C.O.N.N.E.C.T. To The World, Happiness & Yoga-Science

By Shanthi Yogini

There is an innate desire in humans to connect with everything they come across — whether they are other humans, animals, plants or the so-called non-living, worldly things. Connection is the very nature of the universe. Everything in the universe is interconnected.

Everything in our body is connected. Our bones are connected to the muscles. Our blood vessels form a huge network connecting each part of the body.

Then there are nerves which establish the brain-body connection, governing the whole body.

The one infinite energy in the universe has become the myriad names and forms. Even physical science has arrived at the same conclusion that the fundamental unit of everything in the universe is the same. It is consciousness connecting us all together.

If only we understand our fundamental connection and oneness with all, then our life can become joyous. What prevents us from experiencing oneness with all is our own mind.

Our mind is our window to the world. When our mind gets attracted to the outer world, it develops desires which create restlessness in our mind. This in turn gives rise to various emotions such as disappointment, hatred, anger, despair and anxiety.

When our mind is turned inwards, we get more mastery over our emotions and can still the mind at will. Yoga-Science helps us in this inward journey. The very word “YogaH” as it is called in Samskrtam language (Sanskrit) means “Union” or “Connection.” So, Yoga-Science is the journey of connection.

The C.O.N.N.E.C.T. System

Seven aspects of Yoga-Science form the C.O.N.N.E.C.T. system, where the word C.O.N.N.E.C.T. is an acronym:

C — Call in Happiness by Connecting to Yoga-Foundations

O — Optimize Your Life by Connecting to the Truth of Your Thoughts

N — Nurture Harmony in Life by Connecting to Your Attitudes

N — Nourish Your Health by Connecting to Your Body

E — Enhance Your Life by Connecting to Your Breath

C — Calm Your Mind by Connecting to Your Food

T — Transform Your Life by Connecting to your Mind

Let us now explore each aspect of the system to understand how it prepares us gradually to see our true connection with all.

C-CALL IN HAPPINESS BY CONNECTING TO YOGA-FOUNDATIONS

With the widespread misappropriation of YogaScience, its real purpose is lost and has come to be associated with just physical exercises. Even if done correctly as Yoga-postures, it is still only a small part of what forms Yoga-Science.

Understanding the Yoga-foundations connects you to the real purpose of life namely experiencing lasting happiness. That is what all of us are seeking and it seems to be the purpose of everything we do. So, Connecting to foundational knowledge of YogaScience is vital.

O- OPTIMIZE YOUR LIFE BY CONNECTING TO THE TRUTH OF YOUR THOUGHTS

Often what we think as true may not be true. It may be just our perspective of events and people. That is why, Connecting to the truth of your thoughts is important. It motivates you to become aware of the myth and truth behind the words you utter and the feelings you experience.

Understanding that most are just stories you tell yourself helps in optimising your life and calling in your happiness.

N-NURTURE HARMONY IN LIFE BY CONNECTING TO YOUR ATTITUDES

Optimized life leads to harmony in life. This is achieved by practicing “Yoga-Values” as explained in Yoga-texts under YamaH (Social Values) and NiyamaH (Personal Values).

The “Yoga-Values” connect you to your attitude in life. Your attitude decides how much joy you experience in life by nurturing harmony within you as well as in the society.

N-NOURISH YOUR HEALTH BY CONNECTING TO YOUR BODY

A mind in harmony means it is free of negative thoughts. The next step is connecting to your body through Yoga-postures. This aspect of Yoga-Science aims at practicing simple Yoga-postures thoroughly with absolute stability and ease.

It is shocking that most people are not in touch with their body. They don’t listen to their body and in turn their body does not listen to them.

The Yoga-postures help you to connect to your mind through your body. In the process, the diseases in the body vanish. Your body starts to cure itself.

E-ENHANCE YOUR LIFE BY CONNECTING TO YOUR BREATH

When your body learns to stabilise itself, you become ready for the next step which is the control of life-force or PraaNaayaamaH.

PraanaH indicates life-force. It manifests as all the actions of the body, as the nerve currents, and as thought force. It manifests as lung movement which in turn controls the breath. Thus through lung movement, you can control the life-force and everything else that it controls. By having access to the master-controller, your life becomes enhanced.

C-CALM YOUR MIND BY CONNECTING TO YOUR FOOD

Food impacts not just our body, but PraanaH, mind, intellect and Aatmaa, the core within. The food we intake affects our entire personality. Here, “food” not only means the food we eat through our mouth even though it vastly affects the mind. Whatever we hear, see, smell, taste or touch i.e. whatever we intake through our five senses should also be considered as food.

Thus food impacts not only the physical health or body weight, but also your moods, emotions, and attitude to life. This aspect of Yoga-Science is about your food choices so that you can calm your mind by changing what is on your plate.

T-TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE BY CONNECTING TO YOUR MIND

Connecting to your mind is the last step of Yoga-Science. All the previous steps are preparatory steps for this stage, called “Mind Mastery.”

Here you learn to live in the present moment and make your thoughts one-pointed. The restlessness of mind completely diminishes, and your life is transformed to experience unending happiness.