yoga teacher training India - Manonmani state

 In ‘Manonmani’ state yogi attains natural capacity to stay in Kevala Kumbhaka. In this second level, Prana starts moving upwards and reaches to Sahastrar Chakra (The Crown Chakra) without efforts. The moment this happens there is a total extinction of ego and thoughts. All that remains is pure consciousness.

Often the mind acts on two choices:

Either it holds something (a thought or focus) or

It is held by something (an objective based chattering).

With step by step practice of yogic activities, one can reach a stage where there will be no outward feelings of senses, breath feels like not breathing a state of total awareness, mind attains total stillness, in In Manonmani state, these identity based thought patterns terminate and the mind becomes pure consciousness.

Yoga teacher training India

We see that a dead person’s eyes will not blink; if eyes are open they remain open. In the case of Manonmani, the stabilization of blinking of the eyes does not mean that a person is dead, but on the contrary yogi becomes one with both matter and consciousness.  Blinking of eyes is sometimes associated with the movements of the mind. Mind’s movements and wandering come to a halt in Manonmani state. Yogi attains oneness experience between visible and invisible energy.  Motions of eyes become awakened and rechak and puraka frees the mind totally from intentions and choices. It becomes a state of choicelessness.  These happenings are indications that the state of Manonmani prevails in life.

Netre नेत्रे = eyes, beautiful eyes

yayonmeṣa ययोन्मेष = swift twinkling or upward motion of eyes

nimeṣa निमेष = shutting the eyes

śūnye शून्ये = blank, zero, emptiness, void

vāyuryayā वायुर्यया = windy, breathing

varjita वर्जित = abandon, not allowed

recapūraḥ रेचपूरः = inhale exhale

manaśca मनश्च = mind’s

saṅkalpa सङ्कल्प = intention, will personified

vikalpa विकल्प = choice, option

śūnyaṁ  शून्यं = nothingness

manonmanī मनोन्मनी = a state, Goddess Durga

sā सा = and

sannidhattām  सन्निधत्ताम् = receiving, placing

चित्तेन्द्रियाणां चिरनिग्रहेण

श्वासप्रचारे शमिते यमीन्द्राः।

निवातदीपा इव निश्चलाङ्गाः

मनोन्मनीमग्नधियो भवन्ति॥ १८॥

cittendriyāṇāṁ ciranigraheṇa śvāsapracāre śamite yamīndrāḥ |

nivātadīpā iva niścalāṅgāḥ manonmanīmagnadhiyo bhavanti || 18||

मन और इंद्रियों पर  लंबे समय तक अधिकार होने के साथ ही सांस के विस्तार की गतिविधि स्तब्ध हो जाती है और  इन्द्रियाँ नियंत्रित हो जाती हैं, तब संयित शरीर का अंग प्रत्यंग स्थिर दीपक की भांति जगमगाता है और तब मनो अनमनी अवस्था प्राप्त होती है ||18||

When the mind and senses are under prolonged restrain, expansion of breath comes to standstill, senses are controlled, body limbs start illuminating like steady flame of the lamp and then Manonmanee state is achieved. ||18||

How to attain Manonmanee state? This is guided here, step by step.

The five koshas of the body are as follows:

1. Annmay Kosha (Gross Body) Most external and visible
2. Pranamay Kosha (Prana Body) second layer within gross body
3. Manomay Kosha (Mind Body) Mind is a complete invisible body
4. Vigyanmay Kosha (Special Intellect Body) and
5. Anandmay Kosha (Bliss Body) beyond sorrow and happiness and innermost body.

Our body is made of countless tiny cells. Each body is in each cell. First we have to purify the external four bodies so that the manonmanee state can be achieved.

Krishna says:

Body is governed by the senses. Mind is stronger than senses. Intellect is the governor of the mind. Soul is the boss of intellect.   - 42/chapter III,Gita

If, we understand the hierarchy of authorities of our system, it becomes easier for us to reach higher stages.

Winning over body, breath and mind are possible through yogic practice of Yam, Niyam, Asana and Pranayam, one can attain the first stage guided by Adi Shankaracharya. Thereafter we also have to win over the most critical level of our body: the senses. So we have Pratyahar. Pratyahar is not withdrawal of senses, but this withdrawal from the senses.  More critical is withdrawal from the movements of the mind and focus. This will attain through dharna. Once dharna happens all thoughts comes to stillness. 

such situation each and every body limb start illuminating, shining and radiating. When such state comes it is called Manonmani. This is a great state for yogis.