Shama (Sanskrit)
The Sanskrit term Shama stands for a fundamental principle in yoga that can be reproduced with mind control .
etymology
The noun Shama शम (often just rendered as Sama) is related to Shanti शान्तिः and derives from the homonymous adjective Shama शम quiet from. What is meant here is the calming of the mental functions .
definition
In the Tattva Bodhaḥ , Adi Shankara defines Shama as follows:
“Śamaḥ kaḥ? mano-nigrahaḥ "
“What is Shama? It is gaining control over or ruling the mind "
description
The spirit ( English mind ) maintains a constant flow of thoughts upright. These are innumerable and almost always revolve around some sense objects. They enter the mind at high speed and leave it again just as quickly. Viewed in isolation, every single thought is of a weak nature, but the totality of all thought impulses exerts an enormous power over the mind.
It is the mind that drives us to all kinds of actions. He can be aroused, distracted, stubborn and can often be adamant.
We can contradict others, but we are slaves to our own mind. The upsurges of our minds make us experience high feelings and depression and we experience both noble and ridiculous moments. With such an unsteady mind, however, no exploration of the nature of the self can be made.
Someone sitting in a room leaves for two reasons: either they are called out, or they are bored and lured out by their restless mind. Analogous to this, the human being is generally distracted in two ways: either his senses wander after objects and cause the mind to follow suit, or inner desires, memories, expectations, etc. lure him into the tangible outside world.
As soon as we refuse to respond to wandering thoughts, give in to them, and continue to maintain them, they lose their power over us and we retain full control over the mind. To do this, we need some kind of alert and constant vigilance. We can also make the mind docile by consciously withdrawing thoughts from sense objects whose worrying and desirous nature is already well known to us.
"Doṣa dṛṣṭyā muhurmuhuḥ"
We must break the mind's habit of preoccupying thoughts and brooding on sense objects. Disciplining the mind will not be appreciated by him at first, but through intelligent, informal behavior he will gradually become our best friend. He who has gained control of his mind is in mastery of his world.
meaning
In Vedanta, Shama is the first of the six inner riches ( Shat-sampat ) alongside Dama , Uparati , Titiksha , Samadhana and Shraddha . In yoga, mastering it is a fundamental requirement.
swell
- Adi Shankara: Tattva Bodhaḥ .