Yoga is such a vast topic. It is not possible to explore all aspects in twenty six blog posts. The intention was also not to make in depth study of any aspect. The purpose was to give some idea about the vastness of the topic and break lots of myths associated with yoga. At the … Continue reading Zipping it up
yoginis: the mysterious female yogis of ancient India
In the blog post Universal Appeal of Yoga I have brought out as to how people have risen above national, religious, ideological, and sectarian interests to adopt yogic practices and how it appeals to a broad spectrum of people. While many of the things of ancient civilisations across the world were exclusive male bastions, it … Continue reading yoginis: the mysterious female yogis of ancient India
Existential issues and yoga
In our very first post in this series we have examined how Arjuna's dilemma as to whether to fight against his own relatives or not became an existential issue. He was so confused, he began questioning his own integrity. He was doubtful about the direction of his belief system. He was not sure whether the … Continue reading Existential issues and yoga
Warnings on the way
Do not fall for miracles Patanjali yoga sutras has four sections : Samadhi Pada, Sadhana Pada, Vibhuti Pada, Kailbalya Pada. In the third Pada Patanjali describes various magical powers one can obtain by the use of yoga. But it comes with lots of warnings. Siddhis or the power to perform miracles has high chance of … Continue reading Warnings on the way
vrittis – various modes of consciousness
वृत्तयः पञ्चतय्यः क्लिष्टाSक्लिष्टा:vrittayah panchatayah klista-klistahप्रमाणविपर्ययविकल्पनिद्रास्मृतयःpramana- viparyaya - vikalpa- nidra- smritayah While defining yoga, Maharshi Patanjali talked about various modes of consciousness. I did not address this issue while discussing about the definition of yoga as per Patanjali. But I had promised that I would discuss it in a subsequent post. So here it is. There … Continue reading vrittis – various modes of consciousness
Universal appeal of yoga
Yoga has attracted adherents from diverse backgrounds. International Yoga Day came into existence in 2014. But long before that people have come to India from many parts of the Globe to learn yoga. Indian yogic masters have also gone to many countries to conduct yoga classes. With time, the demand for yoga classes have increased. … Continue reading Universal appeal of yoga
Three inner practices
यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि॥२९॥Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi - are the eight limbs (Patanjali Yogasutras - 2:29) There are eight limbs of yoga. The first five limbs are known as outer practices and the rest three are known as inner practices. The first five limbs of yoga prepares the yogi for the next three.The outer … Continue reading Three inner practices
Skill in action is verily yoga
बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते |तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योग: कर्मसु कौशलम् || 50||buddhi-yukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛita-duṣhkṛitetasmād yogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśhalam || Bhagavad Gita 2:50||With evenness of mind one goes beyond deedsgood and evil in this very life.Hence fight for the sake of yoga,Because, being skilled in your chosen activity is yoga. Even though in Bhagavad Gita … Continue reading Skill in action is verily yoga
Regularly, for a long time, and with a sense of honour
स तु दीर्घकालनैरन्तर्यसत्कारासेवितो दृढभूमिः ॥ १.१४॥Sa tu dīrgha-kāla-nairantarya-satkārā-sevito dṛḍha-bhūmiḥ || Patanjali Yogasutras 1.14 || The sutra given at the top means: One's foundation becomes strong if one practises regularly, for a long time, and with a sense of honour. Of course this requires some context. I must start from the beginning of the yoga sutras. … Continue reading Regularly, for a long time, and with a sense of honour
Questioning one’s way to enlightenment
Some questions have already been answered. Some are being answered. Some have not been answered as of now, but eventually these will be. It is only a matter of time. But there are some questions which will never be answered. So say the enlightened. Some questions can never be answered, maybe because, these are not … Continue reading Questioning one’s way to enlightenment
PEBBLES AND WAVES 