YOGALife I Summer 2010 - Sivananda Yoga

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Meditations from the Upanishads the Brahmin caste was expected to clean the toilets just as well as anyone else. Even without the caste system, hierarchies are everywhere, even in the West. As soon as a person arrives at an ashram or similar community, he or she has to be prepared to do everything. The ego develops a whole new reference to the different tasks, as well as to the other people who are also expected to do everything. A strong sense of brotherhood is the result. “Where there is no ‘I’, there is release; where there is ‘I’, there is bondage. Man is bound by ‘mine’ but he is released by ‘not mine’.” – Anandabindu Upanishad, Mantra 6 It shouldn’t be the case that a scholar develops his or her scholarly abilities yet is incapable of making a cup of tea, putting clothes away in a closet or telling a joke and being able to laugh about it. A yogi is only a yogi when he or she is balanced and isn’t hiding behind anything. One person might know more about the Upanishads, the other might be more adept at working on a certain task and yet another could be more musically inclined. Swami Vishnudevananda, for example, was a hard worker who could take care of all sorts of jobs. But he could also speak about the Upanishads and at just the right moment be drop-dead funny. “The sage, who is resting in his own Swaroopa (nature), sports in Atma (Self), ever delights in Atma, looks upon all with equal vision, plays like a child and roams about as nature made him.” – Svaroopabodha Upanishad, Mantra 4 It is very pleasant and refreshing to be in the presence of such a wholesome and balanced person. What all yogis have in common, without exception, is a hands-on attitude and a sense of humour. These two characteristics are the expression of a mind which can approach meditation in a very relaxed manner. With the support of integral yoga practice, meditation comes naturally because the mind is humble, like an unspoiled child who is thankful and full of awe: “Is this chocolate really for me?”, “May I really start trying to meditate?” At this point, a dialogue with the mind can begin: “Are you mature enough? Will you listen to what I am saying or are you going to continue with business as usual?” The mind responds: “I can give it a try…” For five, ten minutes, everything is fine. No itches, the back and knees feel okay. The aspirant is unaware of what is going in the room and only hears the inner sound: “OM, OM”, or “SOHAM” (I am THAT). But then the voice of the mind returns and the dialogue continues: •“Okay, that’s enough now. What is the use of this anyway?” •“Please calm down just a bit longer. Yesterday you were quiet for an entire fifteen minutes.” •“Yesterday was yesterday and today is today. I am 12 YOGALife I Summer 2010 hungry now”, or “I want to get up now”, or “I want to watch the news and call a friend – and I don’t feel like doing this anymore.” Slowly one has to begin denying the mind its wishes, outside the actual concentration practice, not as an obligation but of one’s own free will. Tapas or austerity is the name of this practice. “The cake is in front of me but I don’t eat it” – that is austerity. Not having enough money to buy the cake is a different situation. Here the mind knows that it must obey. Whichever way tapas is practised, the next day the mind may already have forgotten. This phenomenon, called maya or illusion, can be compared to a firework: a flash in the sky and moments later it has simply disappeared. “Maya is the illusory power of the Lord. It is neither Sat (existence) nor Asat (non-existence).” – Brahmarahasya Upanishad, Mantra 13 In meditation, as soon as we say, “It works”, the concentration is gone. Even the observation, “Now the meditation is good”, means that it has already slipped away. Approaching meditation with childlike humility certainly helps. The technique is not complicated: breathe calmly, concentrate on a point, have an object to contemplate on and enter meditation. Let everything go. Imagine being surrounded by a transparent plastic box, and that any mosquito, fly or wasp which comes your way bounces off the box. Imagine that no thoughts are able to make it through the prana or energy sheath you have surrounded yourself with. Another method is to imagine being surrounded by a ball of light. Visualisations like these are actually easy to create. If it is possible to see an apple or a pear where there is none, why shouldn’t it be possible to picture a ball of light around yourself, even if it isn’t really there? It requires intense concentration and thinking about nothing else. Otherwise the ball of light disappears, just like the apple is gone when you start thinking about a pear. As you continue with this practice, you understand that it is you yourself who creates the thoughts, the sheaths, or the upadhis. When you refrain from creating the thoughts, you reach the subject. While the principle is simple, it requires daily practice to experience it. All types of excesses are counterproductive to meditation: too much food or sugar, coffee, black tea, alcohol and cigarettes all hinder concentration and thus meditation. One’s entire life has to be aligned with the intention to meditate. “If the mind is filled with Sattva (purity), the other two Gunas (Rajas, passion and Tamas, inertia) will perish by themselves. The mind will become very subtle and steady like a lamp in a windless spot.” – Jyotirbindu Upanishad, Mantra 5
If that is not the case, meditation is boring, since nothing happens. How wonderful it is when you have adjusted your life accordingly and you succeed. “If you identify with the Absolute Consciousness, having dissociated thyself from the body, you will enjoy this very moment supreme peace, eternal bliss and highest knowledge. You will be absolutely free from bondage.” – Vicharabindu Upanishad, Mantra 7 You are calm, content and responsible amidst the chaotic conditions of daily life. Many things don’t have the same importance as they once did and you keep the upper hand. These are just some of the wonderful side benefits. In karma yoga, the challenge is to be open to new experiences, act to the best of one’s ability and especially not to be afraid of making mistakes. The same approach, along with a large dose of humility, is important in approaching meditation. Progress is only possible when meditation is not seen as something difficult and heavy. Meditation is light, natural, innocent, plain, wholesome and pure. With practice, the aspirant glides imperceptibly into meditation. For this to happen you have to be gentle, honest, pure and free from desires, greed and egoism. Real meditation regenerates more effectively than any tonic or antioxidant remedies. During meditation the cells are filled with ojas (power), tejas (brilliance) and prana (vital energy). People who meditate – even if they are far from reaching samadhi or the super - conscious state – have a certain shine on their skin and hair and a lovely twinkle in their eyes. People who meditate appear fresh, even if their youth is far behind them. All this and much more happens when you regularly practise meditation. “The impressions of discipline and Sadhana (spiritual practice) are never lost. They bear fruits in due time. Therefore thou dost not grieve. Do vigorous Sadhana daily.” – Vicharabindu Upanishad, Mantra 14 Swami Durgananda is Yoga Acharya (spiritual director) of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Europe. e-mail: SwamiDurgananda@sivananda.net Meditations from the Upanishads Poet’s Corner Lifes ifs and buts If you can look and see the truth of other faiths And not be swayed by promises or threats And let erring people say you hold erroneous views, Yet wish them success with their own beliefs, If you can hold on and tell your simple truth That God is one and has so many names, He loves us all of myriad creeds and faiths, He loves us all of different shades and shapes. He is mother, father, sister, brother, or what you wish. If your wishing is sincere in heart Yet all he wants; is love for him and all his works; For is he not the merciful Lord of the Universe? If you can suffer tragic sorrow yet lay no blame And know it gifted by the Soverign hand, These are but blessings and very disguised friends. How can we know before, about the very end? But when things go well and go all your way Don’t forget to say 'Lord thank you’ for the day. He moulded shapes in clay and blew them dry; And filled them with his 'atmic’ Holiness. So cherish and choose what came in from on high, Don’t seek it here and there in a fruitless quest Like the musk deer frantic for its own navel scent. Yet some seek to find a difference in the make. Does the mighty maker want to make mistakes? He has equal vision but we have erring sight. We thus deluded see others in a different light. If you knew we have a common self in all Then neighbour, stranger, friend and foe alike Reflect this self in all, a pact of universal might. So in hurting others we hurt our very self. Keeping this in mind be mindful of the final goal, Keep right on; give; serve; love; purify; and master mind control. Many tread the path but few maintain The ernest faith. So, so many fall No matter, rise, and then walk again. Faith sees the things the faithless do not see Firm of purpose, with incredible beliefs It awards rewards; impossible beyond belief, Kill your ego, lust, anger, greed, hatred and jealousy; Seek equal vision, wisdom, devotion, and mind mastery. Praise the Lord and he may grant these things. Praise and honour him with love and no attached strings. Be non attached yet in ‘samsaric reality’. If by grace and purpose you know Tat Twam Asi, If you cross these hurdles and yet maintain humility, Hope and pray my friends; all this will set you Free. M.S.K. Putney Oct ‘96 (Maan) Acknowledgement: with apologies to Swami Sivananda and Rudyard Kipling YOGALife I Summer 2010 13
Page 1: $5 Canada $3.50 US £2.50 UK 3.70
Page 5 and 6: International Sivananda Yoga Vedant
Page 7 and 8: 8 SIVANANDA The River Ganga “All
Page 9 and 10: The Ganga is the most sacred river
Page 11: “Brahman is Light of Lights. He i
Page 15 and 16: “I am very happy to be near the M
Page 17 and 18: Swami Padmapadananda Mahadev San Fr
Page 19 and 20: Swami Vishnudevananda giving a lect
Page 21 and 22: The Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Trai
Page 23 and 24: misunderstood when brought down to
Page 25 and 26: By Dr. (Mrs) Anjani S. Kulkarni and
Page 27 and 28: According to ayurveda, healthy livi
Page 29: contributions, one needs to underst
Page 33 and 34: A Journey of Transformation Swami S
Page 36 and 37: By Swami Sivadasananda YOGALife I S
Page 38 and 39: The Power of Asanas to control the
Page 40 and 41: Phytobiophysics these traumas as st
Page 42 and 43: 42 International Sivananda Yoga Ved
Page 44 and 45: Facts on Vegetarianism How Many Peo
Page 47 and 48: YOGALife I Summer 2010 47
Page 49 and 50: Vegetarian Recipes Barley Risotto O
Page 51 and 52: In March 2010, seventy students fro
Page 53 and 54: “You can have extraordinary power
Page 55 and 56: Vishnudevananda’s Jalasamadhi cer
Page 57 and 58: enunciation. They live year in year
Page 59 and 60: SIVANANDA YOGA IN SOUTH AMERICA, BR
Page 61 and 62: continued from page 57 Kumbha Mela
Page 63 and 64:
antari Ashram, Kerala, India CANADA
Page 65:
2010/2011 International Sivananda Y
show all

YOGALife I Summer 2010 - Sivananda Yoga

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?