sa tu dirghakala nairantarya satkara asevitah drdhabhumih

[Guest guest]

The science of Yoga is based on teachings put forth in various

ancient scriptures.................Most modern traditions will base their

teachings and practice on a combination of what is put forth in

the teachings of The Yoga Sutras of Patajali, The Bhagavad Gita

and The Hatha Yoga Pradipika....How these teachings are

dissiminated will depend on various things......The focus of the

session, the interest of the students, what the students perceive

that they need from the teacher and yoga, the time

available........In many contexts, there is alot of focus on postures

and techniques......There is a widely held view that through the

practice of Hatha Yoga postures and techniques, and meditation,

the changes come about on their own.......Others believe that

awareness of the teachings and an examination of them in

various ways (study, reading, writing, satsangs, group discussion)

is important..........I have met a few long term yoga practitioners

who are very flexible but know little about citta, klesha, vrtti, yama,

niyama.....They have talked about love affairs with their teachers,

and how they can do inverted postures so well now, or how their

teacher and practice is the best.............I can not say whether

any of this is correct, skillful, desirable or not......

 

This sutra from Patanjali's Yoga sutras (1:14) states, " practice

becomes firmly grounded when it has been cultivated for a long

time uninterruptedly, with earnest devotion " .

 

Other commentators have translated it differently, but the basic

point is the same.....

 

Practice in any discipline means application of what has been

taught......In Yoga, practice can begin in a gentle way, with

emphasis on Hatha Yoga postures and techniques, perhaps thirty

minutes a day, three times a week........The practice of the other

teachings, specifically the Yamas and Niyamas is a daily

affair....For some of us, honesty, non-stealing, non-violence may

come easily, while celibacy/sexual control, contentment, austerity

may require more effort...........Like in Buddhism and Christianity,

these moral/ethical aspects of yoga are important for community

and self harmony and progress...... I mention Buddhism and

Christianity because these are the two other spiritual paths that I

am most familiar with..........Jainism, a spiritual path from India

which is similiar in philosophy and practice to Buddhism and Yoga

also puts forth the same moral code as that of the yamas..........

 

Recently, someone asked me how long I practice Yoga each

day......My answer was 24 hours a day, though realistically, I

imagine, I should have said all my waking hours.....

 

The Dhammapada, a Buddhist scripture that is held in high regard

by many yoga practitioners states(1:20) " Little though one reads

the sacred texts, but puts the teaching into practice " ..Once

again, practice is the main thing.......A close study of The

Dhammapada shows that it is quite similiar to The Bhagavad Gita,

with some verses being paraphrases of the Gita..........

 

In Paul's letter to the Hebrews (5:4) it is stated " ....for those whose

faculties are trained by practice to discern good and evil " ....good

and evil can imply sin/sinful statements, which some modern

individuals do not feel comfortable with....perhaps the Buddhist

rendering of skillful/unskillful would be better......But once again,

the emphasis is on practice.

 

Sometimes, individuals in the application of spiritual teachings

tend to be a bit passive, thinking that the changes will come from

outside, from God, from some higher power..........In Yoga and

Buddhism, individuals tend to be more active, putting forth regular

and diligent study and practice, many times when they would

prefer to do something else.............

 

Usually, to make progress with the mind, individuals may have to

make some changes in their behavior...It takes awareness and

accountability to make changes..........We get so attached to

habits, that it can be quite hard to see that the habit may be

hindering the evolution of one's consciousness.......

 

Real practice comes from a real understanding of what is put

forth in the teachings..............Practice is the mental, emotional,

physical and behavioral application of the teachings............

 

The scriptures emphasize that we do this.....