One of the yogic paths is called jnana yoga: the yoga of self-inquiry. The yoga whereby we investigate ourselves, as a path leading to enlightenment, although for most of us, it would be a path of learning about oneself. Often utilising the question of "who am I"? The idea being that with this question always being asked, one delves deeper and deeper into the pysche to discover who one actually is, peeling away the layers of maya, illusion.
For most of us, this is very difficult, especially as, without guidance, we tend to go deeper and deeper into fancy. Fancy is considered by sage Patanajali to be 1 of the incorrect sources of knowledge. So, what else can we do, what can we do that is more immediate, & practical? And, which satisfies a very important part of our make-up: the intellectual mind, and also goes past fancy (make-believe) into something more realistic.
If you've ever done a business plan, you may have done a s.w.o.t. analysis. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats. This analysis is done in relation to one's business, and is quite comparative. We are looking at our business in connection with the marketplace. In Satyananda Yoga, we do something similar: A S.w.a.n. analysis, to investigate oneself. It can also be used in connection with something you are trying to achieve.
So, how do we do the Swan technique? On paper, work out what your strengths (qualities) are, your weaknesses (liabilities), what your aim is, and what you need. Without a doubt this list will change as you become more honest with yourself. You will see how a weakness can be a strength when applied a certain way. Maybe even how a strength impedes you. Your real aim may turn out to be different from what you start with, and definitely, your needs will change. What you think each element of swan is, in relation to yourself, it will change. Keep doing it.
Swan is a very subtle way of finding out what you need to do with your life. As "What You Are Best At" (Strengths) changes into what you actually are best at, you will discover what you need to do in your life. You will have found an Aim to work with. A realistic aim that you can achieve, which makes sense for your own personal make-up.
You can then apply Swan to what you need to do to achieve this aim. What are your strengths with this aim, what is your weakness? What do you need to do/have to achieve the aim? When an obstacle comes up, apply Swan. You will get good at applying the rational aspect of the intellectual mind.
Saturday19th January 2013, KFM 106.9 radio:
With the New Year most of us make Resolutions. Often they don't get accomplished. In yoga, we would call a resolution an Intent. Immediately there feels like a connection with the mind when we call it an Intent. It's been found that there are 2 times when we can effortlessly allow our Intent to affect our minds, for we need the help of the mind to accomplish things: as we fall asleep, or are awaking, there is a 'gap' where we are not consciously alert, nor are we unconscious (sleeping).......this is the time, the gap between sleep & wakefulness, where we can 'implant' our intent. Even more penetrating is to do this in Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation where the body sleeps & mind moves through stages of alertness & deeper states). We do this at the start of the technique as we are starting to move into relaxation, & at the end, when the mind is very receptive. It's best to use a CD for this or good ole youtube etc
So we have an intent, maybe an easy one like doing more exercise (we'll use walking here). But, we just can't seem to do it!! Here's a hint: decide when you will have completed your exercise, eg friday by 4pm I'll have done a 20 minute walk. You don't have to imagine it, intellectualise it, just keep this it mind. You'll end up doing it, by friday at 4pm, you will have done your walk. Without any arguments within the mind!! This is my annual 'doing taxes' method, and it's never, ever failed me. I use it for grocery shopping, housework, office work, lots of things that I'm not enthusiastic about. .
There are 2 yoga principles which work well with this. Abhyasa which means 'constant practice'. In other words it's someting that we do over & over. It becomes a habit. When we do someting over & over, we create a neural pathway in the brain which gets stronger each time that we do the habit. So our habit gets easier to do. The other principle is called vairagya. Often people call vairagya 'detachment' but....this creates difficult ideas of non-caring within our mind. It actually has 2 levels, one of which is highly developed spirituality, but, at the level that we are using it, vairagya means discernment, and it is the means for overcoming our likes & dislikes. After all, if we need to do a technique for our 'walk' (or whatever the Intent is), there is an element of dislike operating. Vairagya also has a lot to do with common sense.
We need two other aspects as well for our Intent, for our dreams, goals, & all those Secrets we try to manifest: consciousness (mind) & energy (action).The 2 combined create a 3rd aspect: the outcome!!
All those books which followed The Secret, revealing the 'secret element' missing from the book for manifestation, maybe didn't know to just use yoga principles!!
If we just have 1 of these 2 principles, nothing manifests properly, for, consciousness without energy (doing) produces just dreams and wishes. And energy without consciousness creates a scattering of energy, or, what we do is scattered, and doesn't have 'somewhere to go'. So, we also need to apply our minds and work out just what we are going to be doing to achieve our resolutions.
