The evening discipline is a recommended practice and falls in the category of yog (body-mind connection).

The final step of pancha kriya kala is to take a few minutes to establish a body-mind connection. Let us explore this final step as part of an evening discipline.

The first three steps of the pancha kriya kala were morning practices. Cleansing, preparing, and engaging in the mode of worship. Then the fourth step is spiritual learning or contemplation. This can occur at any time of the day.

The final step is part of evening practice. It is in fact quite simple. We take segments of the simple puja ritual and morning practices and repeat them in the evening.

The main ones are:

• The lighting of the lamp – During sunset or after, welcoming light into the house.
• Chanting of hymns or mantra asana – Creating a positive energy flow through chanting
• Contemplate on divinity. Use the personal form as an aid. Another option is to contemplate the universal form.
• There are two other optional activities. The ringing of the bell and singing a devotional hymn or laali to put the deity to bed. The intent of these optional steps is symbolic. Synchronization to the human lifestyle of going to bed at night.

The body-mind connection or yog is part of the evening discipline. Practice it a few minutes before going to bed at night.

There are two aspects of practicing body-mind connection.

The first aspect emphasizes gratitude and grace (prasadam). This is done lying down on the bed. In an inner voice, acknowledge or contemplate that the waking, dreaming, and deep sleep state is through the grace of the divine.

A second aspect is an explicit act of gratitude to the parts of the body. Without this body, there would not be a way for us to derive the bliss of spirituality. This explicit acknowledgment is also called yog nidra. The process is simple, and it takes a couple of minutes.

Lie on your back and start with the right side of the body. Bring your inner focus to each part of the body in a clockwise movement. Become aware of your right leg starting from the feet, thighs, right side of your abdomen, right hand, and so on. Then bring focus to your neck, right side of the chest, face, the head, and then go down the body through the left side.

As you focus on each part of the body, have a smooth rhythm of inhaling and exhaling. The key is to not exert any effort or stress.

Most likely even before the process completes, one may fall asleep. That is normal and it only proves that a relaxed body-mind puts into a deep sleep state. In the deep sleep, there is nothing but only the real “you” left.

Many have made yog nidra a complex process. Unnecessary rituals and routines are associated. Keep it simple. Bring awareness to the front and stay in a state of being and not doing.