Yogas chitta vritti nirodhah - Yoga is the individual discipline that leads to the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind. Whenever we practice any form of yoga – mantra yoga, japa yoga, hatha yoga, dhyana yoga etc, we aim at clearing the negativities of the mind and emotions and arriving at a peaceful calm state of mind. We all start with great intentions and practice sincerely. Within a short time, we face many hindrances and simply give up our spiritual practices and get immersed in the material world again. We sabotage our own happiness and growth by ourselves.
It is essential to know about these hindrances or obstacles in the path of yoga so that we are able to understand them and overcome them and continue with our progress in yoga. Patanjali Rishi who codified all systems and rules of yoga gives nine disturbances or obstacles:
Vyadhi or disease: Most of us suffer from diseases. A disease is a disturbance in our normal state of healthy body or mind. Certain changes occur in our bodies and mind which are harmful. We are forced to give up our spiritual practices due to our sicknesses as we have to use the full force of all resources available to us for healing ourselves. We find ourselves unable to practice pranayam or breathing exercises, hatha yoga postures or exercises for body, japa or meditation as we are unable to sit for long periods of time. Diseases come as there is an imbalance in the elements of the body, the doshas, the five sensory organs and the organs of action and mind. When the balance is restored, the diseases vanish. The yogic procedures help in retaining the balance. Hence we should not give up yoga and continue with our practices.
Styan (Languor): We are by nature very lazy. Our mind does not like to work or do action. We prefer not to do anything but simply laze. So we stop our spiritual practices as they are weary and cumbersome and involve too much of effort. We prefer to live our regular routines as it involves no change or effort.
Samshay (Doubt): We always have doubts about everything in life. Especially when it comes to matters which require effort by self, self change and involves long processes and time, we wonder if we are fit or qualified to undertake such a task. Such doubts are a major hindrance in any venture. We cannot succeed in anything without having self confidence and the faith in self that we can put in efforts and achieve success. Mental strength is far more important than physical strength and it fuels our physical strength. But when our minds are full of doubts and queries, we falter even before we start. Doubts and queries have quality of self growth and mushrooming into huge quantities. When doubts grow, our efforts are totally wasted. Then we give up our spiritual practices and just let go of everything. Doubt is a major hindrance in the spiritual path.
Pramad: (Carelessness) When we wish to undertake an important task, we first try to understand its implication and the benefits it gives us. Our mind understands the strategy of work and the extent of effort involved and time taken. It also understands the importance of the task. Yet no action is taken and the work is abandoned. This is pramad or carelessness. We know that when we undertake spiritual practices, the benefits are enormous and they affect all the areas of our life and bestow multiple advantages. Yet we do not take action to do the necessary regular practices due to our carelessness.
Alasya (Laziness): Our body and mind lean more towards laziness. Even if disease, languor, doubt and carelessness are overcome, if there is laziness, then no action is taken and there will be no progress. In yoga and spiritual practices, many procedures are repeated again and again daily. When we are lazy, we do not like to do work and we definitely dislike repeating action. We need mental strength and will power to follow spiritual practices. Progress is possible only then.
(contd....How to overcome obstacles in spiritual path - 2)
