An open state

Bringing about an open state

An open state becomes possible when body and mind are relaxed. The state of relaxation is best achieved when it is triggered by an effective method. Yoga Nidra is such a method.

During Yoga Nidra, the blood pressure is normalised and the immune system strengthened. All bodily organs are rested in a way that sleep seldom provides. The senses are sharpened and you feel invigorated afterwards. Even the brain goes into a deeper state during the relaxation, and can become a true instrument of your will.

You are not asked to relax in Yoga Nidra, or to feel relaxed. The relaxation takes place as you follow the guidance and devote yourself to the experience. That is, the relaxation is triggered by the methods and it happens by itself, without your effort.

As the body begins to relax, the mind follows. When the mind relaxes, the relaxation of the body develops further. This interaction between body, mind, emotions and psychic energy is fundamental to Tantric yoga — and is used in Yoga Nidra.

The technique is constructed in such a way that you continuously find yourself in the state of relaxation. It is carried into all levels of your being — and the depth of the state is kept constant and even.

The more familiar you become with Yoga Nidra, the easier it is for you to get into the state of harmony and the more easily you are able to recall it, when you need it in the midst of daily activities.

Utilising the open state

The relaxed state is in itself both healing and strengthening — and that is obviously an important aspect of Yoga Nidra, but not the only one.

This state, however, can also be used to make the mind cooperate more than is possible when we are in a normal state, let alone in a tense or stressed state.

In this open state, we can make better use of our capacities, explore the possibilities of the different dimensions of the mind and strengthen our zest for life.

Our critical sense is a useful tool in daily life and necessary within science. But it can cease to be a tool when we identify with it. Then the critical sense can limit our imagination and our ability to care for, or just accept, others as well as ourselves. This prevents us from having a real influence on our own lives.

Tensions and attitudes — that otherwise keep us in the grip of unproductive ideas, in the false identity of sickness, in passivity and lack of energy — are arrested during Yoga Nidra.

Any doubts we may have about what we can do in life have no power in this state.