The topic for the English Satsang on Sunday, 24th August, 2014 was ‘Saucha (Purity/Cleanliness).’
Following is the transcript of the Q & A between the audience and Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra.
Listen to the audio:
Q. We are taught that we should either talk positive and good or keep quiet. But if we are keeping quiet, others take advantage of us. They make us do all the work because we don’t say ‘No’ and they pass on their part of the work also on us. What should we do?
Dr. J: Just observe the work and forget the rest. Don’t think.
Smt. H: Who says don’t say ‘No’? You can always say ‘No’. And always take the responsibility with a question mark. Like I remember Dr. Jayadeva’s grandfather, Founder’s father. He was a school teacher and he was alone. His wife was no more. He used to go to the market to buy things. So on the way some neighbours would say, ‘Kaka, you are going to market, get some lemons and coriander for us.” And he would say, “If possible, I will bring.” If suppose he has lots of luggage, he will not bring it. So this is how we can carry on; “If possible, I will do it.” And if we can’t at all, just say, “I wont be able to.” Be clear, be truthful. And as far as his case was concerned, majority of the time, it was possible for him to bring it. The point is, learn to say ‘No’ and if you are doing it, do only how much you can in an allotted time. Don’t extend the time of your work. Then it is okay, work. Nothing is wrong.
Q. How to overcome gas problem the yoga way?
Dr. J: Sitting for too long can stop and using hot water bag on the abdomen can help.
Smt. H: Prolonged sitting should be avoided. Getting up and walking is the best thing which we can do. Become alert, aware. The second is that gas problem means that the digestive system is not so good. So to improve digestive capacity, relaxation of the abdomen is done when you are doing Makarasana. (Lying down on your stomach and then relaxing.) Before eating your food, lie down on your stomach for five minutes and then eat food if you are in the house. Next, in Asanas, you should do Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, Yoga Mudra, Pranayama No. 4, Pavanmuktasana is known for gas problem. So these Asanas could be done regularly, once in the morning and once in the evening. And as Dr. Jayadeva said, use of hot water bag. Give more energy to your stomach and it will start functioning better.
Q. If we are harbouring some anger for someone in our mind, should we speak out or should we just keep it to ourselves?
Dr. J: If someone says something to you and you feel angry, you should tell them you are getting angry.
Smt. H: You must say it. Action is a must. But how to say it is the question. Only when the opposite person is in a listening state, in a good state, then say that “I was angry because of this.” Talk it out. That is very essential. Or write it down if you feel that talking will increase wrong dialogues and create more problems. You are not saying anything to create a fight, but because you are feeling hurt. A stage should come where you don’t get hurt. So firstly, calm down, see the good points of the person and let the anger settle. If you are brimming with anger, keep your mouth shut. Calm down and then speak.
Q. Inspite of pure intentions, why do I still develop negative thoughts during a crisis?
Dr. J: Well, everybody does develop (negative thoughts). There is no harm. Just forget it.
Smt. H: Negative thoughts during a crisis is a natural phenomenon. So when negative thoughts come, push them aside, clean them away and develop some faith. The Bhagwad Gita says that everything will be fine, have faith. If you go to an Astrologer, he will also say that a few days will be tough and then everything will be alright. We create our own world, so think good, feel good. What have we lost in the crisis? We were born empty-handed, so what are we losing? Have we lost a little money or position? That’s fine. I still have food and shelter, that is enough. Thank you God. That feeling should come.
Q. Can keeping Mauna help in Saucha?
Dr. J: Yes it does.
Smt. H: Definitely it does. One should also practice it as a separate Tapa, not only at the physical but also at the mental level. One should stop thinking. That is Mauna. And when you are bound to react, keep your mouth shut.
Q. Can practice of Jalaneti help to prevent frequent attacks of cold? Can Jalaneti be done when a person is having cold?
Dr. J: If you have done a lot of things that lead to cold, then it should stop.
Smt. H: If both nostrils are open, if it is a running nose, then Jalaneti would help. Rather, it would stop the cold. But if it is a blocked nose, wait. Use hot water bag on the face, gargle with salt water and while gargling if you can tilt your head back and then bend it forward to let some of the salt water come out of the nose, it would help. So when the nostrils are blocked, gargling would be better, not Jalaneti.
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.