Aikyam (ऐक्यम्) - Oneness
by Leonie
As human beings, we quickly feel alone or disconnected, especially during a world-wide pandemic that separates us from friends, like-minded people or family. The reason for feeling alone or separated is that our senses are limited and allow us to notice just particular sections of the reality around us. Our eyes see each of us as separated beings and our brain cells believe that what we see is the truth. However, apart from what we see, there is a much deeper level of being. The entire world consists of neutrons, protons and electrons. On this energetic level, we are all one and all connected.
According to the yogic philosophy, we are all one in our essence as we originate from the same source. In our essence we are all connected. All that exists, will exist and ever existed is part of one infinite energy. All beings are part of this infinite consciousness. Practicing yoga and other spiritual practices like meditation, mantra or mudra allows us to get back into the state that we all derive from. It allows us to feel united even if we are by ourselves. It allows us to feel connected to the person next to us even if he or she looks, acts or styles differently. It allows us to feel one with nature, animals and all beings around us.
Our senses analyze just a limited part of the frequencies and energy fields around us. Our physical body wants to survive in the physical world which is why our thinking mind limits our perception to a certain degree. This reality that derives from our brain serves a certain cause at a certain time. However, in order to stop suffering and to stop feeling separated, it helps to practice self-realization. In our true essence, in our hearts, we are all the same which we might forget in everyday life while being busy with survival.
In the end, we should understand oneness as an ethical challenge to build a more inclusive, more diverse community committed to equal justice for all. That way, we can build a stronger society that helps to heal the world.
How to integrate into your yoga practice:
Meditation:
Sit back to back with another person and synchronize the breathing. Let your breath expand to the other person. Allow yourself to release infinitely outward. You may notice a feeling of bliss, of joy, of expansion and happiness as your breath expands to the other person and even further.
Asana:
Flowing one movement per breath
Seated: inhale – open arms to the sides, exhale – give yourself a hug
Wheel and as a counter pose lying down with knees together and hands to the heart
Shavasana as a full integration of the yogic practice into body and mind
Mantra:
Humee Hum, Tumee Hum, Wahe Guru
I am Thine, in Mine, Myself, Wahe Guru
(‘I am Thine’ by Jai Jagdeesh on Spotify)
How to integrate into yoga teaching:
Make sure that each student feels comfortable in your class. Tell them to take a break whenever they need to. Make sure to give variations. Be clear that no asana or variation of asana is better or worse than the other. Tipp: You have to believe this with your full heart and practice it for yourself. Only that way, your students will believe that what you say is true and understand that their posture and body are just right the way they are.