Dear Friends,
Namaste!
In our foregoing tale of the King and his six sons, we saw how we evolve and what specific Yoga types and the limbs within the Ashtanga Yoga are more relevant at a particular stage of evolution.
In this article, let’s quickly re-cap these stages using another example – the example of school.
Life is indeed nothing if not a school. It teaches us lessons every step of the way. We call these lessons as our ‘experience’. And what is more? It is possible to graduate out of Life just as we complete the curriculum and graduate out of a school.
So what are the different standards in the School of Life? What is the curriculum for each standard? What are the student profiles like in these standards? And what happens when you graduate? Here goes…
1. Kinder Garten – Yes, the school begins with a KG. Just like in a KG, the curriculum at this stage is just to enjoy and settle down in the school for undertaking the studies ahead. People enroll in the school just by virtue of the fact that they are human beings.
They are materialistic at this stage. They sing, dance and make merry. They think they can achieve their ultimate aim (of being Totally Happy) through this. They continue in the KG till such time that they discover that they stand as little chance of attaining their aim as the KG students stand of graduating out of school just by singing nursery rhymes!
This unites them automatically with “Vishaad Yoga”, the Yoga of disillusionment. Now they become fit to progress to the next level where serious study would begin!
2. Standard One – Students in this standard are now willing to do some serious study, having spent long enough time in KG to become acquainted with the rules and regulations of the school. They start becoming more focused and more disciplined – start following the rules of the school, give up the colorful dresses they wore in the KG and start wearing school uniform. Come to the school and leave on time. Sit grounded in one place and study. Most importantly, start paying attention to and following the instructions of the ‘Teacher’.
In the School of Life, these things are termed as practice of the “Yama” (value system), “Niyama” (observances) and “Bhakti Yoga” (acknowledging the presence of God, walking on His path and trying to win His favor etc.)
This starts paying off and the students now get encouraged, indeed turn ambitious, to prosper and make the most of the system they live in.
3. Standard Two – By now the students have not only learnt how to be comfortable in the School, but also how to actually use it to their advantage. They grow up. They become fitter and stronger. They put their noses to the grinding wheel, do everything right, become not only the ‘also ran’s but also stand out and get recognized as the successful students.
In other words, they start practicing the next two limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, viz., the “Asana” (postures) and “Pranayama” (breath control). They also do the right thing in the right place at the right time, i.e., follow “Karma Yoga” principles.
This prepares them to scale new heights – go to the next standard.
4. Standard Three – The bar has been raised. Students soon realize that despite the achievements, despite the kudos, the bouquets and the feeling of general well-being, they are far away from their ultimate goal of graduation. They have really not gained the knowledge yet. This makes them turn inward, do some introspection, ask hard questions and start finding answers.
This is nothing but the process of acquiring the true knowledge (“Gyan Yoga”). The process of turning inward is achieved by the limb “Pratyahar” (sense control). The mental focus to ask hard questions and contemplate answers thereof comes from the limb “Dharana” (concentration). External noise notwithstanding, the students do not stop their quest until all relevant questions are answered – until their cup is truly filled.
This makes them ready to go to the final standard in the School upon completing which they would own the coveted treasure, they would graduate!
5. Standard Four – Answers have been obtained in theory. They now need to be put into practice. They need to be vetted and accepted beyond the slightest element of doubt. They need to be experienced! For, the proof of the pudding is always in eating it!!
The students do just that in this standard through “Raja Yoga” by first internalizing the theory through “Dhyan” (meditation) and then actually practising and experiencing the same through “Samadhi” (state of ultimate bliss).
Once this curriculum is successfully completed, the students complete the course and graduate. They become “Mukta” (enlightened)!
Such is the School of Life!!
God bless…
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