Utter basics.

[mradam83]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namast�

We have many posts on aṣṭāṅga ( 8 limbs) of yoga, pata�jali�s yogadarśana here on HDF. It seems a better understanding of the framework may be of interest...

The key to the 8 limbs is wholeness. The brilliance of pata�jali�s insight & offering is the 8 limbs begin with satyaṁ and ends with samādhi. That is, we start from wholeness in seed-form and end with it fully bloomed in samādhi; yet these 8 limbs are not sequential.

It's as if we're baking a cake. All the ingredients are there together and the cake rises at the same time when in the oven ( tapas). Like that, all 8 ingredients of yoga work together and the cake rises, you rise up out of ignorance.

This is the brillance of the offer. Many think ' oh I cannot capture this samādhi , I will ty it later after I become perficient in the other yama's' . This is not the case - samādhi� is one of the 8 ingredients to make the cake rise. In the beginning this experience of samādhi may be short lived but is the building block for experiences down the road to expand in time.
While it is doing this, all the other limbs begin to take root. Just like a root it is underground. It takes a little time for one of the stems to shoot up above the ground and we then take note - and continue the practice.


praṇām

references

More on samādhi is reviewed on this HDF post:
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/sho...26%23257%3Bdhi

Namaste.

Ah Ashtanga, I did try it but from a secular teacher and had to stop going for one reason or another.

I never realised that Ashtanga was genuinely spiritual thing - I wish I did know that.

How would the teaching differ in having a true Yogi as opposed to a secular and non Hindu teacher?

It makes sense about likening to a plant growing. I understand breath flowing is like water to a growing plant?

[mradam83]

Vannakkam: Some consider the practise Patanjali coded as limbs; others consider them as rungs. Some consider it (the system) sequential, and other see it more as a simultaneous practice. In reality, its probably some of both.

I found this explanation: http://swamij.com/yoga-sutras-22629.htm Not sure of the sampradaya of the source.

One thing I'm sure of ... I have not personally touched limb 8 ... not even close. But all glories to those who have.

Aum Namasivaya

Namaste.

I would imagine limb 8 to be very hard to achieve in the west. I imagine going to somewhere like India to be very beneficial.

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namasté

Some consider the practise Patanjali coded as limbs; others consider them as rungs. Some consider it (the system) sequential, and other see it more as a simultaneous practice. In reality, its probably some of both.

Yes, no doubt people have seen this as rungs on a latter or ~ steps~ suggesting one-after-the-other ... why so ?
Because of the nominclature found in patañjali’s yogadarśana :

• samādhi pada
• sādhana pada
• vibhūti pada
• kevala pada

Pada ( some write pāda) means foot , it also means one-quarter. As we can see patañjali’s yogadarśana has 4 quarters or 4 pāda-s. Yet too one must also be aware that pāda means 'a ray or beam of light' . So , using pāda is very attractive.


Also we must consider thr idea of aṣṭāṅga ( 8 limbs) yoga ... limbs are aṅga; they are connected to and work in concert with the body (whole, aṅgī ). So when we look at it from this POV it is all about the limbs working together as a whole. I water a plant and the whole plant is nourshed. Like that, a person experiences pure awareness in thier practice and the whole system is nourshed.

So, as I have been taught it is the norushment of samādhi that allows all the 8 limbs to flourish. I have found this to be true in practice.

praṇām

[silence_speaks]

Dear mrudram,
Mind is an instrument, its function is to aid us.
For example... suppose i am sleeping in a dark room and I hear some sound, its the mind's function to warn us.
The mind is "Designed" to create appropriate emotions etc.

Now the problem is we cognize ourselves wrongly. If we cognize ourselves wrongly, consequently we fear. Its exactly like a person who took a rope for a snake ... the fear is there. Now, the mind is projecting fear and in doing so its doing its duty. its doing well.

The problem is wrong cognition of a rope as a snake. That error in cognition is all one needs to correct and this error in cognition is with reference to ourselves , as to who I am .

The mind is doing a wonderful job ... only its working on a wrong premise as to who I am. Thats where the correction is required. Without correcting the wrong cognition one cannot calm the mind. The mind can be lulled into calmness through various methods. They are all fine. But what after they are lulled? the leaks of the agitation and worry etc need to be blocked. Thats more important.

[Seeker]

Few suggestions.

Preparations:

Time of meditation: Early morning or late evening, when the worldly noises are low and your need to engage the world could be avoided.

Place of meditation: Uncluttered clean place. Clean air helps. You can enhance it with incense sticks.

Posture: Lotus (crisscross applesauce) position � if not possible, you can have a chair. Spine being erect is important.

Others: Try to minimize sensory interruptions & discomforts. If your lotus posture brings you discomfort, get a chair. Wear lose clothing�s � avoid tight jeans. If your place is noisy, you can use an ear plug,. Close your eyes during meditation to remove visual disturbances. Switch off the cell phone, and if possible disconnect your regular phone. (Remember to connect it later). If you have a tendency to sleep or want to limit the time, set up an alarm. Setting up an alarm will take your worry away from the need to be time conscious during meditation.


Meditation itself:

You can start with soft chants of OM , followed by mindful inhale & exhale. Focus on the breathing as the air flows above the nasal bridge. It will help you focus. You can start with this process for 5 minutes, and can expand this to half an hour in a years� time (for me it was a long haul!). In due course you will learn to be watchful of external thoughts entering you , and you will be able to send them away.

Slowly as days progress you will be able to quite the noises of your mind. Once that happens, you will find out the rest yourself. After that you may find that you can skip some of the prep work needed for a beginner.

[mradam83]

Few suggestions.

Preparations:

Time of meditation: Early morning or late evening, when the worldly noises are low and your need to engage the world could be avoided.

Place of meditation: Uncluttered clean place. Clean air helps. You can enhance it with incense sticks.

Posture: Lotus (crisscross applesauce) position � if not possible, you can have a chair. Spine being erect is important.

Others: Try to minimize sensory interruptions & discomforts. If your lotus posture brings you discomfort, get a chair. Wear lose clothing�s � avoid tight jeans. If your place is noisy, you can use an ear plug,. Close your eyes during meditation to remove visual disturbances. Switch off the cell phone, and if possible disconnect your regular phone. (Remember to connect it later). If you have a tendency to sleep or want to limit the time, set up an alarm. Setting up an alarm will take your worry away from the need to be time conscious during meditation.


Meditation itself:

You can start with soft chants of OM , followed by mindful inhale & exhale. Focus on the breathing as the air flows above the nasal bridge. It will help you focus. You can start with this process for 5 minutes, and can expand this to half an hour in a years� time (for me it was a long haul!). In due course you will learn to be watchful of external thoughts entering you , and you will be able to send them away.

Slowly as days progress you will be able to quite the noises of your mind. Once that happens, you will find out the rest yourself. After that you may find that you can skip some of the prep work needed for a beginner.

Namaste.

Thank you for the advice.

I have been trying the lotus position but I can not seem to make it work at all. How does it relax you - if anything it just hurts my legs?

My biggest obstacles are external thoughts - Even whilst conscious I have many thoughts a minute whizzing around in my head. This is the thing I know if I can combat it, it will move me along nicely.

[mradam83]

Dear mrudram,
Mind is an instrument, its function is to aid us.
For example... suppose i am sleeping in a dark room and I hear some sound, its the mind's function to warn us.
The mind is "Designed" to create appropriate emotions etc.

Now the problem is we cognize ourselves wrongly. If we cognize ourselves wrongly, consequently we fear. Its exactly like a person who took a rope for a snake ... the fear is there. Now, the mind is projecting fear and in doing so its doing its duty. its doing well.

The problem is wrong cognition of a rope as a snake. That error in cognition is all one needs to correct and this error in cognition is with reference to ourselves , as to who I am .

The mind is doing a wonderful job ... only its working on a wrong premise as to who I am. Thats where the correction is required. Without correcting the wrong cognition one cannot calm the mind. The mind can be lulled into calmness through various methods. They are all fine. But what after they are lulled? the leaks of the agitation and worry etc need to be blocked. Thats more important.

Namaste,

This reminds me a lot of Gita 2:47 about never letting the fruits of an action be the reward.

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namast�

Namaste,
This reminds me a lot of Gita 2:47 about never letting the fruits of an action be the reward.

But what is the wisdom here ? Should arjun not desire a favorable outcome to the war ? This śloka makes sense once one incorporates the wisdom that is offered in śloka-s 2.45 through 2.48. Then the brilliance of kṛṣṇa-jī's teaching comes to full bloom.

This is something we have spent considerable time on within other posts on HDF, yet should be revisited. Perhaps a new thread on this matter is
warranted.

praṇām

[mradam83]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namast�



But what is the wisdom here ? Should arjun not desire a favorable outcome to the war ? This śloka makes sense once one incorporates the wisdom that is offered in śloka-s 2.45 through 2.48. Then the brilliance of kṛṣṇa-jī's teaching comes to full bloom.

This is something we have spent considerable time on within other posts on HDF, yet should be revisited. Perhaps a new thread on this matter is
warranted.

praṇām

Namaste.

When you read Sloka's 2.45-48, I would say it's telling Arjuna to stop battling specifically for the fruits of the war but to battle instead as its his duty to battle - if he battles to be the victor, this is undesirable.

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namasté

But what is the wisdom here ? Should arjun not desire a favorable outcome to the war ? This śloka makes sense once one incorporates the wisdom that is offered in śloka-s 2.45 through 2.48. Then the brilliance of kṛṣṇa-jī's teaching comes to full bloom.

The offering from kṛṣṇa-jī is skill in action:

• be without the 3 guna-s, possessed of the Self (ātman) - 2.45
• it is the 3 guna-s, in the final analysis, that all actions take place - 3.27
• you have control over action alone, never its fruits - 2.47
• eastablished in yoga ( union) perform actions - 2.48

These together bring skill in action... what is the skill ? Actions that do not bind. Actions that are supported by the laws of nature, dharma.

This is the practical benefits of being established in the SELF (ātman). This is the bhāgavad gītā's offer in chapters 1 to 6.

praṇām