By Dr. Prakash MD AY
„Surya Athma Samayoga“- health peace and prosperity for every human being through the connection with the healing sun
The union or merging of your soul with the divine energy of the sun.
The role of natural forces has always been two-dimensional – positive and negative. Only a few individuals could recognize and learn about these natural forces or energies. Those who developed the sense to figure out the impact of natural energies on human life, succeeded in achieving harmony, peace and prosperity not only for themselves but also for society and the world around them. The number of people who knew about the importance of natural energy kept diminishing with humans struggling to achieve more and more materialistic possessions. After attaining considerable comforts in life through science and technology it was felt that, despite all the advancement, something was missing which is very necessary for peace of mind and greater success in life. This missing ‚Something‘ is simply the awareness of natural energy and its proper use.
"The sun is the visible celestial luminary and a concrete representation of the cosmic consciousnes."
Man has always prayed to various forces of nature. Among these surya or the sun has always held pride of place. Sun indeed is the essence of everything in nature. There is no day and night, no seasons without sun and the sun is responsible for all life and activity on our planet. The sun is the visible celestial luminary and a concrete representation of cosmic consciousness. The worship of the sun has been going on in India ever since the Vedic period.
As you might be aware, various psycho-somatic or stress-induced conditions are increasing all over the world. Death from heart attacks, cancer, diabetes, AIDS and several types of disorders are increasing at a fast pace. At the same time drug addictions, alcoholism and the misuse of all kinds of intoxicating substances are also creating a great menace to the health of many people. The toxic effects of many of the modern drugs are becoming health hazards not only for the present generation but also for the generations yet to come. In such a critical condition of environmental pollution, both external and internal, we have to seriously think and discuss how to prevent these health hazards and how to promote healthy ways of living for people on the physical, mental and spiritual level so that they can face the current crisis of psycho-physical health with courage and confidence.
The purpose of life is four-fold, to achieve Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. In order to attain success in this four-fold purpose of life, it is essential to maintain life not only in a disease-free state but also in a healthy and strong state of body, mind and spirit.
To maintain positive health, Ayurveda prescribes specific daily routines, dinacharya and also seasonal regiments, ritucharya. As already mentioned, without the sun there is no day or season. All these phenomenons are controlled by the solar cycles.
In Suryayoga equal importance is given to mental health. Mental discipline and adherence to moral values are considered a pre-requisite for mental health. An interesting concept worth emphasizing is based on the idea that resistance to disease or immunity and cure already existing health problems are possible by practicing Suryayoga regularly.
Solar energy is crucial for life on this planet. Sunlight provides the energy for photosynthesis by which plants produce organic molecules and which sustains life directly and indirectly. Approximately 50% of the suns radiant energy is in the visible portion of the spectrum (400 to 760 Nanometers), about 40% in the infra-red region and about 10% in the ultraviolet (UV) region. Our skin, eyes, blood vessels and certain endocrine functions respond to radiation from the electromagnetic spectrum of the sun.
Light in the form of radiant energy which is visible to the human eye is only a narrow band in the whole spectrum of electromagnetic radiations which consist of electric waves, radio waves, infra-red rays visible light, UVR, roentgen rays (X-Rays), gamma Rays and Cosmic Rays. Radioactivity was discovered in 1896. Today nuclear medicine techniques provide a means of measuring quantities as well as regional and total functions of many organs in a simple and non-invasive manner.
Everything in this universe is made up of the 5 elements, Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. They are the building blocks of existence. All matter is a mixture of these five Bhutas (elements) containing one or the other in a pre-dominant ratio. Among the elements, fire takes a special place and is very important for the existence of all life. Solar energy has a big influence on the fire or Agni element.
The foundation of the life science is based on the tri-dosha theory of Vatha, Pitha and Kapha. These principles are described as bio-regulating elements which are present inside the human system and control the various physiological and psychological functions of the body. Here amongst the three pitha is responsible for the regulation of all body reactions, producing heat through enzymes and neuro-hormonal activities. The most important functions of pitha are metabolic transformation, digestion, combustion, oxidation, the regulation of body temperature, visual faculty and the coloring of blood and skin. Pitha stimulates the intellect and the capacity for enthusiasm. It breaks down complex molecules of the body with the release of energy. The main carriers of Pitha are hormones, enzymes, co-enzymes as well as vitamins, etc. The capacity to defend the body from various destructive processes, degeneration and infections are largely dependent on the condition of the vital essence derived from the proper metabolic processes in the tissues. Pitha is responsible for the maintenance of the immunity power. Pitha or agni is greatly influenced by solar energy. You know that all plants grow in different seasons and differ in their qualities and their respective effects. These differences are also caused by the seasonal solar impact on the biosphere. The sun and its radiation is controlling the different seasons on earth and it is also deeply influencing the metabolic system of the human organism. Agni is also translated as metabolic fire and Ayurveda has always highlighted the fact that many diseases are due to improper metabolic functions of the body.
"Agni - the transformative power - is considered as the origin of life in Ayurveda."
Agni is even considered as the origin of life. It has been described as the basis of health and also affects the pulse and the cardiac rhythm. Characteristics or distinctive features which are inherent in living substances are not noticeable in nonliving substances. All living substances transform the energy of one form into another. Plants absorb solar rays through mysterious techniques and with the help of chlorophyll grow into all the different flora. Plants extract the CO² from the atmosphere and in turn produce oxygen that is the basis of life for all mammals including humans. Plants exhale what we inhale and vice versa. The two functions of transforming solar energy into molecules and the exchange of gases are the two common factors of all living substances, trees, plants, animals and humans.
Other markers of living entities are the power to assimilate, secondly the power to eliminate, thirdly the power to grow fourth, fourthly the power to reproduce and fifthly the power to respond or react to stimuli.
Various kinds of chemical changes have been going on ceaselessly in living substances. Growth and decay of organisms constitute these various kinds of chemical changes. A sort of transitory dynamic equilibrium prevails among all the chemical changes. These ever-changing activities are described and termed as metabolism. Such chemical changes which take place in living substances in combination with changes of environmental factors involve the phenomena of energy exchange. The total of this energy exchange is taken into consideration when Ayurveda describes general metabolism. Energy exchange takes place as soon as the tissues of a living substance become active. The sun has a great influence on these metabolic functions. The divine energy of the sun not only helps to maintain the proper functioning of our metabolic activities but also energizes our mind and soul. All the sense organs are insentient by themselves. It is Atman or the soul that animates them and makes them instruments of consciousness. All these are controlled by solar power which is responsible for the proper function of the mind, buddhi (intellect) and the sense organs.
„Prana is most important for life. Prana is Agni Somo Vay Sathwa raja Tamo Panchendriyani Bootha athmedi Prana“. In this Ayurvedic vers agni or fire is described in connection with the sun and we can say solar energy is also a contributing prana or life force to the planet and its inhabitants.
"Spirituality is the resolute pursuit of cosmic consciousness, and the knowledge of one's true nature."
The existence of all living things and substances is based on a mutual relationship between the two basic principles of Purusha and Prakrithi. The universal spiritual principle is known as Parama Athma or Supreme Soul in Ayurveda. Spirituality is the resolute pursuit of cosmic consciousness, and the knowledge of one’s true nature. Prakriti is described as unmanifested and unconscious and is perceived as the womb of all biological development around the world and is a highly dynamic principle containing the blueprint for all species and biological and spiritual phenomenons in the universe. Purusha and Prakrithi act upon each other and thus operate closely in an energy-packed state of tension. Prakrithi and its myriads of appearances in nature are undergoing constant transformation. Only the spirit principle of Purusha remains unaltered. The three qualities Sathwa, Rajas and Tamas are imperishable basic qualities of the matter principle of Prakrithi. It is only through the presence of the spirit principle (Purusha) that the manifestation of matter can take place.
Let us meditate on Parama Athman or the Supreme Soul so that we can realize it. When we come to experience the presence of Parama Athman, all our fears and sufferings vanish, doubts and delusions dissolve, bondages shatter and we enter into the realm of light where there is no trace of darkness and no shadow of death. We find ourselves free, illumined and blissful. There is no way out of the miseries of life but through the direct vision of the Supreme Soul. It is the supreme consciousness, the light of all lights. It is the Supreme Soul who manifests the universe. It is its light that animates nature. Through the sun, we are perceiving the reflections of this supreme light. This light gives life to the body and enables the mouth to speak, the ears to hear, the hand to work, the leg to move. The light of the Supreme Soul shines through every function of the mind and the senses.
"By regular practice of Suryayoga you increase the energy within and around your body, thus you become stronger and less prone to all kinds of environmental influences."
With the regular practice of Suryayoga your aura, the energy field surrounding your body will be increased. We are surrounded and penetrated by intense subtle activity, dotted with points of pulsating energy and sketched with radiant pathways of energy movement. By meditating regularly and engaging in all kinds of spiritual activities, this energetic sheath that envelops us starts to develop and becomes stronger and stronger. The energy field around our bodies contains our whole personal history and so our past is present like the annual growth rings of a tree. Every period and phase of our life is stored in the auric field and can be identified by highly advanced meditators and practitioners of Yoga and Ayurveda. Through the aura, we can understand the energetic dimension of life, not only in therapeutic terms but also in terms of inner growth and spiritual development. A living energy field surrounds and penetrates our physical bodies and we can enhance our perception so that this energy field can be experienced.
Though science has developed instruments with which some aspects of the energy field can be detected and measured, the deeper study and application of it comes through our own direct experience and insight.
Change in the energy field precipitate changes in mind, body, emotions and spirituality and vice versa. We can consciously influence the energy field with our attention, thoughts, feelings and actions.
We each have qualities of spiritual gifts, which can be developed. Everyone has an innate healing potential which he or she can enhance by the practice of Suryayoga, Meditation and other Yogic tools.