Chitta Prasadanam, as prescribed by Maharishi Patanjali in his famend Yoga Sutras, provides worthwhile knowledge to assist us preserve a peaceable and exquisite way of thinking, whatever the actions of others.
In yoga, Chitta refers back to the “mind-stuff,” whereas Prasadanam means the act of creating one thing pure and exquisite.
Chitta Prasadan is a elegant apply for clearing the thoughts of impurities by cultivating 4 important psychological virtues: Maitri (Friendliness), Karuna (Compassion), Mudita (Joyfulness), and Upeksha (Indifference). This apply permits us to search out inside peace by fostering loving relationships with others.
Patanjali explains this within the thirty third Sutra of the primary chapter, Samadhi Pada, the place he prescribes the 4 attitudes we should always domesticate towards others in varied conditions.
This sutra on Chitta Prasadan follows the one on Chitta Vikshepa (disturbances of the thoughts). Patanjali explains that psychological disturbances resembling unhappiness, disappointment, anger, and imbalance in respiratory are attributable to 9 varieties of Antarayas (distractions) that come up on the yogic journey to self-realization.
Maharishi Patanjali prescribes Chitta Prasadan as a technique to beat these obstacles and counter the countless wave of ideas that come up.
Yoga Sutra 1.33
In sutra 1.33, Patanjali explains a yogi should domesticate 4 attitudes of the center in direction of individuals so as to lead the thoughts (Chitta) in direction of peace and happiness (Prasadanam).
The sutra goes like this:
Maitree-karuna-muditopekshanan Sukha-duhkha-punyapunyavishayanan Bhavanatash Chitta-prasadanam
Yoga Sutra 1.33
Right here’s the breakdown of phrases on this sutra.
- Maitree – friendliness
- Karuna – compassion
- Mudita – Pleasure
- Upeksha – indifference
- Sukh – happiness
- Dukh – unhappiness
- Punya – virtuous acts
- Apunya – wrongdoings
- Vishanayam – relating to
- Bhavana – emotions
- Chitta – mind-stuff,
- Prasadhan – clearing of impurities
By cultivating friendliness in direction of the happiness of others, compassion in direction of their sorrow, pleasure in direction of their virtuous actions, and indifference in direction of their wrongdoings, we clear the thoughts and permit ourselves to expertise inside peace
Understanding 4 psychological attitudes to realize peace
In keeping with the sutra, training the 4 psychological virtues specifically – Maitri, Karuna, Mudita and Upeksha is the final word technique to expertise the calmness of the thoughts.
1. Maitri – friendliness
Maitri might be understood as the sensation of friendliness or loving-kindness. This a part of the sutra encourages creating variety and pleasant ideas towards the happiness of others.
Everyone knows individuals who appear extra blessed than we’re, whether or not by way of wealth, magnificence, or possessions. Usually, we evaluate ourselves to them.
Maharishi Patanjali teaches us to regain our peace of thoughts by cultivating pleasant ideas towards those that are happier than us, relatively than permitting insecure ideas to cloud our minds.
The famend yogi Swami Vivekananda interprets it as having pleasant ideas towards all fellow human beings, reminding us that we’re a part of one cosmic entire and linked to one another in significant methods.
2. Karuna – compassion
Karuna refers back to the angle of compassion towards the struggling of others. This a part of the sutra teaches us to develop loving compassion for many who are in ache or experiencing hardship.
Our minds could also be accustomed to being detached towards others’ ache, particularly when it isn’t our personal. Alternatively, we could really feel pity for these much less lucky than us, however pity solely serves to separate us from others.
As an alternative, by coaching the thoughts to genuinely really feel compassion and concern for others, we are able to deepen our reference to them and with our greater self.
3. Mudita – Pleasure
Mudita means pleasure or delight. This a part of the sutra encourages us to develop happiness over the nice deeds and achievements of others, relatively than permitting envy to take maintain.
Jealousy is a vice that may simply come up after we hear of others’ successes. The human thoughts typically appears to be like for flaws, even in essentially the most virtuous individuals.
Whereas it could not at all times really feel pure to really feel pleasure over the achievements of neighbors or colleagues, we do are inclined to really feel elated in regards to the accomplishments of these near us. The important thing distinction is that we are inclined to have a good time the happiness of these with whom we really feel a private connection.
We should remind ourselves that we’re all linked on this world. After we genuinely rejoice in others’ successes, free from envy, divine peace flows inside us.
4. Upeksha – Apunya
Upeksha refers to displaying indifference or neutrality towards the unfavourable behaviors or vices of others. This can be essentially the most tough angle to apply.
It’s essential to confess that it takes deliberate effort to not be judgmental towards others. Our minds typically cling to others’ errors, in search of alternatives to right them.
Nevertheless, Maharishi Patanjali advocates the other—exhibiting acceptance or equanimity towards mistaken actions.
One technique to instill this behavior is by reminding ourselves that all of us make errors, typically with out even being conscious of them. Others could also be doing the identical. We should prepare our minds to grasp that merely overlooking others’ wrongdoings is the prescribed technique to discover peace in response to historical scriptures.
Practising over preaching
Whereas this all sounds fantastic in concept, can we actually embody these attitudes in our each day lives, particularly when our minds are so accustomed to appearing in any other case?
In keeping with yogic philosophy, the bottom line is to coach the thoughts via Abhyasa (repeated apply) and Vairagya (fixed detachment).
As soon as these psychological virtues develop into ingrained in our conduct, they are going to assist us navigate even essentially the most difficult conditions with ease and foster loving, harmonious relationships with others.