MASTER YANTRA BALANCE

Introduction

As I review the professional
priorities of my life,? I feel privileged to note the contribution that I am
able to make as a woman both professionally and personally. Life has been good
to me: my education has enabled me to open the horizons to a truly international
lifestyle that encompasses Europe – particularly the UK- the USA and India. My
qualifications have granted me a passport to a way of life that enables
self-sufficiency, flexibility and fun; but the real basis for my life has been
my interest in ‘practical spirituality’, to which I will return later. As a
professional woman I have also the joy of a balanced home life.

Meaning of
Balance

According to the dictionary,
balance is usually defined as stability of mind and body. Balance has recently
come to mean part of life/work balance according to which certain modern
approaches are recommended. I will return to these later. For the purpose of
today I would like to consider achieving the right balance through a much more
traditional and profound methodology that you may not be familiar with. Also as
regards the meaning of balance I would like to propose a definition based upon
the acronym:

‘Be always loving and
naturally calm everywhere.’

I would like to consider
this definition and highlight the importance of attitude of mind, to which I
will return several times in this article. Significantly, this includes humour
and positive thought.

Inspiration for a
happy healthy life

For every individual the
inspiration can be different.

In my life, this has largely
come through my interest in the power of the mind and thought that has developed
with my voluntary work with Adhyatmik Foundation, Inc and its associated
organisations. The Foundation’s name is Sanskrit – often described as the
world’s most ancient living language - and means all enhancement and advancement
of body, mind and self. Sanskrit is known as the language that underlies almost
all of the Indo-European languages. Many of the well-known tools that are
available to us to try to go within in order to lead a more balanced life
originate from Sanskrit and the Vedic lifestyle.

You may already be aware
that the word ‘yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘yuk’ meaning to join or unite
as in the English ‘yoke’. Also the word ‘mantra’ has its Vedic origin meaning
the invoking of inner strength. The word ‘Sanskrit’ means ‘perfected.’ Its
grammar is regarded as unrivalled in its refinement. In addition, the rich
culture, philosophy and way of life demonstrated by the Sanskrit Vedic texts are
exemplary, enabling profound understanding of the meaning of life: their
relevance is profound and practical for all in this hectic changing society.

The Vedas are the most
ancient holistic system dealing with all aspects of life and nature; they form
the bedrock of Indo-Aryan civilisation and represent the culture of philosophers
who despised the arts of commerce and lived mostly by agriculture, respecting
nature. This culture was more concerned with the happiness that lies in
non-material thought and living than material possessions. They believed in a
simple natural lifestyle in comparison with today’s more material lifestyle.
Indeed the vast Sanskrit language and literature enable the reader to access a
wholeness and – through the beauty of the Sanskrit sounds, the exemplary
rationality of its grammatical structure and the depth of its content – a unique
philosophy. It has often been said that Sanskrit has the power to elevate people
to the ultimate perfection at the heart of all living things.

The Adhyatmik Foundation’s
activities have focused upon a balanced and healthy approach to life, with an
emphasis on appropriate lifestyle changes both through workshops and
publications. The Foundation has been concerned from its inception and from the
time the organisation commenced activities in 1983 with the development of
educational charitable life style activities that are cross-cultural and
represent a global understanding and which are practical in today’s society and
world. It has always been concerned with making available advice and teaching
that would not be available easily in a manner that can reach the understanding
of all, even the very young and the very old. Therefore its officers have
translated and made accessible traditional thoughts and texts – particularly
from the Sanskrit and Vedic tradition – so that they can be easily understood
universally. The objective is to open the doors of that knowledge to enable
people of all traditions, cultures and beliefs – age, origin or gender – to
develop and/or enhance their health, happiness and understanding and meaning in
life so that, in turn, this can be applied to assist the achievement of a
healthy life-work balance. The President is a doctor, philosopher and teacher,
as well as a Master in Sanskrit, who is dedicated to such an objective.

Adhyatmik Foundation’s
educational tools can assist in achieving cross-cultural coexistence, respect,
harmony and interaction, which are especially important today and, when coupled
with practical yoga and contemplation activities are becoming increasingly
relevant and important.

The Foundation’s
publications referred to below are based upon perennial knowledge that
transcends any purely Eastern tradition and is relevant globally. The Yoga texts
have been translated into many languages and are very well received by both
students and teachers of yoga.
The Truth Will Set You Free
(Element Books 1987)
Balanced Yoga (Element Books
1990)
Yoga; A Practical Guide (Element Books
1998)
Cosmic Power Behind the Iron Curtain
(2004)
A Technique to Live (2004)
A Moment of
Stillness (2004)

In addition many Children
Stories, Poems and Practical Series of Translated Sanskrit Texts have been
prepared and are under preparation.

For further information, see
www.adhyatmikfoundation.org

Vedic
Guidance

In the Vedas there is a
clear cut direction and understanding of the structure of society. If one looks
carefully at Hinduism one will find no better system has developed since Vedic
times.

The Vedas command: ‘You
shall live one hundred or more’ – ‘shatamjivet’ –
and first developed
Ayurveda, the science of life. Accordingly, life is divided into four
stages:

• Brahmacharya: 25 years to
  build the body and mind and study;
  
• Grihast: 25 years as a
  householder with accompanying duties and responsibilities;
  
• Vanaprasth: 25 years of
  semi-retirement and dedication to more scholarly and social work; and
  
• Sanyas: 25 years of total
  spiritual life and dedication to spirituality.

Of course one can define
each stage in great detail scientifically according to the system. That would
take many pages and can be done on another occasion.
In conjunction with the
four stages of life, four objectives are set:

• Arth: resources or
  wealth;
  
• Dharma: duty,
  responsibility and obligation;
  
• Kama: fulfilment of
  positive ambitions and desires; and
  
• Moksha: liberation or
  enlightenment.

Vedic Life Management
System:

• nutrition/diet;
  
• sleep;
  
• exercise;
  
• time management;
  
• personal and professional
  activities and balance;
  
• emotional issues:
  management of thought and emotion
  
• health tips, non drug
  treatment, herbal etc;
  
• communication issues:
  proper interaction with persons/family etc;
  
• riorities for life.
  

Interaction with
Nature

Communion with nature is
without doubt a force for good and well being. Consider the
following:

Lessons are
learned from many sources,
Including the elements of Nature;
Mountains
represent firmness and stability;
In Rivers we find fluidity and
flexibility;
Trees illustrate the ability of forbearance;
And the Sun
teaches us to shine without expectation or discrimination.

The clarity
of the Sky and the patience of the Earth can serve as constant reminders and
examples to us.

Dr
Svami Purna, Balanced Yoga (Element Books, 1997
p10)

Sanskrit, Right
Living and Well Being

I have already referred to
the role of Sanskrit and its terms: according to the traditional Sanskrit texts
there are certain tools that can enable us to enjoy what is often described as
right living and well being. I have touched on the more well-known ones when
introducing you to my volunteer activities but I think that it would be helpful
to amplify such meanings and to introduce other important concepts here. All of
these tools can be helpful in adopting an integrated and holistic approach to
life that facilitates balance.

Yoga

This Sanskrit term has
become a very familiar term in modern day parlance and means practice and
discipline aimed at well being. Health is a very essential part of yoga. A
healthy body creates mental stability and facilitates meditation and true
spiritual understanding. All are really interconnected. As mentioned,Yoga is
based on the word ‘yuj’ meaning to yoke or join, fasten or harness (as in horses
to a chariot); to concentrate the mind in order to obtain union with the
Universal Spirit; to be absorbed in meditation. Many systems have evolved over
time: the traditional one is that of Patanjali which focussed on ‘prana’ meaning
breath or life-giving energy which pervades the entire universe and all that is
included in it from the amoeba to the human being.

Ayurveda

The Sanskrit term embracing
the world’s most ancient medical science that includes appropriate living or
lifestyle. The word ‘Ayur’ means life and ‘Veda’ means knowledge. The Indian
philosophy of the oldest systems known is found in the Vedas, the Sanskrit texts
containing this wisdom. Based on the theory of the tridosha or the three humors
(fire, water and air), Ayurveda assigns a particular set of characteristics to
each person. Any imbalance can be corrected through the practice of yoga and the
chanting of mantras (with meditation: to which I will return).

Mantra

The Sanskrit word meaning
concentrated energy of certain sacred sounds or syllables that empowers one,
such as AUM or OM. Aum is known as the perennial sound that is the essence of
the Vedas. The sacred and mystical syllable contains the beginning, middle and
end with the highest spiritual sound and vibration. It is the first sound of
creation: A-U-M representing in the philosophy of Hinduism the three gods,
A-Vishnu, U-Shiva and M-Brahma, meaning the preserver, the destroyer and the
creator respectively. Mantras are used for healing and spiritual
development.

Yantras

A yantra is the visual form
of a mantra, a prayer. A Tantric text states: ‘Yantra has mantra as its soul.
The deity is the soul of the mantra. The difference between mantra and deity is
similar to that between a body and its soul’.

Though two dimensional,
yantras are conceived of as having depth and full dimension. Yantras may be
drawn or painted on any material, out of any substance. There is no parallel for
the term in English but yantra may be summarised as a two-dimensional diagram in
which visualised energies are concentrated or simply a field of energy. With its
mantra a yantra is a complex of stored imagery of sight and sound and psychic
and mystical content. Many yantras appear to be nothing more than an interwoven
complex of geometrical designs centred upon a point (bindu). The whole may be
enclosed by a square, signifying the cosmic dynamics and the four corners of the
universe. Yantras are worshipped as containing the divine presence. The yantra
is often confused with a mandala: the difference is that the yantra applies to a
specific devata only, whilst a mandala applies to any devata or divine
presence.

Karma

The Sanskrit term meaning
act, action, word, deed or performance; the result or effect of one’s actions
according to the cosmic law of cause and effect. In modern day terms one often
hears ‘What goes around comes around’! The root is from the Sanskrit word ‘kri’
meaning to do, act or enhance. The entire ethical consequences of one’s acts are
considered as fixing one’s likely future life (subject to correction through
certain practices through yoga, mantras, meditation and ayurveda). The moral
energy of a particular act is preserved and fructifies automatically in the next
life according to the law of nature. In that lifetime this demonstrates and
manifest in one’s class, nature, disposition and character.

Positive
Thoughts

There is proof of the power
of the mind at every stage of life from birth to death. Against all odds a baby
will survive: despite every medical intervention a person will die according to
their will, whether conscious or unconscious. Some valuable positive –
contemplative – thoughts are quoted here:

Clouds are
brought in by the Wind
Again they are driven away by the same
agency
Similarly human bondage is caused by the mind
And liberation too is
cause by the mind alone.

May you be
possessed of harmonious hearts
And may your minds move equally –
May your
works produce fulfilment
And may you serve humanity collectively.

There is
not time for hesitancy.
If your sail is not prepared when the wind springs
up
You cannot advance
You miss the opportunity.
And though the wind
will come again
Time is passing by ...

True
discipline
Can never be imposed.
It must spring from the heart
…
Spontaneously.

The point
of focus is transformation,
Giving birth to your real self,
And
sacrificing those aspects that obstruct growth.

When you have
the knowledge of who you really are
You can maintain happiness regardless of
circumstances
Despite outside difficulties and tests.

As you
relate to family, friends and associates
Remember to relate fully and
truly.

Maintaining a
Balanced Approach in Life

In my view maintaining
balance is the key to professional and personal success. Be clear about your
objectives and priorities, live a healthy and fulfilled life, stay motivated and
always celebrate successes.

For many this means
maintaining:

• happiness;
  
• health; and
  
• wealth.

The human being has devised
many and varied approaches to satisfy herself physically, mentally and
psychologically. Passing fads abound in terms of diets, forms of exercise and
hobbies. Then, a time comes when all these methods become exposed as charades.
You can feel empty – a failure. A much greater need is experienced, and that
need, the demand for spiritual fulfilment, will always be there. It can be
compared to a continuous pain. No matter how one tries to divert the mind, from
time to time the pain will be there. My experience is that the more you grow in
spiritual understanding, the more you will be able to receive and to reflect
true happiness. It is something that once attained becomes inexhaustible. Then
you will have found the Source and that never runs dry, like a river going to
the ocean, on and on. This happiness cannot be bought, it cannot be found – it
must be earned, by pure thought and action: it may be earned through
selflessness, devotion, dedication, faith, service, sacrifice and humility. It
will involve your heart and your soul.

I believe that the mind is
the only instrument given to the human being to triumph over worldy materialism
described in Sanskrit as the play of the world, maya, illusion. According to
this philosophy the mind can be purified by positive or contemplative thoughts,
such as those offered above. Negative thoughts can – literally – poison your
mind. My approach in the spirit of practical spirituality is to try to avoid
expectations, to embrace change, to live in the present – not the past or future
– and to be flexible in all things as far as possible. This is an ongoing
exercise because as human beings we have often been programmed to expect, to
remember the ‘good old days’ to look forward to ‘better times’, to remains
always young and beautiful and to hold on to our plans and dreams! The Vedic
philosophy or way of life emphasises the importance of change and a positive
attitude.

The mind is also influenced
by everything that enters your body, food, drink, the air you breathe, skin
cosmetics, etc. You must develop a keen sense of awareness of what is healthful
and pure and those things that have been contaminated with chemicals, dyes and
preservatives. In all of this the key is to take responsibility for your self,
your happiness, your health and your prosperity. It is my view that there is no
doubt that eventually you will achieve total happiness in this way. If you make
complete faith and patience your companions on this journey, any unhappiness,
misery, doubt and confusion will vanish like a cloud. Life is meant to be a
happy experience – whatever your age and stage – that you can share with your
loved ones and friends.

At Adhyatmik Foundation and
Balanced Lives we have developed some modern day tips for life that may seem
simplistic and yet are effective: these are summarised below. As professional
women we must also be concerned with:

Successful
Communication:
Assertiveness
Positive
Thinking
Listening
Cultural Awareness

Contemplative
Practices for Effectiveness and Creativity:
Stress
Management
Time Management

Building and
retaining Sustainable Relationships:
Positive
Interaction
Personal and Professional Happiness

Maintaining a
Balanced Approach in Life as Professional Women

There are tips for the
professional woman, some of which follow:

• Invest in Yourself:
  As a
  daughter, sister, friend, wife and/or mother you may have instinctively put
  others first. Nevertheless, professional women are increasingly aware that to
  fulfil the needs of others your own must be attended to. Of course, if you do
  too much for those around you, this breeds dependence and it becomes a vicious
  circle. Start being more selfish at home and, once you’ve grown accustomed to
  the principle of putting yourself first there, you’ll find this notion has an
  uncanny way of creeping into other areas of your life.
  
• Make Time for
  Yourself
  Mothers, in particular, have had to get away from the idea that
  parenting is a role of self-sacrificing servitude. To offer the family the best
  of yourself, you have to look after yourself. Do not view time for relaxation or
  doing something for you as an indulgence. Rather, see it as an investment for
  you and your family. This is not just a thinly-veiled justification for being
  selfish; it’s a fact. If you do what makes you feel good or fulfilled, then you
  will naturally feel better in yourself, have greater self-esteem and a healthier
  zest for life. While we can all say, ‘but I just don’t have the time’, it’s a
  matter of prioritising and something has to give. Time for you is important and
  if it means that some chore doesn’t get done or that you have to enlist the help
  of family and friends then so be it.
  
• What You Can Do:
  You
  know better than anyone what it is that gives you the greatest pleasure or the
  best sense of fulfilment. You’ll almost certainly have your own ideas for ways
  to indulge yourself and to relax. However, here are a few suggestions garnered
  from other professional women to achieve that bit of extra time:
  - Don’t try
  and pack domestic chores into your few free hours. Instead of food shopping, for
  example, have a massage – and order on-line from a supermarket home delivery
  service that night.
  - Relax your standards – sounds strange, doesn’t it. But
  that simply means that your house doesn’t have to be spotless the whole time. If
  it means getting to your pottery class, you can turn a blind eye to a bit of a
  mess, surely? There’s always time to tidy up before visitors arrive.
  - Have a
  sacred space or part of the day where nobody disturbs you and where you can
  relax temporarily. Even if it’s just a corner of your bedroom for five or ten
  minutes, get into the habit of making that space or that time sacrosanct.
  -
  Make time to talk to your partner. Between individual work, social and domestic
  commitments, you can become ships that pass in the night. Set aside a little
  time each day to exchange news and to talk, preferably without
  interference.
  - Consciously relax. Sometimes you may catch yourself on the
  way to work or while doing some chore and your shoulders are up around your
  ears. Make an effort to learn a breathing or relaxation technique and employ it
  regularly throughout the day.
  - Use baby-sitters for ‘self-time’ rather than
  just for work or social engagements with partner and friends.
  - Mothers
  should commit to giving children and loved ones a certain amount of time each
  day with your undivided attention. This is their time and it should be important
  to you both – and far better than begrudgingly giving half your attention for
  what seems like hours and hours on end.
  For more information also see
  www.balancedlives.info

Balanced Lives training is
aimed at women of all ages who, due to circumstances, find themselves lacking in
confidence, have self-esteem or self-image concerns. Courses are tailored for
those who need to:

• create balance in their
  domestic lives:
  
• find peace within;
  
• learn assertiveness skills;
  
  
• deal with strong-willed,
  demanding children without subjugating themselves;
  
• even out inequalities in
  their relationships;
  
• discover what fulfils
  them;
  
• find ways to relax and deal
  with the pressures of life.

Practical
Application: Case Study of Practical Spirituality

For me this has worked
through:

• Choice of legal practice –
  environmental and ethical areas.
  
• Communication works –
  writing, workshops etc.
  
• Family Life – flexible home
  and family!
  
• Voluntary Activities –
  international and cross-cultural.

One initiative such
initiative, representative of my efforts, of course, is the launch of Women in
Law Ltd.
In closing I would like to ask yourselves a few pertinent
questions:

• What aspects of my life am
  I most passionate about?
  
• What are my unique talents
  and my strengths?
  
• Have I recognised what
  motivates me?
  
• What does success mean to
  me?
  
• What purpose would I like
  to give my life?
  
• How can I prioritise my
  time more effectively?
  
• How can I improve my life
  every day?
  
• Do I live by the values I
  believe in?
  
• Do I listen to my intuition
  when I make a decision?
  
• Are my actions in tune with
  my values?
  
• Do I show respect to myself
  and others?
  
• How important is my family
  life?
  
• Am I willing and able to
  take responsibility for my self?
  
• Can I laugh at
  myself?
  
• Have my values and
  priorities remained the same or are they changing?
  
• Do I regularly read
  inspirational books?
  
• Who can give me valuable
  feedback or be a mentor?
  
• What is balance to
  me?

Then please remember some of
the stated effects of an unbalanced life:

• finding life a struggle,
  feeling of general fatigue;
  
• signs of physical wear and
  tear;
  
• neglecting basic health
  needs, sleep, nutrition, fitness;
  
• signs of unhealthy or
  excessive stress; and
  
• strain on personal
  relationships.

So smile and begin to ‘be
always loving and naturally calm everywhere’.
Let me leave you with one
contemplative exercise, breathing naturally:
Peace Within, Peace
Without
Bless this day and make it peaceful and happy
Re-energise and
strengthen me
And channel me to my good.

WWW.DHYANSANJIVANI.ORG

yantraguru@hotmail.com

www.womeninlaw.com