Be a Mind-Ninja with Roopa Pai

By Jyothsana Narasimhan, Educator

In a world filled with distractions and fast-paced living, the ancient practice of yoga offers a pathway to mindfulness and inner peace. Roopa Pai‘s The Yoga Sutras for Children is a remarkable book that introduces young readers to the profound wisdom of Maharishi Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras in a way that is engaging, accessible, and educational. Roopa masterfully simplifies and condenses the complex concepts of the sutras into a format that is relatable and easy to understand. During her NLF session at Kahani Manch, titled “Be a Mind-Ninja”, Roopa talked about the sutras with ease and eloquence, charming the enthralled audience all the way through!

Starting from the definition of yoga to giving us practical tips of watching our thought-train come and go, she reiterated yoga as the “stilling of the churnings of the mind” so that “you see yourself as you truly are”, for to be still and make our minds still—“as still as a mountain lake”—is the goal of yoga anushasanam. Thoughts are inevitable but if we perceive them as waves that rise and fall, we can calm our minds. Roopa elucidated five kinds of thoughts as per the yoga sutras, and asked us to recognise and be aware of the thoughts flooding our minds. The five types of thoughts are as follows:

1. Pramana (Right Perception): Pramana refers to thoughts that arise from accurate and correct perception. These thoughts are based on reality and provide a true understanding of the world. Pramana is essential for gaining knowledge and making informed decisions.
2. Viparyaya (Misconception or Misunderstanding): Viparyaya refers to thoughts that arise from incorrect or distorted perception. It involves misunderstandings, misconceptions, or misinterpretations of reality. Viparyaya can lead to confusion and incorrect judgments.
3. Vikalpa (Imagination or Fantasizing): Vikalpa involves thoughts that are purely imaginative and not based on reality. These thoughts are often characterized by daydreaming, creative thinking, or creating mental images of things that don’t exist. While imagination is essential for creativity, excessive Vikalpa can lead to distraction.
4. Nidra (Sleep or Unconsciousness): Nidra represents the state of thoughtlessness that occurs during deep sleep. It is the absence of conscious thought and is essential for rest and rejuvenation. While nidra is a natural part of the sleep cycle, it is not considered a state of consciousness.
5. Smriti (Memory): Smriti refers to thoughts that arise from memory. These thoughts are based on past experiences, knowledge, and recollection. Memory allows us to learn from the past, plan for the future, and maintain a sense of continuity in our lives, but dwelling in the past also leads to regrets.

According to Roopa, these categories of thoughts, as outlined in the Yoga Sutras, can be used as a framework to understand the nature of the mind. This framework provides insights into how different types of thoughts can impact our perception of reality and our overall mental well-being. Using it as a straight point, we can train our minds to sift through and align our thinking with our goals, thus truly becoming a ninja-mind in the making!

As with systems of thought, there are systems of knowledge, referred to as the Pramanas. These systems can be used to understand and acquire knowledge, particularly from Indian philosophical contexts. Here’s an overview of each of three of these systems:

1. Pratyaksha (Perception): Pratyaksha is the most fundamental and direct means of acquiring knowledge. It refers to knowledge obtained through the five senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. In other words, it is knowledge gained through direct sensory perception of the external world. Pratyaksha is considered the most reliable and primary source of knowledge because it is based on direct experience.
2. Anumana (Inference): Anumana is the system of knowledge based on inference or logical reasoning. It involves drawing conclusions or making inferences based on available evidence, observations or premises. Anumana is crucial for making sense of the world and predicting outcomes. It is the process of arriving at knowledge indirectly through logical deduction.
3. Agama (Testimony or Authority): Agama involves acquiring knowledge from trustworthy and authoritative sources, such as scriptures, books, experts or reliable witnesses. It is the process of accepting information or teachings based on the credibility and authority of the source. Agama is essential for learning from the wisdom and experiences of others, and for acquiring knowledge that may not be directly perceptible.

These three systems, Pratyaksha, Anumana, and Agama, are central to Indian epistemology and philosophy. They can help us to navigate the complexities of acquiring knowledge and understanding the world around us. In addition to these three, there are three other Pramanas: Upamana (comparison or analogy), Arthapatti (postulation), and Anupalabdi (non-perception or absence). Collectively, these Pramanas provide a comprehensive framework for knowledge acquisition and understanding in classical Indian thought.

Roopa then briefly talked about the eight limbs of yoga as outlined in Maharishi Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras that further provide a comprehensive framework for the practice of yoga and the path to spiritual realization. 

The eight limbs of yoga are:

1. Yama (Moral Restraints): Yama represents the ethical principles and moral restraints that guide one’s interactions with the external world. There are five yamas: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness and honesty), Asteya (not coveting others’ possessions), Brahmacharya: (moderation and self-control, often associated with celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness).

2. Niyama (Observances): Niyama involves personal observances and practices that promote self-discipline and self-improvement. There are five niyamas: Saucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment and cultivating a positive attitude), Tapas (discipline and austerity), Svadhyaya (self-study and introspection), and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to a higher power or divine source).

3. Asana (Physical Postures): Asana refers to the practice of physical postures in yoga. These postures are meant to promote physical health, flexibility, and balance. They also serve as a preparation for deeper stages of yoga.
4. Pranayama (Breath Control): Pranayama is the control and regulation of the breath. It involves various breathing techniques and exercises to enhance the flow of prana (life force) in the body, improving physical and mental well-being.
5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the Senses): Pratyahara is the practice of turning one’s attention inward by withdrawing the senses from external stimuli. It is a preparation for the more advanced stages of meditation.
6. Dharana (Concentration): Dharana involves focused concentration on a single point or object. It is the practice of training the mind to remain attentive and centered.
7. Dhyana (Meditation): Dhyana is the stage of meditation where concentration deepens into a state of continuous, uninterrupted focus. It is the process of observing the object of concentration without distraction.
8. Samadhi (Union or Enlightenment): Samadhi is the ultimate stage of yoga where the meditator experiences a profound state of oneness or union with the object of meditation, often described as a state of spiritual realization or enlightenment.

The eight limbs of yoga provide a holistic framework for spiritual growth, self-realization and self-actualization, getting us to reach our highest potential. Roopa demonstrated that her book goes beyond mere theory: she provides practical techniques that children and adults alike can use to experience the benefits of yoga and mindfulness. The book is designed to be a dynamic and engaging experience that empowers children to take an active role in their journey of self-discovery, creating a practical roadmap for personal growth and well-being.