Integrating Ancient Wisdom in Modern Life: Focus, Defocus and Refocus
- Quality of life depends on quality of focus and where we focus. Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in focusing our mind every time we fall. You are not a victim of circumstances but victor of circumstances.
- Vairagya is a Sanskrit word that translates as “detachment” or “dispassion.” “Dispassion is the conscious mastery of the control of desire for objects seen, perceived or heard.” With the practice of focus, defocus and refocus the Yoga Sutras teach us true Vairagya, which means detachment or letting go of everything. Once you become a master of Focusing or Concentrating then you will be able to leave the lesser and focus on the higher with self-awareness.
- From the Vairagya we can move towards Vashikara Vairagya, leave the temporary and focus on the permanence. There are four stages of Vairagya to arrive at Vashikara Vairagya. They are Yatamana (endeavoring), Vyatireka (separation), Ekendriya (one organ of sense) and Vasikara (subjection).
- Yatamana: we see how unnecessary suffering is created by the quality and content of our thoughts, and we learn how to let go or transform these harmful thoughts. These thoughts can easily be transformed through practicing acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, kindness and friendliness.
- Vyatireka: we understand that our likes and dislikes are the root cause of unhealthy mental patterns and thoughts. The goal of this stage is to move towards a state of mental and emotional neutrality.
- Ekendriya: is when the Indriyas, the ten senses, are under the complete control of manas (the mental function aspect of the mind). Pratyahara, withdrawing our attention from our sense organs like a turtle pulling its limbs into its shell, is the primary technique to achieve this level of vairagya.
- Vasikara: the ten senses and the mind are restrained and the attachments of the mind are under complete control. In this last stage of vairagya, the mind will no longer be attracted or repulsed by thoughts and mental images.
- By mastering the practice of Vasikara Vairagya one is ready for Vitark, Vichar, Anand and Asmita Samadhi, all these four samadhi are Sabija Samadhi. It is also called Samapatti Samadhi. Sabija Samadhi means still we carry the seed of desire. This seed is waiting for an opportunity to sprout. The only way to make it infertile is by making it small, parch. This is Nirbija – the seed of desire is destroyed.
- Prakriti laya is a Sanskrit term which means “absorption into nature.” Prakriti means “nature” or “matter,” and laya means “to dissolve.” Prakriti laya is the ability to dissolve the mind in its nature.
