How we think affects our body. Thoughts are vibrations, and the mind is housed in subtle or energy body. Energy from the subtle body can affect the physical body, pervading and damaging the cells, if negative. So, we must be aware that the emotions we feel, for example anger directed at someone else, always damages ourselves first.
To have a perspective on ourselves we need distance, and in order to change, we need extra energy.
Three Ways to Improve Energy
- Asanas. These can help us to save energy as they encourage relaxation, so we no longer put energy into tension. They also free energy by removing energy blockages.
- Pranayama. In pranayama, focus between the eyebrows, thus charging the ajna chakra, the centre of spiritual energy. It is important to remember your energy goes to your focus.
- Food. We lose a lot of energy digesting food. So we should eat food that is easy to digest and eat few times a day.
Culitvating Postivity in Relationships
The mind becomes quiet when it contemplates friendliness in the presence of happiness, active compassion in the presence of unhappiness, joy in the presence of virtue, and indifference toward error.
I.33 Patanjali Yoga Sutras.
This sutra gives advice on how to act in relatinoships. When we meet someone for the first time we should be friendly, and open to the situation. In negative situatons we should be neutral and not judge.
Morning Rituals to Encourage Positivity
- Rising before 6.00. 6.00 is kapha time, when the body starts to be heavy. But before that is vata, a lighter time when pranayama is easier.
- Drink ayurvedic water on rising: water that has been boiled for 20 minutes (easier to digest as the kapha has gone).
- Clean teeth, oil pulling, tongue scraping. Oil pulling can be beneficial like flossing. Sesame oil is the best.
- Clean eyes with cold water.
- Yoga. Three best positions are: headstand, shoulderstand, forward bend.
- Oil massage at weekends. Sesame oil is the best and putting it on the top of your head is calming
- Better to eat something warm in the mornings. Cook rice with vegetables and spices in a rice cooker.
Sauca (Cleanliness) & Tapas (Austerity)
The five personal principles of positive actin are: purity, contentment, a disciplined life, study of the sacred texts, and worship of God.
II.32 Patanjali Yoga Sutra
Outer cleanliness helps the mind. It’s not so easy to cultivate positive thoughts if you are in an unclean environment.
Austerity brings the mind out of the comfort zone. If we don’t do this, we lose the ability to change. Austerity helps to build up willpower.
From notes taken at a Sivananda course in postiive thinking.