Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Chapter 3 (motion vs. stillness)

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Ch.3  Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

This chapter is focusing on the last three limbs of the Raja Yoga: dharana, dhyana, and Samadhi.  These three together are samyama.  Through a prolonged practice of these one can attain special powers.  These powers are a by-product not the intent for the practice.  Enlightenment, liberation, peace, bliss and God-Realization are the driving force.

By nature our mind is in constant motion but through dharana and dhyana we discover absolute knowledge of the self.  Purusha is the Self, it is stillness, and it’s the absolute knowledge, with non-judgmental awareness.  Prakriti holds the qualities of our gunas: satttva, rajas, and tamas.  It is movement and it is the mind.  When we are in action we are in Prakriti, as the mind is still we are in Purusha.  If we try to still the mind we begin to grasp and then we come out of Purusha.  We can use tools to help with the stilling of the mind.  Mantras are a great way to calm the mind.  Mantras are made of energy and this energy can be used to bring our mind back to stillness and awareness.

“Tasya prasanta-vahita samskarat” Verse 10

We can develop and enhance the habit of repetition and through the repetition of a mantra you can calm the mind.  The more constant and consistent a mantra is the less likely for the mind to wonder.  This is similar to the practice of pranayama and the benefits it has on the mind, body, and spirit in a physical practice.  The breath calms the mind, which calms the nervous system, which in turn calms the emotions.  This in turn becomes a meditative state of flow that is practiced until it becomes a habit.  It takes time and patience but will no doubt eventually bring a tranquil mind and peace.  This concept is the same for our daily lives and how we fulfill our duties with righteous morals.  If we practice honor, respect, and calmness throughout the day we can eventually learn to do everything from the mundane chores, to teaching, to being a parent while maintaining these attributes.

“Tatah punah santoditau tulya-pratyayau cittasyaikagrata-parinamah” Verse 12

We can also use our mantra to keep the mind one-pointed and maintain dharana, the content of the mind remains the same as the vrittis rise and fall.  It is with practice that the mind can maintain this one-pointedness for longer periods of time.  Similar to the physical body as it builds endurance and stamina in its physical practice of yoga.

“Maitry-adisu balani” Verse 24

Strengths are gained through practice of samyama on friendliness, love, mercy, and open heartedness.  Not only do we provide these aspects to others but also to ourselves.  This is done without judgment or expectation but with awareness.

“Kurma-nadyam sthairyam” Verse 32

Steadiness is gained through the practice of samyama on the nerve centers that move prana.  When blockages in our chakras are removed and prana is moving freely, the mind, body and spirit are more balanced.  We can slow down our actions so that the mind becomes more sattva.  Sattva equals purity.  Since this is a quality within nature it is within Prakriti and outside of Purusha.  The qualities attained in Prakriti will come together for the final movement from the Self to the Universal Self.  The needs of oneself are given up and absolute knowledge is gained through the interests of the Self.

“Sattva-purusanyata-khyati-matrasya sarva-bhava abhisthatrtvam sarvajnatrtvam ca” Verse 50

In our practice we are trying to master are gunas, to become pure.  The Universal Soul is found when the quality of purity in Prakriti is transformed into Absolute “Purusha”, Divinity.  And it is here that the yogi claims these powers.

“Sthany-upanimantrane sanga-smaya-karanam punar anistaprasangat” Verse 52

As a yogi attains higher levels of consciousness the awareness is constant avoiding temptations of the ego or feelings of pride.  One might be tempted as the levels increase.  Opportunities may arise, such as communication with a celestial being and these gifts are not to be taken advantage of.

Liberation, bliss, and peace will be present when the mind finds the same purity as the Purusha.  Sattwa and Purusha will have the same quality.

Karma Yoga

Sunday, July 24th, 2011

KARMA YOGA

Karma Yoga is a mind set…..to give without expectation. In order to be successful, it has to be a daily practice, a way of life. So there really isn’t any way to pick just one project. But for the sake of this assignment, I have decided that after I am certified, I will volunteer to teach a Chair Yoga class at a Senior Center.

I loved being a part of the Chair Yoga class  on Tuesday. The people seemed so happy to be there. And in whatever capacity that they could, they participated. I was lucky, in that I was able to sit next to a lovely gentleman. And as I watched him struggle with determination, I knew I wanted to become a part of the healing.

The seniors at this center are not unique to this process. During the two years before my grandmother died, I spent a lot of time at the assisted living community where she lived. There were so many activities offered there, but Chair Yoga wasn’t one of them. Not that I would have been able to get her involved. She lived in her own, very lonely, world. Hopefully in her next life, she will, at some point, be happy.

I see so many ways in which this class can benefit seniors. If structured right, it can help with vision, stiffness, strength, neurological disorders, focus, memory……the list goes on and on. I am looking forward to delving deeper into these benefits along with gaining an in-depth understanding into the hidden dangers and what to look for before beginning a class. I will also have to focus on learning the anatomy of the human body in greater detail. This, I believe, will be a crucial part of my teaching in order to prevent any injuries.

It will take a little while before I will be able to start this project, as I am just beginning to realize the vastness of insight and knowledge needed to accomplish it. But I am determined to make this happen. I am excited at the prospect of just being able to spend time with such wonderful people and to hopefully help them deepen their Yoga practice.

In addition to the Chair Yoga, I plan on spending whatever time necessary to launch my T-Shirt line. I am anxious to get this going since I plan on having a portion of the revenue generated, go to a children’s charity. If it does really well, then I will also set aside funds for scholarships for future Yogi’s to become certified. I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing, but can’t wait to get going!

Karma Yoga…… To give back is vital to living. And my children are my inspiration. They are my teachers. They are the reason behind the good I see in strangers. They are the lessons given by a higher power then me. They are a constant reminder to be forgiving, to be honest, to be real.

Their presence is a daily reminder of what is true in the world. After the earthquake in Haiti, they donated their allowance to the Red Cross relief effort. They are encouraged by recycling and by doing anything possible to help the earth. Their laughter is contagious. They smile just because and they openly share their thoughts and their feelings. Their tears are humbling. They practice Karma Yoga without even realizing it.

Karma Yoga really is a way being, of presenting yourself and your intentions to the people around you. It is my hope that by practicing Karma Yoga, I can help people not only deepen their Yoga practice, but to also help them rediscover the honesty and peace they had when they, too, where children.

Just one more step……on a beautiful path……on an amazing journey ……
…….“OM”…….

Meditation Guide

Sunday, January 23rd, 2011

1. Try to meditate at the same time each day and in the same place.

2. The best times are at dawn and dusk but choose an hour of your day when your mind is likely to be most calm. The preferred time is between 4 and 6am, when the world is quiet and your mind has not been filled with a day’s worth of worries. Just be consistent.

3. Try to create a separate space for mediation – a room or even just an area of a room that nobody else enters, and is used only for meditating. Place a comfortable mat on the floor, facing an image or picture of the chosen inspiration. Only fill it with things and images that are uplifting. As you meditate in this space, it will become more peaceful and pure and whenever you feel stressed you can enter it to meditate and find comfort.

4. Face north or east to take advantage of the earth’s magnetic forces. Sit in lotus position or whatever cross-legged position is comfortable for you. Sit up straight but not tense.

5. When you begin, tell your mind to be still and peaceful for however long you plan to meditate.

6. Focus on your breath. Begin with 5 minutes of deep breathing, then slow your breathing until it is almost imperceptible.

7. If you’re using a Mantra, coordinate it with your rhythmic breathing.

8. Allow your mind to wander if it wants to, but let go of each thought and bring your mind back to your Mantra.

9. Do not force your mind to be quiet. Just watch each stray thought as it enters your mind, disassociate from it, and eventually your mind will slow down.

10. Select a focal point such as the space between your eye brows or at your naval center and never change this focal point. Changing your focal point will just set you back, and would be like starting your mediation practice all over again.

11. Focus on something uplifting. If you have a Mantra, repeat it mentally. If you find yourself falling asleep, repeat the Mantra out loud until you feel revitalized and then repeat it softer and softer until you are only repeating it again mentally. Never change the Mantra.

12. Eventually, with repetition, sound and thought will merge and your mind will be still and pure so that you may see your true self.

13. Don’t give up. With much practice you will reach the state of samadhi, where your true self will be one with the universal soul.

14. In the superconscious state the Knower, Knowledge, and Known become one. This state of superconsciousness can be reached by many paths and through many faiths.

15. Begin by meditating 20 minutes and then work up to one hour. Eventually try to meditate one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening.

Meditation Instructions for a New Student

If you want to start your own meditation practice, set a consistent time when you can always meditate. Try to choose an hour when you won’t likely have other obligations pop up to interfere. Early morning when you’ve just woken up is best because your mind will be calmer than later in the day when your mind will be filled with your daily tasks and worries. Try to create a space in your home that is only used for meditation. If you can dedicate an entire room to meditation, that’s great, but if that’s not possible, then create a space in a room, maybe separate it from the rest of the room with a screen or curtain, and use that space only for mediation. Eventually that space will vibrate with peaceful energy and you can enter it whenever you are stressed or tense and it will calm you.

You can repeat a Mantra if you like, such as Om. There is no translation of Om. It is three letters A U and M. A signifies the waking state of consciousness, U signifies the dream state, and M signifies the deep dreamless state. Another basic Mantra you can use is Soham, which means I am That I am. But a Mantra is not necessary. If you do use a Mantra, repeat it with the rhythm of your breath, and chant it with faith that it will work.

When you begin, sit in a comfortable cross-legged position and sit up straight. Sitting cross-legged creates a triangular base for your body that contains the energy. Focus on your breathing. For the first five minutes, breathe deeply to bring in fresh oxygen and Prana, then slow your breathing to a natural rate. Allow your mind to wander at first. Don’t force your mind to be still. Just watch each thought without attaching to it, as if you are watching a movie, and let the thought leave your mind.

Meditation is the art of slowing down the mind to enter a higher level of consciousness. Eventually, with practice, your mind will still and become peaceful, and you will come to know your true self. Start your meditation practice with 20 minutes and then work your way up to an hour. Don’t give up.

Ch. 3 Meditation & Mantras

Sunday, January 23rd, 2011

“Trayam ekatra samyamah”

The practice of these three together is samyama.

Samyama is when dharana, dhyanam, and samadhi evenly flow together.  This sequence is steady and should not be forced.  The more you grasp for something the more distant it can become.   This process takes time and patience, trying to reach this state will only take a step in the wrong direction.  For samyama is the stilling of the vrittis or thought waves.  If I am focusing on trying to still the mind or to remain one-pointed then I am just trying to control my thoughts with more thoughts.

This is a challenging area for me.  I have a hard time concentrating and remaining one-pointed.  I know through practice I will find a way to weed through the unnecessary thoughts and distractions.

Typically I practice dharana through my personal mantra “Om ham”.   As distractions or thoughts come to mind I acknowledge them and then let them float away, as best as I can.  But, I am fully aware that my meditation practice has a long way to go, many thoughts come and go during my meditation, and sometimes they tend to take the lead.

It has been interesting this month, keeping track of where my thoughts are: personal, professional, and knowledge of the self.  It does not surprise me that most of my thoughts are in the personal column, and then professional and sadly the least marks are in self-knowledge.  Although, the last couple of days I did notice that I was having more thoughts in self-knowledge than I did a week ago.

As I have stated before I feel I have a strong asana practice, it is what reeled me into yoga in the first place.  It is through my Hatha yoga practice of asanas and pranayama that I am building my strength in concentration.  I am more able to find ease and stillness in postures than I used to.  Releasing tension and finding stillness in the physical postures is aiding me in my ability to stay still in the mind in meditation.

I read a quote on my tea bag yesterday that hit home.  “Bliss is a constant state of mind, undisturbed by gain or loss.”  I am trying to understand the mechanics of my life, samskaras, gunas, and self.  Working out karma through samskaras and taking note on habits that are positive and uplifting and those that are not doing me any good.  Becoming more same minded and learning to not be affected by the opposites is challenging. I believe that just through the act of choosing not to be agnostic I am more aware of my emotions, state of mind, and my physical being.  Learning and discovering what concentration, meditation, samadhi and samyama are bring me a moment closer to finding my Self and the union with the Universal Self.  Not knowing does not do us any good, but discovering truth brings us liberation.

So how do I bring all these things together?  Samyama will happen when all these things flow together with a non-judgmental state of mind.  Removing obstacles will allow more knowledge and applying this knowledge will allow freedom and growth.  Samyama will bring light of direct knowledge or higher consciousness.  Allowing the ego to float away and resisting the temptations (siddhis) will help purify the self and ultimately discover God.  God-realization is a by-product of all the benefits and powers that may arise during this journey.  Everything is sacrificed even the powers that may have been discovered along the way.  It will be with faith, repetition, patience, awareness and humility that I will continue this meditation practice towards higher consciousness.

Ch. 7

Sunday, January 23rd, 2011

Ch. 7 Verse 8 -  “I am the flavor in the waters, O Son of Kunti, and the radiance of the moon and the sun I am pranava (OM) in all the Vedas, the sound in space, and manliness in men.”

Here Sri Krishna is explaining to Arjuna the universal meaning of OM.  The sweet vibration of sound, touch, feeling, sensation, lightness, darkness, fulfillment of actions are all through the manifestations of the Truth (God), the absolute one.

I received a Christmas card the other day and it had a bible verse on it.  It goes as follows:  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-7

The end of this verse reminded me of the manifestation of the one Truth.  He not only is the creator, but also is creation.  Just as creation has qualities our mind has qualities but it is through the awareness of all these things as One that we will gain the knowledge of the True Self within the Universal Self.  It is through everything we say, feel, think, see or do we can transcend our minds to a place of peace in God.  He is the way, the truth and the light.  So as I chant “OM” throughout my day I feel the presence of God through all my senses and hopefully letting my mind be free and my heart be open.

Verse 12 – “All the sattvic states, as well as the rajastic and the tamasic ones, originate from Me, know them to be thus.  I am not in them, yet they are in Me.”

It is through a constant reminder and practice of the sound and meaning of OM that one is led to the soundless state “turiya”. This state contains all three of the others: waking, dreaming, and sleeping, but is beyond all of these.  Once one can see all of these states forming and then as one, and uses this sound in meditation and self- knowledge he will see all the different characteristics.

As I continue to understand myself through the acceptance of my true nature, without identifying myself by objects, I will obtain knowledge of my mind, body and spirit then be able to go higher in consciousness; working my way up from individual consciousness to Universal consciousness.  The three qualities that function in the individual and in the universe are: sattva, rajas, and tamas.  These gunas came from God, he is the creator in the universe and it is through his creations that we become aware of this manifestation.  The miracles and wonders of the world are what keep us aware and alert of his being.  He is the creator but he does not exist for these creations, he is not in them but they are in him.

Verse 30 – “They who know Me with reference to the beings, with reference to the deities, as well as with reference to sacrificial observances, even at the time of their departure their minds are united in yoga and they know me.”

As I reflect on this verse I feel I am making my way graciously in some ways and in others I have a ways to go.  This yoga journey I am on is constant and challenging but at the same time it waivers in areas and is blissful in others.  I know I am still affected by the opposites, and my mind still fluctuates while my ego still takes control.  In order to gain knowledge of the Absolute I will have to continue my meditation, self -reflection and contemplation.  Letting the mind, body, and ego be burned and finding freedom, truth and happiness in the Absolute.  I do feel I am aware of the One in daily observances whether it is looking a star, watching a child play, or sitting in silence.  I feel the presence and the calmness of knowing the Lord is with me.

Vissudha Chakra

Friday, February 12th, 2010

I chose to work on the Vissudha or throat chakra.  There has been an excess of energy in the vissudha chakra for as long as I can remember.  Every since I was a little girl I’ve been excessively chatty and not the best listener in the world.  Fortunately, I recognized this issue a while back and have worked on it since.   I had already discovered the gift of journaling to calm more over active speech, and I can testify to its remedy.   Journaling has been a great outlet to not only settle my voice, but also calm my monkey mind.  I have created a habit of journaling three pages so as to clear my mind before meditation so I’m clear and have already worked out all the thoughts that block my progress on the yoga path.  I also learned a few other tricks to balance my vissudha chakra, and have found the affirmations to be a tremendous help.  Every day I wrote out the affirmations given to help and placed them on my mirror and car dashboard.  The affirmations were a reminder that being a good listener has great rewards.  What has helped me the most though is yoga.  After practicing asanas and meditation for an extended period of time I was shocked to see most of my chakras are fairly balanced in comparison to my past.  I used to be very rajastic had trouble with most of the chakras.  Just a year ago all of my chakras were severely depleted of energy or overly stimulated.  After rekindling my relationship with yoga my chakras have found a balance and I’m calmer, happier, and healthier than I ever thought imaginable.