Why don't you?... no. 2
More thoughts on how to establish a home practise. And how to deceive our tricksy old mind.
In the last post I touched on some ways an intention to practise yoga or meditation might turn into actually doing it.
As well as not mentioning how useful an app1 can be, there was one other tactic I omitted: deception. This helped me get out of my head and onto my mat when a regular home practise wasn’t yet part of my routine.
It doesn’t sound ‘yogic’, but it worked.
Before I explain this trickery, it might help to view our mind from the perspective of yoga philosophy2.
Citta is our individual consciousness, aka our small-self or psyche. Citta is composed of three parts, each of which is in constant communication with the others. Passing information to and fro, they pull us towards, or lure us away from, our mat or cushion.
Manas
Manas is the loudspeaker for our senses. It is the constant chatterer and for many of us, it’s in overdrive. Every little thing we take in - visually, physically, emotionally, analytically - leaves its impression and is announced by manas.
Imagine manas saying: ouch, there’s that pain and stiffness in my back again - my yoga mat’s in the corner gathering dust - yoga would help my back - but my stomach is empty and I could do with a snack - oh look out the window there, what a pretty bird…
Ahamkara
Ahamkara is the ego-self that determines what I like or dislike, want or reject. It separates me from you. Although we’re suspicious of the concept of ego, we might aspire to owning one that’s moderately in shape. An ego that’s too pumped-up risks egotistical behaviour, however an ego that is weak and poorly defined can mean we have fuzzy boundaries and don’t get what we want or need in life.
Ahamkara says: We don’t like feeling stiff and sore. How awful that we haven’t practised any yoga for weeks. We’d feel so good afterwards - and don’t we deserve to feel good? Mind you, eating chocolate and scrolling on our phone is terribly appealing.
Buddhi
Buddhi is our inner knowing; when well-balanced it is the true and brilliant light of healthy discrimination, judgement and intuition. Though hard to define, it’s described as crystal clear and often fleeting. An ‘aha’ moment happens when we feel the touch of buddhi's magic wand. The more we engage in spiritual practice, the clearer the lens of buddhi becomes, so that our true nature can shine through.
Buddhi is saying: Yes, do the right thing.
How I fooled my mind
So how to drown out the mental cacophony? As if negotiating with a toddler, I’d inform my mind I wasn’t going to do any yoga practice at all. None whatsoever. All I was intending to do was enter the living room. That’s it.
And my legs would take me into the living room.
Next, still claiming to have absolutely no intention to practise, I’d negotiate on unrolling my yoga mat. No more, no less.
And I'd find myself unrolling my mat.
Maybe my mat's a good enough place to sit, I’d consider. And since I was already there, how about performing only one, single asana. Just the one.
Somehow this bypassed my mental resistance. By the time I’d cajoled and wheedled my way to this point, it often seemed easier to carry on than to stop. And over time, my practise became part of the daily routine.
Maybe your mind is better behaved than mine, and you needn’t go through such a kerfuffle.
Continuing the theme of home practice, in the next instalment I’ll share some insights from my learned colleagues.
In the meantime, let me know what you think - your comments are always welcome.
Insight Timer, for example
I do my best to apply what I have learned, however I recognise my knowledge to be limited, and respectfully ask for forgiveness if I don’t do justice to Vedic teachings or practices.