Preparation for Philosophy Class Discussion (4)
Sunday, April 19, 2009 (2:30 – 4:00pm)
This spring we will use our time to experiment with the ideas in the Sadhana Pada, the second chapter of Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras. Sadhana means practice and this chapter deals with the practical tools we use to refine awareness. The Sutras tell us that discriminating awareness, viveka, will destroy ignorance, the source of pain (II.26).
To prepare for our discussion, please read Sutras II. 26- II. 45. Also review the preparations for the three winter meetings as well as the accompanying exercises. continue reading »
Preparation for Philosophy Class Discussion (3)
Sunday, March 8, 2009 (2:30 – 4:00pm)
As we discussed last month, the klesas are the 5 related afflictions that disturb consciousness: avidya means spiritual ignorance. Because of the circumstances of our perception and existence, we identify with changeable nature rather than unbounded consciousness, causing us to feel vulnerable and alienated. This misidentification engenders asmita, egoism, where we confuse the seer (consciousness) with the instrument of seeing (the human self). Asmita gives rise to the feeling states of raga and dvesa, attraction and aversion, and abhinivesha, clinging to life, or as Mehta’s commentary suggested, desire for continuity.
Avidya and asmita are abstract and difficult to understand. What is spiritual ignorance? How do we understand egoism when it seems the ego is asking the question? How do we achieve the necessary perspective?
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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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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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