Yoga, the ancient science of India, has a wide perspective, which includes not only the concept of achieving physical and mental fitness through different yoga exercises, but also establishing a tranquility of mind by their means, so as to realise man’s union with the supreme self, that is attainment of God-consciousness.
The pattern of life today is fast. The values of life are changing. Time has acquired untold value and dimensions today. Man has no time to spare beyond his set pattern of life. He has no time to stand and stare.
He is bewildered with long concepts, he wants short answers. Brevity is the order of the day. So without delving deep into the intricacies of yoga, as a philosophy, we confine ourselves to giving just an idea, in brief, of the concept of yoga, which we think is enough for a seeker to attain the benefits of Yoga.
The Mind
Since it is the mind which controls the physical and mental energies, it is necessary first to have an idea of what the Yoga concept of mind is. MIND is a very powerful unit that nature has installed in the man’s physical body.
It is made up of the subtlest elements of nature. Mind is composed of three major elements, or the gunas, as described in the yogic scriptures. The three gunas are—the SATVA, the RAJAS and the TAMAS, literally meaning, the pure, the vibrant and the dull in their order.
It is in the interplay of these three gunas that the mind works. When the state of SATVA predominates, the mind is at peace and concentrated; when the RAJAS grows prominent, the mental energy demonstrates with a passionate force; but when the TAMAS has its major play, the mind is dull (inactive, tense, and sluggish in thought).
The mind is influenced by all these three states, or the gunas together, each trying to exert its individuality over the others. But by means of YOGA (literally meaning UNION), we can awaken the dormant potential faculties of mind and balance them in a controlled way.
That is where yoga comes into play its part—the yoga, which our rishis, the yogis, developed to prolong life—a life in perfection to concentrate on the Supreme Consciousness, as well as to maintain the body’s vigour and health.