Keen, Intent, Time and Practice YS I-21,22

Yoga Sutra I-21 - TIVRA SAMVEGANAM ASANNAH - To the keen and intent practitioner this [samadhi] comes very quickly.

Yoga Sutra I- 22 - MRDU MADHYADHIMATRATVAT TATO'PI VISESAH - The time necessary for success further depends on whether the practice is mild, medium or intense.

There are no comments here from Swami Satchidananda on these two sutras, just the translations. However in the book "How to Know God - The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali" translated and commented on by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood, they say for these sutras "Theoretically, there is no reason why we should not achieve the perfect state of yoga within the space of a single second-- since the Atman is eternally within us and our ignorance to this fact could be instantaneously dispelled."

They go on to say that it is our past karmas, present fears and desires and the relative strength of our energies that retard our progress. They say no time period can be put on when this state could be achieved. For some of us it might take months, years or even lifetimes and it all depends on us individually. All they can say that "no effort , however small, is wasted, and the harder we try, the sooner we shall succeed."

Happy Return of the Light!

HAPPY RETURN OF THE LIGHT!

Though many people are running around, being with family, partying and over eating, most do not really know of the significance of what this season really means. If one is aware of the I-Ching which is defined partly from Wikipedia as “Book of Changes” is one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts.[1] The book is a symbol system used to identify order in random events. So for the event of Christmas I will refer to the 24th Hexagram Return (The Turning Point). (Hexagram 24 is named 復 (fù), "Returning". Other variations include "return (the turning point)". Its inner trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder, and its outer trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth)


If you look at the Wilhelm/Baynes translation of "The I Ching or Book of Changes" you will see an explanation of the 24th Hexagram relating to this time of year. There is a reference to the dark lines have pushed all the light lines upward and out of the hexagram, and that light line enters the hexagram from below. It is stated that "The time for darkness is past. The winter solstice brings the victory of the light." This hexagram is linked to the December- January time period. Correlations of the powerful light that had been banished (the diminishing sunlight ) is now returning, however the return is gradual, based on nature making it a natural rising spontaneously.

So out with the old, in with the new. It is also noted that in China that it is celebrated as a time of rest at the onset of the new year. The movement is gradual, like planting a seed and nurturing it or slow like a return to health after illness or a return of understanding after an estrangement. So take your time and concentrate and be still. This is where a conscious yoga practice can help you focus to be calm, still and observant.

Happy Return of the Light! Check out www.bometernally for the workshop for the new year and celebrate the sun!

Practice Concentration YS I - 32

In order to meditate one has to first be able to have sustained dharana or concentration. Dharana is the Sanskrit word for concentration. Look at the picture of this post. The man is sitting in a meditative posture with many pictures around his head. This is a great illustration of how it is when we attempt to sit and still the mind. The pictures are representative of the many thoughts, distractions which become obstacles. Thus many of us give up attempting to meditate.

Yoga Sutras I-32 TAT PRATISEDHARTHAM EKA TATTVABHYASAH - The practice of concentration on a single subject [or the use of technique] is the best way to prevent the obstacles and their accompaniments.

This sutra is telling us in order to prevent the obstacles/distractions we need to develop one pointedness . Swami Satchidananda states that we should not keep changing our object of concentration. It's like if one digging for a well, instead of digging many shallow ones, decide to stick to one and dig deep. If you have to use dynamite when encountering a rock, do it and continue to keep going down. So with the goal to make the mind steady, it does not matter what technique or object you use. It is not the symbol we use, like our ideas, objects or mantrams but the holding on to the symbol to take us to the goal. 'There are different strokes for different folks' thus different symbols for different people. Swami Satchidananda concludes with saying we want this one-pointed concentration to make the mind clear so we can transcend it.

OM - AUM YS I - 27

Om is such a vast subject. But then that is no surprise as it is the Name that gives the experience of the Divine Creator which is vast and limitless. Have you tried it yet? Have you felt the effect of OM? It truly brings us home, to that real place within us. It is within and without. It is everywhere - see AUM

To listen to the sound inside when one is quiet, one will notice a hum. That hum is called pranava. And pranava is connected to prana, the basic life force vibration that always exists whether it si manifested or not. Swami Satchidananda continues his commentary of OM in the Yoga Sutra - I -27 stating that no one can stop that atomic vibration. So even without repeating it, the sound continues to vibrate within you. He states that no one invented OM and it does not belong to any one country or religion. It is universal. God Himself manifested as OM.

Swami Satchidananda concludes his commentary giving an example of how a word might be interpreted differently by different people. So he relates that some might say OM as Amen, Ameen, or Mmmmm. In other words, one Truth is seen or expressed in many ways. This is the greatness of the basic seed word OM.

So practice repeating and listening to the sound of OM. It is written that chanting OM for 15 minutes everyday can have a remarkable effect on you. You can calm your mind, settling your vrittis (modifications of the mind, thoughts) and even realize your Self!

Mantra

In the previous posts of Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras , practice is mentioned as a way to bring the vrittis (modifications of the mind - thoughts) under control. That practice is with continous effort ( see that post). In "Mystery of the Mind" by Swami Muktananda he states one of the greatest practices, among many, is mantra repetition. The Wikipedia states "A mantra (Devanāgarī मन्त्र) (or mantram) is a religious or mystical syllable or poem, typically from the Sanskrit language. Their use varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra. They are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words or vibrations that instill one-pointed concentration in the devotee."

And Mantra Japa means repetition of mantra. Japa (Sanskrit: जप) is a spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a mantra or name of God. The mantra or name may be spoken softly, enough for the practitioner to hear it, or it may be spoken purely within the reciter's mind. Japa may be performed while sitting in a meditation posture, while performing other activities, or as part of formal worship in group settings. The practice of repetitive prayer is present in varied forms within most religions in the world, although the religions of India generally give more emphasis to it as a specific discipline.

Swami Muktananda states "A mantra is a cosmic word or sound vibration. In fact, mantra is a vibration of the Self." Words are mantras that connects us with objects. In the same way, the mantra, which is the name of God, connects us to God.

Listen to the mantra Om. Does it make you feel one-pointed?

Continuous Effort YS I - 13, YS I - 14

One can view our life process as that which consists of continuous effort. Effort is defined as exertion of physical or mental power or the use of physical or mental energy to do something; exertion. Continuous is defined as uninterrupted in time; without cessation.

To answer the question how do we control the vrittis (modifications of the mind or thoughts) to have peace of mind, the term continuous effort comes into play to address this issue. In the Yoga Sutras (YS) I-13 - TATRA STHITAU YATNO'BHYASAH - Of these two, effort toward steadiness of mind is practice and YS I-14 -SA TU DIRGHA KALA NAIRANTARYA SATKARASEVITO DRDHABHUMIH - Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break and in all earnestness, the words effort and without break appear.

Continuing with Swami Satchidananda's commentary, he states for YS I - 13 that Pantanjali does not refer to continuous practice for just one or two days. This line means that you become eternally watchful, scrutinizing every thought, word and action. For YS I-14, he elaborates on "the first qualification for the practice is that it should be done for a long time." He further comments on how we want results immediately and that we do a practice for a few days and then state nothing happens and then we want a different practice. Swami Satchidananda's states that the second qualification is "without break" and the third qualification is "in all earnestness." In other words we should be serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely zealous. He ends his comment here by stating "If you are unsettled and anxious to get the result, you are already disturbed; nothing done with that disturbed mind will have quality. So it is not only how long you practice, but with what patience, what earnestness and what quality also."

In "Mystery of the Mind" by Swami Muktananda, he interprets these sutras as seen in the previous post on Practice and Detachment . Swami Muktananda comments that "not everyone's mind is strong enough to maintain the constant awareness of unity." He states "for this reason Pantanjali gives various practices which are suitable for different seekers." He extols mantra repetition at this point.

As you can see, according to your mind, this can be a complex topic. So I will continue to make an effort to simplify it. Some of us may need time to digest it. This is why continuous effort is needed to get to that place of fully digesting material like this so it can help us grow more in awareness. Stay tuned.

Practice and Detachment

Addressing the title of this post, I'm sure we are all familiar with the word practice. Practice can be defined as doing something repeatedly; repetition; perform often. There are many things that we do in our lives that we "practice'. Then there is the word detachment. Detachment can be defined as separation; indifference; aloof. I'm sure that this word might represent a challenge in our lives pertaining to different areas in our lives. Like being detached from certain foods we like, TV shows we like to keep up with, or we must be up the news of the day, or gossiping, etc. You get the gist.

If you have been following this blog for the last five days, you know I have been talking about the vrittis (modifications of the mind, thought forms) that we all have. I have been referring to the Yoga Sutra (YS). Patanjali lists the five types of vrittis (mental modifications) as right knowledge, misconception, verbal delusion, sleep and memory."

So the next question is how do we control these thoughts to have peace of mind? In YS I-12 - ABHYASA VAIRAGYABHYAM TANNIRODHAH - These mental modificiations are restrained by practice and non-attachment. Swami Satchidananda's comment here is " On the positive side, you practice. On the other side, you detach yourself from the cause of these modifications. Pantanjali gives both a positive and negative approach to thought control."

Swami Muktananda, author of "Mystery of the Mind" comments on this same sutra "By intense practice and by detachment, they can be stilled". All five modifications of the mind can be brought under control by these two means: practice and detachment. (However, one must practice ceaselessly , since for so many years one has been practicing the five modifications of the mind.)" He further says that "there are many spiritual practices" and the best one is the identification awareness with the Truth. By practicing awareness of unity for long time,with reverence and devotion, one can become established in the nature of the Self.

In researching this topic I came across this short video clip. (Click video to access it.) And check out the following quote: "He who binds to himself a joy Does the winged life destroy;But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in Eternity's sunrise."
~ William Blake Quotes

Stay tuned to the various ways we can practice and become detached.

Repetition vs. Repetition

A major reason the we are not in the present moment is because of repetitive habits of letting the mind wander here and there. Repetition is The act or process or an instance of repeating or being repeated.

Have you tried to stay in the present moment? You might wonder what does that mean? Think about it.

• Have you attempted to watch and be fully conscious of everything that you do right now without other thoughts of the past or the future? Like right now you are reading this.
• Are you fully present?
• Are you the type of person who cuts off the other person in a conversation? Do you fully listen to what they are saying, or were you thinking about what to say in response to them before they were finished?
• Are you repeatedly unconscious of your everyday actions like how you sit, breathe, carry your posture?

Let's say for example you are washing the dishes. Are you fully present with the dishes? Are you looking at the dishes, noticing if they are getting clean, feeling the water and the soap . Or are you going through the motions of washing but your mind is someplace else? This process happens through repetition. Or maybe you are at the gym working out on the treadmill. Are you looking at a tv screen, reading a magazine, or listening to your ipod? Are you fully alert on that machine looking at your pace, how you are breathing or noticing your heart rate?

'Yogas citta vritti nirodhah ' sutra 1.2 defines yoga as when one has restrained or stilled the fluctuations of the mind. It is interesting to note that even doing this process of practicing yoga, whether the physical postures, concentration, meditation or chanting requires repetition.

Getting back to being present in the moment, it is paradoxical that repetition can be viewed as a practice to change the unconscious repetition that happens on daily basis. Repetition can be viewed as positive or negative depending on the circumstances. Of course we do need the repetition process for walking, exercising the body, breathing, keeping our hearts beating. But aside from those functions, which repetition are you doing or what repetition is doing you? What type of pattern is being created in your life? What kind of vibration is emanating from you?

Staying Connected

"Staying connected "could mean anything these days from:

• being on your cell phone
• plugging in your appliance
• sending a text message
• to hugging and kissing
• going to events together like meetings
• tunning in to your favorite show
  

I believe you get my gist here. The word connected means joined or linked together; plugged in. Staying connected to thoughts; relationships; situations in your life; your bliss in these times that we live is easier said than done. There are so many distractions. Again this is where your tools come into play.

The other day, someone said something to me out of character. The person did not know me and was upset about something I said to her when she interrupted a yoga class I was teaching. I was totally surprised and attempted to explain the etiquette of the class. The person got very heated and I saw it was of no use to go any further with an explanantion. I also witnessed my heart had started to beat faster. I walked away telling myself that this incident was not going to upset my day. I proceeded to take deep breaths and go to my next yoga class.

For me practicing yoga on a regular basis helps me to stay connected; more centered. I notice that as I get involved with the alignment of the asanas, the physical postures, my mind becomes more focused on how the different parts of my body are moving. I become more aware of how my breathing affects the posture. Then I become aware of how 'I' feel when everything is aligned. I can feel the flow of energy in the body and the position begins to become effortless. There is even a type of euphoria during and after the practice. The mind becomes still. There becomes more of an awareness of a free flow of energy and an expansive feeling in my body. I become joined to that higher power or consciousness within. As stated in book one of the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali 'YOGAS CITTA VRTTI NIRODHAH - Yoga is the restraint of fluctuations of the mind'. That state consciousness stays with me as I continue in my day and gives me peace as well as enthusiasm about life. If I was feeling down or out of sorts before the practice, it dissipates naturally. So the incident earlier in the day did not have any power of 'ruining my day'. I also looked at that person as showing me where my center was. It was a reminder to be more vigilant in the moment.

So for me to stay connected I have to continually practice and use my tools; become a conduit so to speak, as I to strive to always be om.

Practice as a Tool YS I - 1, YS I - 2

Practice is a tool we all utilize it to some degree everyday of our lives. We might not readily acknowledge or view the word practice as tool .

Some definitions of practice are : 'Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind; usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising early; the practice of making regular entries of accounts; the practice of daily exercise.' Another definition is 'Practice (learning method), a method of learning by repetition'. Other examples of our 'habitual performance' or practice used everyday are brushing our teeth, walking, breathing, thinking, disagreeing, being fearful, arguing, being lazy, being a workaholic, cooking, drawing, playing an instrument etc.

The word practice can pertain to positive and negative habits in our life, or as two sides of the same coin. So in this post I am focusing on practice as a tool of yoga. So now I will refer to the word sutra : (Sanskrit) "Thread." An aphoristic verse; the literary style consisting of such maxims. From 500 bce, this style was widely adopted by Indian philosophical systems and eventually employed in works on law, grammar, medicine, poetry, crafts, etc. Each sutra is often accompanied by a commentary called bhashya and sometimes subcommentary called tika, vyakhyana or tippani.

In the Yoga Sutras (YS) of Pantanjali- YS I-1 is ATHA YOGAANUSAASANAM

It means " Now the exposition of Yoga is being made" as translated and commented on by Swami Satchidananda . In his commentary, he says we cannot reach the goal (yoga) by mere words alone. Without practice, nothing can be achieved.

The second YS I-2. YOGAS CITTA VRTTI NIRODHAH

The meaning here is "The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga". Basically what is being said here is if the restraint of the mental chatter is achieved, or if the mind becomes quiet, the goal of yoga would be obtained. In a nutshell, it goes back to the word practice.

So when we are having a "bad "day, when things are not going the way we want, instead of letting it sap our energy, or making us unhappy, we need to practice being present. We can start paying attention to our breath. We can stretch our bodies consciously. We can practice mindfulness. We can get in the habit of using this tool day by day, until it becomes automatic and natural. And it is a tool that is accessible all the time.

Yoga As a Tool

I wrote in my journal this morning that I am grateful for my love of yoga. I am grateful for the practice of the asanas (physical postures) as a tool. It is in the practice of the asanas that the laziness, stiffness and the feeling or thought of not wanting to do things fall away. Practicing backbends, headstands, handstands, arm balances are invigorating! Just doing the Surya Namaskar (Salutations to the Sun) wakes you up and gives me enthusiasm! It is so simple to rejuevenate oneself through the physical postures of yoga.

It is also in the practice of teaching yoga that I learn alot as well. Like the other day while I was teaching a yoga class and instructing them to breath fully and fill their lungs like balloons, I was struck with a profound thought. To be aware of their breathing helps to keep them in the present moment. And as we use balloons to celebrate, in the same way by expanding our lungs (as balloons) we too celebrate the present which is the biggest party there is - life!

Again yoga to me is a great tool in everyday life and helps me to always be om! Start practicing yoga today and see for your self.

Until next time