A Guide for a Meaningful and Purposeful Life

In Today's Email: 

• A Guide for a Meaningful & Purposeful Life: The 8 Limbs Of Yoga

• Weekly Astrology...

• Mantra Of The Week: The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra...

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A Guide for a Meaningful & Purposeful Life: The 8 Limbs Of Yoga

The eightfold way is referred to as ashtanga in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra; the name is derived from the Sanskrit words "eight limbs" (ashta and anga). These eight actions, also referred to as the 8 limbs of yoga, essentially serve as prescriptions for how to lead a purposeful and meaningful life. They act as a guide for moral behavior and self-discipline, they focus attention on health, and they assist us in recognizing the spiritual parts of our nature.

What are the 8 limbs of yoga?

1. Yama

The first of yoga's eight limbs, yama, focuses on our behavior and how we conduct ourselves in life. It deals with one's moral principles and sense of integrity. The Golden Rule, or yamas, is a set of universal moral principles that states, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

2. Niyama

The second limb, niyama, is concerned with self-control and religious observances. Niyamas in action include things like regularly going to temple or church services, saying grace before meals, creating your own personal meditation routines, and making it a habit to go for solitary, reflective walks.

3. Asana

The third of yoga's eight limbs is the set of poses known as asanas. According to the yogic perspective, taking care of our physical bodies is an essential part of developing spiritually. We cultivate the disciplined habit of practice and the capacity for concentration—both of which are prerequisites for meditation—through the practice of asanas.

4. Pranayama

This fourth stage, which is usually interpreted as "breath control," consists of procedures meant to master the respiratory process while understanding the relationship between the breath, the mind, and the emotions. Yoga practitioners believe that pranayama not only rejuvenates the body but also extends life itself, as suggested by the literal translation of the word, "pranayama," which is "life force extension." You can either incorporate pranayama into your regular hatha yoga regimen or practice it as an independent technique while sitting still and engaging in a variety of breathing exercises.

5. Pratyahara 

The fifth of the eight limbs of yoga, pratihara, is known as retreat or sensory transcendence. In this phase, we deliberately work to turn our attention away from the outer world and external stimuli. We focus our attention inward while remaining acutely aware of but detached from, our senses. Pratyahara offers us the chance to take a step back and examine our own behavior. Withdrawal enables us to logically examine our urges, which are likely to be unhealthy habits that obstruct our personal development.

6. Dharana

Pratyahara practice sets the stage for dharana, or concentration, just as each step prepares us for the next. We can now cope with internal distractions after freeing ourselves of external distractions. A difficult task! Prior to meditation, we learn how to slow down our thinking by focusing on a single mental object, such as a particular energetic point on our bodies, an image of a deity, or the silent repeating of a sound. Of course, in the previous three steps of posture, breath control, and sensation withdrawal, we have already started to hone our attention skills.

7. Dhyana

The unbroken flow of attention occurs during meditation or contemplation, the seventh stage of the ashtanga yoga system. Although Dharana, or concentration, and dhyana, or meditation, may seem to be the same thing at first, there is a subtle difference between the two. In contrast to the practice of one-pointed attention known as Dharana, dhyana is ultimately a condition of acute awareness without focus. At this point, the mind is calm and produces few, if any, thoughts while it remains still. It takes a lot of strength and endurance to achieve this level of stillness. Don't give up though. Although it might feel like an insurmountable challenge at this point, keep in mind that yoga is a process. Even though we might not achieve the ideal stance or state of consciousness, we gain from our growth at every stage.

8. Samadhi

Ashtanga's eighth and last level, samadhi, is referred to by Patanjali as an ecstatic condition. At this time, the meditator transcends the Self completely and merges with the object of their attention. A profound connection to the Divine and a connection to all living things become profoundly apparent to the meditator. The "peace beyond all comprehension"—a state of happiness and unity with the universe—comes with this insight. This may appear to be a lofty, "holier than thou" kind of objective at first.

🌟 WEEKLY ASTROLOGY 

This week, the Sun and Neptune align, sparking a fresh perspective on who we are, while Mercury and Uranus speak to fresh concepts and our long-term plans.

This week's events take a variety of paths. There is a tension that challenges you to develop a closer bond with yourself than you ever have. Additionally, there is a stimulating flow of new plans and ideas for your future. These seemingly different invitations actually mesh well together. This week may be just what is required in the liminal period leading up to the new year.

You are welcome to experience expansion, adventure, dreaming, and compassion on the 14th, when the Sun, Neptune, Sagittarius, and Pisces come together in harmonious expression. You'll experience a strong sense of self and a lovely bond with spirit. You'll also discover imagination and faith. This serves as a reminder of the possibilities in your life.

This transit invites you to look at yourself objectively. You might even go a step further and begin to have compassion for yourself. Sun square Neptune is the perfect time for a gentle yoga flow and journaling. On this day, think kindly, lovingly, and easily.

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This bundle is intended to give you the mental health resources you need to process an experience and stay in a positive mindset.

📰 Positive News Of The Day! 

In an effort to win the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, some of the most well-known photographers from 85 different nations submitted their most spontaneous photographs that showed the humorous side of nature.

Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, two professional photographers and ardent environmentalists, launched the competition in 2015 with the goal of highlighting the funnier, more lighthearted aspects of wildlife photography.

Here are some of the photos: 

MANTRA OF THE WEEK

om tryambakam yajāmaheoṃ, sugandhim puṣṭivardhanam, urvā rukamiva bandhanān, mṛtyu mukṣīya mā’mṛtāt

"I worship that fragrant Shiva of three eyes, the one who nourishes all living entities.

May he help us sever our bondage with samsara by making us realise that we are never separated from our immortal nature."

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, which is devoted to Lord Shiva, is thought to possess amazing healing abilities. It is the strongest Mantra and may even defeat death, according to the Rigveda. It is also known as the Rudra Mantra, with Rudra denoting Lord Shiva's wrathful form.

It is thought that regular chanting of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra can help one ward against bad spirits as well as major illnesses, premature death, and fatal diseases.

You can sing the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra as part of your daily meditation. The Brahma Muhurta is the ideal moment to recite it. Reciting this mantra can enable you to access your healing potential while doing yoga, meditation, or pranayama because Lord Shiva is also known as Adi Yogi, or the first yogi.

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