CENTRAL PHILOSOPHY
The central philosophy of Kaya Yoga is moderation, derived from the teachings of the greatest master in human history, Gautama Buddha, who in one of his innumerable fables, parables and analogies had explained the concept by alluding to a veena, a stringed musical instrument of India. In his analogy the master had stated that the strings of a veena strung too tight, snap, and on the contrary, if too loose, fail to produce the musical notes. Since the veena’s function is to produce melodious notes, it is imperative that the strings be strung at the right tightness, neither too tight nor too loose. The Buddha thus, had emphasised the importance of the Middle Path for leading a happy and a healthy life.
Kaya Yoga therefore advocates treading the Middle Path, a life of moderation, half way between the ostentatious opulence and austere self-denial; teaches a life of honesty, simplicity and truth. In this Twenty-first century world, where honesty and truth have become the two truly endangered species, the preceding statement may be misinterpreted as a sermon to lead a monastic life, but that is not correct. Kaya Yoga does not preach renunciation of the world or the worldly pleasures; on the contrary, it recommends a balanced sense of enjoyment of all the pleasures of life – physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual – by the accomplishment of sound physical and mental health.
Moreover, Kaya Yoga encourages a sense of humour and joy by promoting laughter, and advises to remain cheerful even in the face of adversity. A good belly-laugh, every now and then, cures many ailments. Kaya Yoga also encourages writing from the heart, no matter how small, be it an entry in a diary, or big, like a creative work of literature.
Kaya Yoga owes its origin to Hindu and Buddhist philosophies, but is open to people of any religion, nationality or ethnic background.
My grandfather taught me the age old Vedic philosophy of India that is very clear in its statement of the purpose of human life, in Sanskrit Purusartha, and the pursuit of Dharma (duty), Artha (wealth), Kama (desires) and Mokshya (liberation), as the means to achieve purusartha. Kaya Yoga, he advised, facilitates the attainment of purusartha. Kaya Yoga also emphasises the control of the six most dangerous enemies of a human being and they are: Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (infatuation), Mada (pride) and Matsarya (malice), who hinder the attainment of purusartha.
I have added one key tenet of Vedic India, Aham Brahma Asmi (I am the Brahma), which could be interpreted that there is genius in all of us, as the Supreme Soul or the Brahma dwells in all of us, to the central philosophy of Kaya Yoga. The emphasis is on the phrase – all of us – and Kaya Yoga facilitates the realisation of this simple yet profound truth. We, human beings, were not mass produced like the mass produced items of everyday life, we were handcrafted. Each one of us is an object of art and precious. I appeal to you all to realise this basic fact.
Excerpts from Kaya Yoga: Road to happiness, health and longevity;
©Nachiketa Das; ISBN 9780980322309; 1st ed. 2007; School of Kaya Yoga.
