yajvan
16 January 2007, 10:35 PM
Hari OM
~~~~~
Namaste,
This conversation is on Siddhi (complete, perfection, from "sidh" = to attain.) There is a general agreement that this ability has the potential to be somewhat of a disruption or distraction to moksa - or Dharmamega as Patanjali points out in his work.
Yet, why would one of the greatest rishi's of yore ( Patanjali-ji muni) then consider this? What was he thinking to offer this up to folks on the path if it is a distraction? If the sutra's are stitches of wisdom, why would Patanjali-ji waste one breath at all on this and not pay attention to other area's of import?
Let also me offer up my humble assessment on this. First, I need a little run way to set the stage…so bare with me just for a moment to set the framework.
If you look at the 2nd sutra of Patanjali's work, he sets the ground rules for yoga:
"yoga citta vritti nirodhah" to describe/define yoga. He chose a key word nirodha. As you can see Patanjali-ji was not long winded and chose his word-selection very specifically & formulaically to deliver the instruction. This nirodha is "ni"= down or into; "rudh" = to obstruct ,arrest.
In the yoga of Patanjali this nirodha is both the PROCESS and the STATE of restriction of this ~ citta.
Now, Citta in our parlance is considered "mind stuff" - which is much too gross a definition - even "cit" = to perceive, be aware , or think, is also too gross a definition for this application. The most insightful definition I have seen so far ( in the last 10 years) is the following. (from Vyaas Houston of the American Sanskrit Institute):
- Citta consists of the purest and subtlest form of matter/energy (sattva guna).
- Citta can be focused anywhere, in any location (dharana) and sustained continuously in a single location (dhyana). This means that citta can illuminate any form of matter or energy by taking its form, as if having no form of its own.
- Citta is programmable. It behaves in whatever way it is programmed or habituated to behave. If it is not consciously directed it will conform to the activities (vrtti) that have shaped it in the past (vrtti-sarupyam). i.e. past habits and impressions made on the mind.
- Citta is like a movie screen, in the sense that when the movie is playing we're not aware of the screen. The difference being that while the screen remains the same size, citta can take the form of anything from the smallest particle (paramanu) to an infinite magnitude (parama-mahattva).
So here's my assessment - by practicing samyama (assume all know what this is, if not, let me know and I will reply) on various formulaic sutras one exercises the ability to maintain and manage this citta AND maintain this samadhi. This grooms one for enlightenment - perfect "restful alertness" - walking and acting in silence.
This becomes the "concentrated "mind or Nirvija , seedless concentration - that is, arresting (nirodha) the mind, without any object ( seed) of concentration - THIS FULFILLS the formula of yoga citta vritti nirodhah Patanjali gives in the very being of his work. Yoga is arresting (nirodha) the modifications ( vritti) of the mind stuff ( citta).
I am in hopes others have ideas and have the opportunity of practicing this approach.
pranams,
~~~~~
Namaste,
This conversation is on Siddhi (complete, perfection, from "sidh" = to attain.) There is a general agreement that this ability has the potential to be somewhat of a disruption or distraction to moksa - or Dharmamega as Patanjali points out in his work.
Yet, why would one of the greatest rishi's of yore ( Patanjali-ji muni) then consider this? What was he thinking to offer this up to folks on the path if it is a distraction? If the sutra's are stitches of wisdom, why would Patanjali-ji waste one breath at all on this and not pay attention to other area's of import?
Let also me offer up my humble assessment on this. First, I need a little run way to set the stage…so bare with me just for a moment to set the framework.
If you look at the 2nd sutra of Patanjali's work, he sets the ground rules for yoga:
"yoga citta vritti nirodhah" to describe/define yoga. He chose a key word nirodha. As you can see Patanjali-ji was not long winded and chose his word-selection very specifically & formulaically to deliver the instruction. This nirodha is "ni"= down or into; "rudh" = to obstruct ,arrest.
In the yoga of Patanjali this nirodha is both the PROCESS and the STATE of restriction of this ~ citta.
Now, Citta in our parlance is considered "mind stuff" - which is much too gross a definition - even "cit" = to perceive, be aware , or think, is also too gross a definition for this application. The most insightful definition I have seen so far ( in the last 10 years) is the following. (from Vyaas Houston of the American Sanskrit Institute):
- Citta consists of the purest and subtlest form of matter/energy (sattva guna).
- Citta can be focused anywhere, in any location (dharana) and sustained continuously in a single location (dhyana). This means that citta can illuminate any form of matter or energy by taking its form, as if having no form of its own.
- Citta is programmable. It behaves in whatever way it is programmed or habituated to behave. If it is not consciously directed it will conform to the activities (vrtti) that have shaped it in the past (vrtti-sarupyam). i.e. past habits and impressions made on the mind.
- Citta is like a movie screen, in the sense that when the movie is playing we're not aware of the screen. The difference being that while the screen remains the same size, citta can take the form of anything from the smallest particle (paramanu) to an infinite magnitude (parama-mahattva).
So here's my assessment - by practicing samyama (assume all know what this is, if not, let me know and I will reply) on various formulaic sutras one exercises the ability to maintain and manage this citta AND maintain this samadhi. This grooms one for enlightenment - perfect "restful alertness" - walking and acting in silence.
This becomes the "concentrated "mind or Nirvija , seedless concentration - that is, arresting (nirodha) the mind, without any object ( seed) of concentration - THIS FULFILLS the formula of yoga citta vritti nirodhah Patanjali gives in the very being of his work. Yoga is arresting (nirodha) the modifications ( vritti) of the mind stuff ( citta).
I am in hopes others have ideas and have the opportunity of practicing this approach.
pranams,