Tag: <span>Bhagavad Gita</span>

“Meet this world with neither grasping nor fear.  Trust the unfolding of life and you will attain true serenity.” 

~Bhagavad Gita

 

Another way to think about Yoga is as a neurological cleansing where the effects of past actions are released, not on the basis of meaning, but neurologically dissolved from the inside by the pure bliss consciousness inherent within us.  We do this in meditation and yoga nidra.  This is not a matter of belief or analysis.  It is a mechanical process. It will work for anyone who does the practices, skeptics & atheists alike.

Gurudev Amrit Desai, founder of Kripalu Yoga & Amrit Yoga Institute, says, “Every time you withdraw from your reactions and move beyond your pre-programmed past there is the possibility for the resurrection of that part of you that lies beyond the ego.”

Western psychology likes to analyze, diagnose, and ‘fix’…ie psychoanalysis.  Most of the time they stay on the level of the mind and rarely do anything other than talk.  This is very helpful but not necessarily healing.  IMHO   Western psychology is like analyzing the waves coming up on the surface of the ocean.  Whereas Yoga Nidra & Meditation especially, are like cleaning the ocean from the bottom up, at levels where analysis is not possible.   Amrit explains obstructions as energy, and thinking is energy.  Yoga deals with the root issues by going beyond the ‘energy’ to pure bliss consciousness.  Meaning is a less fundamental form of neurological energy and it’s found near the surface of the mind.  Meaning is the tail on the dog of thought energy.  Using the tail to wag the dog is not very effective.

Of course, you don’t need to know any of this to experience the benefits…….   Yoga Nidra at The Sanctuary – April 28, 1-4pm

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Worn-out garments

Are shed by the body:

Worn-out bodies

Are shed by the dweller

Within the body.

New bodies are donned

By the dweller, like garments.

Not wounded by weapons,

Not burned by fire,

Not dried by the wind,

Not wetted by water:

such is the Atman.

Not dried, not wetted,

Not burned, not wounded,

Innermost element, Everywhere, always,

Being of beings,

Changeless, eternal,

For ever and ever.

–bhagavad gita 2:22-24

 

from The BHAGAVAD GITA:

The Song Of God,

translated by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood.

Vedanta Press.

 

Ancient Wisdom Buddhism philosophy

The Yogi, whose mind is in harmony,

finds rest in the spirit within and deep communion with the whole

Free from restlessmess her soul is like a lamp whose flame burns steady in a shelter where no winds blow.

Bhagavad Gita VI: 16-21

wind chimes

What happens when you add the element of sound to a hatha yoga practice? We’ve been exploring that in my classes for months now. After our centering and some preliminary pranayama, we’ve practiced ‘toning’ using various vowel sounds. During savasana, we’ve practiced toning the bij mantras for each chakra. I’ve noticed a remarkable difference in my students at the end of these classes.

The ancient yogi’s understood the world to be made up of vibration or sound. Vibrations exist outside the body and inside the body. Frequently our inner vibratory rate is mis-matche3d with the external vibrations. This creates imbalance, dis-harmony, chaos and of course stress. When we integrate the aspect of sound into our yoga, things begin to smooth out and harmonize……………..physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually.

Don’t take my word for it though…………..discover the gifts of nada yoga yourself.

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………………dharma and karma and how that plays out in my life. The last time I pondered this polarity was here, in Arjuna’s tale in the Bhagavad Gita. Destiny, fate, call it what you will. We have ALL recognized the appearance of such events in our lives. Some of us recognize these synchronicities in their personal lives, and neglect to see same in their public lives. Others vice versa. Are you thoroughly confused now? You might be……..that’s the nature of polarities ( and dualities, too). It’s enought to make your head spin! Then you throw into the mix all the air sign people( Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) with whom duality & polarity are a daily/minute-to- minute struggle/agony they live with. Whew………………enough all ready. The futility of pondering duality is immeasurable.
Time to sit.

zafu

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Krishna’s Chariot

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna lays out a plan for Arjuna which begins with the instruction to “find his dharma”, or true purpose.

On the way to his dharma,  Arjuni , a highly skilled warrior, found himself on a battlefield , prepared for battle.   Facing him was an army of opponents including  family, friends, loved ones, and others that he cared for.  And, of course, the enemy.

 

Finding our true selves and/or our true purpose can be a life long pursuit or recognized in a flash of intuition. Both are challenging at best. Here’s the counseling that Krishna shared with Arjuna.

1. First, discover what your dharma (purpose) is.

2. Then, do it full out, hold nothing back. Give it your full attention.

3. Next, let go of the ‘fruits of the action’ or said another way, detach from the outcome.

4. And finally, dedicate your actions to the greater good of all beings.

Om shanti, shanti, shantihi.

ps. you might want to consult with an astrologer for more information on this topic.

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