143. Mind over mattress – Pramada?

In Yoga Sutra 1:30, Patanjali outlines nine obstacles (antaraya) that disrupt the path of spiritual practice, and among them is pramada. Today, we're focusing on pramada, often defined as carelessness, negligence, or a lack of spiritual and mental awareness. In essence, it represents a kind of laziness—not in the physical sense, but more in terms of our mindfulness, discipline, and dedication to practice.

Pramada, a form of spiritual or mental laziness, can have serious consequences for our practice. When we become careless in our efforts towards our goals, it creates gaps in our practice, leading to a breakdown in structure. The various yogic disciplines become compromised, leading to stagnation in our growth. This is a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining consistency and inner discipline in our practice.

One tangible example of pramada is carelessness with our diet. The rest are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and weight problems. However, by cultivating mindfulness, we can avoid these oversights that can lead to health issues. Mindfulness becomes a powerful tool in overcoming ramada, empowering us to make conscious, healthy choices in our daily lives.

An interesting phrase that my friend David Irvine's father coined is "mind over mattress," which perfectly encapsulates the idea of procrastination and avoidance. This phrase epitomizes pramada in action—the subtle decision to stay in bed rather than get up and start the day with focus and intention. The mattress becomes a symbol of comfort, and the mind falls prey to its allure, giving in to excuses and delays. This kind of procrastination is a classic manifestation of pramada, where the mind avoids action discomfort.

Busyness, another modern-day challenge, is also a manifestation of pramada, though it may not seem like it at first glance. In today's culture, being busy is often worn as a badge of honour. However, this form of rajas, or excessive activity, can mask more profound issues of avoidance. Rather than being still and present, we fill our schedules with tasks that distract us from the real work we need to do, whether on the mat or in our minds. This "busyness" is still pramada because it prevents us from engaging in meaningful, mindful actions.

When pramada takes root, there is often a more profound seed of fear beneath the surface. This fear can prevent us from making clear, undivided decisions. To overcome pramada, we must cultivate inner strength through an "undivided decision"—a conscious, unwavering choice to commit fully to the path. It is in this firm resolve, this ekagra, or one-pointed focus, that we find the strength to neutralize fear and overcome the obstacles that pramada places in our way.

In conclusion, strength through an undivided decision is the antidote to pramada. When we commit ourselves wholly, without hesitation or fear, we can avoid the pitfalls of carelessness and stay aligned with our spiritual goals.