Amanaska yoga

[Guest guest]

I request the learned members of the group to enlighten me on AMANSKA YOGA.

Ramana Sarma

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

The following reply to your query on Amanaska yoga is extracted from a

Book titled 'Jagadguru Replies'.

A few words about The Sage who Replies:

His Holiness Jagadguru Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal 35th Jagadguru

Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham was a renowned Jivanmukta who

renounced the world before 14 years of age and attained Nirvikalpa samadhi ,the

highest state of yoga, before he was 20years.He was a spiritual guide to many

who approached Him for the same. He still is a Guide to many, through His

Teachings.

 

One such Book is Jagadguru Replies based on his Teachings to those on Spiritual

path.

 

Disciple:

One feels happy even if one just keeps quiet and does not do anything.

Therefore can one sit quiet for sometime to obtain mental peace even with the

eyes open?

 

Acharya:

Surely, It can be done provided it is not indolence. Sages like Yagna Valkya

too have said that it may be practiced in this manner. The mind remaining calm

even with the eyes open are termed in shastras as the 'Amanaska Yoga'.

 

Disciple:

What is meant by 'Amanaska Yoga'?

 

Acharya:

It is a state of mind wherein no thoughts appear. Normally, we dwell on

different objects. If keenly watched, it would appear that the thoughts occur

continuosly in the mind, but infact there will be a gap between each thought.

The Atma Chaitanya will clearly shine when there is absence of even a single

thought. People do not note the perception of the true nature of self as the

time limit between each thought is very short.

 

Shankara has illustrated it in Laghuvakya Vritti:

 

MuktaabhirAavrutam Sootram Muktayormadhya EEkshyathey

thaTha Vruttivikalpy: chithspashtaa madhye vikalpayo:

 

( In a garland made of pearls, the thread is unseen in places where pearls are

presnt, but inbetween two pearls the thread is seen. In the same way, the atma

is not perceived when a thought is present whereas it is perceived in the period

inbetween the fall of one thought and the rise of another).

We can obtain happiness if we calmly enlarge the gap between one thought and

another.

 

Disciple:

How can one practice this yoga?

 

Acharya:

One will not doze, if one is paying attention. In the Amanaska Yoga, if one

sits quiet without any worry and ignores the thoughts in the mind gradually, the

cocentration will be directed only inwards. Even if the eyes are open, one's

attention will not be diverted. On account of this, one can remain happy and

also advance in the spiritual path.

 

Many Thanks to You, to have made me do Gurusmaranam.

Best regards,

sumitha.