This
section is a compilation of writings on the different aspects of yoga
and its practices by Paul. We
hope it is of help to you.
About
Yoga
What
is "Mysore" Style?
About
Yoga About
Ashtanga
"Doing
what my body wants ?"
AYRI
Gokulam Review
The
Maha Khumba Mela, January 2001
Transformation
A full collection
of writings by Paul is on the Centered Yoga website - use the
link below.
http://www.centeredyoga.com/articles.html
About
Yoga
By Paul Dallaghan
"Do unto others as you would have done unto you."
This may sound familiar to all of us as it comes from the Bible. The direct
words of Jesus we are told. It is a simple and beautiful statement. It
is the essence of yoga and its practice. In fact, it is such a profound
statement that all but a handful of people on this earth can follow it
through to its full end. Initially it requires a complete awareness of
yourself in all situations and interactions. We may hold it up as an ideal
to live by. The question then arises as how to move towards living such
an ideal. We need help. This is where the path, and science, of yoga comes
in. Yoga may prescribe a routine, practice, system, scientific approach
but ultimately transcends all these, planting a higher quality in our
hearts: may we not cause harm to any other living being, through thought,
word or action. Out of such a quality grows a unique and higher level
of love.
Yogascitta vritti
nirodhah - Yoga is the cessation of the currents of the mind, meaning
a complete calming of all aspects of our mind. This is the classic definition
given by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, which is fair to say is the most
authorative text we know of on the whole subject of yoga. The system was
in existence, handed down from the highest of realizations by the ancient
Rishis. Patanjali, who had realized the path, defined for us the state
of yoga and how to achieve it. The above quote is the second sutra from
the yoga sutras. In the third sutra he lets us know that upon absolute
calming of the mind we reach a stage of abiding in our own true self,
meaning we merge with the complete oneness. If this is reached then we
would not need to read the other 193 sutras. However, for the rest of
us we look at sutra 4 and find that we need to read on - otherwise (i.e.
when not achieving the state of yoga) one is victim to the fluctuations
of the mind.
How does absolute
calming of the mind tie in with being nice to one and all ? After Patanjali
lays down the path of yoga, the state to achieve and levels thereof in
the first pada or chapter he then gives the means to reach this state
in pada 2. This second pada is about practice. Initial practice is presented
that we find will weaken all our ignorances, attachments, aversions, fears
and selfish identity. Then we are presented with the grand Eight Limbs
known as Ashtanga Yoga. If we understand that Patanjali is not a mere
author but a qualified revealer of truth, having achieved the highest
state of yoga himself, and very succinctly making it available for us,
then we can put full faith and trust in the practice of these limbs. It
is not like many books written today where the information does not come
from complete direct experience. Anything stated in the sutras has been
experienced by the sage him/herself and compassionately written down so
that we can follow suit and achieve the purpose of life.
Upon first examination
of Ashtanga we find truths to live by in society. The first is non-harming.
The very fact that this comes first is of utmost importance. To understand
non-harming we may need to reflect it upon ourself and subsequently we
find the maxim "do unto others as you would have done unto you".
Now some people may enjoy self-torture and could then use such a line
to justify that treatment to others. The intention behind the action is
paramount. One action may seem to cause one pain due to their lack of
understanding, experience or selfish behavior but the intention behind
it is out of love, whereas another action may seem ok or even hurt and
its intention is to do that exactly. Hence, our non-harming is in our
thoughts, in our words and in our deeds. We cannot control every action.
Each step we take ends up finishing some insect's or microbe's life. Therefore,
kill the least and save the most will help us in our attitude of non-harming.
The other elements of the first limb help us to grow as an individual
- truthful, non-stealing, harnessing of our vital energy and non-greediness
or hoarding. They are all interrelated and we realize that at the top
of the list is non-harming. The second limb discusses more personal observations
such as cleanliness of body and mind, contentment, accepting all as part
of our growth, self-study and complete surrender to the source of all.
To completely reach
a state where we would not harm another being, doing to them as we would
want done to us, is where the path of yoga takes us. For we realize that
we are all one. The right hand is not separate from the left. Would it
purposely hurt it? The ability to actually experience this, not just intellectually
understand it, is the state of yoga. One with Everything. Realising this,
knowing we are a work-in-progress, we start to follow the path yoga gives
us. As we continue along it we experience different levels of this truth.
The current popularity
of yoga today shows many advertisements listing benefits of yoga such
as a healthy body, strong and toned muscles, radiant glow, stress control,
relaxation, ability to handle more situations, etc. These are accurate
in the sense that if one practices truthfully these benefits can come.
It is important to understand however that they are not the goal of yoga,
absolutely not, but rather extremely positive side-effects of practicing
diligently. What it reveals is that the initial preoccupation is with
our physical, material lives. And rightly so as this is what we perceive.
More likely than not, very few have done any deep inner exploration. Therefore,
the entry point has to be through our physical and material self. Hence
why yoga is popularly associated with the movements and poses. This is
known as asana and is the third limb of Ashtanga as defined by Patanjali.
Patanjali has first
aided us with social and personal moral codes and practices in the first
two limbs, building the foundation for our growth. As we continue to put
our attention on these throughout daily life we also engage in specific
practices to help the growth. There is no creed or doctrine to this science
of yoga. It is as much a science as say physics or chemistry. If faithfully
followed the result is arrived at. Many individuals in the past and today
have shown this. If one is religious or not it does not mess with that
belief but rather supports it. The key to it all is practice. Patanjali
states that practice must happen for a long time, be continuous and done
very sincerely. Thus patience, perseverance and honesty are cultivated,
especially if one is to see any results. From our practice we examine
ourselves. This is the scientific aspect. Is there growth? Am I doing
it correctly? This will ultimately build a sense of being the observer
which leads to being more detached or non-dependent. Yet what it also
highlights is the absolute need for a qualified teacher. To open a book
and play with poses may be appealing but to go anywhere on the path of
yoga this experienced and authoritative guidance is required, i.e. someone
who has been down the path. To go deeper with asana requires experience
and understanding of the subtle levels. To pursue the next limb known
as pranayama, referring to working with the breath to extend our lifeforce,
is very powerful and requires this guidance. Obviously it is subtler than
asana and therefore trickier. From a scientific point of view it is recommended
to first become adept at asana before trying this. Though the lower mind,
or ego, may push one to doing more early on, it can cause more harm than
good. To boil water we apply the heat. It is this practical and scientific.
Being careless about this or omitting stages will lead to no result, a
waste of time or even worse, some kind of harm. We have learnt to cause
no harm so obviously such an action is counterproductive. As physical
science explains the steps to properly boil the water so does yoga give
us the process to achieve yoga - a path and a goal!!
In essence, we see
that yoga is about practice, focus and surrender. Patanjali is concerned
with the good of humanity. He is a psychologist of the highest order.
He is aware that through our efforts can come positive results. This is
right action. Hence we practice, be it asana, breathing, self-study or
more. We practice over a long period of time, not slacking off or stopping
for no reason and with an attitude of earnestness, i.e. with feeling.
To go deeper requires the involvement of the mind, our intellect, hence
we focus on whatever it is we do. This increases the practice and makes
us more aware. Ultimately the results are out of our hands. We can put
forth a solid effort but cannot control the outcome. It may turn out to
be the outcome we had hoped for or better but we still cannot dictate
that. Along with practice Patanjali includes vairagya, detachment or non-dependence.
In one sense this means practicing without expectations. Our right action
with focus is needed, complemented by a sense of this letting go, surrender.
Through practice and
focus comes self-awareness. Being self-aware our practice grows. This
awareness is key to remove the negative aspects of our life. Additionally
required is an attitude of non-dependence which comes through our surrender.
The path of yoga will help us to not be controlled by all situations and
circumstances. In other words free. The mind is our servant and not our
master. This starts to become more evident as we see the last four limbs
from Patanjali, which are internal in nature: a control and withdrawal
of the senses, concentration, unbroken concentration known as meditation,
to complete and sustained meditation known as samadhi. At each level it
gets subtler. To do harm to any other being intentionally completely inhibits
one from gaining any level in these subtle limbs. So we come back to our
building block of humanity and prerequisite for yoga practice - aim to
be nice to all.
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