This weekend a teacher pointed me to Sutra 1.43 - which introduces Nivitarka Samapatti. This type of absorption exists without conceptualization. What this means is that the mind no longer registers sense objects, but instead focuses on the main object of meditation, the self.
It is hard to imagine life without registering sense objects. It seems impossible, like seeing without seeing or tasting without taste.
This sutra basically draws the line in the sand - everything else is just a clinging to ignorance. Absorbing yourself in tastes and sounds and sights is just a trick, pulling the mind away from the true object of meditation.
But what is life like without these tastes and feelings and smells and sights? Can it still be called life? Is that living?
Time is a sense object - so the yogi will not even know they have reached that state until they have come out of it. It almost sounds like a dreamless sleep.
It sounds peaceful, but without the feeling of peace.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Abhyasa
Over the past few months I have been trying to memorize the Yoga Sutras in Sanskrit. It has been coming along VERY slowly.
I started working on memorizing
Sutra 1.14 - the longest one so far. I was working hard on it and then almost gave up. It was then that I realized the irony of the situation - I was about to give up on the sutra that translates as:
"Practice becomes firmly established when it has been cultivated uninterruptedly and with devotion over a prolonged period of time."
This sutra really hits home for me. It speaks to the importance of patience with out practice - whether that practice be our asana practice, meditation, or learning to chant the Yoga Sutras. Your practice cannot be perfected in a night, a few weeks, or even years. Commentators actually agree that it can take multiple lifetimes of perfection to reach the goal of yoga.
A practice needs to be cultivated - not found or experimented with. It takes time and devotion.
I started working on memorizing
Sutra 1.14 - the longest one so far. I was working hard on it and then almost gave up. It was then that I realized the irony of the situation - I was about to give up on the sutra that translates as:
"Practice becomes firmly established when it has been cultivated uninterruptedly and with devotion over a prolonged period of time."
This sutra really hits home for me. It speaks to the importance of patience with out practice - whether that practice be our asana practice, meditation, or learning to chant the Yoga Sutras. Your practice cannot be perfected in a night, a few weeks, or even years. Commentators actually agree that it can take multiple lifetimes of perfection to reach the goal of yoga.
A practice needs to be cultivated - not found or experimented with. It takes time and devotion.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Twist and Detox - One Week Later
It has been one week since the twist workshop and I feel amazing - very open and light. I have been trying to carry over some of these new habits: changing my diet moderately to include more vegetables and fruit, with more basic grains. As far as my diet goes -I have gotten much simpler. Nothing too fussy, just simple and clean.
I have also been taking more time for myself, or what I would like to call "smell the flowers time". My workload has picked up at my full time job, but even with this extra work and stress, I am taking more time for myself and allowing time to be with myself. Spring brings so many beautiful things that you can miss if you don't pay attention - in yourself and your surroundings. If my time with the detox has taught me anything, it is to enjoy that time.
The workshop itself had a larger effect on me than I originally thought. I left with a rather large post-class euphoria. I was really affected by the chakra-related twist. I love working with natural rotation/axis. Feeling the natural rotation and momentum that the body has, without much effort, is very powerful. I look forward to next year's detox and Twist Into Spring workshop.
I have also been taking more time for myself, or what I would like to call "smell the flowers time". My workload has picked up at my full time job, but even with this extra work and stress, I am taking more time for myself and allowing time to be with myself. Spring brings so many beautiful things that you can miss if you don't pay attention - in yourself and your surroundings. If my time with the detox has taught me anything, it is to enjoy that time.
The workshop itself had a larger effect on me than I originally thought. I left with a rather large post-class euphoria. I was really affected by the chakra-related twist. I love working with natural rotation/axis. Feeling the natural rotation and momentum that the body has, without much effort, is very powerful. I look forward to next year's detox and Twist Into Spring workshop.
Cultivating the Opposite
I had such a wonderful weekend - a yoga weekend. After two full days of yoga therapeutics training, I taught my Sunday night class. I felt so open and sharing and loving. The idea of helping others, of course, brings such joy. For some reason, within one day, I found myself angry and frustrated. I easily found reasons to be upset at work and at home - distracted by how things "should be" or "could be." I am consistently amazed at how quickly our minds can change our mood within a short span of hours.
I have come to believe that our minds sabotage our work. At the end of the day, I know that I have to work, not assume that I can change without work. After days like today, I come back to Sutra II.33, "Upon being harassed by negative thoughts, one should cultivate counteracting thoughts." I understand that it is ok to be angry and it is good to be with my feelings. I feel, however, that these feelings are not helping me. After being with my feelings, I know that I also have to cultivate the opposite (pratipaksa bhavanam).
I was particularly bothered by the words and actions of a few people. I have to realize that while no one is perfect, we are all made of the same piece of perfection. My work - looking beyond the surface level, what I can see, and instead think of what is common and perfect about all of us.
I will think of the following to overcome this:
svasti prajabhyah paripalayantam
nyayena margena mahim mahisah
gobrahmanebhyah subhamastu nityam
lokasamasta sukhino bhavantu
"May all of humankind be happy and well. May the great noble lords protect the earth in every way by the path of just virtue. May there be perpetual joy for those who know the real nature of things. May al the worlds be happy."
I have come to believe that our minds sabotage our work. At the end of the day, I know that I have to work, not assume that I can change without work. After days like today, I come back to Sutra II.33, "Upon being harassed by negative thoughts, one should cultivate counteracting thoughts." I understand that it is ok to be angry and it is good to be with my feelings. I feel, however, that these feelings are not helping me. After being with my feelings, I know that I also have to cultivate the opposite (pratipaksa bhavanam).
I was particularly bothered by the words and actions of a few people. I have to realize that while no one is perfect, we are all made of the same piece of perfection. My work - looking beyond the surface level, what I can see, and instead think of what is common and perfect about all of us.
I will think of the following to overcome this:
svasti prajabhyah paripalayantam
nyayena margena mahim mahisah
gobrahmanebhyah subhamastu nityam
lokasamasta sukhino bhavantu
"May all of humankind be happy and well. May the great noble lords protect the earth in every way by the path of just virtue. May there be perpetual joy for those who know the real nature of things. May al the worlds be happy."
Monday, April 9, 2012
Yoga Weird - Kriyas - Neti
For those of you who delve deeply into Hatha Yoga, you will eventually hear about kriyas, or cleansing techniques. It is believed that these cleansing techniques help to prepare the body for the physical practice of asana.
One of the most common Kriyas is neti. There are two types of neti:
As part of my teacher training, I had to buy a neti pot and join in on a group neti. Of course, I wanted to try a neti prior to class to ensure that I looked like I knew what I was doing. Unfortunately I could not figure it out on my own. For this reason, I walked in incredibly nervous. I did not want to be the student that gagged on my neti in front of everyone.
I was very thankful to have a teacher that could easily explain the process. I was also very stuffed up at the time, so I was doubly thankful to have a good nasal cleaning. I began to use my neti pot every morning, helping me easily keep my nasal passage clean - virtually eliminating my fall allergies. I stopped using it once the weather got cold, because I know that if one is susceptible to nose bleeds, they should not use the neti pot. When I was a child, I would get nose bleeds all winter long, so I have strayed from using it.
I am writing about neti today because I brought my neti pot back out for spring. Now that allergy season has started, I have been waking up with a runny nose - typical. I feel wonderful today - still some runny nose, but much better.
For those of you who have not tried it, I would encourage you to give neti a shot. When you do, ask someone who has been doing it for a while to show you how. This person can help you make sure that you have the right water/salt mixture and ensure that you are using the proper head tilting technique.
It is not as weird as you think - I promise.
One of the most common Kriyas is neti. There are two types of neti:
- jala neti - pouring water in one nostril and draining it out of the other
- sutra neti - pulling a fine thread in one nostril and out of the other
As part of my teacher training, I had to buy a neti pot and join in on a group neti. Of course, I wanted to try a neti prior to class to ensure that I looked like I knew what I was doing. Unfortunately I could not figure it out on my own. For this reason, I walked in incredibly nervous. I did not want to be the student that gagged on my neti in front of everyone.
I was very thankful to have a teacher that could easily explain the process. I was also very stuffed up at the time, so I was doubly thankful to have a good nasal cleaning. I began to use my neti pot every morning, helping me easily keep my nasal passage clean - virtually eliminating my fall allergies. I stopped using it once the weather got cold, because I know that if one is susceptible to nose bleeds, they should not use the neti pot. When I was a child, I would get nose bleeds all winter long, so I have strayed from using it.
I am writing about neti today because I brought my neti pot back out for spring. Now that allergy season has started, I have been waking up with a runny nose - typical. I feel wonderful today - still some runny nose, but much better.
For those of you who have not tried it, I would encourage you to give neti a shot. When you do, ask someone who has been doing it for a while to show you how. This person can help you make sure that you have the right water/salt mixture and ensure that you are using the proper head tilting technique.
It is not as weird as you think - I promise.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Detox Diet - Final Day
This being the last day of the detox, I determined that I would take the day for me. I slept in a bit and took my first morning walk of the year with my dog in complete sunlight. Everything was so green and bright. I have been amazed how much has happened in these past 10 days. So many new happenings, trees in bloom, birds coming around again in full force, and a new scent in the air.
I am also surprised at what has happened to me. I feel like I am a person that sets and meets his goals - but willpower with food has always been my downfall. In the past 10 days I have turned down all of the food that I have come to love and over-enjoy. The force of my will came much easier than I ever expected it to. A few cravings here and there were easily pushed away by a determination to work with myself.
This experiment, however, is far beyond food. This detox, instead, has shown me the importance of new beginnings, reflection, and meditation. My fears, anxieties, and doubt can disappear to instead bring a concentration and focus to the work that I try so hard to avoid in my daily life. This detox has helped to create a new beginning; a beginning to the season, a new focus, a new energy, and a new example for determination. The bi-product is the beautiful bloom of spring that can be found around me and inside of me.
I am also surprised at what has happened to me. I feel like I am a person that sets and meets his goals - but willpower with food has always been my downfall. In the past 10 days I have turned down all of the food that I have come to love and over-enjoy. The force of my will came much easier than I ever expected it to. A few cravings here and there were easily pushed away by a determination to work with myself.
This experiment, however, is far beyond food. This detox, instead, has shown me the importance of new beginnings, reflection, and meditation. My fears, anxieties, and doubt can disappear to instead bring a concentration and focus to the work that I try so hard to avoid in my daily life. This detox has helped to create a new beginning; a beginning to the season, a new focus, a new energy, and a new example for determination. The bi-product is the beautiful bloom of spring that can be found around me and inside of me.
Detox Diet - Day 9
I woke up this morning feeling out of sorts. After such a long day, my body and mind were a little tired. I drank my water and took the walk with my dog and slowly felt myself coming back to normal. After a great sitting, I started my day.
I was the only one in the office today, which provided some nice quiet and peace. I found time on my lunch break to perform a few slow asana and a long savasana. My body settled very quickly and I found myself incredibly calm yet alert.
After work I attended the Thursday night class at Karuna, where the class was concentrating on Pratyahara again. Allowing time to move inward. Prior to class, Eileen shared that while Pratyahara is a quieting of the senses and a moving inward, it makes us better when being with others and reacting in the outside world. I feel like this detox has been just that. My body feels so clean and prepared to meet the challenges that Spring brings. I feel like I am also able to notice its beauty and enjoy what is to come.
What I learned today:
I was the only one in the office today, which provided some nice quiet and peace. I found time on my lunch break to perform a few slow asana and a long savasana. My body settled very quickly and I found myself incredibly calm yet alert.
After work I attended the Thursday night class at Karuna, where the class was concentrating on Pratyahara again. Allowing time to move inward. Prior to class, Eileen shared that while Pratyahara is a quieting of the senses and a moving inward, it makes us better when being with others and reacting in the outside world. I feel like this detox has been just that. My body feels so clean and prepared to meet the challenges that Spring brings. I feel like I am also able to notice its beauty and enjoy what is to come.
What I learned today:
- I can get energy without protein
- I have to make time for me and for quiet
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)