It is our common experience to find that there are only very few moments when we are really happy. Our concept of happiness is linked to getting something. When we don’t get what we want , we are unhappy. As the age advances, we assume that we are to have certain specific diseases and invite them and go on suffering them, as inevitable. Thus we see a lot of chaos around us.
Ultimately one feels that the world we live in is only full of miseries, sadness and pain. We remember and pray God for help in times of distress. When things continue to go wrong, we don't even hesitate to blame Him. Thus we are discontented souls living on this earth, some how spending our lives, just fulfilling our social obligations. Is it then possible to look beyond this? Yes, Brahma Vidya, a sophisticated culture, developed based on Hindu ancient scripts, the teachings of which, when practiced regularly, will provide the basic essentials to lead a healthy, joyful and happy contented life.
It is quite true that health and success appear to be very different from each other. However both these are dependent on following the basic laws of life. All truths are hidden and if we limit our observation only to the appearances, we can never comprehend the truth. One may say that every scientific discovery is a proof of this. Many a time appearances are deceptive. For example the earth looks flat, but actually it is round. Though it appears that the sun rises every morning in the East, actually there is no sun rise.
As the modern science tells us about the laws of the material universe, Brahmavidya tells us about deeper truths about our lives. When we follow these laws in our life, it makes our life orderly. And what we call as health and success is nothing but order.
What is Brahmavidya
Brahmavidya is an ancient system of Yoga and philosophy. In ancient Sanskrit philosophical literature the term ‘Brahma’ is used to denote the supreme being, which is commonly called as God. Hence Brahmavidya is a teaching, which leads to knowledge of Brahma - God.
Brahmavidya is a science which teaches spiritual laws of life. These spiritual laws operate in human life through breath and thought. We cannot think of life without breath or thought. Hence Brahmavidya teachings emphasize on breath and thought, which are the basic elements of life.
Brahmavidya teaching is based on a principle that every human being is potentially divine. Hence he has within him all the power required to overcome his difficulties and problems. Brahmavidya gives definite methods by which a person can overcome all of his physical and mental problems and lead a healthier, successful and happier life.
Breath
Though we are using breath and thought right from our birth, no one has ever taught us correct way of breathing or thinking. You will be surprised to know that average person uses only 10 per cent of his lungs capacity.
Brahmavidya teaches
a) Spiritual breathing exercises, which improve breathing
b) Meditation techniques, which improve thinking.
While the breathing exercises purify the body, meditation purifies the mind.
Through our breath, we receive oxygen and pranic energy. While oxygen purifies blood , pranic energy is used by the nervous system. By regular practice of spiritual breathing exercises, as taught in Brahmavidya, lung capacity increases considerably and energizes the body which enhances the stamina.
Brahmavidya is not like a medicine, which is meant for a particular ailment. It is a system, which helps to remove root cause of illness and promote health. Breathing exercises and meditation have been found useful to get rid of asthma and some other problems such as chronic cold and cough, high blood pressure, spondilitis, backache, heart problems, joints pain and many other ailments.
Thought
The practice also improves mental outlook of the person and makes him more positive, cheerful, optimistic and confident. Due to better physical and mental health a person can do his day- to-day work more efficiently. This can make him more successful at his job, his business or his profession.
It is essential to keep the mind at peace even in disturbing situations. Brahmavidya teaches how to achieve this. The thought process in the mind is closely connected to our breathing. By regular practice of the breathing exercises and meditation, we feel energized and we do away the negativities born out of baseless fears. We are able to tackle day-to-day problems of our lives in a more positive way and address them by adhering to the basic laws of life.
Historical perspective
The roots of this technique is found in ancient India about 1200 years ago when it was taught at Nalanda University now in Bihar.
An Englishman named Edwin John Dingle learnt a course on Mental Physics from Tibetan monks. He lived in a Tibetan monastery and studied under a remarkable Tibetan master and was then named as Ding Le Mei.
With this knowledge, he founded the Mental Physics Teaching Center and Spiritual Retreat in Yucca Valley, California, US.
Brahmavidya was brought to India by Swami Ramanathan who enrolled for this course to further his spiritual knowledge. Despite the financial constraints, young Ramanathan also enrolled himself into the Inner Chamber Course of Mental Physics for 124 weeks and after completing that, enrolled for the Advanced Preceptor's Course.
It was in 1984 that Swami Ramanathan was able to go to America to attend a convention of Mental Physics wherein he received the title of 'Guru Jyotirmayananda', the blissful embodiment of light. Mental Physics was renamed as Brahmavidya by him for India.
Guru Jytormiyananda started his Brahmavidya class in Mumbai. Several students have benefited from this course which passed through his hands, spreading the knowledge of Brahmavidya.
Brahmavidya classes in India at present
One of his disciples Jayant Divekar formalized this teaching and started Brahmavidya Sadhak Sangh – a NGO to spread this knowledge further. He translated the entire material in Marathi and the Marathi classes commenced at various places in Mumbai, Thane and Pune. He developed a team of dedicated teachers who were formally trained.
As of now, Brahmavidya classes for the basic course are of 22 weeks, 1 ½ hours, once a week. They are conducted at over 200 locations in Mumbai, Thane, Pune and many other parts of Maharashtra. Batches are also conducted in English and Hindi apart from Marathi. Guajarati bathes are likely to start soon.
All teachers conduct Brahmavidya as a voluntary service. Most of them are well qualified and successful professionals in their field of activity. The NGO also conducts residential/non-residential workshops of 3/5 days at various locations for people who are unable to adhere to the schedule of 22 weeks. Facilities are also available for postal coaching.
The trust has recently embarked upon an ambitious plan of setting up an Ashram near Lonawala to further develop this science in a more systematic manner and this plan is progressing well as per schedule.
The author, a chartered accountant, is a basic course teacher of Brahmavidya.