The
most important thing is to know one’s Self
as Will, which is the highest aim of the Yogi. We are covered with
many psychological layers; much like the layers with which we protect
ourselves against the elements on a cold winter’s day, and in order
to live comfortably in society often adopt the maxim, ‘when in
Rome, do what the Romans do’; so as not to ruffle the feathers of
those around us. Many are unaware that their responses are guided by
want and a desire to remain within life’s comfort zones, and do
what is expected rather than what they truly believe.
The
yogi Ramana Maharshi awoke to the true nature of the Self at the
early age of sixteen, when he suddenly developed an intense fear of
death, which prompted an imaginative exercise in which he visualised
his own death and dissolution. This exercise led to the discovery of
his ‘Self’ as different from the lower physical and the hidden
persuaders that constituted his being.
The
Sanskrit word for corpse is ‘Sava’ and hence Savasana, the
relaxation pose, is ideal for practising the more advanced exercise
of ‘letting go and letting God’ and discovering the original
light and intelligence that lies deep within. The words Corpse
Posture can be alarming for the novice, hence it is more usual to use
the term, the pose of complete relaxation.
Ramana
Maharshi‘s teachings are simple and direct and he recommended that
to attain natural happiness one must know one’s Self and adopt a
method of Self enquiry and ask oneself ‘Who am I’. During life
we adopt many ways of dealing with problems and there are many inner
voices, or impulses urging courses of action; these impromptu
impulses often evoking responses that belong to another time and
place. These robotic responses are less than human as they are not
taken in the light of consciousness, but mechanical and predictable,
which makes such beings subject to control from the outside.
The
Yogi who works to achieve union with his true Self, who by means of
Asana tries to regulate and organise the scattered energies within
his own body and then discover the underlying rhythm, and harmony of
life, by the correct use of Pranayama, is more likely to reach beyond
the veils that obscure the light and intelligence within.
Light
and Consciousness are words we use to represent that level of
initiative, which will still remain after all else has been
eliminated. It is the level that underlies the fog of delusion which
obscures the true Self. It is by learning to meditate, that we learn
to step back and take control, before precipitous action.
The
Will is far removed from inertia and half awake responses, but is
Conscious initiated responses in each ‘Here and Now’. This
requires continuous Self remembrance and learning to ‘Let’ from
the very centre of your being. High aims indeed, but that is Yoga;
Union with the creative source that lies within.
