6 Hindrances in Yogic Path
2 years ago By Yogi Anoop6 Hindrances in The Path of Yoga
Not just in the yogic journey but to achieve balance and harmony in life, some rules are essential to follow. Discipline is also of utmost importance while some habits or activities are to be completely avoided. Some habits are disruptive to good mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. Probably that's why Swami Swatmaram, in his book Hatha Yoga Pradipika, accepted 6 habits as obstacles which are as follows:
Too much speaking
Excessive eating/overeating
Too much of networking
Excessive physical labour
Being too dutiful
Fickle mindedness
1- Speaking too much
I call it mouth diarrhoea. To speak more means to lie, only a very imaginative mind has to speak more, such personalities are found to be lying, these types of people are extremely fearful inside but present themselves as otherwise. Although the memory of such people is not very sharp because they speak with such intensity that even they do not know what they have spoken. That's why they are not reliable either. Their level of self-satisfaction is very low.
People who speak excessively may also experience acid reflux while sleeping at night, there is a burning sensation in the throat while sleeping. The jaws of such people are often clenched while sleeping. These types of people are found babbling even at night, this is my experience with my disciples. That is why it is accepted as a deterrent element. This is not only an obstacle for the sadhaks, but also dangerous for the common people.
2- Over-eating/Excessive Eating
Those who speak more have to eat more food because the jaw, tongue and throat are misused more than necessary due to which fatigue becomes very high in them. That's why these types of people have to eat again and again, and also have to eat excessively. People of such nature also have a habit of eating very quickly. Because of this, all the major organs related to digestion and elimination never get rest. A lot of Rajasic and Tamasik properties are seen in the quality of their food because the mind and brain get satisfaction only from this type of food. Not only food, but persons of such nature also require a lot of intoxicating drinks.
That's why Swami Swatmaram considered both talking and eating too much as obstacles.
3- Excessive Networking
The senses should have only so much contact with the external society that there should be no hindrance in their self-progress and growth. With more public contact, all the senses start turning outward, due to which the peace of the self becomes unstable. Here, Yogi ji does not mean that public contact should not be done at all, it is only a hindrance for the seekers if it is done excessively. A balance should be achieved by turning inward and setting aside time to meditate and being with self.
4- Over Exertion
Physical activity to the extent of exhaustion is also not good for a healthy, balanced life. Too much stress increases oxidative stress in our body and throws the bodily processes out of gear. Here, labour refers to physical exercise and too much of any work. Exaggeration in hard work creates sensuality, and sensuality disturbs the mind which causes diseases in both the mind and the body. In my experience, the kind of hard work which gives rise to non-action tends to make one healthy.
5- Insistence in Following The Rules
There should not be too much in following the rules. Rules are made by the mind, by doing too much of it, the brain and body become victims of habit. And any type of habit, even if it is good, gives pain to the body and mind in the future.
6- Fickle-Mindedness
The root cause of all the above-mentioned hindrances is the fickleness of the mind. Due to the rapid movement of the mind, defects arise in the organs of knowledge and when the organs of knowledge are contaminated, the organs of action naturally start performing unnatural actions. That's why Yogic seekers should make constant efforts to stabilise and calm the mind.
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