Pratipaksha Bhavna – The Art of Emotional Empowerment
Yoga and Total Health|March 2022
Cultivating the opposite is the key to a good mental attitude
Sejal Pandya
Pratipaksha Bhavna – The Art of Emotional Empowerment

Pratipaksha Bhavna is the theory of mental purification. It involves developing a noble type of thinking that brings out the defects in unwholesome thoughts. Pratipaksha Bhavna offers advice on how Yogis should maintain their resolve in adhering to the Yamas and Niyamas.

Pratipaksha Bhavna is in order to obstruct, preventor overcome defiled thoughts. It is the cultivation of a good mental attitude in contradistinction with the wrong mental attitude. As pointed out by Matthieu Ricard in his book entitled 'In Search of Wisdom', we can get rid of thoughts that trouble us by calling upon thoughts that are diametrically opposed to them; kindness v/s hate, patience v/s irritation, and so on. A thought of love and a thought of hate cannot exist in our mind at the same time. As a way to overcome all pairs of odds, Yoga Sutra 2.33 talks about Pratipaksha Bhavna. Vitarka Badhane Pratipaksha Bhavanam. When there is bondage due to discursive thought, the cultivation of the opposite. Discursive thoughts like violence, etc. whether done, caused or approved, consisting of lust, anger or delusion and whether mild, medium or intense, have as their endless fruits, dissatisfaction and ignorance. Thus, cultivation of the opposite is suggested.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTHView all
The Importance Of The 'Emergency Kit'
Yoga and Total Health

The Importance Of The 'Emergency Kit'

How to overcome difficult times by oneself

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
हृदय शुद्ध तो परेशानियाँ गौण
Yoga and Total Health

हृदय शुद्ध तो परेशानियाँ गौण

जिस मनुष्य का हृदय मलिन होगा उसमें ज्ञानाग्नि जलाने की शक्ति उतनी ही क्षीण होगी, जिसका हृदय शुद्ध होगा वह पल भर में ही आत्म-ज्ञान प्राप्त कर सकता है । यह आत्मज्ञान का मार्ग बहुत ही साहस का मार्ग है।

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
तनाव कम तो आरामदायक नींद
Yoga and Total Health

तनाव कम तो आरामदायक नींद

अच्छी आदतें जीवन के सभी क्षेत्रों के लिए जरूरी - तनाव को प्रबंधित करने और नींद में सुधार करने से लेकर भविष्य के लिए अपने लक्ष्यों को प्राप्त करने तक के लिए, अच्छी आदतें हमारे जीवन के सभी क्षेत्रों के लिए जरूरी हैं। मनोविज्ञान कहता है कि कुछ आदतें हैं, जिसे व्यक्ति स्वस्थ शरीर और मन को विकसित करने के लिए हर रात अपना सकते हैं, जानिए कैसे-

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
प्रकृति से हम
Yoga and Total Health

प्रकृति से हम

इंसान की रचना धरती के तत्वों जैसी ही है। प्रकृति हर पल हमारे लिए कुछ करती है, सिर्फ एक पेड़ दस लोगों के लिये पर्याप्त ऑक्सीजन प्रदान करते हैं। जब हम पेड़ों को बचाते हैं तो किसी न किसी रूप में स्वयं को बचाने की ओर ही प्रयास होता है। आइए जानते हैं हमारे शरीर में प्रकृति का कौन सा तत्व किस मात्रा में मौजूद है-

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
नियम- अष्टांग योग का दूसरा सोपान
Yoga and Total Health

नियम- अष्टांग योग का दूसरा सोपान

\"शौच सन्तोष तपः स्वाध्यायेश्वर प्रणिधानानि नियमाः\" ||32।।

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
Life, the Great Teacher
Yoga and Total Health

Life, the Great Teacher

When you're busy making plans, watch out

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Sthitaprajna
Yoga and Total Health

Sthitaprajna

Marks of a Person of Steadfast Wisdom - Part 1

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
The Four Purusharthas
Yoga and Total Health

The Four Purusharthas

How to keep a good opening balance

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Reading Ganesha
Yoga and Total Health

Reading Ganesha

Sources over the ages

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
From Science to Pseudo-science - Part I
Yoga and Total Health

From Science to Pseudo-science - Part I

Yoga in regards to changing times

time-read
7 mins  |
September 2024