Tapas: Stoking the Inner Fire
Tapas is one of the five niyamas of yoga, or moral disciplines that guide yogis in their daily practice. Translated to english, Tapas means to heat or shine. Not to be confused with agni, which is often used to describe the fire of purification created through the yoga practice (and also the name of the Hindu God of fire). Instead, tapas is the act of building the inner fire, it is a process of self discipline that ultimately leads to change.
Tapas in the Physical Practice of Yoga
Practicing the yoga postures is one of the easiest ways to feel tapas in action. While there are some styles of yoga that are cooling, most common practices involve an element of heat. In a vinyasa class for example, you practice ujjaiye pranayama breath linked with movement. Not only does ujjaiye breath bring generate heat, but the moving through postures generates heat as well. This heat clears away blockages in your body’s energy centers allowing you to move deeper in your physical and mental practice.
The Mental Discipline of Tapas
You do not have to physically feel heat in order to practice tapas effectively. Any form of mental focus is an act of self discipline. When you first start your meditation journey you are practicing concentration. You focus your attention on your breath, your body, or a mantra. Placing your awareness at a single point of focus creates an acute gathering of energy. Energy, being in constant motion creates heat.
Similar to how a Reiki practitioner may feel a gentle buzzing or heat in their palms when they cultivate Reiki energy, you may notice a gentle buzzing or warm sensation in your body and mind when you practice meditation. Still, this type of heat or focus of energy is subtle and may not be detectable in your meditation practice, but that doesn’t mean the practice isn’t working.
Tapas and Samskaras
Samskaras are mental impressions or karmic patterns that are carried out in subconscious thoughts or behaviors. In order to fill in the impressions on your mind you must first become aware of their existence. Practicing meditation and asana can help bring these impressions to light. Once you are aware of your samskaras, you have to see through them and maintain your inner presence. Samskaras are the basis of the karmic cycle and aren’t always “bad.” It is possible to create positive samksaras that lead to a path of liberation.
Ultimately, the idea is to look past your samskaras and maintain an equanimous mind. All of this requires a great deal of discipline and practice. Through the practice of discipline the fire of purification ignites and burns through the samskaras in your body and mind. Cultivating tapas in your daily practice with transform the way you show up on your mat in your everyday life.
