| shabdahu 2006-02-25, 9:33 pm |
| Introduction to Yoga Sutras 1.1-1.4:
http://www.swamij.com/yoga-sutras-10104.htm
BEING PREPARED TO START: To sincerely begin the pursuit of Self-
realization is a most significant step in life, when the highest goal
of life is taken on as number one on your list of things to do. The
first word of the Yoga Sutras is atha, which means now (1.1). This
particular word for now implies a preparedness in arriving at this
auspicious stage of desire and commitment towards Self-realization, the
highest goal of Yoga.
DEFINITION OF YOGA: The first four sutras define Yoga, with that
definition being expanded upon in the other sutras. In a systematic
process of meditation, you gradually move your attention inward,
through all the levels of your being, gaining mastery along the way
(1.2). Eventually you come to rest in your true nature, which is
beyond all of those levels (1.3). This action and the realization of
this center of consciousness, is the meaning of Yoga.
THE TRUE SELF SHINES THROUGH: The true Self, which has been there all
along, naturally comes shining through (1.3). The rest of the time,we
are so entangled with our false identities that we literally do not see
that this misidentification has happened (1.4). It is the reason that
sometimes it is said that we are asleep, and that we need to awaken.
That awakening to the Self is the meaning of Yoga.
LIKE A MIRROR: Consciousness looks outward, through the intellect,
through the mind, and then through the senses and body. It sees a
reflection, like a mirror. It sees reality, a world, a self-identity,
which it falsely thinks to be "me" or "mine." Through the forgetting
power of avidya or ignorance (2.5), pure consciousness says, "I am this
or that!" This is not all bad, for it gives the opportunity for the joy
of awakening, through a journey called Yoga, returning to the wholeness
that was never really divided in the first place.
YOGA AND SANKHYA PHILOSOPHIES: The process of realization through Yoga
rests on the discovery of pure consciousness (purusha) as separate from
all the many false identities, which are considered to be evolutes of
primal matter (prakriti). These principles of purusha and prakriti are
part of the philosophical system known as Sankhya. Yoga and Sankhya are
two of the six systems of Indian philosophy.
YOGA IS SAMADHI: Both ancient and modern sages, including Vyasa, the
most noteworthy commentator on the Yoga Sutra, flatly declare that Yoga
is samadhi, the high state of perfected concentration or complete
absorption of attention (3.3). Yoga means union, literally, to yoke,
from the root yuj, which means to join or to integrate. It means to
bring together the aspects of ourselves that were never divided in the
first place. It means to attain direct experience of the core of that
preexisting holistic being who we truly are at the deepest level, and
that is attained through samadhi.
YOGA IS NOT: Yoga is not merely physical fitness, stress management,
medical treatment, or a means of manifesting money, although authentic
Yoga is definitely beneficial to many aspects of life (See the article
Modern Yoga versus Ancient Yoga).
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