An Unattached View YS II - 15

Yoga Sutra II- 15 -PARINAMA TAPA SAMSKARA DUHKHAIR GUNA VRTTI VIRODHAC CA DUHKHAM EVA SARVAM VIVEKINAH - To one of discrimination, everything is painful indeed, due to its consequences: the anxiety and fear over losing what is gained; the resulting impressions left in the mind to create renewed cravings; and the constant conflict among the three gunas, which control the mind.

Swami Satchidananda points out that Patanjali gives a very great truth in the spiritual field in this important sutra. If we contemplated this sutra for a little while daily, our lives would be transformed. "All experiences are painful for the person of spiritual discrimination. In this world, all experiences that come from outside through the world, through nature or material things, are ultimately painful. None can give everlasting happiness."

He says temporary pleasure always end in pain because of fearing the loss of it. Examples given are:

• having a high position - fear of losing the position


• accumulating a lot of money - fear of losing the money


• our beauty and youth - fear of becoming ugly and old

Swami Satchidananda says it alright to have these things as long as you don't let it bring you anxiety and fear. The past pleasures are painful because renewed cravings arising from impressions that were left in the mind. There is really nothing bad in the world, but the three gunas are constantly tossing the mind. [In the Wikipedia, the Sanskrit word guna has the basic meaning of "string" or "a single thread or strand of a cord or twine". The three gunas (based upon the three "tendencies"), are sattva guna, and rajas guna, tamas guna]

One can see these tendencies evident when "What you enjoy one minute you hate the next." Swami Satchidananda further comments that "Real pleasure comes from detaching ourselves completely from the entire world, in standing aloof--making use of the world as a master of it." We are reminded that we cannot escape from everything (which generates pain) because that doesn't work as wherever we go, the world (our world) follows. "Wherever we are, we have to learn to handle things properly."

An analogy is given of one leaving family life to go live in an ashram. If one cannot adapt to his known family, how can one adapt to an unknown group? "The world is a training place where we learn to use the world without getting attached." "Pleasure and pain are but the outcome of your approach." This determines your experience of heaven or hell. It's like learning to swim. At first there is fear, but once learned it becomes enjoyable.

Swadhyaya

We are all ultimately looking for that joy we have inside of ourselves. There are different things that we do that connect us to that joy. We might realize that is what we are doing especially when we start to ask the question 'Why am I here and what is the purpose of life?' Swadhyaya can lead us to that joy inside. Swadhyaya is a Sanskrit word and is translated as study, reciting aloud, or repeating or rehearsing to one self. It literally means study of the Self.

On the yogic path, which "I" define as a way of life, many tools are needed and we carry all of them. Swadhyaya is a tool in which language and sound becomes an important link to help release that joy we have inherently. It is from my experience of studying spiritual texts that I was introduced to accessing some of my inner joy. I remember one of the evening chants that I attended at the ashram. See the post on Yama and Discipline. I remember looking at a very long string of Sanskrit words for the Shiva Mahimnam Stotram. I was amazed that words could be so long and how was I going to pronounce them? As I attended more recitations of the chant, it began to give me an experience of joy. I could not explain the feeling. Just simply saying a more than mouthful of Sanskrit phrases could bring so much joy. It's like a revelation of "The kingdom of heaven is within".

Just looking at the words on the page could not reveal the depth of beginning to know my "Self" through this venue would reveal. Swadhyaya is a great tool of yoga to discover. There is so much more to say on this topic, however, I will pause here.

Until next time, stay tuned.

Yama and Discipline

Yama is a sanskrit word which has many meanings in different contexts. It could mean restraint and discipline which is what I am referring to here. Yama is the first limb of yoga as defined in the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali It explains the codes of ethical behavior to be looked at and followed daily. Yama has five principles which I will go into another time.

Then there is the word discipline which has various meanings. For most of us, according to our perspective, it could have negative and or positive connotations. The discipline I am referring to is regularity; following a certain order. Discipline is important in practicing the many aspects of yoga. In fact it is the key in mastering yoga.

I remember many years ago, when I first stayed at an ashram for a couple of weeks. An ashram is an abode of spiritual teacher; a place for disciplined community living. There was a certain time to get up, to do spiritual practices- like meditation, chanting, seva (selfless service), eating and going to bed. It was very new to me. Learning to sit in a crossed leg posture with lots of other people, eating in a huge dining room, taking turns using the restrooms. It was surprising with so many people living together that everything could go so smoothly. Everyone followed the schedule.

When I finally came home, I noticed that I missed the schedule, the regularity that I had become accustomed to for those two weeks. That was surprising to me. It made me realize that yama, discipline could actually be a positive thing. It was through the discipline that things actually became easier. Previously I felt that I did not like discipline and thought that doing things when I wanted to was freedom. But ironically in being undisciplined things are actually harder and erratic.

Through the years of practicing yoga, whether it be the asanas (physical postures), the meditation, the contemplation of life, I have come to see the value in yama and how it applies to everyday life. Looking at nature like the sunrise and sunset; the waxing and waning of the moon; the change of seasons it becomes obvious that there is a certain discipline on a grander scale. And it is that discipline, that yama that allows us to always be om, to be at peace and present in our live.