Ramanisblog

Tag: Yoga Sutra

  • Yoga State Can Be Attained Faster Yoga Sutra 1.22

    Paramahamsa Yogananda, A Great Yogi
    Paramahamsa Yogananda, A Great Yogi

    Some people attain Yoga Siddi very fast.

    It takes a long time for the others.

    It might take even more than one Lifetime.

    The inclination to practice Yoga due to one’s Vaasanas.

    The success depends on one’s tireless efforts and following of the Yama and Niyama strictly.

    Yet one would find that even those who follow these rules rigorously  do not get results,

    On the other hand there are some who seem to attain the State of Yoga relatively easy.

    Why?

    Patanjali would be explaining this in the next Sutra on the importance of Iswara Pranidhaana, complete surrender to God,(Iswara)

    The fundamental of India philosophy is that one is totally responsible for one’s action,.

    You can not shift the responsibility to God, hold Him responsible nor can you expect Him to atone your Sins, as it were, as in some other Religions.

    In Indian Philosophy , Free Will Vs Determinism is dealt with exhaustively.

    While it is true that , being a Part of Brahman, The Reality,our individual Self , is not affected by our actions,we are responsible for our action at the Empirical level when and if we do not perform an Action as a Non Action,if we are driven by only our senses.

    Such actions beget results , the remnants of the Impressions or the Vaasanas linger and they condition our development.

    As Krishna declares in the 14th Chapter of The Bhagavad Gita, Sathva Guna is the result of previous Vaasanas or Impressions, though,

    ‘There may be innumerable Forms and beings , living and non living;yet Prakriti, Nature is The Mother and I am The Father , The Seed”

    (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14.4)

    Ramana Maharishi and Paramahamsa Yogananda
    Ramana Maharishi and Paramahamsa Yogananda

    This Sathva drives a Man for Yoga Sadhana.

    As I have been mentioning on various occasions, Yoga is not an exercise that can be mastered in 30 days or following some lectures;it is life long spiritual practice.

    It takes in most cases, more than a Life time.

    If one were to die before attaining Yoga in that birth, he is born , in the next birth, in a Family of Devotional disposition which helps him to continue his attempts at Yoga, thus rendering the attainment of Yoga faster in the present Birth.

    ( for who question the theory of Rebirth, I shall be posting an Article on this)

    Their fore,the dispositions must  be there, , the continuous practice must be undertaken.

    Then Yoga is achieved faster.

    The next is a step less than this.

    In some cases, every thing mentioned above might have been followed, yet the Siddhi does not materialize.

    The reason is that the Yoga has not been practiced correctly and remnants of Impressions linger.

    In such cases , the practitioner attains partial success as the Siddhas.

    They have no doubt attained Yoga Siddhi, though of a Lower Order.

    This the reason why some Yogis are reborn.

    Please read my post” Why some Yogis are reborn?

    This level is an average level (Madhyam)

    The last is the level we belong to’,

    We attempt and do not follow it up regularly.

    Here the results will be very slow in forthcoming.

    Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
    Yoga Sutra 1.22

    mridumadhyadhimatratvat tatopi visheshah

    mridu = mild;
    madhya = medium;
    adhimatratvat = by intense;
    totopi = further;
    viseshah = differentiation;

    The time necessary for success further depends on whether the practice is mild, medium or intense.

    They again differ according as the means are mild, medium or supreme.

    Yet, again, it is possible to see a distinction between mild, middling and intense zeal, energy and effort, although yoga (which is spontaneous realization of oneness) and effort (which implies duality) are contradiction in terms.

     

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  • Why,How Faith Helps Imperfect Yoga Sutra 1.20

    Panajali has explained how and Yogis were reborn in the Yoga Sutra 1.20.

    Wisdom
    Wisdom Quote

    He explained that this is due to the remnants of  impressions in one’s chitta, though one has been practicing Yoga arduously.

    Patanjali goes deep into the cause for this aberration in attaining Samadhi.

    This Yoga Sutra lists five causes.

    Faith,(Shraddha)

    Strength of Will, Energy,( Virya)

    Smriti, (Remembrance)

    Samadhi, Deep Contemplation and

    Prajna,(Cognition,Right Awareness)

    Sraddha.

    Faith is fundamental.

    Whether one likes it or not, one practices it;the only difference between those who have faith and those who do not have is that while the former is aware of and acknowledges it, the latter is either unaware or  refuses to acknowledge it.

    Those who deny Faith have faith at least in what they believe in or in the Belief that they do not believe.

    The rationalists are the funniest lot.

    They do not believe in any thing which they can not reason out, forgetting that Reason can nor t be proved except by its results or by Inference, both premises are at fault.

    Who can guarantee I will live after I post this Blog  or live as I post?

    Scientists, not all of them, do not believe in anything excepting what Science tells them to, conveniently forgetting that Science is based on, mainly, two  assumptions,

    Law Of Uniformity of Nature and

    law Of Causation.

    Both are axioms, they can not be questioned.

    If Faith is Belief is unquestioned trust on something that is proved, then where does this leave Science?

    We assume that Nature behaves Uniformly and systematically.

    What if it it is not?

    There are already Theories of Chaos, Uncertainty Principle in Science.

    Law of  Causation.

    Two events occur.

    We connect them by saying one is the Cause of another.

    That’s all.

    So faith is something which drive us whether we acknowledge it or not.

    Now we have positive thinking.

    Not all positive thinking is probable or even possible.

    Still we are advised to follow it.

    Why?

    Because it delivers.

    Patanjali says this.

    Have Faith , continue having it and you will get results.

    To me  so long as it delivers results it is fine, no matter whether it is true or false.

    Yoga Sutra 1.20Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra.
    • shraddha = unconditional faith, trust, confidence, belief, certainty
    • virya = energy, strength of will
    • smriti = memory, intentful remembrance, mindfulness
    • samadhi = deep absorption of meditation, entasy
    • prajna = wisdom, discernment, super cognitive
    • purvakah = preceding, coming before, prerequisite
    • itaresham = of other people

    Simple, straightforward outline: The five principles and practices in this sutra form a very simple, straightforward outline of the personal commitments needed to follow the path of Self-realization. It is very useful to memorize these five, and to reflect on them often.

    2. Virya, Strength of Will.

    Feelings are born out of Instinctive actions/reactions.

    Feelings develop into Emotions.

    Emotions backed by Cognition develop into Will.

    Have Faith, Develop the Will.

    3. Smriti, Remembrance.

    It is a fact that we forget what we want to forget and remember what we are interested in.

    Remembering  something is conditioned by our our Will.

    The Will is strengthened by repeatedly recalling what we want to remember,.

    This is called Adyayana in Sanskrit.

    4. Samadhi, Regular repeated Concentration aids the process of Samadhi.

    5. Prajna,Wisdom.

    Means Discernment, The ability to distinguish between the Correct and the Incorrect, Right form the Wrong.

    While discernment of correct and incorrect is based on facts alone, choosing Right and Wrong is instinctive.

    Sometimes facts may mislead us into deciding what is Right or Wrong, but instinct never fails.

    The problem is identifying true instincts as at our present development as Human Beings we are cloaked by Culture and Civilizations and most of the time we do not recognize  instincts or the Gut feeling.

    The vigorous practice of  these five principles will ensure a Yogin from lapsing into this mundane World of names and Forms because of remnants of Impressions due to imperfect practice of Yoga.

    Related:

    http://ramanisblog.in/2013/05/29/why-some-yogis-are-reborn-yoga-sutra-1-19/

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  • At Yoga Beyond Yoga Sutra 1.18

    In Yoga Sutra 1.17,Patanjali explained the various types/stages of Yoga,

    Savitarka Samadhi,

    Savichara Samadhi,

    Ananda Samadhi and

    Saasmita Samadhi.

    These four belong to Sampraagya or the state attained by being with the Consciousness.

    Now Patanjali explains that the real Yoga does not end here.

    A Yogi after attaining the Consciousness identification, reaches a stage where he should be able to transcend that stage ,be with the world and yet be with the Consciousness.

    waves and ocean.
    Reality description,Advaita,Waves and ocean not differnent

    This stage is what is described as Asampragyada Samadhi.

    This is the stage where the practitioner of Yoga, though he has attained the Sampragya samadhi,  returns back, as it were, to the day-to-day World and keeps himself engaged in daily activities, yet remaining one with the Supreme.

    This is what Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita while discoursing on the Karma, Gnana, and Bhakti Yoga.

    On karma Yoga, Krishna explains that when one performs Duty as it has to be performed with out attachment to the fruits thereof, he attains Brahma Nirvana.

    The effects of actions do not touch him, he is not caught in the Samskaras or Vasanas(Tendencis extending beyond the present birth).

    While talking about Gnana Yoga , Lord Krishna advises that for one who has known that He is Not different from the reality, the Samaskaras leave as  leaves are burnt by a raging Fire.

    Under Bhakti  Yoga, in 18.66, Krishna Declares,

    ‘Leave all actions,take refuge in Me,,I shall take care of your Sins and Grant you Liberation”

    “sarva-dharmān parityajyamām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajaahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyomokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ(BG 18.66)”

     

    विरामप्रत्ययाभ्यासपूर्वः संस्कारशेषोऽन्यः
    viramapratyayabhyasapoorvah sanskarashesho anyah

    virama = complete cessation;
    pratyaya = firmly convinced;
    abhyasa poorvah = by the practice;
    samskaraseshah = having only impressions remain;
    anyah = the other;

    By firmly convinced practice of the complete cessation of the mental modifications, the impressions only remain. This is the other samadhi [asamprajnata or non-distinguished].

    explanation of the Sutra in the next post.

     

     

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  • Savichara Ananda Samdhis Yoga Sutra

    The second type of Samadhi described by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutra 1.17  is ‘Savichara Samadhi’

    The State of Samadhi attained here is the result of concentrating on Subtle Objects, like the Gods,or the chanting of Pranava OM, where the thoughts in the first case encourages mental picture, while in the later they are produced by the vibrations of the Pranava,

    Couple of points.

    In Buddhism by the Tibetan Monks, Lamas,, the body is explained have three layers,

    Layers of Body, Buddhism. Tibet.
    Layers of Body, Buddhism.

    The Gross Body, which we see,

    The Etheric Body, which extends up to one eights of an inch surrounding the Gross body,

    The Auric Body,which surrounds the Etheric Body for another one eighth of an inch and,

    Aura, which surrounds the whole.

    In Indian Philosophy this phenomenon is explained while describing the Five sheaths of the Atman or Reality, the Five sheaths being,

    Annamaya Kosa (of Food),

    Pranamaya Kosa,(of Vital Breaths)

    Manomaya Kosa,(of Mind)

    Vigyanamaya Kosa (of Knowledge)

    Anandamaya Kosa.(of Bilss)

    It is also interesting to note Japas, the practice of chanting a sacred name or Hymn is three-fold.

    1.Chanting aloud, the first Stage,

    2.Chanting but not aloud; the lips alone should move.

    The Mantras give fruits , right from the first stage,

    In the second stage, they give results  hundred times more than the first stage (Satham) and in the Third Stage,

    They give thousand times more(Sahasrapala)

    Savichara Samadhi is practiced after mastering the ‘Savitarka Samadhi’ and understanding the nature of Gross elements.

    Ananda Samadhi.

    This state is reached by using the Mind, and not Knowledge.

    In the earlier Samadhis one uses the Knowledge one has or gains .

    But in Ananada Samadhi Chiththa  is focused upon and laziness and actions are dispensed with.

    This is the third state.

    http://ramanisblog.in/2013/05/03/savitarka-samadhi-patanjaliyoga/

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  • Think Out Your Emotions

    I have started writing on Yoga Sutra of Patanjali about 16 days back.

    Then suddenly I decided to write on Isa Upanishad a couple of Days back.

    While dealing with the Isavasya(Isa Upanishad) Upanishad, I thought of writing on performing Actions without attachment in detail.

    Some how it got postponed.

    Now I find that Isa Upanishad also speaks on the subject in the sloka I have commented upon.

    Hence I decided not to postpone this subject and this post.

    (As I was writing on Isa Upanishad, I wanted to write on Nirvana Shadgam of Adi Sankaracarya. I misplaced the Text ; I found it to-day and posts will follow)

    Emotions.
    Emotions.

    Action arises out of desires,

    Desires of Feelings,

    Feelings of satisfaction of instincts.

    We can not help acting on our instincts. they are our Swabhava,Nature’ impelled by Gunas.(Refer my posts on Yoga sutra nd Gunas)

    We continue seeking the objects that give us satisfaction and happiness.

    When we interact with the Object for the first time, we do not have a preconceived notion that it would give us Pleasure.

    We come to know of it after we experience them.

    So the feelings of Joy oy pain do not reside in the object but in our perception of OUR enjoyment of them.

    To remain detached, it is useless to address the issue to these objects, but we need to address the instrument of enjoyment, ourselves.

    If we can think out our experiences after our experience of the Object, we will be able to outwit our propensity for enjoyment.

    Mere removal of Objects will not drive way your desires, they will haunt your memory and your mind will seek them.

    Remaining amidst sense Objects and remain unaffected is true renunciation.

    There is this story of Rishyasrunga , a Great Seer, in Ramayana.

    Rishyasrunga was a Celibate, A Naishtika Brahmachari.

    A Niashtika Brahmachari is one whose semen does not flow downwards, that is, it is not discharged.

    This is possible only when all the thoughts of Sex are not present , even unconsciously in the Mind.

    Rishyasrunga was living in a Forest alone.

    It is a common Belief that if a Naishtika  Brahmachari steps into  a Town. it would Rain.

    A Kingdom was undergoing severe Drought.

    The King decided to bring Rishyasrunga to the Kingdom so that it might Rain.

    Rishyasrunga was brought to the Kingdom and it rained.

    But on seeing women Rishyasrunga was infatuated with women and his thoughts wandered.

    He was advised by Sage Vasishta that to be a true Yogi one should be able to remain amidst the sense objects and be self-controlled.

    He did so.

    When we perform action for the second time, we should distinguish between three types of Action.

    Action, Inaction and Non Action.

    Action is what we do everyday, with specific goals and the results, with passion.

    Inaction is doing nothing.

    Non action is performing an action because it has to be performed without any specific goal.

    Nor with a desire to derive pleasure out of it.

    This is the essence of karma Yoga.

    Is this possible?

    Yes.

    Actions arise out of emotions, we can not do anything as we are in the process of performing an Action.

    Once the performance of Action in over, we can think about it.

    We can know the futility of pleasures,they are transient, not in our control, may go away from us.

    Now if one thinks about these  regularly by reviewing the actions he has performed a Mindset forms to desist from performing these actions in future when the occasion arise.

    This performance with out Attachment , where one does not seek the results, but performs to his fullest potential is Karma Yoga.

    And this a Path to Self Realization or the practice of Detachment.

    http://ramanisblog.in/2013/04/29/who-owns-the-world-isa-upanishad-1/

     

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