Chitta Prasadanam, as prescribed by Maharishi Patanjali in his famend Yoga Sutras, presents useful knowledge to assist us preserve a peaceable and exquisite mind-set, 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 chic observe for clearing the thoughts of impurities by cultivating 4 important psychological virtues: Maitri (Friendliness), Karuna (Compassion), Mudita (Joyfulness), and Upeksha (Indifference). This observe allows us to search out interior 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 numerous conditions.
This sutra on Chitta Prasadan follows the one on Chitta Vikshepa (disturbances of the thoughts). Patanjali explains that psychological disturbances comparable to unhappiness, disappointment, anger, and imbalance in respiration are brought on by 9 kinds 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 the direction of individuals in an effort to lead the thoughts (Chitta) in the 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 the direction of the happiness of others, compassion in the direction of their sorrow, pleasure in the direction of their virtuous actions, and indifference in the direction of their wrongdoings, we clear the thoughts and permit ourselves to expertise interior peace
Understanding 4 psychological attitudes to achieve peace
In accordance with the sutra, training the 4 psychological virtues specifically – Maitri, Karuna, Mudita and Upeksha is the last word solution 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 growing sort 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, fairly 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 related 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’s not 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 increased 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, fairly than permitting envy to take maintain.
Jealousy is a vice that may simply come up once we hear of others’ successes. The human thoughts typically appears 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 fun the happiness of these with whom we really feel a private connection.
We should remind ourselves that we’re all related 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 observe.
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 right them.
Nevertheless, Maharishi Patanjali advocates the alternative—displaying acceptance or equanimity towards fallacious actions.
One solution 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 solution to discover peace in keeping with historical scriptures.
Practising over preaching
Whereas this all sounds fantastic in idea, can we really embody these attitudes in our each day lives, particularly when our minds are so accustomed to performing in any other case?
In accordance with yogic philosophy, the secret is to coach the thoughts via Abhyasa (repeated observe) and Vairagya (fixed detachment).
As soon as these psychological virtues grow to be ingrained in our habits, they are going to assist us navigate even essentially the most difficult conditions with ease and foster loving, harmonious relationships with others.
