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Why Do I Teach?

I’ve battled addiction and OCD for most of my 58 years; however, life started getting easier about 13 years ago when my first Yoga teacher gave me her copy of “The Essence of Yoga – Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” by Bernard Bouanchaud.

It changed my life. Practicing mental or Raja Yoga has made letting go easier; the practice is rewarding and fulfilling in a sustained way that doesn’t produce a physical or emotional hangover. Although Raja Yoga is not a cure, it provides tools and builds confidence to draw upon when the demons come – and sometimes that’s enough. Besides, it’s fun and it feels good!

The Yoga Sutras is essentially a cross between the serenity prayer and a guide to help practice it; it literally includes specific step-by-step instructions to attain serenity! Seriously, for the life of me, I don’t understand why everyone on the planet isn’t practicing this!

Raja Yoga is about inclusion (though, ironically it’s an individual practice). We all want to feel accepted, as though we’re part of something, a sense of belonging and purpose. This practice is about the interconnectivity of everything – from the common elemental building blocks that comprise all matter, to that which each of us has in common: our consciousness; accordingly, the practice promotes peace, acceptance, love, oneness, and unity.

Raja Yoga is about changing behavior (think: breaking bad habits). Ironically, this meditative practice stresses the importance of our actions because every act has perpetual consequences. That’s the essence of Karma: the natural law of cause and effect. Karma is one of two primary underlying sciences which the practice of Raja Yoga is based on.

Raja Yoga includes an eight-limbed DIY proof of its other underlying science, Sankhya: the contention that the universe consists of only two things: consciousness and matter. While the first two preparatory limbs of the practice address behavior, the remaining three preparatory limbs address controlling and settling ourselves physically, energetically, and mentally in preparation for the last three limbs: seated meditation (i.e., you can’t meditate an unsettled body/mind). The three post-behavioral, pre-seated meditation limbs of the practice are the subject of MSRY’s introductory course (think: relaxation techniques).

Raja Yoga is about finding faith. While it’s not a religious practice, Raja Yoga recognizes that faith can provide strength and determination necessary to change one’s behavior and perspective, and to cope with the human suffering aspects of life; accordingly, the practice encourages everyone to find faith in something if you aren’t already so blessed.

In short, the mantra here is “change your perspective & change your life – and btw, here’s how to do it”. Changing your perspective IS the practice of Raja Yoga (i.e., success requires consistency; this is not something that’s done once a day, or once a week). The practice is simple but not easy; however, the Yoga Sutras promise that you WILL attain serenity IF you practice consistently and diligently, and based on my experience over the past 13 years, I have no reason to doubt it.

The Yoga Sutras provide the tools; practicing provides the confidence. You CAN change your life by practicing.

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The Gist of Raja Yoga

The Yoga Sutras include a series of physical and mental practices to achieve lasting serenity (not surprisingly, the longer and more diligently it’s practiced, the better it works).

The practice is based on the belief that a) your consciousness is NOT a mental function; rather, it’s an entirely distinct part of you, and b) that the rest of you – from your thoughts to your toes – is constantly changing based on its energetic nature.

The Yoga Sutras include an integrated eight-limbed meditative practice to prove the discrete existence of your intangible consciousness; specifically, by completely quieting your mind. The theory is that because your consciousness never changes (remember: it’s your consciousness – aka your awareness or perception OF something – it’s the intangible part of you which objectively witnesses whatever is reflected in your tangible brain) – so, if there’s nothing on your mind to be conscious of, your consciousness becomes self-aware. Again, the purpose of the eight limbs is to learn to distinguish between your body/mind and your consciousness – and ultimately identify with the latter. In essence, the practice is about seeing and acting from a point of objectivity and balance. THAT will change your life.

The eight-fold path to identify with the intangible part of you includes two indirect and three direct preparatory steps, and three actual seated meditation practices to refine and ultimately empty your mind:

• Indirect preparation (~70% of preparatory text): two limbs addressing personal conduct

• Direct preparation (each ~10% of the preparatory text): three limbs addressing posture, breathing, and concentration, respectively

• Actual meditation: three limbs on meditation, or refining the content of your mind

MSRY’s intro course focuses on the three direct preparatory steps as these physically and mentally settling steps offer the greatest immediate reward for the least effort – think: “tricks” you can use for a lifetime to reduce stress!

While our conduct has the greatest effect on our state of mind, the initial two most important, indirect preparatory steps aren’t covered in MSRY’s intro course because it’s assumed that we all know right from wrong (these two indirect steps were a precursor to the Ten Commandments: don’t harm, lie, steal, etc.) – in short, Karma’s a bitch so act accordingly!

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Self-awareness

Raja Yoga is a dual practice in self-awareness and self-control.

It prompts you to rethink life in a “What in the world am I doing here?!” manner, and to see it in a “WOW, this is awesome!!!” kind of way. It’s a practice in letting go of the notion that you are only your body/mind, and realizing with the same certainty that you have a brain and a heart, that you also have a distinct and equally amazing consciousness.  This is the self-awareness portion of the practice.

However, in order to get to that point, you must learn to meditate, and while that’s clearly a mental practice, you can’t meditate an unsettled mind, and you can’t settle your mind if your body isn’t settled physically and energetically.  So while the goal here is controlling your mind, there are conduct and physical exercise components to the practice of mental Yoga!  This is the self-control portion of the practice.

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Self Image

Incorporating consciousness into your perception of yourself can be HUGELY liberating.  Your consciousness isn’t tangible the way that your body and mind are, but realizing that a vital part of you is never hungry, tired or in distress can take some of the sting out of pain, desperation out of desire, and make it easier to find balance literally and figuratively.

For example, rather than thinking “I’m freezing!”, if you think “My [feet] are freezing!”, you put the same physical sensation in context, making it seem less overwhelming and easier to contend with. In the case of cold temperatures, your intangible consciousness doesn’t get cold, your non-physical mind doesn’t get cold, and it’s probably too late if your internal organs and systems are!

 

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Gunas

Matter consists of two oppositional, energetic, constantly changing states (think Star Wars: the light and dark sides of the Force). While the two states are exact opposites (Yoga refers to them as Rajas and Tamas – other schools as Yin and Yang), there’s a third, stable, steady, quiet, balanced state where the two opposing states are found in equal parts (represented by the dividing line in a Yin/Yang symbol): Sattva.

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A Conversation about Yoga

A: I once heard that there’s a special hell – and a special heaven – for the best and worst of humanity. I don’t know how – certainly not why – but I feel like I’m living in that special heaven right now. I know it won’t last; nothing does – but right now is awesome.

J: Glad you’re in a “good place.”……I was reflecting the other day about how lucky I am. When I think back on all the stupid crap I did growing up, it’s amazing I’ve made it this far. I’ve worked hard over the years, but that’s not all of it. I swear, “someone” must be looking out for me (an angel on my shoulder or some such thing)…..

A: I totally relate to the “angel on your shoulder” remark. Too many times my ass has been miraculously saved to be coincidence.

I probably shouldn’t add this but you already know I’m off the reservation: I believe that there are aspects of life that we’re not only unaware of but – by nature – are beyond human comprehension. Some of which might explain that sort of thing, how sometimes you know someone’s looking at you before you see them, prodigies, etc.

Some folks believe that we all share a common, cosmic, infinite consciousness – and by our individual physical, energetic and mental constitution (some of us have more Yin, less Yang – and visa versa) somehow are drawn to – or repelled – by similarly-constituted people, circumstances – and, here’s the leap into Crazytown – that – somehow we can communicate subconsciously.

Clearly two embodied beings can communicate subconsciously. If you believe that you ARE your “consciousness” (rather than that aging bag of water and bones) – and that consciousness survives the cessation of your body’s functioning – why can’t that disembodied consciousness communicate “subconsciously” with an embodied consciousness? Wouldn’t it be fun to “stick around” after your body stops working and watch out for your kids?

Like I said….off the reservation…

J: I spoke with a woman recently who has some of your same beliefs. Or at least they sound similar. Very interesting, very educated woman who taught at Oxford, etc.

A: a lot of it is from a 2500 year old text – sort of the original self-help guide to life: it’s all about self awareness: looking at everything objectively; learning to control both our physical and mental “aspects” (i.e., there’s no need to – nor is it possible to – affect your “consciousness”) – so that we can act in a “balanced” manner, and better cope with life’s heartaches.

It’s a “universally applicable, though individually applied” course of conduct which becomes self-perpetuating: if it feels good to stop banging your fist against the wall – it may feel good to stop banging your head against it too!

I’m convinced that people were at least as smart 2500 years ago as we are now – frankly, probably smarter. All we have that they didn’t is the benefit of other people’s experience.

The text itself is fewer than 200 sentences; written in what’s been called a perfect (e.g., mathematically precise, “rich”) – albeit dead – language. The actual script is “linguistically succinct”, communicating so much more than the translated English. The thing is like a philosophical rubik’s cube. Granted I’m a bit slow, but I’ve spent 12 years ruminating on just the first 100 sentences. 😉

Because it’s an individual practice – and because the author didn’t leave behind any notes on how to interpret his “poem” – while most people agree on its main themes, there are countless interpretations – and in this country unfortunately (in my opinion) most of those are commercially-driven.

I feel like Don Quixote – trying to #bringbackpatanjali. Someone named Patanjali is credited with writing the Yoga Sutras some 2500 years ago; I love the fact that the guy didn’t somehow “sign” his work; he anonymously gave humanity a path to individual – and thus by definition, our collective – or global peace; if that isn’t what the world needs now, I don’t know what is!

The thing is like a cryptic treasure map to lifelong bliss. Here it is in a nutshell: we can choose to see everything as miraculous – even if “only” statistically – and act accordingly – knowing that EVERYTHING that has EVER happened HAD to happen EXACTLY as it did in order for you to be reading this – or in short, “everyone take a fuckin’ chill pill!”

It’s universal in part because we’re encouraged to act out of devotion to whatever we personally have faith in (encouraging us to find faith in something, or to turbocharging our existing faith – in a “devoting your life to someone or something provides strength of purpose” kinda way.

Love you. Thanks for the chance to “download” some of what’s rattling round in my mental aspect! Happy trails.

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More Philosophy

Try to see others’ points of view. People will always disappoint when you just see them as body and brain. Once you begin incorporating your consciousness into your view of yourself, it becomes easier to see others view points. Each of us is a miraculous assemblage of unique combinations of anatomical, energetic, and mental parts plus consciousness – consciousness is universal, though each of us has a unique point of view.

The path to happiness is paved with knowledgeable perception of things and people around us, true reasoning, and faithful interpretation. It is a path of learning and acceptance. When you build these within yourself, through discipline and practice, you will see them in everyone and everywhere around you.

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About Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is the pursuit of happiness through the disciplined ability to direct and focus mental activity.  This pursuit has great rewards.

3,000 years ago, having largely achieved the basics of clothing, shelter, and food, human beings began asking the higher questions of, “How do I find lasting peace in the face of life’s pains and sorrows?” And, “How do I deal with life’s all-too-often tragic events?”

In Yoga’s long tradition, there are four paths to true inner peace: action, devotion, study, and controlling our minds. Further, there are two basic types of Yoga: Raja, which emphasizes meditation, and Hatha which emphasizes discipline as different means to the same end: peace of mind.

The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali is a 3,000 year-old, 200-line poem codifying the essence of the practice. This historic work is widely recognized as the original and authoritative text on Raja Yoga.  This poem serves as an outline for teachers and students of the practice of Yoga everywhere in the world.YogaSymbol

Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras is a universal text. If you can read and understand this, then the sutras were intended for you. Raja Yoga is a highly individualized practice. You are the only one who knows what you are thinking.

Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras was compiled in Sanskrit: a rich, ancient, phonetic language whose symbols and words often have multiple meanings.  The initial detailed explanation of Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras wasn’t written until 100 years after he died; thus, it isn’t surprising that there are as many interpretations of his original text as there are Yoga teachers and students!

Raja Yoga is a dual practice in self-awareness and self-control.  It’s based on Karma and the significance of our own actions due to their perpetual affects; Sankya, which is the distinction between consciousness and thought; and the perpetual energetic nature of all matter.

Yoga, loosely translated, means “union,” in the sense that all things are connected; indeed, the practice promotes inclusion, acceptance (of oneself and others), a sense of belonging, fulfillment, and happiness.

Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras include general advice (never give up; always let things go); advice on attitude (be discerning, determined and devoted); and a set of eight, simple, yet not easy, step-by-step instructions to achieve bliss (essentially: be a good person, learn physical and mental self-control, and meditate).

While Patañjali promises nothing less than total bliss, that state of mind isn’t attained overnight; it’s achieved over time through diligent, constant practice – but have faith, every journey begins with an initial step.  Take the first step toward finding your own inner peace today – call us for an introduction to the wonderfully rich world of Raja Yoga.

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Karma

There are a few things to keep in mind about Karma:

It’s a natural law which applies to all matters. It’s the law of cause and effect: that every movement, change or action has consequences (if you increase water temp it boils; if you cross the street, you get to the other side). It occurs at every level: atomically, as one cell contracts, another is drawn toward it; if you tighten the muscles of your hand, your fingers form a fist; once the earth’s nonrenewable resources are gone, things become difficult.

All actions have virtually perpetual consequences; every movement or action has immediate and direct effects, as well as perpetual ripples of indirect consequences (if you take a left fork in a road, then every turn you take thereafter is predicated on having taken that initial left turn).

It’s nonperson-specific. We’re born into a tsunami of unfulfilled direct and indirect consequences of actions and events that occurred before we were born and that will go on long after we are gone. We can all think of instances where something happened to someone through virtually no fault of their own. Technically, that is Karma: the consequence of all things that precede, though not in a predestined sense (e.g., the only reason the tree limb fell on your car was because you parked under it – and/or you neglected to trim the tree – but not because of something good or bad you may have done).

Yoga is a constant practice in influencing and accepting Karma.  The intent of Yoga is to reduce suffering through self-awareness, and positively influence destiny – to the limited extent we can – by controlling our own actions, and accepting the consequences of actions and events that befall us through no fault of our own.