Abhyasa
The Sanskrit term Abhyasa means exercise, practice . Along with Vairagya, it forms one of the two pillars of yoga .
etymology
Abhyasa - अभ्यास - abhyāsa - is made up of the prefix abhi - अभि - abhi - (towards, towards, against) and the verb as - अस् - (throw). What is meant is to throw oneself into an undertaking to achieve a certain goal .
definition
Abhyasa is defined as an exercise and its constant repetition.
“Abhyasa is the art of learning what can only be acquired by cultivating disciplined action. This requires long, motivated, calm and persistent effort. "
In verse 14 of the Yoga Sutra Patanjali gives the following definition:
"स तु दीर्घकाल नैरन्तर्य सत्कारा (दरा) सेवितो दृढभूमिः - sa tu dīrgha-kāla-nairantarya satkāra (-adara-) asevito dŗḍha-bhūmiḥ - Abhyasa is an uninterrupted, disciplined, devoted and vigilant practice that takes place under divine guidance."
It creates a solid foundation for containing the whims of the mind .
description
In Hinduism , Abhyasa is a spiritual practice that is constantly and regularly practiced over a long period of time.
In yoga in particular, it was prescribed as a discipline by the great wise man ( Maharishi ) Patanjali in his yoga sutras. Abhyasa is also described by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita alongside Vairagya as an essential technique to bring the restless, flighty mind ( Vritti ) under control.
According to the Mimamsa , one of the six orthodox Hindu schools, Abhyasa is one of the six distinctive stations (sad-liṅga) on the traditional path to understanding the Vedas .
Abhyasa in yoga
Abhyasa is mentioned in the yoga sutras in the following places:
Sutra I. 12:
"अभ्यासवैराग्याभ्यां तन्निरोधः - abhyāsa vairāgyābhyām tan-nirodhaḥ - Both exercise (abhyasa) and non-intervention (vairagya) are necessary in order to calm the consciousness that is structured into patterns"
The complementarity of Abhyasa and Vairagya should be illustrated by the following river metaphor: Two things are necessary for the existence of a river: water and a limiting bank. But if there is no water on the banks, we only have a dry river bed in front of us. If there is water but not a narrow bank, we get a flooded swampy landscape. But through the confining banks created by Abhyasa and the waters of Vairagya that bring movement and detachment, we receive a stream of awareness.
Sutra I. 13:
"तत्र स्थितौ यत्नोऽभ्यासः - tatra sthitau yatno 'bhyāsaḥ - exercise means to remain in mental stillness by means of constant exertion"
Patanjali alludes to the calming of the citta , which can only succeed through the determined action practice of Abhyasa, which is disciplined, focused and purposeful.
Abhyasa in the Bhagavad Gita
The term Abhyasa appears in the Bhagavad Gita in verses 6. 35, 8. 8, 12. 9, 12. 10 and 18. 36.
Verse 6. 35:
„श्रीभगवानुवाच: असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम् अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते - śrī bhagavān uvāca: asamśayaṁ maha-bāho mano durnigrahaṁ calam abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeņa strong, ca gŗhyate - The Supreme Lord said: Kunt Ois very difficult to curb the restless mind, but with proper practice and detachment it is possible. "
Verse 8. 8:
„अभ्यासयोगयुक्तेन चेतसा नान्यगामिना परमं पुरुषं दिव्यं याति पार्थानुचिन्तयन् - abhyāsa-yoga-yuktena cetasā nānya-gaminā paramaṁ purușaṁ divyaṁ yāti pārthānucintayan - harnessed by the yoga of the practice, the mind is prevented from wandering. If you then remember me, O Partha, you will reach my transcendental abode. "