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Physical health and physical
toughness are obtained through specific exercises designed to cleanse the
physical system of toxins, excessive fat and also vulnerability to external
infections. Similarly, mental health and mental toughness are acquired
through a similar process, as applied to the mind.
According to Hindu faith, weakness, toxins and
aberrations in mind, as also various positive aspects, are accumulated even
from ages past, covering the previous births, During the traverse of the
soul. The sum total of this accumulation is known as samskara or karma --
the good and positive samskara and the bad or the negative ones. When the
good dominate over the bad, the concerned person generates peace, goodwill
and positive developments around himself, while domination of the bad
samskara naturally produces opposite results and also existence of conflicts
and contradictions within.
Somerset Maugham observed,
"We are none of us all of a piece; more than one person dwells within us,
often in uneasy companionship with his fellows." Resolution of such
contradictions would thus be necessary to realise, in practice, the age old
concept, "Know thyself," and the Bhagawad Gita injunction (2,45; 5, 3) to be
freed of conflicts.
This verily is also the spirit of the great
Upanishad prayer, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya (Lead me from darkness to light).
Comprehending thus one's mission and vision
in life would naturally also lead not only to harmonising oneself but also
flowering oneself but also flowering of one's full potential -- powers,
virtues and talents.
There exist many paths to realise this noble
objective. Patanjali's prescription (Sutras: 2, 29) of eight stages (ashtanga yoga)
is one. Modern personality development techniques prescribe analysis of
various aspects within, followed by synthesis and integrating these through
mature deductions. Devotion to the divine (Bhakti) is also another means.
Whatever be the path chosen, the desired
objective is realised, if this generates healthful, peace inducing and
joyful feelings within. These alone would serve to resolve and cleanse the
stressful and traumatic impressions including conflicts, etched upon the
soul through particular samskara. This happy outcome would eventually lead
to acquisition of a healthy and tough mind, that would constantly cheer and
lead the aspirant on! |
