Patañjali reminds us of the pitfalls of the illusion
of recognising psyche as awareness.
– Reflections on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 5
Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers
A day of clear clear blue, no past no future,
just the present with the clarity of the sun permeating every molecule of the sky.
Brings to Mind the Gāyatrī Mantra:
tat savitur vareṇiyaṃ
That sun most excellent
bhargo devasya dhīmahi |
on the radiance of the Divine I meditate |
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||
wisdom may (that radiance) our impel ||
I meditate on the divine radiance
of the most excellent sun.
May it impel my wisdom.
Link to Series: 108 Chanting Practice Pointers
When seeking the light better to verify
that it is the power of the light
rather than the light of power.
Link to Series: 108 Study Path Pointers
The practice of Bhakti Dhyānam outlined in the Yoga Sūtra Chapter One
can utilise either Veda Mantra or Tantra Mantra.
The Veda focus is one of external harmony with the forces of nature (Tri Guṇa) and
the Tantra focus is one of internal empowerment within the forces of nature (Tri Guṇa).
Link to Series: 108 Chanting Practice Pointers
Tapas – the effort to reduce something.
– Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1
Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers
TKV Desikachar taught the viniyoga of Yoga,
or application of Yoga according
to state of life, place, time and circumstance
to optimise the student’s potential within
that situation as seen from his
own, forever evolving, innovating and
maturing, developmental teaching thread.
Link to Series: 108 Teaching Path Pointers
Duḥkha is the starting point for the
Yoga journey of four junctures from:
the symptom, as in Duḥkha or suffering,
to the cause, as in Avidyā or illusion,
to the goal, as in Kaivalya or independence;
via the tools, as in Aṣṭāṅga or 8 limbed path,
for the means, as in Viveka or discernment.
This ancient fourfold process is at the heart of
the teachings in Yoga, Āyurveda & Buddhism.
Link to Series: 108 Study Path Pointers
Cit Mudrā –
A means to appreciate the subtlety of Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 46 –
the integration of the qualities of steady attentiveness and spacious clarity.
Link to Series: 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers
What is important is the refinement of one’s
practice and study repertoire, rather than
just the enlargement of one’s repertoire,
whether it’s more Āsana, Chants or Texts.
Plus, the more time you spend on enlarging,
the less time you have to spend on refining.
Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers
Tradition is honouring the function.
Innovation is adapting the form.
Good not to get the two confused
or even worse – the wrong way round.
Link to Series: 108 Teaching Path Pointers
