Conscious Mind

Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh

 

Namaskaram everyone!

 

        The conscious mind, mostly, is either in our past or our future.That’s in fact a limitation of our conscious mind.Either we worry about our future, which mostly culminates into a form of stress, anxiety or unhappiness or we think of our past through our memories.

        We could have had several unpleasant events or even sometimes some good memories. So, what I am trying to say is that our conscious mind has two capacities.One is memorising and second is imagination.

 

Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh

 

 

        The conscious mind can be described as relatively small in size.If we were to measure the extent of the mind, we could compare the conscious mind to merely the tip of an iceberg.Beneath that, there is vast space of the unconscious mind. Martial arts train the subconscious mind. Let us look at the fight-flight responses.In any situation, a martial artist's immediate reaction is either fight or flight.It is an instinct from our subconscious mind.

        The thought of escaping or resisting a situation is solely dictated by the subconscious mind.During a crisis, while our conscious mind reacts to the situation emotionally, the subconscious mind immediately thinks of survival skills or survival paths.The subconscious mind will be searching for a way to escape or for any weapons around

        We need to understand that any decision we take in terms of fight-flight is solely the action of the subconscious mind. so , it is the strength of a martial artist to build the subconscious mind.Martial arts teach how to overcome such situations.That is why we engage in repetitive practice.When we repeatedly practice techniques such as chuvadu or ozhivu they gradually get ingrained in our muscle memory.

        Through intense and refined practice of kalaripayattu we can experience that these techniques become our reflexive responses.So what I am saying is when an action or a motor task is repeatedly practiced, something remarkable happens in our brain.During the repeated practice of an action, a neural pathway is created connecting the neurons responsible for controlling our body movements. They function together.This reminds our subconscious mind and muscles of many events. So, we will defend against an attack even without realising.

        We know that making a specific movement or motor task into a memory is referred to as muscle memory.Making a motor skill into memory through repeated practice and performs them without conscious effort.In reality, muscles themselves do not possess the ability to remember.We often misunderstand that muscles have a memory.But, they do not have the ability to remember anything.In fact, neurons inside the muscle or nerve system predominantly act in this case.

        Every action requires brain activity. So, when we engage in repetitive practice of a particular movement, regardless of its difficulty, it stimulates neurons in our brain, creating neural pathways.Later, in any situation if an individual wants to perform a specific action, the subconscious mind readily helps him to do it.Often people mistake muscle memory with muscle growth.Muscle memory is related to learned motor skills.

        Kalaripayattu is known as the mother of all martial arts.So, kalari practice develops the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual.Disciplined practice in Kalaripayattu helps prevent the onset of stress and anxiety, fostering mental strength.As deep breathing and mindfulness hold significant importance in kalaripayattu practice in Agsthyam, the students are able to focus and concentrate better.

        We can understand the mind simultaneously maintaining a calm and alert state.Hence, Kalaripayattu is more of training the mind than physical exercise.There is a popular saying in Kalaripayattu that "the body becomes eyes."Beyond defending the enemy, there is a sense of calmness, confidence, and inner peace, which becomes a defining characteristic of a Kalaripayattu practitioner.

        When we examine the fundamental philosophy of practicing yoga, such as the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, including Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prānāyāma, Pratyāhāra, Dhāranā, Dhyāna, and Samādhi, we understand that these are meant for training the mind. 

       Similarly, kalaripayattu, is more of training the mind than physical training.This is the reason for the higher level of resilience in children.We know Kalaripayattu makes the body strong and flexible, develops reflex skills, and balances the mind.Kalari teaches how to bounce back from setbacks.Kalari empowers individuals to confront any challenge in life and rise after experiencing setbacks.Kalari students during their initial stage learn to rise after every fall during training.

Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh

 

        The process of learning begins from the moments of falling.In life it would be more of falling than victories.We have even learned to walk after falling down.And in kalari students are taught to rise after every fall, resist strongly, overcome pain, and fight with determination.We know human beings fear pain. This fear limits you.One of the main reasons you shy away from facing challenges is the fear of pain.This pain can be mental or physical. It affects confidence. It retracts you from facing challenges.

        So you go insearch of comfort zones.You try to quietly sit like a pupa, while the mind desires to soar freely like a butterfly, leading to disappointment.Kalaripayattu Is an art that teaches you about limitless possibilities.Kalaripayattu enables you to rise if you fall,Transform pain into adornment,and strengthen the subconscious mind.Now practicing Kalari offers numerous benefits like development in endurance, resistance skills, improves flexibility and body balance. 

Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh

 

        Kalari practice is a happy activity.The brain produces neurochemicals like endorphins, which induce feelings of peace, happiness, confidence, and a positive attitude. Through Kalari practice, we gradually gain control over our emotions, a state referred to as "bindhu jayam” in the yogic language. Emotional stability is enhanced, and our personality undergoes positive development. Kalari helps free us from mental blocks, allowing us to cultivate integrity and a strong sense of self. We begin to perceive others as equals, develop awareness of the universe and our place within it.

Furthermore, studies have proven that Kalaripayattu training can assist individuals in overcoming past traumas. It serves as a powerful remedy to break free from mental barriers and move forward in life.

Let's envision ourselves practicing an ozhivu in Kalaripayattu. We find ourselves being attacked with a sword or another weapon, and we swiftly move away from the strike. This evasion technique is known as ozhivu. In Kalaripayattu, our training encompasses a combination of striking, ozhivu, and defense, creating a sequence of movements. When faced with an attack from a sword, it is crucial to defend ourselves. Have you ever considered the consequences of not defending against such an attack? It could result in severe injury or, in the worst-case scenario, even death.

The practice of ozhivu becomes ingrained in us, serving as a habitual and effective survival technique. It enables us to escape the perils of a sharp and potentially fatal attack. It is vital to recognize that all the crises we encounter in life are not beyond the ultimate crisis of death. So, by training in Kalaripayattu, students develop the ability to confront any challenge with ease.