137. Can we walk you Omm?
Are you getting some Om and peace practice? Om (ॐ) is not just a sound but a vibration that calms the mind and body. In the midst of life’s challenges, especially when we face stressful or uncertain situations, integrating the practice of chanting Om (प्रणवः — praṇavaḥ) can help bring a sense of grounding and inner stillness. The sound itself is said to be the vibrational essence of the universe, and by connecting to it, we align ourselves with something far greater than our individual concerns. It is important to remind ourselves to return to this practice, to make time to experience peace, no matter how brief, through this ancient and sacred sound.
However, the value of these practices—whether it’s chanting, meditation, or asana—must extend beyond personal peace. They should help us serve the world around us. Yoga teaches us that the fruits of our practice are not just for our own benefit but should be of service to others. As we cultivate inner steadiness and calm, it is essential that our actions and attitudes also reflect that sense of peace and kindness in how we engage with others. Especially in challenging times, our practices should inspire us to act with greater compassion, humility, and presence. When we commit to these inner disciplines, we become better equipped to be of service to the world around us.
This becomes particularly important during difficult moments—moments where we must accept reality as it is, even if we are the victims of fraudulent activity, as Jeff was last week. Acceptance (सन्तोष — santoṣa, contentment) is one of the niyamas, the personal observances in the yogic path. Jeff, having purchased a vehicle only to later discover he was a victim of odometer fraud, faced a significant emotional and financial challenge. Yet, even in the face of such adversity, yoga reminds us that while we may not be able to control what happens to us, we do have control over how we respond. The ability to accept reality, even when it is unjust, can be one of the most challenging and yet most freeing aspects of yoga. It is in this acceptance that we learn to cultivate equanimity, even as we face difficult situations head-on.
As we delve into Yoga Sutra 1.30, it is important to review its significance. The sutra (व्याधि स्त्यान संशय प्रमाद आलस्य अविरति भ्रान्ति दर्शन अलब्ध भूमिकत्व अनवस्थितत्वानि चित्त विक्षेपाः ते अन्तरायाः — vyādhi styāna saṁśaya pramāda ālasya avirati bhrānti darśana alabdha bhūmikatva anavasthitatvāni citta vikṣepāḥ te antarāyāḥ) outlines the obstacles that disturb the mind, including illness (vyādhi), mental stagnation (styāna), doubt (saṁśaya), and more. These obstacles are what prevent us from achieving a calm, focused mind, and they are particularly present during challenging periods in our lives, like Jeff’s recent experience with fraud.
The concept of styāna—mental stagnation or lethargy—is an obstacle that arises when we lack the energy or willpower to engage in our practices or in life itself. It manifests as an aversion to effort, leading to complacency. This stagnation, whether mental or physical, prevents us from growing or moving forward on the path. As Swami Hariharananda explains, the antidote to styāna is vigor or energy (वीर्य — vīrya). By cultivating vigor, we counteract lethargy and engage with life more fully, even when the path is difficult.
Jeff emphasizes the importance of physical movement as a way to overcome mental and physical stagnation. Walking, especially at a pace that makes us mildly short of breath, is one example of cultivating this vigor. When we walk mindfully, we not only engage the body but also awaken the mind. This kind of movement encourages a natural rhythm and flow that can help dissolve feelings of lethargy or stagnation. Walking becomes a practice in itself, connecting us to our breath (प्राणायाम — prāṇāyāma) and invigorating both the body and mind, bringing us closer to the state of balance and energy necessary to overcome life's obstacles.
