• Table of Contents
  • Draw Yourself to Yourself by Swami Veda Bharati
  • To Sit Still by Swami Rama
  • The Beginning of a New Journey by Ilaria Sarri
  • Silent Retreat in the Netherlands by Nina Terpstra
  • AHYMSIN / HYMTA Retreat by Marylou Nunamaker
  • Swami Ma Radha in California by Silvia Baratta
  • Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar Pilgimage by Sujata
  • Silence Stillness Love by Veena Haasl-Blilie
  • Dear Yoga Mentor, My Question Is
  • 2019 Events and Beyond
  • Full Moon Meditation Dates
  • Location of our SRSG ashram
• AHYMSIN Newsletter Archive

To Sit Still

by Swami Rama

[This is an excerpt from Science of Breath by Swami Rama, Rudolph Ballentine, and Alan Hymes, The Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy, Honesdale, PA, 1979, pages 129 – 130.]

After serious observation and analysis of its functionings, yogis have found that the mind forms the habit of being conditioned, either by remembering past experiences or by imaging the future. There is no technique which helps it become aware of the now except meditation and contemplation. But meditation is not a method of allowing the mind to roam aimlessly. It is a conscious effort of coordinating the body, the breath and the mind. In the monastic tradition teachers do not teach the advanced techniques of meditation unless they see the signs and symptoms of the stillness of the body and the serenity of the breath.

When a student learns to still his body he becomes aware of many tremors, twitching and movements that he was not aware of before. Since childhood he has learned to move, but no one has taught him how to be still, and sitting still is very important, for the less movement there is in the body, the steadier the mind will be. All of the movements, gestures, tremors and twitchings of the body are caused by an undisciplined and untrained mind, and when a student examines his behavior, he finds that not a single act or gesture is independent. The mind moves first, and then the body moves – and the more the body moves, the more the mind dissipates. When the student has learned to be still, however, and begins learning the techniques of breath awareness and meditation, he becomes aware that he can have conscious control over his body, his breath and his mind.

Editor’s Note:

For all Swami Rama’s and Swami Veda Bharati’s published works, please visit www.yogapublications.org or email info@yogapublications.org.

Published works of Swami Rama and Swami Veda Bharati are also available at other venues.