In Indian philosophy, ignorance or Avidya has been discussed in detail. Ignorance is not the lack of knowledge, but failure to see reality as it is. In his Yoga Sutras the seer Patanjali defines Avidya in the beautiful way— Anitya- Shuchi- dukhatamasu - Nitya- Shuchi- sukhatma - khyatir - Avidya According to Yoga philosophy, Avidya is mistaking the impermanent for the permanent, the impure for the pure, suffering for the happiness and non-self for the self. Avidya has been called the origin of suffering and the root of suffering lies in the fact that we seek permanent happiness through material possessions, social relationships, status and physical appearance, even though all these are subject to change and decay. Our perceptions are shaped by our memories, beliefs, mental conditioning, emotions and experiences. We react to our interpretations of events rather than events themselves.

 

This happens because we attach our identity to the changing and flittering circumstances. Jnana or true knowledge has been prescribed by Indian philosophy to dispel Avidya. Jnana comes from Abhyasa , Vairagya and Swadhyaya. Abhyasa is the constant practice to control the mind through different Yogic tools and techniques. Vairagya is the nonattachment. Life is to be lived without being over identified with it. The practice of Vairagya leads to Sakshi Bhava or a sense of witnessing. The practitioner becomes an observer. He takes part in the life drama without getting attached to it. The Yogic concept of Sakshi Bhava remarkably corresponds to the metacognition of psychology. Metacognition is observing the thoughts. It is a mindful state of consciousness. Neuroscience propounds that during the stage of mindfulness, autonomic balance enhances and executive control reigns.

 

With the dawn of Sakshi Bhave, awakening starts appearing. According to Yogic belief, it is a self discovery. One starts seeing the impermanence of the world and questions habitual beliefs and conditioned patterns of behaviour. Yoga leads to self awakening through the disciplines of Yama, Niyama, Asanas, Pranayama, Pratyahara, meditation and Samadhi. Yama are ethical norms . They are five in number- truthfulness, non-violence, non stealing , self restraint and non hoarding . Social norms refine consciousness and prepare it for further journeys. Niyamas are individual observance. They are in five in number- purity, contentment, penance, self reflection and ego surrender. Niyamas are the stepping stones on the path to self evolution.

 

Asanas lead to body awareness. Pranayama connects the body with the mind through breath. Pratyahara reduces sensory overload. Meditation makes the mind focused and calm. Samadhi is the great absorption of the individual mind into the cosmic consciousness. The different layers of human existence are integrated through these processes. The mind becomes deconditioned. All dogmas , preconceived notions and fixed identities lose their existence in the seamless stream of pure consciousness.It is like a river merging into the ocean. The statements like Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah (Let all be happy) and Vasudhiva Kutumbakam (The entire world is a global family) are the emanations of such awakening. Thus, self awakening is a journey from unconscious identity to conscious understanding. One lives with greater clarity, emotional balance , freedom and compassion. (The writer is Former DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra) ■