Longexhale - Articles

THE GOAL OF GOALS
The aim of Yoga, and in fact, the essence of life, is expressed by the Sanskrit word 'paramananda', or, 'more sustained joy'. For whatever we see as the goal of existence, it is only that which we associate with, what we believe will lead to 'paramananda'. Money, fame, family, helping others, union with God, enlightenment, nirvana, nothingness or a stable mind: each is valued only inasmuch as they are equated with 'the increased feeling of lasting joy'. In the end, whatever our personal situation or philosophical orientation, 'paramananda' is what all goals aspire to.

According to Yoga's holistic anatomy, the Five Mayas, (download the entire series at www.yogitimes.com), the dimension which manifests this potential for more sustained joy is the ananda-maya, or emotional body. Because this core level is the most subtle, it permeates and affects all the others. Those who are more joyful tend to stay healthier, heal quicker, learn better, and maintain clearer values. Thus, the traditional German saying, "The happiest child wins the race."

TEMPERATURE RISING
In addiction studies, the ananda-maya is described (in simplest terms) as a kind of emotional thermostat, ranging from the darkest depression on one end to the deepest joy on the other. We each develop a pre-set emotional disposition, an ambient emotional tone somewhere along the scale. This emotional temperature is somewhat influenced by genetics and pre-natal conditions, but it is shaped, primarily, by life-experience, specifically our earliest, deepest most formative relationships. Though the flow of daily experiences will register as being relatively more joyful or depressing (winning the the lottery/getting fired), each individual starts from, and returns to their regular set point on the scale.

The condition of our ananda-maya controls the way we feel about ourselves, other people, fate, God and things in general. It is the unspoken, deeply felt sense of 'how we are' and 'how life is'. Someone who's emotional thermostat is set further to the negative side of the scale would be more likely to find fault with, and maintain resentments towards, themselves, others, and situations in general. On larger issues, they would tend to worship a more authoritative, punishing God, or struggle with the notion of a higher power entirely, asking, "How could any God let all the horrible things happen in the world". Their bumper sticker would announce that 'Life is hard, then you die.', and they would believe it.

And individual with an emotional pre-set closer to the joyful end of the scale would see the positive side of things and tend to be more hopeful and forgiving, Such an person would more easily embrace the vision of a gentle, loving God, or life-force supporting the universe. Their bumper stickers would encourage us all to 'visualize world peace', 'impeach Bush', or something equally upbeat and optimistic.

NOT ENOUGH LOVE IN THE WORD
In this model, the addict, and those most likely to develop full-blown addictions, have an emotional pre-set closer to the negative end of the scale. Thus, addiction is not based on simple genetics or a single traumatic experience. According to both Yoga and accepted addiction theory, the root of the problem lies in the addict's negative emotional pre-disposition, their ananda maya deficiency. It is their fundamental shortage of joy, and the resultant tendency toward fear, resentment, sadness and drama, which makes the alcoholic drink, the addict use, and the overeater overeat.

In subsequent articles, we will outline Yoga's many tools for helping to recover from addiction's effects on the first four mayas. We'll learn how Asana helps to heal the physical (mano-maya) discomfort. We'll see how pranayama, sound, and the other breath-centered technologies can improve the addict's compromised physiology, their prana-maya,. For the mano and vijnana mayas, Yoga offers meditation techniques which help stabilize the mind and clarify values.

All these areas are relatively easy to treat, compared to the ananda-maya level, the emotional core, responsible for our deepest sense of self-worth, and the ability to give and receive love. For this level, according to Yoga, their are no easy tools to facilitate change.

THE MISSING LINK
Initially, this emotional body was shaped (for better or worse) by relationships. Throughout life, it is still relationships which provide our greatest joys and deepest sorrows. Therefore, the one essential component in healing the ananda maya is- relationship itself. The only way to move the emotional set point, and change our sense of 'how things are' is through continuous, positive, long-term relationships which nourish and strengthen the core self.

It is not surprising, then, that addiction creates profound suffering, in twelve step lingo, 'the wreckage of our past' in the area of relationships. Inevitably, the addict becomes more and more isolated from friends, family, co-workers, and society in general.

This need for healthy, healing relationships also explains why the first of Yoga's eight limbs (ashtanga) is yamas, or relationship, and Patanjali offers several sutras to illuminate the guidelines for joyous relationships. (We'll examine these in future articles) In addition, the traditional Yoga model prescribed one teacher for each student who could provide guidance and support in the context of a loving student-mentor relationship.

Though few modern Yogis enjoy an in-depth relationship with a teacher, it is a primary component of most healing modalities (the therapist/client dynamic is the foundation of Western psychology) , and is a fundamental requirement for transforming the ananda-maya. Without this intense personal relationship (anonymous group stretch classes just don't get it), Yoga, for all its powerful tools and best intentions, can only effect a relatively superficial change, particularly in those with addictive tendencies.

In my own case, for fifteen years, the patterns underlying my addiction: perfectionism, self-destructiveness (always in the name of self improvement), and competitiveness were actually deepened by posture-centered group Yoga classes, where I was regarded less as a person, and more as an anatomical construct, a pose- making machine.

THE FUTURE OF YOGA
As awareness grows, however, more Yoga teachers are being trained to offer individualized, relationship- based instruction. Meanwhile, twelve step programs, with their emphasis on sponsorship and intimate sharing at regular group meetings continue to offer the powerful, long-term fellowship (satsanga) needed to change the emotional thermostat and heal the ananda-maya of its members.

Interestingly, even the slightest positive movement in this underlying emotional tone generates an experience so profound it is often described as a spiritual awakening ( a term heard frequently at 12 step meetings). Often, there arises a spontaneous shift in perception, one which transforms the individual's relationships with everyone and everything. This deeply emotional, life-changing experience is required for high quality, long-term sobriety. It is, undoubtedly, what the Yoga master, TKV Desikachar, was referring to when he said, "The true test of whether Yoga is working is our relationships get better.