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The SEARCH WITHIN
Welcome to Kukikan. In this century we all are surrounded by a plethora of
information. This information is a boon for all those who use this information
wisely. There is also a flip side to this easily available information. Somewhere
on the path towards progress based on the information there are many possibilities
of going off the path. Especially if the path and the journey are towards one’s
own health and well-being, one cannot afford to take chances. Also, one cannot
afford to waste time.
All over the world there are thousands of available methods for maintaining
good health. Every culture, every country, every language teach various sciences,
which leads towards one’s well-being. Such a vast spectrum of offerings
does create a lot of confusion for a lay person. The individual is confused
as to what method to apply and follow.
Some of the most popular methods include,
- Yoga of many different schools and traditions,
- Pilates, Core Muscle development, BOSU.
- Aerobics (like low impact, high impact, bench aerobics, cardio, etc.)
- Martial arts (such as, karate, kungfu, judo, taekwondo, etc.),
- Pranayam of various kinds (like sudarshan kriyas, anulom-vilom, kapalbhati,
etc.). Also available are many meditation techniques like
- Siddh-Samadhi-Yoga (SSY),
- Vipassana (of different traditions like Goenka tradition, Mahasi Sayadaw
tradition, Achan Chaa tradition etc., etc.)
- Tibetans yoga, Tantra, Mantra, Thai yoga.
- Weight training methods (like Nautilus, super slow, free weights, machine
weights, weight lifting, power lifting, etc., etc.)
This list can go into thousands of names and labels. The best part
is everyone claims that they have the best to offer. The worst part is
the choice you
have to make between the best of these services. Therein lays the confusion.
Thus starts the never ending search for the path which will give you the
sense of fulfillment. The seeker more or less remains ignorant. They keep
jumping from one method to another, from one gym to another. They jump
from one martial arts to another, from one yoga school to another, from
one country to another. The monkey mind gets bored with one branch and
then keeps jumping. The seeker may go to the ends of the universe in his
quest and will never find the answers. Thus, they never come out of the
dependency on the other, for their own happiness. They seek for their answers
outside. The search outside will never end; it will go on till eternity.
Happiness, fulfillment, enlightenment, health, all can be experienced when
the journey and the path will take a U turn. You will find the
answers only with “The Search Within”.
The search, “Within” the three and a half hand-length of your
body will provide you with the experiential realization of some of the
most sought after truths i.e. health, happiness and peace.
Let us simplify all these compartments which are in existence today
in the minds of people all over the world. All the methods which are
being taught under various names and labels, have originated with the
experience of different individuals who realized the answers. These
masters taught the principles to their disciples using the expression
of language
prevalent in their times, cultural background, and country. Over the
years, decades, and centuries the lifestyles changed, the masters have
gone and only their words remained. The context in which these profound
truths were revealed to the people has changed. Therefore we find these
different labels and terminologies, and their many interpretations.
To simplify these methods we must first understand that whatever these methods and their science have to offer, they ALL, I repeat ALL, can be classified in ONLY 3 basic parameters. Body, Mind, and Breath.
Let us understand that these are the ONLY 3 parameters that we all have to train. The ‘Body’, which I call as the ‘Gross Mind’. The ‘Mind’ which I call as the subtle ‘Body’. The ‘Breath’ which acts as a bridge to connect the ‘Body-Mind’ spectrum. Now, if you look at all the methods which are available, you will be able to classify them under only these 3 parameters.
For example, all the Meditative methods will come under training the mind,
all the different Pranayam can be classified under breath training. Weight
training, Yogasana, Pilates, Aerobics, can be understood as different types
of body training.
If this simplification makes logical sense to begin with, a word
of caution is very necessary. The principle which is very simple to understand,
is the most difficult to explain in words. Let us understand further.
Even though we have classified all the training processes to 3 parameters,
we must understand that any training process, whether it is body training,
breath training, or mind training, all these 3 parameters are working
simultaneously. We cannot separate the 3 as long as we are alive. The
journey is from the ‘Grossest’ to the ‘Subtlest’.
The fact remains that compartmentalization will lead to confusion. In
absolute essence the body-breath-mind is a continuous process and it
is in every moment a constant flux. It is the same phenomenon of the
same spectrum, which is constantly changing form from one to the other.
This is a universal principle. But, this has to be realized at an experiential
level of the practitioner.
It is only the ignorant people who lay more emphasis on one aspect than the
other. We come across them many times. For example some people will only train
the body, whereas some will put hours of effort on training the mind, and still
others will put emphasis on just training the breath. There are many who don’t
do anything at all, but relish in only intellectual gymnastics.
What does a scientist do to find answers to the universal mysteries? He will
make instruments and use them to come to certain conclusions. The theories
will be tested with the help of these fine tuned instruments and these universal
principles will be concluded. In a similar manner the inner sciences can be
tested and realized.
The body is the instrument which will help us to experience
the subtle phenomenon of the breath, leading to experiencing the subtlest
phenomenon called the mind.
Otherwise where will you experience the mind? There are volumes and volumes
written on the subject of mind. It is a topic of social and philosophical discussion.
But, there are only a few who have experienced the mind. You cannot hold the
mind. It is even thinner than air and also the fastest phenomenon in the universe.
It is only through the tangible you can experience the non-tangible.
All the other prevalent emphasis like fitness, weight loss, weight gain, strength,
flexibility, endurance, health, self-defense, developments of chi/ ki/ prana/
bio-energy, different levels of meditative absorptions, telepathy, clairvoyance,
etc., etc, they all are by-products along this very unfolding journey within.
When we train our own body-mind-breath with such simplicity, with just the
awareness, many layers will unfold. Do not attach any labels. Use the methods
as tools without getting attached to them. Thus, making the process and the
experience fascinating.
With this understanding, read the other articles which are aimed at explaining
the methods in essence. Each one suited for the various levels and needs of
the individual reader. |
