Posts tagged Yoga

Western style Yoga is mostly experienced as a secular exercise devoid of it’s original intention. Typically it is experienced as a series of stretching and breathing exercises.  As far back as the ancient Hindu texts of the Upanishads written around 5,000 BC yoga is defined. The Upanishads are considered by historians to be one of the top 100 books ever written. The Katha Upanishad states: When a person is free of distraction with senses fixed on letting go and finding the true self in the silence between thought, that is Yoga. When desire is removed you can find immorality. When one understands the complete rules of Yoga one will transcend to the divine.

To Some Hindus, Modern Yoga Has Lost Its Way - NPR

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To Some Hindus, Modern Yoga Has Lost Its Way - NPR: The holistic practice of yoga goes beyond just a couple of asanas on a mat. One group, the Hindu American Foundation, has launched a “Take Back Yoga” campaign to address what they see as a fundamental di …

BKS Iyengar’s interpretation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra definition of Yoga is: “the cultivation and eventual transcendence of consciousness, culminating in liberation from the cycles of rebirth”

Esther Ekhart talks with Taetske Kleijn about yoga and spirituality. They will be giving a course about “the Clarity Process” this March in Ireland. see here for more info. http://www.tsuki.org/intensiveireland.htm

“What is sadhana? It’s a committed prayer. It is something which you want to do, have to do, and which is being done by you. … Sadhana is self-enrichment. It is not something which is done to please somebody or to gain something. Sadhana is a personal process in which you bring out your best.” ~ Yogi Bhajan

Daily spiritual practice is the foundation for living a spiritual life.  Meditation or Prayer, whatever you want to call it, is important to focus your mind on emptying itself of unwanted thoughts and to fill your mind with your spiritual goal.  The goal of connecting, with NO sense of obligation, to something greater than you, on a daily basis is the bedrock to build your spiritual foundation on.   

If you develop a daily spiritual practice (repeated practice = Abhyasa) you will take control of your life instead of letting life control you.  Goals will become clear to you.  You can then understand your purpose and develop plans centered around your goals.  You can then develop the courage of conviction to build a massive action plan (Kriya).  You have to honor yourself, the goal you want to achieve, and whatever you perceive as greater than yourself in order for your prayers to be answered.  

 You have to decide what you will give of yourself to receive your prayers.  How much of your effort will be put into achieving your goals.  Be careful what you wish for because you will get it.  The more you give while being true to your nature the more nature will give back to you. 

 A spiritual way to obtain Sadhana is to undertake the practice known as Sadhu of taking a spiritual journey.  This journey can be a physical one by going on a pilgrimage.  Or it can be an interior journey examining the path you are on now and the direction you are headed in.

Do you have a guru to guide you guide you through your amazing journey?  Deciding on a guru is an important task.  Ancient texts suggest studying under a teacher for at least 7 years before deciding whether that teacher should be your guru.  In the strictest of senses a guru is a parent figure.  You must honor a guru just as you would a parent.  You don’t get a chance to pick your parents, but you do get to pick your guru, so pick wisely.

 A form of individual practice called vyasti sadhana for your own spiritual upliftment (niskan sadhana).  Examples of vyasti sadhana are prayer, chanting, meditation, studying spirituality, Hatha Yoga, and Karma Yoga.

Hatha Yoga is the most familiar from of yoga done in the west.  Using Asanas (body positions) and meditation to find bliss inside the union of individual spirit (soul) and universal oneness (God).

The goals of Hatha Yoga are to increase spiritual progress, increase faith, increase desire for God, increase spiritual experiences and increase purity of heart.     

Karma Yoga is the discipline of action from selfless service.  It is based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.  Karma Yoga is performing your duty according to universal law, society, your family, and yourself without attachment to the proceeds of your actions.

“Whatever I perform with my body, speech, mind, limbs, intellect or my inner self, either intentionally or unintentionally, I dedicate it to that Supreme Lord Narayana.” – common mantra of Karma Yoga