Book II. Sutra 39
"Knowledge of past and future comes to one who is free of grasping for possessions."
From Light on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by BKS Iyengar
A new year brings reflection on the past and contemplation of the future. Patanjali claims in the sutra II. 39 (see side bar) that we can gain knowledge of past and future lives by practicing aparigraha.
“Aparigraha”, literally means non-grasping, and is one of the 5 moral precepts that comprise the first limb of Yoga called Yama. Many sutra books refer to the practice as non-greed or non-hoarding of material possessions. It is easy to fathom the wisdom of this precept when we conjure images of a stingy miser or an avaricious desperado stockpiling gold. In today’s world, the golden parachutes of CEO’s of failing corporations epitomize not only greed but also the illusion of separateness (Maya) between Wall St. and Main St. Selfishness and short-sightedness are implicit in this type of grasping. If actions do not change, the future is gimly predictable.
But, we can also “grasp” the reality of a situation, we can grasp the truth that leads to necessary change. Our future is not predestined by outside forces, but by the actions we take based on the beliefs that we live by. Dr. Joseph Murphy (the Power of your Subconscious Mind) defines belief as, “the thoughts we habitually dwell on and ACCEPT as TRUE.” Hoarding and greed underlie a belief in lack that will manifest in worry, fear, and potentially in loss and failure. Being unselfish and charitable come from a BELIEF that there is enough, that the more that is given, the more is received. It manifests in a mentally relaxed view of a generous world.
There is a wonderful Hasidic fable of heaven and hell. The scene is exactly the same in both cases; a room with steaming pots filled with aromatic broth and stew. In one room the occupants are emaciated, starving, and desparate. The spoons are too long for them to hold and reach their own mouths. In the other room, the occupants are laughing, vitally healthy, and celebrating life. They are feeding each other.
Their future is secure.Pranams,
Lynne
June 4th, 2008
Book II. Sutra 41
"When the body is cleansed, the mind purified, and the senses controlled, joyful awareness needed to realize the inner self, also comes."
From Light on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by BKS Iyengar
Upon waking up one recent windy morning, I whimsically wondered if the birch trees outside my bedroom window experience some joy in the movement of their branches. Do their limbs revel in enthusiastic swaying like the waving arms of the audience at a rock concert. Is joy part of the natural experience?
For many years, I have thought of Sutra II. 41 (see side bar) as my life’s mission statement. The formula it outlines appealed to my need for some order in my practice. Since asana cleanses the body, pranayama calms the senses and emotions, and meditation purifies the mind, I was “on track” for self-realization. Then, one day, as though they were illuminated in golden light and accompanied by celestial music, the three words that had seemed like sutra filler, jumped off the page and into my heart.
JOYFUL AWARENESS NEEDED. The sutra does not say, the suffering needed, or the strict discipline needed, not fear and submission or even worship and salutation. Its says joyful awareness is needed to realize the inner Self or soul. Yes, and the most natural kind of joy. The kind that is not suppressed by a polluted body, nervous senses or worried thoughts. This joy cannot be annihilated by outer circumstances, only temporarily suppressed by inner conditions.
A criticism, a worry, a judgment can slam the door in the face of joy. But joy is loyal, patient and steadfast. It waits for faith, forgiveness and compassion to crack open the door. Then it humbly hands over the gift of realization that joyful awareness IS our connection to each other, to our Inner Selves, and to the birch trees imparting their delight as they sway in the wind.
Pranams,
Lynne
April 14th, 2008
Sutra I.17
"Vitarka vicara ananda asmitarupa anugamat samprajnatah."
(Analysis, Synthesis, Bliss, and Pure Being are four types of samadhi.)
From Light on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by BKS Iyengar
Having recently reviewed some information about brain wave research, the
similarities with Sutra I. 17 (see sidebar) revealed themselves. Beta waves, the fastest "fluctuations of the mind" vibrate at 14-100 hertz and are of the waking state during which we spend much of our time analyzing our lives.
Alpha waves vibrate at 8-13.9 hertz and are considered the meditative state during which the mind relaxes and integrates or synthesizes that which the waking mind deposits into it. This is the state where autosuggestion is most powerful.
Theta waves vibrate at 4-7.9 hertz, correspond to the dreamless sleep state where we experience the bliss of deep rest and detach from all of our surface identities. This state of absorption, or samadhi is rarely attained without losing consciousness but can be accessed with determined meditation practice.
The Delta state vibrates at 0-3.9 hertz and corresponds to the ground of BEing. Masters of mind claim that each level corresponds with access to more subtle and more expansive states of being including access to intelligence unrestricted by time or space.
At my personal state of development, I enjoy the practice of "depositing" positive suggestions during the dreamy state of alpha which comes during savasana, restorative yoga and sitting practice. Since the subconscious mind always acts on what we believe and accept as true, I appreciate that many of my own thoughts and beliefs can be changed with awareness and discernment. I recently practiced deep relaxation and kind thoughts and feelings toward others while having my dental exam and tooth filled. It certainly made my experience much more calm and pleasant and it seemed to me that the dentist and assistant became less flustered and more present too! I'm looking forward to more practice during the cleaning that is scheduled next week!
Pranams,
Lynne
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