Noted Physicist Richard Fenyman once said this about knowing the truth ..."We never are definitely right, we can only be sure we are wrong."
How then would you apply this logic to discovering the TRUTH about yourself?
In the Brihandaranyaka Upanishad (written some 3,000 years ago), Yajnavalkya is questioned by his students to describe God. His response is very similar to Mr. Fenyman's in that he says "The Divine is not this, it is not that" - (Neti, neti)
If I am to find the deepest Truth about myself then I must identify, remove and discard what I am not. I am not my thoughts, my mind, my body, my job, my car, my story, the name on my driver's license, my imperfections, my talents, my desires or my fears. Neti, neti. Not this, not that!
What's left? Start asking yourself what you're not and see for yourself.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Discipline
My dictionary gives several definitions for the word - DISCIPLINE
1. Punishment
2. Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
3. Control gained by enforcing obedience or order
4. Self-Control
5. A rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity.
The reason I've been thinking about this word is because I've been disciplining myself to get up every morning at 5:00 a.m. for the last two years - so I can practice yoga every day at 6:00 a.m. (NOTE: Sunday's are at 8:30 a.m.).
Every morning, as I drive up to the studio at 5:40 a.m. I think to myself the same thoughts..."I need to stop doing this every day thing. Maybe I can do just every OTHER day."
Yes! It feels like PUNISHMENT - the first definition. 6:00 a.m. Yoga is HARD to get to - hard to get started - hard to think about. But then, the practice starts, and by 6:20, 6:30, 6:40 - something starts to happen. I start to feel GOOD that I made it there.
I start to feel the "training that corrects, molds and perfects the mental faculties..."
I start to feel the " control gained by enforcing obedience..."
I start to feel - GOOD!
And then 7:15 a.m. comes and I'm done with the practice. I change my clothes, get a cup of coffee, and drive to work. I feel the benefits of discipline. I'm stronger. I have peace of mind. I'm prepared for what life will throw at me that day.
But then the next morning comes - and I don't want to do it. But I do it anyway.
Discipline.
1. Punishment
2. Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
3. Control gained by enforcing obedience or order
4. Self-Control
5. A rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity.
The reason I've been thinking about this word is because I've been disciplining myself to get up every morning at 5:00 a.m. for the last two years - so I can practice yoga every day at 6:00 a.m. (NOTE: Sunday's are at 8:30 a.m.).
Every morning, as I drive up to the studio at 5:40 a.m. I think to myself the same thoughts..."I need to stop doing this every day thing. Maybe I can do just every OTHER day."
Yes! It feels like PUNISHMENT - the first definition. 6:00 a.m. Yoga is HARD to get to - hard to get started - hard to think about. But then, the practice starts, and by 6:20, 6:30, 6:40 - something starts to happen. I start to feel GOOD that I made it there.
I start to feel the "training that corrects, molds and perfects the mental faculties..."
I start to feel the " control gained by enforcing obedience..."
I start to feel - GOOD!
And then 7:15 a.m. comes and I'm done with the practice. I change my clothes, get a cup of coffee, and drive to work. I feel the benefits of discipline. I'm stronger. I have peace of mind. I'm prepared for what life will throw at me that day.
But then the next morning comes - and I don't want to do it. But I do it anyway.
Discipline.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
What's the 27th Pose?
I wonder what the 27th pose would be if Bikram Choudhury decided to extend his 26 pose sequence?
In late 2002, I met and practiced with Bikram at his College of India in Beverly Hills, CA . I should have asked him then - but didn't think of the question until now.
Bikram's 26 pose sequence is well thought-out and offers a complete asana "circuit." Working in a highly-heated (100+ degree) room has it's benefits as well.
Yet, what would the 27th pose be? If 26 poses were "good enough", then why does Dharma Mitra's yoga poster have 908 asanas? Why does Light on Yoga have 602 photos of Mr. Iyengar in poses?
Supposedly, according to yogic tradition, there are over 84,000 yoga poses. Maybe as many as 840,000! And it is said that 84 poses are a must for perfect health. It was also stated that the first yoga teacher was a cat!
In the appendix of Mr. Iyengar's classic book - "Light on Yoga" he offers a 5-year program of daily asanas (That's right - I said 5-years!). Each week the poses become more challenging and deep. If you haven't checked out the back of your "Light on Yoga" - it's time to do so. If you don't have a copy of "Light on Yoga" - get one!
Mr. Iyengar is 93 years old - (b. 12/18/1918) and has a daily yoga practice of up to 3-hours each day. He can easily hold his headstand (sirsasana) for up to 30 minutes. It is not an exaggeration to say that he has been the greatest influence in the world on yoga in the 20th Century.
Mr. Bikram Choudhury is 65 years old - (b. 2/10/1946) and is also a highly respected and accomplished yogi. I found him to be very charming and approachable. Yet I just have to wonder. What would the 27th pose be? And why isn't he telling us? He must know that 26 poses is simply a start. Right?
In late 2002, I met and practiced with Bikram at his College of India in Beverly Hills, CA . I should have asked him then - but didn't think of the question until now.
Bikram's 26 pose sequence is well thought-out and offers a complete asana "circuit." Working in a highly-heated (100+ degree) room has it's benefits as well.
Yet, what would the 27th pose be? If 26 poses were "good enough", then why does Dharma Mitra's yoga poster have 908 asanas? Why does Light on Yoga have 602 photos of Mr. Iyengar in poses?
Supposedly, according to yogic tradition, there are over 84,000 yoga poses. Maybe as many as 840,000! And it is said that 84 poses are a must for perfect health. It was also stated that the first yoga teacher was a cat!
In the appendix of Mr. Iyengar's classic book - "Light on Yoga" he offers a 5-year program of daily asanas (That's right - I said 5-years!). Each week the poses become more challenging and deep. If you haven't checked out the back of your "Light on Yoga" - it's time to do so. If you don't have a copy of "Light on Yoga" - get one!
Mr. Iyengar is 93 years old - (b. 12/18/1918) and has a daily yoga practice of up to 3-hours each day. He can easily hold his headstand (sirsasana) for up to 30 minutes. It is not an exaggeration to say that he has been the greatest influence in the world on yoga in the 20th Century.
Mr. Bikram Choudhury is 65 years old - (b. 2/10/1946) and is also a highly respected and accomplished yogi. I found him to be very charming and approachable. Yet I just have to wonder. What would the 27th pose be? And why isn't he telling us? He must know that 26 poses is simply a start. Right?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Removing Obstacles
Tonight I'm giving a class (the 3rd of 8 sessions) on Yoga Philosophy, Ethics and Meditation. The topic tonight will be the obstacles in the Yogi's path and how to remove them.
Yoga Sutra 2:3 states the obstacles in 6 words:
Avidya, asmita, raga, dvesa, abinivesah, klesha
The last word - klesha - literally means "afflictions" or "obstacles". The first five words are the actual challenges that interfere with a yogi's development. They are:
Avidya - Misperception, ignorance (more akin to Spiritual ignorance or blindness)
Asmita - Ego and all distateful forms it takes - as in pride and loneliness
Raga - Desire
Dvesa - Aversion
Abinivesah - The unrealistic "clinging" to life - sometimes exhibited in not wanting to grow old - wanting to stay youthful - trying to stop the progression of life because of resistance and/or non-acceptance of death.
Typically when one thinks of obstacles we tend to think of external obstacles - circumstances, events, people, places and things that we can manipulate and control.
Yet, Patanajali in his disertation on yoga was quite clear and succinct that the problems to our development lie solely within each of us.
The questions each person must ask are clear - they are self-examinatory in nature:
Where am I ignorant on this issue?
What am I not seeing clearly?
How is my misperception and ignorance of this situation clouding my view of reality?
Where has my pride and ego gotten the better of me?
Am I doing this to feed my ego?
Is my feeling of loneliness and separation a result of a rampant and out of control ego?
What am I craving now - and how is that keeping me from being present?
How has my craving for things I desire caused pain and suffering in me and others?
What am I avoiding? What do I find distasteful that must be done?
Can I accept myself - growing old - looking old - graying? Do I feel the need to be "young again" and lie to myself about who I am and where I am in life?
This is how a yogi must practice.
Good luck
Yoga Sutra 2:3 states the obstacles in 6 words:
Avidya, asmita, raga, dvesa, abinivesah, klesha
The last word - klesha - literally means "afflictions" or "obstacles". The first five words are the actual challenges that interfere with a yogi's development. They are:
Avidya - Misperception, ignorance (more akin to Spiritual ignorance or blindness)
Asmita - Ego and all distateful forms it takes - as in pride and loneliness
Raga - Desire
Dvesa - Aversion
Abinivesah - The unrealistic "clinging" to life - sometimes exhibited in not wanting to grow old - wanting to stay youthful - trying to stop the progression of life because of resistance and/or non-acceptance of death.
Typically when one thinks of obstacles we tend to think of external obstacles - circumstances, events, people, places and things that we can manipulate and control.
Yet, Patanajali in his disertation on yoga was quite clear and succinct that the problems to our development lie solely within each of us.
The questions each person must ask are clear - they are self-examinatory in nature:
Where am I ignorant on this issue?
What am I not seeing clearly?
How is my misperception and ignorance of this situation clouding my view of reality?
Where has my pride and ego gotten the better of me?
Am I doing this to feed my ego?
Is my feeling of loneliness and separation a result of a rampant and out of control ego?
What am I craving now - and how is that keeping me from being present?
How has my craving for things I desire caused pain and suffering in me and others?
What am I avoiding? What do I find distasteful that must be done?
Can I accept myself - growing old - looking old - graying? Do I feel the need to be "young again" and lie to myself about who I am and where I am in life?
This is how a yogi must practice.
Good luck
Friday, January 14, 2011
Selfish? Not me! Look again
The Buddha said that the cause of all our suffering is our selfish desires. Our cravings to have things different than they are at present is what creates conflict and pain
Yet ask most anyone if they think they're selfish and most will say "certainly not!". However we would never be upset if that were the case
We get upset because things don't go our way - period!
We want what we want when we want it. And we want it now. This is truly the definition of selfishness
We hear talk about acceptance - yet can you accept it when its not going your way? Can you still feel compassion, grace and equanimity in the face of things not going your way?
That's the yoga I try to practice. Its not easy at all - because I'm a selfish person.
Yet ask most anyone if they think they're selfish and most will say "certainly not!". However we would never be upset if that were the case
We get upset because things don't go our way - period!
We want what we want when we want it. And we want it now. This is truly the definition of selfishness
We hear talk about acceptance - yet can you accept it when its not going your way? Can you still feel compassion, grace and equanimity in the face of things not going your way?
That's the yoga I try to practice. Its not easy at all - because I'm a selfish person.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Thanks MLK! I had a dream too!
January 17th is when the nation celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Many will remember his fiery "I have a dream" speech. His talk gave hope to hundreds of thousands of people across the world. He proved that a man with a dream can be a powerful force to reckon with.
More than two years ago I dreamed of a lifestyle where I would be surrounded by loving, kind and brilliant people practicing yoga in exotic locations - hosting retreats in far-off lands.
This January 17th, while citizens of the United States celebrate Dr. King's call to let "freedom ring" - I will be celebrating an independence of spirit and growth with 12 other fantastic people in India. My life is truly blessed and I want to share it with everyone.
Do you have a dream? Live it now!
More than two years ago I dreamed of a lifestyle where I would be surrounded by loving, kind and brilliant people practicing yoga in exotic locations - hosting retreats in far-off lands.
This January 17th, while citizens of the United States celebrate Dr. King's call to let "freedom ring" - I will be celebrating an independence of spirit and growth with 12 other fantastic people in India. My life is truly blessed and I want to share it with everyone.
Do you have a dream? Live it now!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Back to Bangalore
I'm thinking of that Beatles song...."Back in the U.S.S.R., you don't know how lucky you are boy!"
Yes, I feel like a very lucky boy. I am leaving for Bangalore in less than 48 hours with my lovely wife/yoga partner and 11 other wonderful yoga students. Our destination? Prashant Yogashraya - home of "Arunji" and then on to Yoga Nikaya.
14-nights/14-days, no work, all yoga. How fun is that?
Yes, I feel like a very lucky boy. I am leaving for Bangalore in less than 48 hours with my lovely wife/yoga partner and 11 other wonderful yoga students. Our destination? Prashant Yogashraya - home of "Arunji" and then on to Yoga Nikaya.
14-nights/14-days, no work, all yoga. How fun is that?
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