The practice of Rajayoga as described in the earlier discussions benefits many people suffering from minor psychological problems known as “neurotic illness”. Late Dr. David H Fink well known neuropsychiatrist from California, described the term average middle class neurotic. According to him normal people also fall under this category. We at all times feel tensed, nervous, restless, frieghtened, have difficulty to go sleep, tend to forget important informations, experience palpitation, undue sweating in hands and so on. Average middle class neurotics experience some of these symptoms on some occasions.
Rajayoga practice can be of tremendous help in overcoming these symptoms.
Relaxation response
Raja yoga practice is an easy and natural method of eliciting relaxation response. Herberd Benson at Harward University has done extensive research and shown that relaxation is an antidote to stress. When you are relaxed you are able to face adverse circumstances more easily. Stress increases the susceptibility of a person for neurotic tendencies. Under tension you develop negative approach towards life’s events. You tend to become short tempered. The rational and logical thinking is hampered which tends to make a person neurotic.
Positive thinking
Raja yoga practice as described earlier, is an art of positive thinking. The thoughts that we generate are all positive thoughts. Within a few months of meditation practice you automatically become a positive thinker. Positive attitude towards life acts like a buffer and helps to absorb shocks of day-to-day life.
Relieve Pressure in Life
Human beings can be compared with a pressure cooker. When the pressure in the cooker increases the safety valve becomes active and extra pressure is released. Similarly, due to several adverse circumstances and other problems of life mental pressure in our daily life increases. But in our life we do not possess the mechanism of a safety valve and hence tensions tend to find an outlet in the form of neurotic symptoms. Raja yoga practice acts as a safety valve and the amounting pressure is released, minimising the neurotic tendencies.
Gives Satisfaction of all relations
In the present era our psychological needs have become more and more complex. In this era of jet race and competition most people are busy in their own world ad hence not able to find sufficient time to satisfy the psychological needs of their family members, relatives and friends. Therefore, they tend to feel dissatisfied with their parents, spouse, children, other relatives or friends. They are also not able to express this dissatisfaction openly, hence consciously or subconsciously tend to supress them. This suppressed dissatisfactions tends to find an outlet unconsciously and neurotic tendencies are formed giving an outlet to these suppressed dissatisfactions. This mechanism takes place at a subconscious level and normally one is not aware about it. Even when one knows this psychological mechanism the present daily relationships have become so delicate and complex that one is not able to feel satisfied in all relationships. Raja yoga practice where the mind is tuned to the almighty and receives unconditional love for all relations, suppressed dissatisfactions are relieved. Regular practice of meditation prevents all these average middle class neurotic tendencies. Persons having some neurotic problems would also benefit from meditation practice.
High blood pressure
Stress stimulates a specific part of one’s nervous system medically known as sympathetic nervous system. As these nerves get stimulated the level of blood pressure increases. The nicotine present in tobacco is also responsible for high blood pressure. There is a natural tendency for high blood pressure as age advances. The flexibility of the blood vessels is inversely proportional to age. As age advances blood vessels become rigid leading to high blood pressure. But high blood pressure observed amongst persons who are not even fifty years old is possibly due to the stress and lifestyle factors.
Try practicing the visualisation as mentioned below:
“Now, I am feeling deeply relaxed and peaceful………I am receiving the tranquilising rays from the supreme……….the undue stimulation of the special nerves responsible for increasing blood pressure is reducing……….the positive vibrations have covered the complete area of my heart……. The heart muscles are becoming relaxed and healthy…….. day by day the pressure on my blood vessels is reducing…….. I am a healthy soul”
Such specific visualisation at the end of each session of Rajayoga practice can help patients suffering from arthritis, backpain, asthma, diabetes, skin diseases and so on when combined with the conventional medicines.
Source: Prajapita Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Prajapita Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is a socio-spiritual educational institution working for the establishment of a peaceful and virtuous society. The organisation imparts spiritual knowledge and teaches Rajayoga meditation that empowers a person with inner powers and divine virtues, developing a vision for the self and clarity in life. It is actively associated with the UN through its affiliation as an NGO. It has a consultative status with ECOSOC and UNICEF. The UN has conferred it with seven peace messenger awards. The Brahma Kumaris has a global presence with over 9000 meditation centres in 139 countries spread across all the continents, conducting Rajayoga sessions free of cost to anybody interested. The International Head Quarters is in Mt.Abu Rajasthan, India.
Other