Does the word Tapas (pronounced as ‘tha-pus’) instantly conjure up an image of an emaciated person standing on one leg on top of a mountain with eyes closed, and focused on realizing the Self, demonstrating the colossal nature of austerity? Impossible? The challenge in this post is to bring us down from that mountain of …
Tag: yoga sutra
Śaucha Sūtra 2:41
Śaucha, the first Niyama is dealt with in the second chapter, Sādhana Pāda, of the Yoga Sūtras. While sūtra 2.40 stresses physical (external) cleanliness, the sūtra 2:41 focuses on the benefits of mental (internal) purity. Remaining aware of our inner conversation is critical to both inner and outer purification. Anger, hate, jealously, prejudice, greed, pride, …
Śaucha
Have you wondered there are some things we do daily which support the cultivation of yoga practices – like those that relax the mind into peaceful silence – while others do not? In the practice of Rāja Yoga, Yama and Niyama, are considered as the philosophies of right behavior and lifestyle, the dos and don’ts …
Meditation is Not
What happens when you type the word meditation in a search bar? A million hits pop up, each with a promise that theirs is the best description of this popular practice. So, where should you begin? Is meditation a technique or a practice? Is it something you do to the mind? Or is it something …
Āsana Dozen – reminders for abhyāsa
The only instruction about āsana that Śri Patanjali has in the Yóga Sūtra is in the second chapter called Sādhana Pāda. Sūtra 46, Shithra Sukham Āsanam; states ‘that position which is steady and comfortable is āsana’. Practiced within this context, postures are meant to develop the ability to sit comfortably for long periods of time …
Yama and Niyama
What constitutes, Raja Yoga, is listed in the second chapter, Sādhana Pāda in the YogaSutra. Sādhana Pāda means laying out the practical hints so a seeker can actually practice to make any progress on the yogic path. यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि॥२.२९ Yama-niyama-āsana-prāṇāyāma-pratyāhāra-dhāraṇā-dhyāna-samādhayo'ṣṭāvaṅgāni||29||According to this sutra the eight limbs, aṣṭāṅga are: Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prānayāma, Pratyāhāra, Dhārana, Dhyāna and Samādhi. This post is only an introduction …
How to study the YogaSutras
Scriptures or religious texts may be used for many reasons; mostly to provide meaning and purpose, and to evoke a deeper connection with the Divine. Many look to these texts to the convey sacred truths and use them to promote ritualistic practices and moralistic experiences that foster communal identity. But the YogaSutra is not a religious text; notice …
The YogaSutra
There are people who say that most texts - scripture or academic can be a tedious read. While some knowledge can be gained from studying these texts and their various interpretations, they realize that 'true' understanding is largely intuitive - a continuous outpouring of 'aha' moments. Others while enquiring about the phase of life you are in …
yogajivan 