Is getting up in the morning a pain for you?
Do feel sleepy despite having a good night's sleep?
Do you feel drowsy in the morning?
Are you not a morning person & feel fatigue when you wake up?
If your answer is 'yes' to any or many then this post is for you.
What to do to Kick-Start in your mornings?
Stay in bed don't move!
It's not a joke, I mean it. The mistake that we make is, we try to move our body before waking up our brain. Trying to stimulate the body before stimulating the brain is something against common sense. Isn't it? Yet, we do it. Don't we?
So, here's what we need to do before we leave bed, to wake up our brain before body. It's a two-step yogic technique called Palming
Step 1: Rub your palms vigorously.
According to Samkhya Darshan ( Philosophy that gave birth to Yoga & Ayurveda), there is a heavy concentration of nerve endings in our palms. When we rub our palms together, the nerve endings are activated, there's an immediate awakening of our brain which in turn leads to waking up our system.
Step 2: Cup your face with your palms
When we do this, in that instance, a whole range of nerves connected with our eyes and other senses are awakened. Before you even move your body, the body & brain both are ready, energized and active.
So, instead of getting up absent minded and groggy, you wake up to a mindful awakening.
Benefits of Palming:
1. Releases mental strain.
2. Wakes up our body and mind in calm abiding fashion.
3. Promotes extreme relaxation of body & mind
4. Removes fatique
5. According to Dr. Bates, MD, Palming is a powerful and simple method for relaxing the eyes and the vision system.
Why it's better way to wake up than drinking coffee (or tea or even green tea)?
Coffee, tea, green tea, chocolate has caffeine in it. Caffeine doesn't wake us up by energizing but according to researches, it does so by making us restless, anxious and increasing our heart beats. Again, any person with common sense knows that this promotes negative health of body & mind.
So far, we discussed Palming with respect to body and mind. For most us, two- step palming method as shown above is good enough. However, if a practitioner wants to go deeper into practice, here are Mantras of Palming.
Mantras:
In tantric cult, we called human body 'Mantra Purush', made of mantras. Therefore, it is known to add mantra recitation to yoga practices to increase the effect.
The above mentioned palming is effective on its own, however, my father taught this to me along with mantras. So, it is my responsibility that in order to continue the lineage & preserve knowledge I must share the mantras too. Please note, I am just sharing the mantras here and this is not a transmission of them.
Mantra when you look at your palms:
कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मिः करमध्ये सरस्वति ।
करमूले तु गोविन्दः प्रभाते करदर्शनम् ॥Karaagre Vasate Lakssmih Karamadhye Sarasvati |
Karamuule Tu Govindah Prabhaate Karadarshanam ||
Literally it means, Laxmi dwells at the top of my palm, in the middle there's Saraswati, at the base there's Govinda, therefore, I look at my hands and contemplate on them every morning.
This doesn't mean that the two Goddess and Govinda are literally sitting on your hands. The Gods & Goddesses of Hindu mythology are mere metaphors. Vedic wisdom tells as that there is one Supreme Consciousness- the Brahman, and it dwells in all sentient beings (plants included) as Atman. The multitude of the gods, goddesses and everything divine in Vedic Wisdom is just an outer manifestation of certain inner qualities.
Laxmi represents divine beauty, grace, health and prosperity. Saraswati manifests gyan- wisdom of combining knowledge with compassion and clarity. Givinda is a Paran Yogi who excelled the art of applying yogic wisdom in relishing the comforts of material world without hurting spiritual growth and bringing greater good to society.
When we reciete this mantra in the morning that's what we remind ourselves. That's the first thought that we have- This is my true potential and it's in my hands. Everything that I desire is in ,y hands- beauty, grace, health, prosperity, wisdom, knowledge, compassion and clarity. I have it in me to have the joyful life that I deserve and transform this world into a joyful place.
Mantra to recite while rubbing your palms:
मङ्गलम् भगवान विष्णुः, मङ्गलम् गरुणध्वजः।
मङ्गलम् पुण्डरी काक्षः, मङ्गलाय तनो हरिः॥
Mangalam Bhagwan Vishnuh, Mangalam Garunadhwajah।
Mangalam Pundari Kakshah, Mangalaya Tano Harih॥
This mantra translates as, all auspiciousness to Lord Vishnu, all auspiciousness to one who has Garuda as His flag. All auspiciousness to One who has eyes like the lotus flowers, and auspiciousness to Hari.
In essence, after reminding ourselves of our true nature, we offer ourselves to Vishnu- manifestation of the Brahman as the caretaker of this multiverse. This way, all our actions become his actions and we can involve our daily activities as Karma Yoga (detachment with the fruits of our work). Hence, breaking through the Karmic Cycle.
Mantra to recite while cupping the face:
ब्रह्मा मुरारी त्रिपुरांतकारी भानु: शशि भूमि सुतो बुधश्च।
गुरुश्च शुक्र शनि राहु केतव सर्वे ग्रहा शांति करा भवंतु।
Brahmaa Muraaris-Tripuraantakaarii
Bhaanuh Shashii Bhuumisuto Budhash-Ca |
Gurush-Ca Shukrah Shani-Raahu-Ketavah
Kurvantu Sarve Mama Suprabhaatam ||
(In the early morning I remember) The Devas Brahma, Murari (The enemy of demon Mura, refers to Sri Krishna or Vishnu) and Tripurantakari (The One Who has brought an end to Tripurasuras, refers to Sri Shiva), The Planets Bhanu (The Sun), Shashi (The Moon), Bumisuta (Mars) and Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu, May all of them make my Morning Auspicious.
Basically, you cover your body and mind with a good luck charm.
