Personal practices · On your own · Every day
“You will have to take work from your bodily machine. This machine should always be kept in perfect working condition.”Ánanda Vacanámrtam 20, “‘Prańipátena Pariprashnena Sevayá’ – 2”
Why we do it
The aim is Supreme Consciousness. The goal of yoga is far off, like a distant star system.
The instrument to reach that goal is the mind. It is the subtlest part of us, so it is the only part fine enough to reach the aim.
The method is meditation. Seeing a star takes a telescope pointed at it; reaching Supreme Consciousness takes the mind pointed at it. That is meditation.
The preparation and care. A telescope has to be looked after, cleaned and set right to see the stars. The mind is the same. Every practice does this for the mind, directly or through the body, because the mind is connected with the body.
Health brings us to the goal by keeping the instrument of sádhaná in working order. The body has to work hard, or its glands fail and the mind suffers; it has to rest, to start afresh. But the body is only one of three: the psychic and spiritual bodies need their exercise too, and a mind properly turned to the Supreme becomes one with Him. That is the goal of yoga.
Human life is for sádhaná, and sádhaná needs a body; so the body has to be looked after in every way.
“An animal life is given to carnal pleasure human life is for sádhaná; but, for sádhaná the body is necessary – so in order to maintain the body, you will have to be vigilant about everything in the world.”
The arms and legs must do work, hard work, or the glands do not secrete their hormones as they should.
“The arms and legs should do work; all parts of the body should be utilized properly; you should get work out of them, hard work – this is a must. Else hormone secretion from the glands and sub-glands will be hampered.”
A body that is not properly used breaks down, and then the mind is harmed as well.
“What will happen if the physical body is not properly utilized? The body will break down; and in consequence the mind also will be harmfully affected.”
Like a machine after a hard day, the body needs rest to recover and start afresh.
“But just as a machine must be allowed rest after a hard dayʼs labour, so the human body, when it becomes exhausted after a dayʼs hard labour, needs rest to recoup and to start afresh with renewed energy.”
The physical body is only one of three. The psychic and the spiritual bodies need their proper exercise too.
“Human existence has got three parts, three important and inseparable portions: physical body, psychic body and spiritual body. So there must be proper exercise of not only the physical body but also the psychic and spiritual bodies.”
A mind properly turned to the Supreme becomes one with Him. This is the goal.
“When mind is properly objectivated the human entity becomes one with the goal, one with the Supreme Entity and he or she will attain salvation”
This page gathers the general rules of health in Caryácarya and what Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti says about work, rest, water and fresh air, with rules for women and for children.
In the sources
“The arms and legs should do work; all parts of the body should be utilized properly; you should get work out of them, hard work – this is a must. Else hormone secretion from the glands and sub-glands will be hampered.”Ánanda Vacanámrtam 20, “‘Prańipátena Pariprashnena Sevayá’ – 2”
“We have attained this physical frame in order to work, not for uninterrupted rest. But just as a machine must be allowed rest after a hard day’s labour, so the human body, when it becomes exhausted after a day’s hard labour, needs rest to recoup and to start afresh with renewed energy.”Ánanda Vacanámrtam 20, “‘Prańipátena Pariprashnena Sevayá’ – 2”
“You do so many physical exercises, engage in so many sports and past times for the development of physical health and it is a necessity, rather a dire necessity for a living society. But most people neglect the exercise of their mind and spirit.”Subháśita Saḿgraha 19, “The Path of Salvation”
General Health Rules (1)Caryácarya 3, “General Health Rules”
“Body and clothing must be kept neat and clean.”
General Health Rules (3)Caryácarya 3, “General Health Rules”
“Pay attention to the regular clearing of the bowels.”
General Health Rules (4)Caryácarya 3, “General Health Rules”
“Do not sleep on a soft bed.”
General Health Rules (8)Caryácarya 3, “General Health Rules”
“Drink a sufficient quantity of water every day, but do not drink too much at any one time.”
General Health Rules (9)Caryácarya 3, “General Health Rules”
“Sleeping during the day and staying awake at night are to be avoided.”
General Health Rules (10)Caryácarya 3, “General Health Rules”
“All intoxicants are támasika and are to be discarded like poison.”
““Ápashcavishvabheśajii” – that is, “water is medicine for all diseases.” Truly, all types of disease can be relieved if one knows how to use water properly.”Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, “Appendix A: Water Drinking”
“Drinking water is good, but water with a little lemon and a little salt is still better.”Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, “Appendix A: Water Drinking”
“Drinking a lot of water at a time is harmful, especially for heart patients.”Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, “Appendix A: Water Drinking”
“Women must make it a habit to spend some time outdoors every day in the open air and the sunshine.”Caryácarya 3, “General Health Rules”
“A woman should be allowed to rest and abstain from all sorts of household chores for at least twenty-one days after childbirth.”Caryácarya 3, “General Health Rules”
“The main diet for children who are under five years of age is milk, fruits and roots. It is not proper, under any circumstances, to offer non-vegetarian food to children who are under five years of age. When they have reached the age of five, food containing sugar, starch and fatty substances can be given in increasing amounts. Alkaline food is the most beneficial for children.”Caryácarya 3, “General Health Rules”
“It is particularly beneficial for children to spend some time every day in the fresh air and sunshine.”Caryácarya 3, “General Health Rules”
Walking, regular sleep and nature
In a pooled analysis of 15 cohorts (47,471 adults), people who took more steps a day had a lower risk of dying from any cause. The benefit leveled off at about 6,000–8,000 steps a day for adults over 60, and 8,000–10,000 for younger adults.
In 60,977 UK Biobank participants whose sleep was measured with wrist sensors, going to bed and getting up at regular times predicted lower mortality more strongly than the length of sleep did: the more regular sleepers had a 20–48% lower risk of death than the least regular.
In a survey of nearly 20,000 adults in England, people who spent at least 120 minutes a week in natural settings were more likely to report good health and well-being than people who spent none.
“To maintain the internal functions of the body without hindrance and to maintain the internal liquid balance, everyone should drink a sufficient quantity of water every day.”
Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, “Appendix A: Water Drinking”“If mothers are not healthy themselves, their children cannot remain healthy. So a mother who has the welfare of her children uppermost in her mind should keep a careful watch on her own health.”
Caryácarya 3, “General Health Rules”“If the body does not work up a sufficient sweat, then you should know that you have not taken the air properly.”
Caryácarya 3, “Taking the Air”“Pure and fresh air has the power to cure disease. It is advisable to breathe in as fully as possible, because when we do so, the air gets an opportunity to be completely absorbed by the lungs. It is better to take a walk in the fresh air than to ride a vehicle.”
Caryácarya 3, “Taking the Air”