This on-going discussion examines our experiences in asana and life through the lens of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Through reading, experimentation and the sharing of our experiences, we work to deepen our awareness and appreciation of life and increase the effectiveness of our actions. If you are new to this discussion, please begin by reading our Introduction to Yoga Philosophy.

you are the musician.
you are the instrument.

Preparation for Philosophy Class Discussion (2)
Sunday, February 8, 2009 (2:30 – 4:00pm)

Last month, as we used our asana practice as a laboratory, we observed that we play dual roles. We are both the experimenter and the subject of our experiments. The philosophy of yoga tells us that this experience of duality is fundamental to existence and is characterized as purusha (the seer, or awareness) and prakriti (the seen, or nature). Consciousness, or citta, is reflective of both purusha and prakriti. As we observe citta, we recognize pure awareness and we recognize the impermanence that is characteristic of nature, for example irritability or despair caused by fatigue.

Yogah cittavrtti nirodhah. Yoga is the process and result of stilling the fluctuations of consciousness. Tadah drashtuh svarupe avasthanam. Then we dwell in our own true splendor. We are practicing yoga when we train consciousness to remain aware but unmoved by the impermanence of the world.

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who are we and what are we doing here?

Preparation for Philosophy Class Discussion (1)
Sunday, January 11, 2009 (2:30 – 4:00pm)

Our first meeting will focus on ideas from the Samadhi Pada (first chapter) of the Sutras. We will discuss the meaning of yoga and examine how the philosophy of yoga understands the human condition. To prepare, read Sutras I.1-6 (these are translated below if you don’t yet have a Sutra book). In addition, use your asana practice for the following explorations. You may find it useful to confine your meditations on the following ideas to a limited part of your practice. Often, limited but focused concentration will yield greater insights than general intentions.

  • Using asana practice as laboratory, we find ourselves both the subject and the object of our experiments. As you practice asana, you are both directing and receiving instructions. Observe the nature of these dual roles.
  • Emphasize your role as director and observe the effects of your asana practice. Emphasize your role as receiver and observe the effects.
  • In your practice, do you discover times when you are neither directing nor receiving? What are you doing then?

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