 Re: 8 limbs without samadhi
According to Veda Vyas, who composed the epic Mahabharata, Yoga is
Samadhi, Samadhi is the final step in the eight fold path of yoga.
Another meaning of Samadhi is a structure which houses the dead but
without the remains..a living person resides when he's alive(eg. Sai
Baba)
Stu wrote:
> After my recent discussion with Puma I thought it would be instructive
> to make a chart of the 8 limbs minus Samadhi and see what it looks
> like. I am going to cross post this to alt.yoga and alt.TM. For those
> who have not been following - Puma has suggested that dharana and
> dhayana can be discussed without samadhi. I come from a tradition that
> understand that all of the astanga flows from the core experience of
> samadhi (cosmic consciousness for the TM types). I am not sure how one
> can approach the 8 limbs as distinct and separate elements.
>
> These are the classic definitions for the Newbies:
>
> Yama The yamas refer to an individual's ethical standards and way
> of behaving.
> Niyama The niyamas refer to a more internal view of ourselves; to
> behaviors and observances.
> Asana The most common discipline taught in contemporary yoga classes
> are the postures and movement between postures. Practicing asana helps
> prepare us for deeper meditation. By maintaining a healthy and open
> physical body, we are able to come to deeper meditation, enabling us to
> experience samadhi. From a yoga perspective, this is the primary reason
> for practicing asana.
> Pranayama Prana translates as breath or life force. Yama translates
> as control. Thus pranayama means control of the breath. Through
> pranayama practice, we learn to control the body and mind by
> controlling the breath. We can strengthen the energy within as well as
> making the energy more peaceful. Pranayama increases our lung capacity,
> decreases stress, helps us focus, and brings a sense of balance of the
> inner self with the world around us. If practiced correctly, the body
> and mind become healthier. Practicing the first four limbs of yoga,
> Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama help us to more thoroughly experience
> the next four limbs, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi, which
> focus more on the spiritual self.
> Pratyahara Pratyahara means withdrawing from the senses. More
> accurately, it means to transcend the senses so they don't influence us
> in a way that prevents us from reaching Samadhi, or enlightenment. By
> transcending the senses, we move our awareness away from the outer
> world and toward the inner self. Here, without outside influence, we
> are able to view our selves in a deeper, more intimate way, ultimately
> finding the true self.
> Dharana With the help of Pratyahara, Dharana enables us to concentrate
> more fully, bringing a richer awareness of the mind. This step is
> essential to meditation. Here, we use all the previously mentioned
> limbs to bring our selves to a place of such peacefulness and balance,
> every thought or influence is met with a totally open mind, body and
> spirit. There is no preconception, prejudgment, conditioning, fear,
> anxiety, joy or sorrow to influence our meeting with each event. We
> meet every moment with our true selves.
> Dhyana Dhyana is meditation. In Dhyana, or meditation, we move beyond
> Dharana (concentration) into a state of total awareness. We are able to
> concentrate on a focus point, while still being aware of everything
> else around and within us. This is a much more difficult task than
> might be thought. All the previously mentioned limbs are engaged when
> we come to this state. The mind and body must be totally quiet and open.
> Samadhi Samadhi is the state of transcendence of the self, a state of
> ecstasy. It is the joining or union (the meaning of yoga) with all
> living things, with the universe, with the Devine. Here, we are in a
> state of bliss, beyond the place of knowledge, beyond the place of
> worldly things, to a realization that everything is of the same
> substance and that all is connected - yoga!
> http://www.joefurman.com/astanga.htm (pretty much a random google).
>
> And here is what they would look like without the benefit of Samadhi:
> Yama This turns into a list of laws like the ten commandments
.
> Niyama This turns into a list of things to do for yourself.
> Like the rules in a monastery.
> Asana Stretching exercises.
> Pranayama Breathing exercises
> Pratyahara Closing ones eyes, contemplation
> Dharana Focusing on a test or concentrating on driving.
> Dhyana Really enjoying a symphony. Loosing oneself looking
> at a painting.
> Samadhi There is no Samadhi to bring it all together in this chart.
>
> I appreciate any corrections or additions.
> --
> ~Stu
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