Meditation, once reserved for spiritual seekers, has emerged as a cornerstone of mainstream wellness, supported by an ever-expanding body of scientific evidence. Despite its ancient origins, meditation’s relevance in the modern scientific landscape continues to grow, revealing its profound impact on both the mind and body. This time-honored practice has captivated researchers globally, prompting extensive studies into its effects on brain function, physiology, and overall health.
Discover the art of whole-being wellness with our Train the Brain Retreat – an immersive experience that combines ancient wisdom with modern scientific understanding to foster a powerful mind and a disease-free body.
Sanskrit: Bahiḥ akalpitā vṛttiḥ mahāvidehā tataḥ prakāśa āvaraṇakṣayaḥTranslation: By the complete restraint of the mento-emotional energy which is external and not formed, a yogi achieves the great bodiless state. From that, the tremendous mental darkness which veils the light is dissipated. Explanation: This verse discusses achieving a higher state of consciousness known as 'mahāvidehā', or the immense bodiless state. This state is reached by restraining external mental modifications that are unformed or abstract. As a result, the veil of ignorance or darkness that obscures proper understanding is removed, illuminating the yogi's path with clarity and insight.
Sanskrit: Sthūla svarūpa sūkṣma anvaya arthavatva saṁyamāt bhūtajayaḥTranslation: By the complete restraint of the mento-emotional energy, while linking the attention to the gross forms, honest nature, subtle distribution, and value of states of matter, a yogi gets conquest over them. Explanation: This verse focuses on achieving mastery over the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) by meditating on their gross and subtle properties and their intrinsic value. The practice, known as 'saṁyama', leads to 'bhūtajaya', or conquest over the elements, granting the yogi profound insights into the material world and beyond.
Sanskrit: Tataḥ aṇimādi prādurbhāvaḥ kāyasaṁpat tad-dharma anabhighātaḥ translation: From minuteness and other related mystic skills comes the perfection of the subtle body and the non-obstructions of its functions.
Explanation: Patanjali describes the outcome of mastering the elements — the emergence of 'siddhis' or mystical powers such as 'aṇimā' (the ability to become minute). These powers contribute to refining the subtle body, enhancing its capabilities, and protecting it from physical hindrances.
Sanskrit: Rūpa lāvaṇya bala vajra saṁhananatvāni kāyasaṁpatTranslation: Beautiful form, charm, mystic force, and diamond-like definition come from the perfection of the subtle body. Explanation: This verse highlights the benefits that arise from the perfection of the subtle body, which is not just mystical powers but also enhancements in physical appearance, charm, strength, and resilience, likened to the hardness of a diamond. This transformation directly results from diligent spiritual practice and mastery over the self. These verses from the Yoga Sūtras offer a deep insight into the advanced stages of yogic practice, where profound internal work leads to extraordinary external manifestations, including mastery over the physical and subtle elements of existence.
In a significant scientific exploration titled “Cognitive and immunological effects of yoga compared to memory training in older women at risk for Alzheimer’s disease,” published in Translational Psychiatry, researchers have showed the profound benefits of Kundalini Yoga (KY) in enhancing cognitive functions and modulating immune responses, offering new hope for those at risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.
This rigorous randomized, controlled trial conducted by Adrienne Grzenda and colleagues at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine assessed the effects of KY compared to Memory Enhancement Training (MET) over a 24-week period. The study focused on older women with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and cerebrovascular risk factors (CVRFs), crucial indicators of potential progression to Alzheimer's Disease.
A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
