovered that matter is energy. We can explore
the atom and convert matter back into energy.
We live in a
sea of energy and draw on it indirectly through the food we eat,
as well as through oxygen and sunlight. Yet, as Paramhansa Yogananda
explained, this indirect use of energy is more like the water you
put into the battery of your car. When the battery runs down, no
amount of water will make it work again. You have to recharge the
battery from another source. Similarly, our bodies live only indirectly
from food, but we live directly from the cosmic energy that flows
into our bodies through the medulla oblongata at the base of the
brain.
Jesus said,
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God." The lips and tongue comprise
the mouth of man, because this is where we eat in a physical way,
but the mouth of God is the medulla oblongata, inside the hollow
point at the base of the skull. This is where we receive the divine
energy which truly sustains us, and it is this flow of cosmic energy
which Jesus was referring to when he said "every word."
Another important
point is that we draw more or less energy according to our mental
attitudes. You probably have found that when you feel reluctant
to do something, you don't have the energy to do it, even if you
have eaten well. On the other hand, if you really want to do something,
in spite of the fact that you may have been fasting, still you have
all the energy you need to accomplish it.
Paramhansa Yogananda
gave us an axiom, "The greater the will, the greater the flow
of energy." When the term "will" is used in the proper
way, it doesn't mean that kind of tense will that says, "I'm
going to do it if it kills me." Rather it means that kind of
will which can be expressed as willingness, enthusiasm, and joy.
When you have willingness, when you are happy, when you want to
do things and are cheerful, you find that you have energy. You can
even have energy to cure diseases. People who are happy are far
less prone to be ill.
These Energization
Exercises are a means of using the will, with awareness of energy,
to consciously draw cosmic energy into the body. As you do the movements
of the exercises, try to feel the flow of energy and be conscious
of the that flow. Then, by the use of your will power, you can direct
the flow of energy to specific parts of the body. The more you become
aware of using your will power to direct that energy, the more you
will be able to increase the flow.
At first what
you'll feel is just the tension inside of the muscles. Then you'll
experience the flow of energy which creates the tension in those
muscles. Finally you'll become aware of how you can direct that
flow. This is only the first step, however.
We need to apply
these principles on mental and spiritual levels as well. The more
aware you are of the flow of energy, the more you can direct that
energy by will power not only to the body, but toward anything that
you do-toward your work, toward creative inspiration, toward God
in meditation, and in every aspect of your life. All success depends
ultimately on energy. Energy is really the differentiating factor
between genius and mediocrity. So these exercises are much more
than just physical. They're the cornerstone of Yogananda's whole
system of teaching, and, in fact, of all spiritual progress.
Next: The
Missing Link Between the Body and the Mind
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