if someone sees a beautiful, clean and tidy room, and sees that no one in

there, He will still think that someone had been there and arranged their
room beautifully. And the same thing, if someone gets into a room and
sees that there is dust all over. Things are not clean, and nothing is
organised. Then he can understand that no one has been there for a long
time. So you have 2 scenarios here. One is a neatly organised, tidy room,
and another one is a messy one. So, when we think of the neatly
organised one, then we realised that even though we don't see someone
there, but we realised that someone would have been there and taking
care of the things, even though not visible to us. So there is an intelligent
being. Who is there behind? Who has arranged the things? So now, we
know that, as someone is required at the back to organise, If there is a
system working, there is someone who has created it. If we look at this
universe. things are not randomly placed.

So like the room, which is nice and clean, the universe is also nicely
arranged. This makes us believe that an intelligence being involved in
creating and maintaining this universe. Is there? In yoga science, this
intelligent being is known as a consciousness or parama purusha or
Brahman. So that consciousness Guides the entire universe. And that has
no beginning and no end.

It's anaadi and anantha. Without beginning and without end. It exists.

Knowingly or unknowingly, all human beings wants to know and attend

this infinite consciousness, parama purusha. Each one of us is a subunit of
that infinite consciousness. So destination of each of the unique
consciousness is to merge in that infinite consciousness. In that, Anantha
Parama Purusha. We are the unit of this infinite consciousness, and attend
fulfilment, only in experiencing our oneness with it. Like a river flowing
from a mountain. Eventually merges in the ocean and becomes one with
it. Once it merges with the ocean. No one says it has a everywhere and
ocean. Everyone says that it's ocean. So also, the unit consciousness, it
merges with the infinite, and becomes the infinite. There is no more
separation.

There is no separate existence, and there is this experience of oneness,

and there is infinite happiness.

this infinite consciousness, which is all pervading, and ever existing, it

doesn't have an end, it doesn't have a beginning. It exists. And this is
what we mean when we say eternal.

As we know that, we have this uh desire of uh, seeking the infinite. We

don't get satisfied by those finite means, so definitely. We have that desire
deep inside us to know this. Parma Purusha or the infinite consciousness
and to experience that. Moving forward. Now we know that there is an
infinite consciousness or parama purusha, behind the creation, and
maintenance of this Jagath, or universe.

And as a subunit of that consciousness, we have a longing deep insight to

experience the union with that consciousness. Yoga guides us the steps in
that direction. And the grace of Param Pusha, the infinite consciousness
helps us to accomplish this oneness with the infinite. And that is what the
statement, aham Brahmasmi, means.

The difference between saying the Aham Brahmasi and becoming the
meaning of that islike, night and day, there is a vast difference between
saying and realising it. A true yogi, is someone who practises the
principles of yogic life, day in and day out. In whom the practice of yoga is
ongoing.

And this is not defined by the clothing or the place where he lives,
whether it is an ashram or a house in a city. Yoga has nothing to do with
all of those outward formalities. The experience of all, or the wonder,
which is momentary for majority of people, when they look at the vast
ocean or the night sky, But the yogi seeks to do more than just experience
this moment really. He does something more than that. The yogi seeks to
become the meaning of the sentence, aham brahmasmi.

As we say, yoga is a practical science. And it's 90% practice and 10%
theory. So there is an entire field. dedicated to the mind. And as human
beings. We are also known as Mantradan ji, who are, who has the desire
for infinite, and whose, has the strongest mind, and whose mind can
reflect this infinite consciousness. So, as an introduction to the science of
the mind. Here I would like to speak about the concept. Yad Bhavam tad
Bhavathi, that is, as one thinks, so one becomes. As one thinks, so one
becomes. The fact is that the mind doesn't have any shape of his own. I'm
not talking about brain. The brain has a shape, but the mind doesn't. The
mind and brain are not the same. So I want to emphasise that the mind is
shapeless, and as one thinks, so one becomes. So for example, if one is
constantly thinking about money, then once mind becomes dominated by
those thoughts. And accordingly, one's likes and dislikes change. They
reflect the thoughts of the mind. One can assess the state of one's mind
at any moment by considering what one is attracted to. For instance,
Some people like to drink alcohol or go to the night parties. They feel
attracted to those activities, and he would not want to miss a weekend. In
contrast, others may prefer hiking in the mountain and enjoy the
tranquillity of nature. So here we can see there is a wide range of likes
and dislikes among human beings. Reflecting the status of their minds
which is not static. Someone may love playing video games in their
teenage. But experience a dramatic change, a few years later, and never
show any interest in playing video games. In their later part of their life.
So this shows that people prefer, People's preference changes over time.
And we can see here the more level nature of the mind. So, as one thinks,
so one becomes, this means that one can influence the state of their
mind, through their thoughts. One is not a passive pass, to depend or a
victim of fate. It's important to understand that one can choose what to
think about. Depending on what one thinks, the mind will take up those
qualities. So, let me stop you for a moment, and uh, if someone can
explain on the concept that we discussed about, Yad Bhavam, Tad Bhavati,
that is as one thinks, so one becomes.

So our thoughts. Are under our control. It's not like we are a victim of
some fate or some kind of situation that where our mind goes. Uh, you
know, the mind cannot think of by itself. Definitely it gets the feel from us.
So we can take over the control. of what we want to think. And whatever
we think that reflects in our actions. So as we said, if someone is always
thinking about the stock market, their mind will be dominated by those
thoughts. Instead, if someone is thinking about the beauty of the sky, the
mind will become more subtle. If one thinks about the infinite, then mind
becomes like that. As one thinks about something subtle and vashed.
Without beginning or end, the mind takes on those qualities. So since the
mind doesn't have its shape. So definitely our thoughts are the one which
shapes it. So now here, how can we think of something? And how can we
shape this mind? How can we think of this infinite? To achieve this. There
are certain practises in yoga. And one of that is Yoga Sadhana. My
practising yoga sagna. We can expand our mind. Saladam means a food.
It can be a consistent food. And this food can be applied in various areas.

For example, someone can change in Sangeeta Sadana, music practice.

Someone can change in, um, someone can engage in, uh, Nutya Sadhana,
dance practice. Or someone can uh, uh, dedicate themselves to the, uh,
Europe, art of painting, for any such activities. Where their mind is
engaged, and they are putting constant effort in that. However, when
referring to yoga sardin, huh? Specifically, it implies the effort to identify
oneself with the infinite one. And the way to achieve this is by thinking
about the infinite. There is a technique for this. Which we will learn in our
course of this journey in yogic life. By dedicating the mind, to
concentrated thinking on the infinite. One practice is Sadana. The
principle is that as you think so, you become, so this is essence. The core
of a yogic life. To practice Sagana, and to have that experience of infinite
inside.

We all know that the mind is not easy to control. It has often been
compared to a monkey, which can hardly stay steady at any place at any
given point in time. Like how the monkey keeps jumping from one fresh to
another, so so the mind keeps on jumping from one topic to another. If
you ask a 2 year old to sit still. Do you think that uh, he will stay put.
Never, right? So the mine is like that. It's not easily controlled. But it's not
impossible to control. It's not easily controlled, but it's possible to control.
And as you say, yoga is a practical science. And thinking about the
infinite, especially in the beginning, it's not easy. No doubt about that, but
there are techniques for that. Which we will learn. But after learning the
techniques, that doesn't mean that we don't face with, uh, we do not uh,
face any challenges. There will be. There will be challenges along the way.
But we will also get the help. We will get the help. In the form of various
Sadhana Angas. The secondary supportive activities. Which helps in this
regard. And for example, a right posture. Sitting in the padmasana, closing
your eyes, and trying to focus. Focus on the vastness. Thinking about
infinite. And there is another sadana anga, which is called yogic ahara, or
the Sathik ahara. Partaking of food that does that doesn't disturb the
mind. Yogasanas is another Anga, which everyone is very familiar with.
And that helps to keep you the body fit. There is another. Yama and
Niyama, following the yogi ethics which helps in expanding your mind by
purifying our thoughts and cleaning up doubts. It clears our doubts. And
The last one, Dana, but very important one, love for Parma Parusha. Love
for that infinite consciousness. Once our thoughts are purified and desire
for the merger with the infinite is stronger. And our efforts are sincere.
Param Purusha, the infinite consciousness gives us that experience of
oneness, eternal bliss. So we must develop love for parma purusha. We
know that the mother picks up the child that seeks her while letting the
other children continue playing with the toys. So there needs to have an
earnest desire. To know and to experience that infinite consciousness. A
deep thirst. So the might concentration, on the infinite, is the ultimate
goal of yogi life. There can be many obstacles along the way. And this
struggle is part of the journey. And the yogi welcomes it. Just like walking
requires certain force against the ground. Moving forward in life also
requires, pushing against obstacles. So in order to move ahead in any
direction in life, whether physical or psychic, fiction and struggle are
inevitable and should be welcomed. You should never think that there
won't be any struggle and there won't be any obstacle. There, there will
be there. Those struggles will be there. But the yogi welcomes them. And
the yogi. Also stands against that.
Participant : Yoga is to expand our mind. The meaning of sadana is effort.
We can control our mind, which is always like a monkey jumps. Uh here
and there. So, for that, we have to constantly think that we are the infinite
and then practice according to it. Yoga is a practice. So, there are
techniques, techniques, and uh, these techniques, we, or, or the help or
the secondary support, supportive thing, which we call it, uh, Saden Anga,
Angas. Example, right posture, Padmasana, and focus about the vastness,
or the infinite. And, um, yogic ahara, that is the food, which also makes us
to control our desires, and yogasana, help us to keep the body in the
correct posture. And yoga, and Niyam, to purify the mind, and clears our
doubts. So, the main thing, the 4th one is, the love for the infinite
conscious, the consciousness of Parma Purusha. They must develop. Love
for the parma purusha. And uh, um, try to keep on thinking so that we can
experience the infinite. So we have to have the, uh, desire, the deep, uh,
desire and uh, urging us to really achieve it. There can be many obstacle
along the way when we move forward during all these practises. But, uh,
the struggle is inevitable, but the yogis actually accepts the thing and
then try to, uh, stand against it and how to go move forward.

Yama Niyama. This are the yogic ethics, those are the principles, which
clears our doubt, and it gives us a, um, very clear understanding of what
the different principles. Of life up. And uh, yes, as we said, the love for
parama purusha, that is the key, key to success. As we said. It's like, as a
mother. She picks up the child who is seeking her. And let's other children
just to play with that toys. It's a similar way. If you have love, so. Or the
infinite consciousness. Definitely he shows up. How to reach that? So
there are certain Supportive activities that uh, we discussed that yogi
engages in, to create an atmosphere, in which the mind can be moulded.
And as we discussed also, it's not easy. But it's not impossible. And the
yogi faces all those challenges bravely. Yeah, accept it and he much for
me. With his practises. And definitely he reaches the bull. The goal of
aham brahmasmi. The union. Of the finite with the infinite. The mind
resides in the body.

So the yogi engages to create an atmosphere. In which the mind can

expand. So now just like how we live in our homes. The environment of
the place that has a great impact on us. So we should reside in an
environment, conducive to our goals. Similarly, the body should provide a
conducive environment for the mind. To that end, the yogis realised long
ago that the body needs to be healthy. A healthy body gives a proper
environment for the mind. And it needs to be more than just healthy. The
glands of the body needs to work well together. There are various things
we engage in to make the body a hospitable host for the mind. Yogasanas
are one example. When we do yoga centre, we put proper pressure and
support on specific glands throughout the body. Which are important for
managing the activities of the mind. Which helps to balance the hormonal
situations. In term, that helps to civilise our emotions and thoughts. So in
this way, we try to create a conducive atmosphere for the mind. However,
yoga, if taken in isolation, Lose their purpose. There are 1000s of yogas in
us postures. And you are not expected to practice all of them.

In a yogic life. Yogasanas are done, to keep the body balance so that the
mind can become calm. If the body is unwell, the mind cannot function
properly. For instance, If someone has some health issue. Cannot sit,
keeping his spine straight. Or um, had a paralysis stroke and lost the use
of some of their body parts, their mind, which resides in that body, mind
that resides in that body struggles to move forward. And here we are
talking about the movement from finite to the infinite. From imperfection
to perfection. So a good condition of the body is a vital requirement for
this forward movement.

Yogasanas are not just like other physical exercises. They are certain
postures. Which helps, which helps the body to stay healthy. And mainly,
it supports the glands. The different glands that we have in our body,
which always exists the certain hormones. So it balances those. It kind of
neutralises and it keeps them in harmony with the body structure. So, as
the balance in hormone alphigration and the glands are in a proper shape.
They help us, they help not only the body, but also our thoughts, the
influence. So that is the main purpose of yogasana. We must know where
exactly the present, uh, you know, how we do those, uh, as for how long
we stay in a posture. And what is a breathing pattern, we must follow
during those yogasana. So there are a lot of those things that we must
keep in mind, because the yogaasana, the purpose of yoga asana is not
just to have it, uh, you know, a twisted body with all sorts of postures. It's
not just the flexibility of the body. It's actually, it's uh, uh, step, we can say
it is a stepping stone for the, healthy mind, which can uh, prosper, and
which can expand further. The main purpose of the yogasana in a yogic
life is to enable us to do a/our sadhana. So there are certain techniques
that we follow in yogasana.

yoga is a practical science. And as I say, practical, so it must be practised.

So knowledge finds it's fulfilment only when it's put into practice.
Everything we do has value to the extent we practice. We may learn
something. But if we don't practice it, and if we don't apply that, what we
have learned, and what's the value of that? Right? So we need to bring it
into practice. The yogi is a practical human being.
We have discussed the values of asanas. And the context of the overall
yoga approach. And the goal of Sadhana is to become the infinite.
Concentrating the mind is not easy. But the yoga practises help with that.
So now we'll talk about another supportive activity that helps in creating a
conducive environment for the mind. And that is, yogic ahara, or satvik
food. We live in a materialistic world. Because of this, people are misled
into thinking that food is merely for sensory pleasure. That taste sensation
is everything. They do not consider what happens after the food is
consumed. That's why they experience indigestion and other problems.
For many, this becomes the main focus of their lives. They think all day
about what they will eat. Where they will eat, and how it will taste, without
considering the consequences thereafter. So it's, uh, anything and
everything it has to do about only food. Ahara. No doubt we need food.
But does it require so much of thinking? And does it require as to
contemplate on the taste of the food? The world we live where we are
constantly bombarded with social media reels and shorts, advertisements,
telling us what to eat, how to eat. They spread a lot of misinformation. So
yeah, living in an environment that is not conducive to proper food
choices, due to this constant spread of incorrect information. It's
important to understand that the mind resides within the body. The body
is a abode of the mind. This, We need to ensure a conducive environment
for the mind to concentrate. We know that to make the mind concentrate
is challenging. So only we seek assistance from all available means to
create a satvik, peaceful atmosphere for the mind to do Sadhana.

It's very crucial to understand that our entire body is composed of the
food we eat. Everything, hand stringers, muscles, brain. Physically made
up of the food we consume. Therefore, we must carefully consider our
dietary choices. Food can be categorised into 3 types. Satvik. Sentient.
Rajasik, mutative, and thamsik, static.

The Satvik food. The sentient one. Which is good for the body. And the
mind as well. Foods, vegetables, grains, and beans are some of the
examples of satvik food. Except for specific items, like onion and garlic
and mushroom, which are not considered, which has considered tamasik.
The fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans are the examples of satvik food.
If we talk about Rajasik food. Rasik food, is something which may or may
not be good for the body, and definitely not good for the mind. It
stimulates the mind and It includes the items like coffee, the carbonated
drinks. Et cetera. So the Rajsik food is something which stimulates the
mind. It doesn't let the mind to be steady or calm.

Then comes the thamasik food. The 3rd of the category, which is neither
good for the body nor for the mind. It includes all animal products. Like
meat, fish, and eggs. Doesn't matter whether this animal gets around the
world by flying, walking, or swimming. And yogi always stays away from
the rajsik and thamasik food. The yogi always prefers is satvik food, which
is good for the body, as well as the mind. The yogi eats since because it
wants to provide a conducive environment for the mind to prosper. yogi
doesn't eat for the sensual pleasure of the taste buds. There is another
food item called dairy products, which technically falls into satvik
category. However, from an ethical standpoint, It's essential to consider.
Nonviolence. Which is one of the Yama niyamas, the Yogic ethics. So dairy
production often involves exploitation of animals. Which contradicts the
principle of Ahimsa. Moreover, from a health prospective, dairy
consumption has been linked to various health issues, such as obesity and
diabetes. Nobody becomes fat by eating fruits and vegetables. But yes, by
having those milk products, like say cheese or butter or paneer and all
those daily products. They are, they make someone obese, and people
tend to put on weight.

Therefore, it's a word advisable to avoid the daily products. For a healthier
and more ethical lifestyle. The cows milk is for the baby cow. So, to
summarise, we can say, attraction to the infinite increases, by Satvik food,
which creates a satvik environment for the body as well as the mind. An
attraction to the infinite decreases by rajsik and thamsik food. Food that
increases the quality of Rajas and Thomas. Which takes the mind away
from subtle vibration and makes it crude. And a crude thing, cannot think
of something subtle.

So you see the benefits of a yogic diet. It just not just helps our body, but
it also, Makes our mind expands our mind. Makes the mind calm. And we
kind of, you know, it makes our thoughts pure and we just take food as fill
for the body. Do not take it for any cravings, uh, to satisfy those, uh, taste
buds. So we take it for a good body and good mind. If we see the benefits
of uh yogic diet, there are several. The yogic, uh, ahara, it requires very
less food preparation time. Because, The yogi believe in taking the whole
food, the plants and vegetables, fruits, the, it is a plant-based diet. So
everything that we take is a whole plant-based diet. And as I see that,
with a plant-based that, there is a better health condition as well. There
are a lot of chronic diseases which get cured.

When we follow this satvik ahara. And there is more of energy. There are a
lot of uh, Nutrients that we receive straight away from the fruits and
vegetables. There is more energy, and there is more of mental clarity. And
we do not have to worry about how much we eat. So there are a lot more
benefits of a yogic ahara.
And our goal is not the taste of the food. Because, uh, as human beings,
we are all aware of our, uh, human dharma, that is to seek the infinite.
And we know that food is not infinite. Our goal is to create a conducive
environment. in the body, so that the mind can thrive. It's crucial to
consume whole foods. As they grow in nature, fruits, vegetables, green
leaves, grains, beans. Rather than processing them with oil. So cooking
oils, when heated to high temperature, they can become carcinogenic,
causing a significant risk of cancer. So it is best to opt for whole food and
avoid excessive use of cooking oils for a healthier diet. Instead, oil can be
replaced. And we can have it. We can use instead water to cook the
vegetables. The purpose is, the food we eat should be such that the body
feels light, and the mind is also alert. Cooking a very high temperature so
that you can put the spices in there, and then the sizzle. So that is
extremely unhealthy. As yogis, as the practitioners of yogic life, you must
not pay too much attention to the taste of the food. And as we know, we
are mind predominant beings. They are not like animals having those
finite desires ahaara, nidra, bhaya, maithuna.

We seek for the infinite. So our food should also serve to that. For animals,
the whole of their existence is their body. But that is not the case for
humans. We have a higher purpose in our life, and that is union with
infinite. So, The yogi tries to keep, use the food also as fuel, to control his
thoughts, and to expand his mind.

I would suggest the maximum intake of raw fruits and vegetables is really
a good option, and apart from that, yes, there are, uh, sprouts, and uh,
there are those, uh, soaked, uh, you know, grams, those, those can be
eaten. And it can be cooked with water instead of oil. can be cooked with
water also.

As you know, that we should not be eating um, those uh, fried items which
are like completely cooked in uh, oil, heated to the highest temperature.

believe me, they are really tasty. And uh, they do help. They help a lot in
focussing your mind. They keep you feel light and energetic throughout
the day.

Participant : scientifically, they also say some fats are necessary to carry
some of the, uh, the vitamins, like the fat soluble vitamins, and that is why
in Ayurveda, they promote the use of ghee, so what I'm hearing is light
cooking. Um, with mostly water, minimal use of oil, uh, is probably the
way to go, or just cut out oil completely ?

if we take off the oil, then there is nothing that, uh, you know, there is no
such deficiency that we experience. And as I see that, yes, at times, since
we are so much used to this, uh, cooking with oil. So at least we can try to
avoid heating the oil to the maximum temperature and putting those
spices.

Instead, you can just pour a little bit of just a pinch of oil on the top of the
food. Instead of heating it to the high temperature and frying things on
that. And the best one should be to avoid oil completely. And definitely I
cannot talk about Ayurvedic practises since uh, I'm not aware of that. But
uh, I, as a follower of uh, yogic life. Since I've been following this and uh, I
didn't find any difficulty in uh, or any health, uh, uh, you know,
deficiencies, any vitamin deficiencies as of now. And uh, it's been, um, it's
going to be a year or so that, uh, I've been practising the Yogic ahara.

Will be discussing more about the Yogic ahara in the upcoming class. And
so I would say that we will discuss in more detail about how we can
prepare those Yogic ahara. Which is good for the body and the mind.

Participant : How about using ghee? That is not recommended?

That's also not recommended, since it is, as I said. We know that. Yes, it is
the animal product and it is for the infants. It is not for the adults.

None of the, if we see in the, uh, whole universe, the, all the beings, none
of the other animals, they depend on, some, some other animals milk. It is
mainly for house milk is for the baby cow. And since that, for the infants,
they need certain nutrients and which they cannot derive from the other
food. The so that's the reason for the infants, it is prescribed, but not for
the adults. It is the highest amount of fat. And if it would have been a very
healthy option, Uh, you would, um, we all have an experience after having
a, uh, heavy food, so saturated with ghee, and all, we don't feel that light.
We definitely feel drowsy and heaviness.

The main purpose behind yogi Kahara is to keep the mind alert, not make
it lethargic. But to keep the mind alert, and the body energetic. We will
talk more about this.

Participant : I was wondering about the nuts, when we eat nuts, we get
the fat and this oil in them. Do you think that compensates for the
absorption vitamins, the fats are vitamins?

with the nuts, we have uh certain ways to take. For example, we do not
roast the nuts. We do not dry roast them. With soap the nuts and we take
it as it is. And it has all the nutrients, but provided we take limited
amounts, because it has certain fat also, some amount of fat also, so it
can be taken, but maximum intake should be the fruits and vegetables.
We can take nuts, but provided the soaked ones, or the direct ones, not
the roasted ones because once we roast, we make it saturated. The fat
inside, it becomes saturated and it is uh, indeed not good for our body.
We will discuss more about the Yogic ahara in the upcoming class also.
And uh, other Sadanangas, which helps us to keep our mind, active and
alert, and focussed.

Participant : I read somewhere that, you know, our thoughts, like, we are
what we think, we so we become, but, there are some, predetermined
karmic thoughts, you know, because we are, downloading our thoughts
from somewhere, right? So we are pre-programmed also that how do we
address those thoughts? Like preconditioned Karmic thoughts.

So to come to that point, the comic consequences. That's an entirely

different topic. If I can give you an example. Maybe there is an injury. But
once the mind doesn't think about it, there is not, the person doesn't feel
the suffering. And as you talked about the karmic things. The karmic
consequences are taken separately, and yes, as a yogi. We have, uh, kind
of expanded our mind, and we make our mind circling to experience that
infinite entity. So in that case, Even though we are going through certain
things, but it doesn't impact our thoughts. Because we have got a
stronghold on our thoughts, we decide what to think, and we focus on the
infinite, and we know the fleeting nature of all the finite things. So it is all
about training our mind. How we train our mind, how we, uh, you know,
uh, cultivate our thoughts.