UNDERSTANDING YOGA - PART 2 The classical texts

Welcome back!

In this part we will begin to look at one of the classical texts directly.

The Yoga Sutras were written by Patanjali in approx. 200 BC

It is a compilation of the Vedic wisdom, neatly composed for us into a select of short aphorisms that are divided into four chapters.

To begin with your understanding of Yoga, the first two chapters are the most important, which is why we will be covering them in this course.

I will read you out each Sutra first in sanskrit, and then I will give you a translation and explain its meaning to you as I understand it.

I do recommend though that you get yourself your own copy of the Sutras – there are many interpretations out there and it is purely a matter of personal preference. 

Because these teachings are teachings of the soul, there is never only one right interpretation. There is of course good or bad translation (I am not a Sanskrit expert so I have to trust the translators), but whatever internal thoughts and feelings are being touched by each Sutra is only for you to know.

In the same way I would like to encourage you to listen to these presentations (there is a lot of information in them!) slowly, not in one go, but instead, internalise each sutra, reflect on what part of your self it touches. What internal belief or experience comes to mind when you hear them? In what way do they inspire you?

SAMADHI PADA

After having listened to the first part of the Yoga Sutras, reflect on how much of it and what you can relate to in your own mind, your own state of mental health.

Reflect on the following:

  • How much fluctuation is in your own mind – can you be steady and see things clearly? Or do you have a lot of reactiveness to situations you cannot control?
  • Can you think of situations in your life that would be much easier to handle if you could always see the bigger picture?
  • If you apply only one new rule to your life, let it be this: Accept and Let Go. That means, accept each single moment, each Situation or each emotion life presents to you, fully, welcome it in. Then, after fully accepting it, decide on what best to do with it – change the situation? Enjoy it? Let it go?
  • Is there a deeper seated trauma or conditioning in me that `I may have to address and in what way can I do this?
  • What situations allow me to be completely present in the moment? What do I enjoy? What is my hearts desire?
  • Do I give myself enough time to experience these situations?
  • Do I trust my body?
  • The most important practice is the practice of awareness.
  • What does surrender mean to you?
  • What, in your belief, is the difference (if there is any) between God, the Universe?
  • What action can you take to raise our own vibration and lift our spirit?
  • How do you feel about the power of sound?
  • How does chanting OM feel to you?
  • What is your intention in doing your Yoga practice?
  • Can you form an intention to use for your life?
  • Have you tried to meditate before? If not, could you try one of the methods described in the Yoga Sutras?
  • Our Yoga practice supports us, but the true practice is how we act in everyday life. How can you apply your insights in your daily life?

SADHANA PADA

The Sadhana Pada is all about the practice.

A Sadhana îs the kind of practice we do in order to reach the goal of Samadhi. Your daily Yoga practice is your Sadhana.

Here, Patanjali breaks down for us, what it means to practice awareness in life.

We can take from it inspiration to keep our motivation high.

We can be aware of the pitfalls of practice and know what supports it.

And we can see how much diversity there is to the different ways of practicing.

Please listen to the following three presentations, which will be completing Chapter 2 (Sadhana Pada) and also a small portion of the third chapter (Vibhuti Pada), simply to have a sense of completion of the eight limbs of Yoga.

Congratulations! You have the study of all the parts of the Yoga Sutras that are relevant for this course.

Before you continue your studies of Padas 3 and 4 I highly recommend you practice these parts (both on and of the mat/meditaton cushion) until they have become established. 

THE BHAGAVAD GITA

Next to the Yoga Sutras is another important Text that everyone, who is truly interest in understanding Yoga, should know: The Bhagavad Gita.

The following 2 1/2 hour long presentation gives you an overview of the Text, and it’s background. Please listen to it in your own time. There is no need to rush through it in one sitting. Rather, try to absorb the messages slowly:

I would like to add a little edit:

There are 9 gates of the body, in the traditional sense, which applies to men. A woman however has 12 gates: The 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils and the mouth, the 2 organs of elimination, the vagina and the two nipples.

(This bears another important symbolism that students of Vedic Astrology will appreciate as it relates to the 12 Rashis (constellation) and the 9 Grahas (heavenly bodies) that come together to create life in its different experiences.)

Now, please reflect on the following questions:

  • What situation in your life are you fearing or trying to avoid, even though you know it is a necessary step?
  • Where are you conflicted between a moral idea and a worldly need?
  • Do you feel like you are contributing to a greater good?
  • What does devotion mean to you, in your personal life?
  • What areas in life can you apply yourself wholeheartedly without expecting a return?
  • What is the universal soul to you? Without the need to put it into words, could you reflect on it in meditation?
  • How do you feel about death?
  • Can you apply your philosophical or spiritual beliefs actively in real life, in the world?
  • Are your actions in life aligned with your innermost desires and beliefs?

 

Now we are almost finished with the classical Texts on Yoga – there is only one left:

THE HATHA PRADIPIKA

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a text that was written in the 14th Century AD, by an Indian Sage called Svatmarama.

Although it comes from a different time and covers different aspects of Hatha Yoga (not just postures), it still is considered the classical guide for Hatha Yoga teachers today.

We won’t cover the whole text here, but so you can become familiar with some of the content, please listen to the following presentation:

GO TO PART 3 OF THIS COURSE