Sutra 1.11
अनुभूतविषयासंप्रमोषः स्मृतिः॥११॥
anubhūta-viṣayāsaṃpramoṣaḥ smṛtiḥ
Translation:
- The act of remembering, is the act of not escaping of objects experienced before. -CT
- When a mental modification of an object previously experienced and not forgotten comes back to consciousness, that is memory. – SS
- Memory is the retention of images of sense objects that have been experienced. – EBF
Vocabulary:
smṛti—memory, act of memory, recall, remembering
a-saṃpramoṣa—not losing, non-escaping, non-stealing
viṣaya—objects of sensory experience
anubhūta— experienced before
Key Concepts:
Memories are our stored experiences, everything we experience is recorded as a memories. Memories are experienced in dreams when we sleep and during the day when we daydream and imagine. Memories are considered to be dependent on the other forms of mental activities, knowledge right and wrong, imagination, and sleep.
If an event is very intense or repeated many times it becomes a Samskara, a deep habitual impression. Memory and Samskara both influence each other. The clarity of our citta, our heart mind field of consciousness, determines how accurately our experiences are perceived and stored.
A memory is helpful if it contributes to our happiness and it is hurtful if it is detrimental to our happiness. Memory can keep our citta focused, but its deeper purpose is remembering our true nature.
Mantra Practice
Memorizing a word or phrase can be a really helpful tool for redirecting our mental state throughout the day.
In the Yogic Tradition Sanskrit mantra has been used for this purpose. Sanskrit has been used for this purpose due to its inherent metaphysical qualities. Other languages have been used in this same way such as Hebrew.
When we use sacred languages it has the power to not only change the state of our mind by redirecting it but it also by changing the vibrational quality of the mind.
Create your own mantra. It doesn’t need to be in a sacred language, unless you want it to be. It should be something that feels powerful to you! Something that resonates with your entire being, all the way to your core. It should be in the present tense as if you are speaking to yourself from your own inner wisdom. The part of yourself that knows your true brilliant nature.
Here are some examples, or make your own. Write it down. If you have a 6X Book keep it there. Repeat it as many times a day as you can.
- OM or AUM
- I am love.
- I am abundant.
- I am truth.
- Everything is as it should be.
- I determine my own experience.
Sanskrit Mantras
ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय ।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।
ॐ शांतिः शांतिः शांतिः ॥
लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो मवन्तु ॥
Lokāḥ Samastaḥ Sukhino Bhavantu॥
May all beings everywhere attain happiness and freedom.
Oṁ Asato Mā Sad Gamaya
Tamaso Mā Jyotir Gamaya
Mṛtyur Ma Amṛtam Gamaya
Oṁ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ
Lead me from the unreal to the real
From darkness to the light
From mortality to immorality
Om Peace Peace Peace
Practice
Watch for changes in the Pranayama/Meditation Section of Practice!
Prayer:
Guide me to that which is in my highest good. Help me to distinguish what nourishes my soul and what deteriorates my being. Lead me down the path of wisdom so that I may show up fully in each moment. Let my study be enlightening and fruitful. Allow my practice to benefit all beings. – Namaste
Classical Namaskara
Practice 5 Rounds. If you have more time, practice Pavanamuktasana before the Namaskar-s. If you still want to do more, do more rounds.
Belly Breathing
- Lie on you back, with your knees bent and heels close to the hips.
- Place your palms on your belly between the navel and bottom ribs with the tips of the middle fingers touching.
- Start Ujjayi Pranayama.
- Start to breath deep into the belly. Let the tips of the fingers move apart on inhalation. Hold the breath comfortably.
- Exhale completely, let the finger tips come back together. Pause, hold the breath comfortably.
- Continue for 5 Minutes.
Yoga Nidra
Get comfortable in Savasana and listen to the Yoga Nidra audio file. You can practice Yoga Nidra anytime that you feel tired and need a quick recharge or when you want to relax, like before bed.
Reflections
- How can I train my memory to serve my growth and happiness?
- How can memorizing a word or a phrase help me purify my mind?
- My mantra is…..?
What does this remind me of? Other stories, scriptures, or teachings.