The Guide To Mouna- The Process And Importance Decoded
You may or may not be familiar with the word ‘Mouna’. However, it is one of the practices which can have far-reaching effects on the human mind and circumstances. You must have noticed that, all around you, there is an abundance of ideas, words, actions, and objects, which are enough to distract you. Most people absorb such an abundance physically, mentally, visually,and then suffer. What most people lack today, is time and observation to deal with them properly.
You see something or hear something, and then try to understand what it is. However, you will rarely observe it in depth. Moreover, people tend to talk a lot and listen less. It always keeps the mind in an extrovert state. You should practice ‘Mouna’ which amounts to ‘silence’. It goes without saying, that a lot of energy is expended while talking. Speech has the power to distract, if not controlled in time. If you step into the realm of yoga, you will discover that ‘Mauna’ holds a lot of significance in the culture of yoga. Thus, most yogis practice it all too often. It is an important accompaniment for meditation, as well.
The Process Of Mouna
There are unlimited benefits associated with the practice of the ‘vow of silence’ also called ‘mouna’. You can develop a lot of will power, and also control impulsive statements in the process. It is also known to help an individual control anger, stick to the truth, and channelize emotions in the correct manner.
One who practices the ‘vow of silence’ measure each and every word, before uttering it. Moreover, such an individual is extremely tactful. There are a few steps, which you must adhere to, to learn the process of ‘mouna’. Anyone can make it a part of their life, and practice the same for more clarity in life. It goes without saying, that it is one of the ethics for yoga teachers.
- Stop Talking –This is a good way to start the practice. Although, ‘Mauna’ is not just staying silent. It goes much deeper into the non-verbal modes of communication. You should also silence all the technological devices like smartphones, laptops, and iPods, around you.
- Start Observing Your Thoughts and Actions –This is the next step in the process, which is also called introspection. When you stop your thoughts or speech for the first time, it can become very frustrating. Use the time, which you have in hand to introspect.
- Silence the Mind – When you are able to silence the mind, it amounts to real ‘Mouna.’ When you practice verbal and non-verbal mouna, it amounts to the silence of the mind. This is also one of the ways, you can utilize to meditate. You should observe all your actions, while you go about your day-to-day rituals, but with a silent mind.
- Allow Mouna Naturally – After you have crossed the first three steps, it could come by, all by itself. It is needless to say, that you should have done the practice with truth and sincerity. With the passage of time, you will find thoughts floating through the mind, but without emotions or judgement. With time, you will become a keen listener as well. You will also speak, after careful consideration.
This is the basic process to make ‘Mouna’ a part of your life. Once you are able to make it a part of your life, you can convert the speech energy to spiritual energy. If you aim to reach Salvation in your yoga practice, you have got to follow this process. The spiritually-inclined will almost always think three times before saying anything.
For all those, who are attached to other commitments, the process can be a bit stretched. You can bring it in your lives by following some simple steps.
- They include practicing it on weekends, when you have some time for yourself. So, it is quite obvious, that you ought to inform everyone at work and your family, to not disturb you on weekends. Go for a walk in the woods for a few hours, if an entire devoted day is not possible. A digital detox can also set the scene.
- Antara Mouna meditation is another way to cultivate ‘Mouna’ in your life. You simply have to observe Pratyahara and Dharana in accordance with Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
- You can also practice the ‘vow of silence’ during meal times. It is actually the ideal time, to focus more on your food and understand the process of ingestion. You should stay away from external sources of stimuli while practicing the same, like TVs or phones.
Importance Of Mouna
It is important to note in the concept of any sort of sadhana, that speech needs to be limited. The reason being that, speech is a huge distraction. A person who talks a lot is said to be Rajasic. Any man who is not into spiritual activities cannot stay without company and talks a lot. A lot of energy is wasted, which he or she could have put to proper use. If you can control speech, you will also be able to control the eyes and the ears. You will be amazed to know, that you can cultivate this silence in your life, through the practice of Hatha Yoga. You can become ‘Moun’ by practicing the asanas as listed under this yogic form. If the body is at peace and healthy, then you can focus very easily on the inner peace. Pranayama is another avenue through which you can balance the flow of ‘Prana’ through the mind.
It will help to create stillness within, and that is when you will be able to enter the stage of ‘Pratyahara’ according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras or eight limbed theory This is where, ‘Mouna’ starts to work. You will simply watch, without getting involved in any manner. Mouna is an important step in the pathway to salvation. You will become devoid of reactions slowly, and reach where you want to. You will become proficient in managing emotions for yourself and for others as well, through the process. Furthermore, you can deepen your spiritual practice, through the practice of ‘Mouna’.
