The Role of the Vital-Physical Aspect of Our Being

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When we observe the nerves and
their role in our actions, we

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see that they carry vital
sensations within a physical

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frame to connect our senses and
responses to external pressures

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to the brain, and then carry
impulses back to the organs of

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action.
Most people do not recognize the

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essential role of this interface
between the vital and the

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physical.
In determining how we react and

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then how we respond to the
situations of our lives, the

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pressure on the nervous system
has become dramatically more

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intense with the advent of
modern society and its increased

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levels of noise, electronic
impulses and distractions, not

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to speak of the chemicals that
impact the being and the drugs

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that are so commonly prescribed.
Were used without prescription

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to try to modulate certain
conditions of the physical body

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or the mind.
The practitioner of yoga finds

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that nervous weakness and
disturbance represents an

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enormous obstacle.
There are methods recommended

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for the purification of the
nerves to calm them and prepare

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them to carry the force of an
enhanced energetic flow in the

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being many of these methods.
Developed over many centuries

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can be helpful, but they were
frequently coupled with

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withdrawal from the external
life and seclusion in quiet,

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concentrated environments in
today's world, and with a focus

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on transformation of life rather
than escape from life, it is

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essential that the additional
insight be brought to ensuring

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that the nervous system is
solid, stable.

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And calm.
Much of the disruption we note

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in the nervous system comes
through what we consume.

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Not just food but also media,
social interactions, the air we

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breathe, the thoughts we accept,
the work we do, the constant

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bombardment of sights, sounds
and smells as we go through

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daily life.
Some of these things are

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virtually impossible to avoid.
Others can be modulated or

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moderated.
Instead of imbibing a constant

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diet of television, radio,
Internet, social media, mobile

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phone use, the seeker can find a
balance that reduces the impact

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of these disrupting factors.
Many people do not recognize the

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impact that use of recreational
drugs as well as pharmaceutical

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prescription drugs actually have
on the nervous system.

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The long term impact of these
inputs can take years to clear

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up, assuming they have been
discontinued.

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For the practitioner of yoga,
the understanding of the vital

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physical nervous system is of
considerable importance in

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gaining mastery over the
reactions and the very health of

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the physical body as the
foundation of the life in the

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material world.
Three or Abendo notes Quote the

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vital physical, on the other
hand, is the vehicle of the

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nervous responses of our
physical nature.

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It is the field and instrument
of the smaller sensations,

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desires, reactions of all kinds
to the impacts of the outer

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physical and gross material
life.

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This vital physical part
supported by the lowest part of

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the vital proper.
Is therefore the agent of most

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of the lesser movements of our
external life.

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Its habitual reactions and
obstinate pettinesses are the

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chief stumbling block in the way
of transformation of the outer

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consciousness by the yoga.
It is also largely responsible

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for most of the suffering and
disease of mind or body to which

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the physical being is subject in
nature.

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End Quote.
Reference Sriorobindo and the

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Mother Our Many Selves,
Practical Yogic Psychology,

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Chapter 2, Plains and Parts of
the Being, page 16.