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
Tag: mindfulness
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
Golden attitudes towards people around us
मैत्रीकरुणामुदितोपेक्षाणां सुखदुःखपुण्यापुण्यविषयाणां भावनातश्चित्तप्रसादनम्॥३३॥Maitrī-karuṇā-mudita-upekṣāṇāṃ sukha-duḥkha-puṇya-apuṇya-viṣayāṇāṃ bhāvanātaḥ citta-prasādanam. (Patanjali yoga sutras 1:33) People around us can be a source of help. They can be a source of distress. Sometimes they effect us by doing something to us. Sometimes, without doing anything directly to us, they can be a source of mental trouble. You must have experienced this. … Continue reading Golden attitudes towards people around us
Five sources of all our miseries
अविद्यास्मितारागद्वेषाभिनिवेशाः क्लेशाःavidya-asmita-raga-dwesha-abhiniveshah kleshah A meditative sage sits thoughtfully against a stunning mountainous backdrop at dusk. These principles of Patanjali are not only applicable to yogic life, but also to worldly goals. Patanjali says that there are only five sources of all our miseries. There are five and only five sources. All our miseries can be … Continue reading Five sources of all our miseries
Eight Limbs of Yoga
यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि॥२९॥Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi - are the eight limbs (Yogasutras - 2:29) image credit : unsplash The first section of the Patanjali Yoga-sutras was Samadhi Pada . It describes the ultimate destination of Yoga. After 'where to go', logically speaking 'how to go there' should be told. The second section of … Continue reading Eight Limbs of Yoga
Common Yoga Protocol
This post is for the reader who is in a hurry to have a little taste of yoga. In my previous posts I explored certain aspects associated with the philosophy of yoga. But yoga has been mostly promoted as a kind of healthy lifestyle choice. Many want to keep it that way - just a … Continue reading Common Yoga Protocol
PEBBLES AND WAVES 