A mind loses its equilibrium when any external or internal problem strains it harshly. Consequently, its functioning gets disturbed and its harmony begins to diminish, slowly or rapidly, depending upon the individual's state of mental health. The person so affected for a long period, became mentally sick with an intensity proportionate to the degree of harmony lost. As a result the individuals thought, action, manner, behavior, and outlook become imbalance and take various forms and shapes of abnormal expression. This can involve person of any age, sex, of any socio-economic background and of any land.
Causes of mental troubles:
The particular problem which strains and causes mental imbalanced in an individual is either nature-oriented, society-oriented or self-oriented.
The problem arising out of nature could be in the form of some natural calamity, danger from certain animate creatures, and the peculiarity of natural phenomenon. The societal problems, likewise, could be religious, ethnic, racial, economic, political, etc., or also they might involve the varied problems of adjustment to certain customs, manners, ways of life, etc., of a particular community. Similarly, there could be countless problems of individuals own creation, which arise because of certain beliefs, faith, notions, habits, manners and also because of inner feelings such as, hatred, jealousy, revenge, love, romance, likes and dislikes.
People of every society, be that individual, agrarian, tribal or primitive, have been faced with various problems arising out of these three above mention sources, more or less, in the same way as we have to face today. Though the nature and forms of human problems have changed because of changes in social conditions, yet basically, they remain the same.
Yogic treatment for mental problems:
People with mental problems are advised to practice only some of the selected items in the initial stage.
First week: It should begin with the practice of Ujjayee Pranayama in 'lying position'. They should practice only five rounds of it daily. After making five rounds of Ujjayee, they should practice Suryanamaskar Asana and Uttanpada Asana. But do not make more than five rounds of each.
When all the three above mentioned items have been practiced, the practitioner should rest either in Shava Asana or by just lying on the back with normal breathing. This rest should be for five minutes at the end of all the three items.
Second and Third week: During the second week they should add the following asana: Paschimottan Asana, Bhujanga Asana, and Trikona Asana. After practicing all the asanas and the Pranayama mentioned above, they should now rest in Shava Asana for ten to fifteen minutes.
Fourth week: During the fourth week they should gradually add either all the asanas given below or they should choose and practice only those which they can perform comfortably: Sarvanga Asana, Matsya Asana, Dhanur Asana and Hala Asana.
When the practice of Pranayama and asanas have been regularized for about a month they should add the practice of concentration as describe below.
Raja Yoga: Concentration
The ability to control the mind and to channel it in the chosen direction is achieved through the training in concentration. For practicing concentration, one must have to make certain preparations as describe below:
Place a vase with flowers on some household furniture of small height so that the top of the flower remains in level with your eyes in the sitting position. There should be a distance of about five feet between the object and the practitioner.
Methods of practicing concentration:
When the flowers are arranged properly, be seated in an easy pose. For making this easy pose, you have to fold both the legs at the knees and put the body weight on the floor. After being in easy pose, first bring the left hand on the lap and put the right hand on the palm of the left hand. This will make your right palm facing upwards on the top of the left palm.
Then make the body straight. Your hand, neck and the spine should be in one line and straight up. Let the body be relaxed while keeping it firm in straight-up position. You are now ready to begin the practice of dharana (concentration), the first step of controlling the fluctuation of the mind.
Now look at the flower petals. Keep looking for about ten seconds and try not to blink the eyes. When you have looked at the flower for ten seconds, then close your eyes gently and try to see the shape of the flower in your mind. After keeping the eyes closed for ten seconds, open them and again look at the flower for ten seconds. Repeat this process of seeing closing and seeing. That is, seeing through the eyes, closing the eyes and then seeing through the inner eye. Repeat this process only five times in one session during the first week. Gradually develop it up to ten and then upon fifteen times, which should remain as a limit.
When the practice is over, keep sitting still. Now loosen the body and sit in a relaxed way for two minutes.
Caution: The total time devoted to this practice of concentration should not exceed more than ten to fifteen minutes.
Testing concentration:
While practicing, when you do not see anything through the inner eye, you have not gained concentration. While practicing, when you see some other objects through your inner eye but not the one placed before your outer eyes, you are improving but still have not gained concentration. But while practicing, when you see the shape, for up to 5 seconds you have gained concentration. When you can hold the same shape of image for up to 10 seconds, you have gained concentration, your mental sickness or disorders are gone and you are fully restored to normal life.
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