Yoga Sutra 1.4

vritti sarupyam itaratra

At other times (the Self appears to) assume the forms of mental modifications.

The Ego vs. The Self

As we struggle to find the authentic self we can see glimpses.  Most of us do not live fully in the truth of that self.  Why? Partly because our society encourages the individual.  However, individuality does not lead to liberation or self-realization.  It only leads to separation and labeling. Both slyly distorting the reality that we are all essentially the same.  The ego is “I”. We are all pure consciousness.  The differences are only external, we only appear to be separate because of modifications in the mind a.k.a. the broken and dirty mirror.

Ashram Life, Easy?

Some say the sannyasins (ones that have chosen to live spiritually dedicated lives) living in the ashrams (spiritual centers & homes of yoga masters)  have it easier because they don’t have family to care for on a day to day basis on top of their daily physical work and their Sadhana (spiritual work and study).  Life is easier in the ashram in that there is no temptation, you are stripped of anything that could hinder you form the spiritual path.  But don’t pack your bags just yet!  You do work from sun up to sun down and without all those distractions your only left with the self, and cleaning the mirror is not an easy process!

Who am I?

The most important thing is to not lose who we really are. Many of us have suffered abuse, neglect, or trauma in our lives.  These negative experiences leave impressions in the mind (vrittis).  Overtime we  identify with these vrittis; they begin to determine ‘who we think we are’.  Thoughts such as “I am happy.”  “I am sad.”  “I am damaged.” Even “I am a survivor,” are all misidentifications.  The true self does not identify with ‘I’ and is not recognized when the mind can’t get past the ego.  Remember the self is not past memories, attachments, aversions, (likes or dislikes), that is the all ego!

Did Someone Say Chocolate?

The chocolate comparison for this sutra:

Take formless melted chocolate, a candy mold with diverse sections, pour in the chocolate and let it cool and you have many different chocolate candy pieces.  But, even though it seems that we have many very diverse individual pieces of chocolate, really it remains that it is only the same chocolate we began with.

Now, the yoga scenario:

Consciousness is like formless melted chocolate, memories and beliefs are the candy mold, consciousness wraps around these memories and beliefs, we begin to mistake these individual thoughts and ideas for “who we are”.  So, when we see clearly, or whenwe resonate with the true self, we rest in pure consciousness.  Without clarity, we misidentify with the vrittis (our role in life, our job, our abuse, our beliefs, etc.) and we end up forgetting who we really are.

The Horse Race

Living in the world and sticking with a consistent yoga practice is one of the most difficult things to do.  And that is the position most of us have! In the world we have children, extended family, jobs, and other responsibilities; then on top of all that our Sadhana. The world has many temptations and since many of us were not born into yoga there is a lot of renouncing and purging to get where we are now. However, renouncing every worldly desire may not be realistic; it’s necessary at times to make mistakes and it’s natural that we struggle.  Forgive yourself, evaluate the lesson, and move on. I heard once: be like a horse in a race, keep your blinders on, and keep your eyes on the prize…. the light, the end goal of enlightenment.

Finding Support

Unfortunately, many of our friends and family are not seasoned yogis and probably don’t quite understand the path we’ve chosen.  We try to balance our new life and our old, struggling to find support and consistency.  The best thing is to seek out the same, put yourself out there and make new friends that are on the path. Not to say that you let go of all the old, but begin spending time with like-minded individuals, they are the ones that are going to encourage you when you feel all hope is lost.  Join in a group, a class, or seek yoga counsel from a trusted source.  Yogis love to talk about all things yoga!

Update for the week of March 6, 2011

Namo Narayan

Announcements:

1. Monday’s classes at 9:30am & 4:30pm are cancelled.  Also the Thursday at 4:30.  Emily is out of town and there is no sub available for those times.  Sorry for any inconvenience.

2. Shivani will arrive Thursday evening.  If you haven’t registered for the upcoming workshops, please take time this week to do that.  Space is limited.

3. Look for an article in the Roanoke Times this week about the studio!

Yoga Sutra 1.1

ATHA YOGANUSAMSANAM

Now, the exposition of Yoga is being made.

This is the first of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.  Simply put, the beginning of the study of yoga begins now.

Humble Beginnings

All of us come to yoga by different means, each completely relevant and true.  Mine started off to regain physical strength and health, others to relax, meditate, create flexibility, or just to learn to breathe.   The important thing is that we each arrived on the mat at some point and a

Sparks of Light

Remember the first time you felt something open, move, tingle in a pose; if you haven’t yet, no worries, it’s coming.  Your mind swirls with wonder, belief, and anticipation of more.  That is the point we realize there is something to this thing called yoga and we make a decision to open our minds and our hearts to learn more.

Practice Makes Perfect

Once we find a teacher we trust, our journey begins.

The description of this sutra with Swami Satchidananda’s commentary describes it best:

“Anusasanam means exposition or instruction, because it is not mere philosophy that Patanjali is about to expound, but rather direct instruction on how to practice Yoga.  Mere philosophy will not satisfy us.  We cannot reach the goal by mere words alone.  Without practice, nothing can be achieved.”

The Layers of the Self Unfold

What you believe will be the experience of your life.  If you think you are alone, lonely you will feel.  If you profess you’re blessed, the blessing begin to fall upon you.

“Everything begins in the mind.  If you want to see clearly, you need clear vision.” ~Swami Satchidananda

Along with the physical benefits we begin to see that the “mind-stuff” changes as clarity unfolds with a consistent practice.  The witness develops and grows strong enabling a change deeper within.

Let’s Start with 3

1. 1. Suffering is caused by a faulty perception.  We hold on to the good times and resist change, especially when it makes us uncomfortable.  Learn to go with the flow even in the darker moments of life.
2. 2. Peace comes in realizing and accepting who we really are.  Loving that person wholly.
3. 3. The only way to find that true authentic self is to control the mind. “Just as only a clean, undistorted mirror can reflect our face as it truly is, only a one-pointed and tranquil mind can part the veils of ignorance to reveal and reflect the Self.”~Reverend Jaganath Carrera

Shivani will be here soon and I’m so excited. I wanted to share a little information on the subject of her workshop Swooning Swara: An Introduction to the Nadis.

Let’s Start with 3
Within the human body energy flows through lines, there are said to be over 72,000 of these lines in the body and each one has a specific function.
Of course we can’t learn all of them, but 3 is definitely manageable!