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
Thursday, March 3, 2011
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?
Monday, November 15, 2010
I can't teach Yoga
I'm starting to realize that it's impossible for me to teach Yoga. Yoga is its own teacher. The yoga practice teaches me. I can't teach you what yoga can teach you.
However, what I can do, is share my practice with you - in the hopes that your practice will deepen to the point where yoga will reveal its secrets and teachings to you.
Verse 1:26 of Patanajli's Yoga Sutra says:
"Sa esah purvesam api guruh kalena anavacchedat"
This translates as:
"God is the ultimate guru and teacher - unaffected by time and space."
So where does each person's best teacher reside? Deep within each student's heart resides the ultimate teacher for that student.
Later on in the Yoga Sutra - Verse 2:47 states:
"Prayatna saithilya ananta samapattibyam"
This translates as:
"Perfection in the pose is achieved when the effort to perform the pose becomes effortless and the infinite being within is recongnized."
The infinite being within - the teacher - the ultimate Guru - undistrubed and unaffected by time and space.
Who really teaches yoga? Who shares his/her practice?
Yoga is an "inside" job. Find your teacher deep within every pose.
Namaste -
However, what I can do, is share my practice with you - in the hopes that your practice will deepen to the point where yoga will reveal its secrets and teachings to you.
Verse 1:26 of Patanajli's Yoga Sutra says:
"Sa esah purvesam api guruh kalena anavacchedat"
This translates as:
"God is the ultimate guru and teacher - unaffected by time and space."
So where does each person's best teacher reside? Deep within each student's heart resides the ultimate teacher for that student.
Later on in the Yoga Sutra - Verse 2:47 states:
"Prayatna saithilya ananta samapattibyam"
This translates as:
"Perfection in the pose is achieved when the effort to perform the pose becomes effortless and the infinite being within is recongnized."
The infinite being within - the teacher - the ultimate Guru - undistrubed and unaffected by time and space.
Who really teaches yoga? Who shares his/her practice?
Yoga is an "inside" job. Find your teacher deep within every pose.
Namaste -
Monday, October 25, 2010
Reaching Enlightenment
A young man in his late teens or early 20's walked into my class this morning. He's been to class a few times - no more than 3 times total. It was a bit of a surprise to see him show up so early at the 6:00 a.m. class. He walked in the door and said "Yogi - teach me how to find Enlightement." I thought it was a joke - but he was serious!
"What makes you think I know anything about enlightment?" I asked.
"Well haven't you found it yet? Aren't you close?" he asked.
I said, "I don't know if I'm close or far - I just come here every morning to practice - so if you want to practice get a mat and let's start."
This poor lad! He is a handsome young man - tall, and appeared to be fit & strong. But his body was so so stiff and awkward. He was greatly challenged in the most basic poses. I gave him props and modifications for Down Dog and Padangusthasana. He was cramping, shaking, huffing and puffing. He couldn't straighten his legs.
He said "I can't straighten my leg all the way cuz I worked it out the other day."
I said to him, "We gotta have you stop working out then!"
The other students in the class chuckled. I felt for the young man as I had been in even worse condition 16 years ago.
As we continued to practice I asked him "So why do you want to reach Enlightenment?"
He said, "Why not?"
I said, "Well, from my understanding - when you reach Enlightenment all craving and desire has ceased - and I still like frenchfries - a lot!"
He was quiet for a while after that statement. I imagine he starting thinking about the things that he desires and craves - like wanting to reach Enlightenment. We kept practicing.
I thought about his question the entire class. "...haven't you found it yet? Aren't you close?"
The truth is that I probably wouldn't know "Enlightenment" if it hit me between the eyes. How do you "get close" to enlightenment? Isn't that like "almost pregnant?" I would think you either ARE enlightened or NOT. And underneath all those thoughts - was the though "what is enlightenment anyway?" I went into a Marichiasana Twist.
"So do you think it's possible?" he asked.
"Do I think what's possible - for you to keep you leg straight in Trikonasana?" I asked.
"NO" he said, "for me to reach enlightenment?"
I looked at the position of his foot and asked him to turn it out. Then I said, "Come back tomorrow and we'll work on your poses and we'll find out - until then, lift your kneecap please."
"What makes you think I know anything about enlightment?" I asked.
"Well haven't you found it yet? Aren't you close?" he asked.
I said, "I don't know if I'm close or far - I just come here every morning to practice - so if you want to practice get a mat and let's start."
This poor lad! He is a handsome young man - tall, and appeared to be fit & strong. But his body was so so stiff and awkward. He was greatly challenged in the most basic poses. I gave him props and modifications for Down Dog and Padangusthasana. He was cramping, shaking, huffing and puffing. He couldn't straighten his legs.
He said "I can't straighten my leg all the way cuz I worked it out the other day."
I said to him, "We gotta have you stop working out then!"
The other students in the class chuckled. I felt for the young man as I had been in even worse condition 16 years ago.
As we continued to practice I asked him "So why do you want to reach Enlightenment?"
He said, "Why not?"
I said, "Well, from my understanding - when you reach Enlightenment all craving and desire has ceased - and I still like frenchfries - a lot!"
He was quiet for a while after that statement. I imagine he starting thinking about the things that he desires and craves - like wanting to reach Enlightenment. We kept practicing.
I thought about his question the entire class. "...haven't you found it yet? Aren't you close?"
The truth is that I probably wouldn't know "Enlightenment" if it hit me between the eyes. How do you "get close" to enlightenment? Isn't that like "almost pregnant?" I would think you either ARE enlightened or NOT. And underneath all those thoughts - was the though "what is enlightenment anyway?" I went into a Marichiasana Twist.
"So do you think it's possible?" he asked.
"Do I think what's possible - for you to keep you leg straight in Trikonasana?" I asked.
"NO" he said, "for me to reach enlightenment?"
I looked at the position of his foot and asked him to turn it out. Then I said, "Come back tomorrow and we'll work on your poses and we'll find out - until then, lift your kneecap please."
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Holy Smokes!
Has it been that long since my last post?
At least I've been practicing every day. That's right - every day -6:00 a.m. - rain or shine.
6:00 a.m. Sunrise Practice Class - regardless of what time I go to bed the night before -regardless of what I ate the night before. Every day for the last 16 months now. Since June of 2009.
I practice every morning at 6:00 a.m. (except Sunday which is at 8:30). Anyone is welcome to come to class. I have first-timers, old-timers, heavy people, thin people, tall people, short people, young people, old people, flexible people and stiff people. It doesn't matter who comes because yoga is for everyone and it's all about willingness.
6:00 a.m. this time of year is dark and getting cold. Some people say that they're too stiff to practice in the morning - but the morning is the perfect time exactly because you're stiff!
You see, the practice is honest in the morning. You can't kid yourself. You have to "back off", "slow down" and be "deliberate" in the pose. You can't fake it in the morning. It has to be the real deal.
So I practice at 6:00 a.m. and I love, love, love it. I hold the poses longer. I challenge myself by doing poses two, three - sometimes four times until I move to the next pose. I support the students that come and help them modify the pose to their level. I use a helluva lot of props - but that's half the fun too!
Yoga in the morning - so good. Come see us sometime. 6:00 a.m. - Mon-Sat. Downtown Yoga - www.pleasantonyoga.com
Peace
At least I've been practicing every day. That's right - every day -6:00 a.m. - rain or shine.
6:00 a.m. Sunrise Practice Class - regardless of what time I go to bed the night before -regardless of what I ate the night before. Every day for the last 16 months now. Since June of 2009.
I practice every morning at 6:00 a.m. (except Sunday which is at 8:30). Anyone is welcome to come to class. I have first-timers, old-timers, heavy people, thin people, tall people, short people, young people, old people, flexible people and stiff people. It doesn't matter who comes because yoga is for everyone and it's all about willingness.
6:00 a.m. this time of year is dark and getting cold. Some people say that they're too stiff to practice in the morning - but the morning is the perfect time exactly because you're stiff!
You see, the practice is honest in the morning. You can't kid yourself. You have to "back off", "slow down" and be "deliberate" in the pose. You can't fake it in the morning. It has to be the real deal.
So I practice at 6:00 a.m. and I love, love, love it. I hold the poses longer. I challenge myself by doing poses two, three - sometimes four times until I move to the next pose. I support the students that come and help them modify the pose to their level. I use a helluva lot of props - but that's half the fun too!
Yoga in the morning - so good. Come see us sometime. 6:00 a.m. - Mon-Sat. Downtown Yoga - www.pleasantonyoga.com
Peace
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
