The topic for the English Satsang on Sunday, 9th June, 2013 was ‘Sauca.’ (Purity of Mind and Body).
Following is the transcript of the Q & A between the audience and Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.
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Q. Does Sauca also mean purification of thoughts?
Dr. J: Most definitely.
Smt. H: Yes, it is very necessary to bring about purity of thoughts in the mind. Always try to have good thoughts and remove wrong thoughts.
Q. How do we maintain purity of thought when today’s world is full of negativity?
Dr. J: Well, there is a lot of trash in the trash cans, still we are maintaining internal cleanliness. So even if there are so many unclean things, we can maintain cleanliness.
Smt. H: This is what we are trying to say. The world is what it is, but you should do something for yourself. See to it that you don’t start thinking negatively or start doing wrong things just because others are doing it. At least you can keep yourself in check and do your work well.
Q. Should one do deep breathing when the climate is humid?
Dr. J: If it is humid, it’s not advisable.
Smt. H: If there are heavy rains, it could be avoided. However, what is taught here, alternate nostril breathing with counts – inhalation for 2 seconds, exhalation for 2 seconds; this does not involve much deep breathing and can be practiced. Keeping theory aside, everyone’s body and sensitivity levels are different. Watch your own body and you will get the answer.
Q. How do we control anger by practicing Sauca?
Dr. J: Well, Mauna is one idea that can help. Not to speak too much, not to quickly react.
Smt. H: Firstly, understand that history repeats itself. What made you angry will happen again, maybe in a different way or through different people. Sit and think about how you can handle it if it happens again. Secondly is management. The moment you get angry, keep your mouth shut. Sit quietly or go take a shower or drink water. But total control and discipline should be there. That is temporary. Once the situation passes, decide on how to express yourself. So follow this policy – when you are imbalanced, keep your mouth shut and when you are balanced, think of how you want to express and then express.
Q. How to avoid negative thoughts during adverse situations?
Dr. J: The situation is outside. The mind is inside. You are the owner of the mind. Adverse situations are due to others around. So can’t you manage your own mind?
Smt. H: And we all know that situations are not in our hands. But the mind is our servant. It is up to us to keep the mind in the correct state and not involve it in the situation. Situations come and go like waves, silence also comes after the storm. So when the storm comes, you keep yourself peaceful, don’t let the storm affect you internally. We should learn to do this.
Q. How to achieve mental purity? Whenever we see the outside world, it is full of bad things. How to avoid them?
Dr. J: Have some nice documentaries, some good books and some good friend to talk to, to telephone.
Smt. H: You are seeing only the bad side of the world. See the good side of the world also. Think good things, listen to good talks, jokes. And try and keep your mind in the correct state. You should choose what you want from the outside world and don’t feel helpless.
Satsang is an open meeting held every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz East, Mumbai. It involves an interesting presentation to the public, made by the students of the Teacher Training Course. Each week, a new presentation of a Yogic concept is made in a simple way through skits and decoration for the general public, followed by a short speech from our Gurus, Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.