Chitta Prasadanam, as prescribed by Maharishi Patanjali in his famend Yoga Sutras, affords beneficial 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 constructing one thing pure and exquisite.
Chitta Prasadan is a elegant follow for clearing the thoughts of impurities by cultivating 4 important psychological virtues: Maitri (Friendliness), Karuna (Compassion), Mudita (Joyfulness), and Upeksha (Indifference). This follow allows us to seek out internal 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 must always domesticate towards others in numerous 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 limitless 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 with a purpose 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 – concerning
- 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 internal peace
Understanding 4 psychological attitudes to realize peace
In response to the sutra, working towards the 4 psychological virtues particularly – Maitri, Karuna, Mudita and Upeksha is the final word approach to expertise the calmness of the thoughts.
1. Maitri – friendliness
Maitri will be understood as the sensation of friendliness or loving-kindness. This a part of the sutra encourages growing sort and pleasant ideas towards the happiness of others.
Everyone knows individuals who appear extra blessed than we’re, whether or not when it comes to wealth, magnificence, or possessions. Typically, we examine ourselves to them.
Maharishi Patanjali teaches us to regain our peace of thoughts by cultivating pleasant ideas towards those that are happier than us, moderately 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 individuals 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 might really feel pity for these much less lucky than us, however pity solely serves to separate us from others.
As a substitute, 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 great deeds and achievements of others, moderately 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 seems to be 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 likely to really feel elated in regards to the accomplishments of these near us. The important thing distinction is that we are likely to rejoice the happiness of these with whom we really feel a private connection.
We should remind ourselves that we’re all linked on this world. Once 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 unfavorable behaviors or vices of others. This can be essentially the most troublesome angle to follow.
It’s essential to confess that it takes deliberate effort to not be judgmental towards others. Our minds typically cling to others’ errors, searching for alternatives to appropriate them.
Nevertheless, Maharishi Patanjali advocates the other—displaying acceptance or equanimity towards improper actions.
One approach 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 know that merely overlooking others’ wrongdoings is the prescribed approach to discover peace in line with historic scriptures.
Practising over preaching
Whereas this all sounds fantastic in concept, can we actually embody these attitudes in our every day lives, particularly when our minds are so accustomed to performing in any other case?
In response to yogic philosophy, the secret is to coach the thoughts by means of Abhyasa (repeated follow) and Vairagya (fixed detachment).
As soon as these psychological virtues develop into ingrained in our conduct, they may assist us navigate even essentially the most difficult conditions with ease and foster loving, harmonious relationships with others.