Sleep Patterns for those working irregular shifts
Question
Hi Dhanvijay,
I am trying to follow celibacy for over a couple of months but yet to establish in it. I feel my mind is more repulsive to my vows and find it difficult to harness it towards celibacy. But, I will never fail to make my attempts. I also started to make my body fit by doing exercise and yoga. I think this would help myself feel better and divert my mind on something constructive. I am doing a evening shift and usually get home only by 11.30PM. So, I do not find convenient schedule to incorporate Jogging and Yoga into my lifestyle.
I wonder if taking breaks between my sleep would have any negative impact on my health or mind. I planned to get up 5am in the morning, go for a jog and do yoga immediately I return, have break fast and take a nap again for 2 to 3 hrs and start for my work. I have already started doing this, but need your advice if this would be beneficial. Expecting your insight on this.
With Regards,
Siva.
Answer
1. Continue the practice with undiluted efforts. Donot think of success or failure. Efforts and only efforts matter. Then the grace of God eventually shines without doubt. One should never worry about the results; that is not our concern. Our purview ends at honest efforts applied in the right direction with devotion to God. It is our own past karma that is acting as an impediment to Brahmacharya. As such karma dissolves and vacates through honest and sincere practice, Brahmacharya becomes easier. The way to ensure this dissolution is through unfailing and regular practice of a life of Yoga and Brahmacharya carried out for a long time.
स तु दीर्घकाला नैरन्तर्य सत्कार सेवितो द्रुदभुमिः
That (practice) when carried out for a long period of time, without a break and with reverence (consisting of tapas [austerity], Brahmacharya (sexual continence), Sraddhâ [absolute faith] and Vidyâ [knowledge]) becomes firmly grounded and established
Chapter 1/ Verse 14, Yoga Darsana
- These are the requirements for success in Yoga (union with the Almighty through self-realization) as laid down by the realized Sage Pathanjali. Practice has to be carried out for a long period of time (since past tendencies dating to eons have to be negated), unbroken (for a break dissolves efforts) and with reverence to the principles with devotion and commitment backed by austerities (such as correct food, waking up at 4.00 A.M, Yogic practice, and the other disciplines involved etc.) Absolute faith in the process with the clear knowledge of what is to be done and what is to be not should be applied, following which, that (practice) becomes firm and established.
If one perseveres this way, constantly thinking of the Brahman (Almighty), the state of unbroken Brahmacharya will eventually dawn in time. It will surely come to the one who follows these principles with his heart and soul. Ones attitude should be I will give up food, water, sleep and even this life but not Brahmacharya for self-realization, for how can I cheat and fail the great Lord who has been kind enough to introduce me to this highest mode of spirituality which even the Deva-s (celestial beings) crave for and envy?". Such commitment and innocent love is required for success.
2. An average of 7 hours of sleep/day (taken at a stretch without breaks between 9.00 P.M ~ 4.00 A.M) is the recommended sleep pattern for the health and well being of the beginner aspirant. Since this is not possible for those working irregular shifts, try to avoid taking naps in a random manner. Wake up as early as possible, even if sleeping late and make up for the lost sleep later. This is to be adjusted based on ones individual timings and schedule (depending on the wortk hours). To begin with, you can incorporate the schedule you have mentioned. The Yogic practices consisting of Asana, Bandha, Nadi Shodhana, Pranayama and meditation are to be performed twice a day without fail (at any two Sandhi-Kâla-s) which are convenient. One should think of the Lord as much as possible, performing all actions as an offering to him. If this much is done, things will improve gradually and become stable.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)