Towards light, truly and surely

The prayer for being led from darkness to light (tamaso ma jyotir gamaya) involves first the fair admission of the fact that one is still groping and unsure of what is right or wrong and that the real truth could be far different.

‘Change management’, as applied to business or corporate re-engineering, is thus applicable to personality development too, through purging oneself of stubbornness, self-righteousness and tendencies to jump into conclusions. It is then that truth begins to unfold, guiding the aspirant truly and surely to not merely what is fair and just but also to what is good for all concerned. This happy outcome is thus in consequence of an abiding humility within, which comprehends the fact that as humans, one could always err and that divinity flowers itself only when the spirit prays fervently to the kindly light for being led “from the encircling gloom”.

An ancient Sanskrit prayer addresses itself to that guiding light which dispels the arrogance of spiritual darkness, through the medium of true knowledge, thus opening the eyes to truth. The practical working of this concept has been elaborated in his book, Yoga Nidra by Satyananda Saraswathi, founder of the Bihar School of Yoga. He drives home the point that knowledge of truth comes only when one is free of tension and that true relaxation confers an altered state of perception.

Indeed, it is only when the tints of such tension, stresses and disturbance are removed, that one sees things for what they really are — the truth of matters. In this state, as Satyananda notes, the mind ceases to identify itself with “inhibitions, likes or dislikes that reinforce its individual nature”, thus not being influenced by preconceived notions, opinions or prejudices.

This self-effacing humility, which avidly prays for light and guidance, providing for possible errors in one’s own judgement, is thus the starting point for progressing towards that path which is not merely right, but which, the aspirant would also be confident, is right. Established thus in surety and peace, he would, doubtless feel the joy of bliss within. This verily is the highest form of relaxation to the spirit, the atman.

This supreme relaxation, conferring that altered state of perception, invariably also enables one to discover truth. This discovery further leads to greater fulfillment and inner conviction — the perennial sources for more and more of peace and relaxation within. This, thus, is a virtuous cycle, indeed!