Yogic Thought

Category: Yogic Thought

  • 24. Yamas Recap

    Yoga at the highest level is a science of absolute awareness, and Yamas form the foundation. In this regard, we went through a reasonably complex set of topics under the yamas’ banner and sampled a range of yogic thoughts. Just to recap, the tone of rishis on this is – what we consciously disapprove of…

  • 23. Yama #5: Aparigraha (non-greediness)

    Yama #5: Aparigraha (non-greediness, non-hoarding) Aparigraha loosely translates to not-to-grab-excessively, -amass, or -hoard for future. Otherwise, this drive will disperse our focus from “now” to “future”. Moreover, our greed for existence is the strongest of all, apparently; existence as we understand it. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but… A story… A seeker goes…

  • 22. Yama #4: Brahmačarya (Sex, Celibacy & Kundalini)

    This is a huge topic in Yogic lore.  We will break this down into four sections to cover it: 1. Brahmačarya as non-dualistic attitude 2. To channel  “Sexual” energy to awaken Kundalini – esoteric secrets of Tantric Kāmasutra! 3.  Brahmačarya as Celibacy 4.  Monogamy as Meditation Why are we attracted to the opposite gender (or…

  • 21. Yama #3: Asteya (non-stealing)

    “Thou shall not steal” is the theme. By now, we are getting a hang of the yamas’ theme of “all the things that we consciously disapprove of doing, we may be doing them unconsciously, to some extent – investigate it.” There is no right or wrong, or acceptable levels – all are personal choices and…

  • 20. Yama #2: Satya or Truthfulness

    सत्यमेव जयते नानृतं (satyameva jayate nānṛtaṃ)। Truth alone triumphs, no other (false)universal order ṛtaṃ ca satyaṃ cābhīddhāt tapaso ‘dhy ajāyata। The universal order (ṛta) and truth (satya) were born of arduous penance…  (RV 10.190.1) satyaṃ caivānṛtaṃ ca satyameva devā anṛtam manuṣyā। And verily the gods are the truth, and man is “opposite of universal order”  (SB 1.1.1.4) [Notice the words “satyam”…

  • 19. Yamas, Niyamas, Yama of Ahiṃsa

    Apparently, Yamas and niyamas are the most important and difficult components of yoga practice….   That’s because it involves a deliberate analysis of everything we do, both voluntary and involuntary acts.  This analysis in a way holds a mirror to our “I”, and in the process transforms it.  They form the foundation upon which everything is…

  • 18. Yoga, Meditation and Effort

    When the five senses are stilled, when the mind is stilled, when the intellect is stilled, that is called the highest state – they say yoga is this complete stillness.                                                  …

  • 17. Yoga – What is it?

    Yoga is where Philosophy meets Science Because yoga is the practice where we observe how our inner universe comprehends our own philosophical paradigms at progressively deeper levels. yogaḥ karmasu kauśhalam Yoga is the art of working skillfully – BG 2.50 yoga chitta vritti nirodhah Yoga is the cessation of fluctuations in the awareness field –…

  • 16. Meditation and Yoga – what, why and how?

    [Through meditation] let the intelligent human sinks speech into mind, sink that mind into intelligence, sink that intelligence into the mahat (great) atman, and sink that mahat atman into the unmanifest (peaceful) atman.                                             …

  • 15. Nirvana, Black Holes and Reincarnation

    Nirvana, Black Holes and Reincarnation RIP Stephen Hawking_/\_ What happens when one jumps off into a black hole? Information destruction? If yes, we have a physicist recommended path to definitive Nirvana – to take a dip in a black hole:) The physicist extraordinaire Stephen Hawking of black holes fame passed away a few days ago,…