Niyama 1B - Soucham (cleanliness) - Antarasoucham (internal cleanliness)

Internal cleanliness: During an experience, when stimulus is received, it is compared with our conditioning (svadharma). Since a perfect fit between stimulus and conditioning is not possible, there is a gap between expectation and reality which requires adjustment. This adjustment results in dissonance, depending on the gap and intensity of dissonance.

We often make judgements that are opposites (like/dislike, good/bad, true/false etc.). These result in biases which get carried over to the next experience, thereby clouding judgement in subsequent experiences. Post the experience, there exists a residue in the form of memory and learning, both positive and negative which needs to be purged for equilibrium to be regained.

The correct method is to continuously reset one’s conditioning before each experience. This system of auto-cleansing ensures that we are continuously cleaning ourselves of previous biases and preparing ourselves to be willing receptacles of the next experience.

Anecdotes, experiences and situations to help understand…

We can classify our relationships into three types – Casual – as with any stranger; Interested – as with a neighbor or office colleague and Involved – as with a spouse or parent. We approach on the same subject with each differently… for example – heavy rains have resulted in flooding. With a casual relationship, the approach might be with indifference; with a neighbor – it might extend to asking for assistance or offering one; and with a parent – it might be one of safety. Very rarely would one extend the enquiry of safety to a stranger.

However a child would never exhibit these filters- it cries when hungry or angry, smiles otherwise and resorts to very little subterfuge. Its clean on the inside, unlike adults who carry baggage due to differentiation in relationships.

• So, why can’t we be a child in all our relationships?
• Even if cannot, how do we expunge the weight of the baggage?
• Can deep breathing or distraction help?
• Obviously, in some situations, on cannot breathe deeply when stresses – try deep breathing in a conflict situation with the spouse or superior, that’s a guarantee for escalation. What does one do then?

Share your opinion and experiences 

• What are the different ways in which a person may harmonise one’s experience with reality? 
• I sleep a reset button? What about food? 
• Can breathing be used to cleanse one’s thoughts? 
• Why is cleanliness given such a high priority in the scheme of self-improvement?  
• What is the impact of cleanliness in thinking and improvement?