108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 27 – The search for understanding is driven by misunderstanding……
The search for understanding is driven by misunderstanding,
though not always in the right direction.
– Reflections on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 5
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108 Yoga Practice Pointers – 30 – Prāṇa is the élan vital……
Prāṇa is the élan vital.
It is the mover and the sustainer of the body in all living beings.
Because of this all pervasive movement and irrepressible vitality,
it is also hard to keep reined in through the ten sensory horses.
When the personalised field of Prāṇa becomes unreined,
it transforms into Vāta and the system becomes disturbed.
The primary practice in Yoga to minimise the
conversion of Prāṇa into Vāta is Prāṇāyāma.
108 Chanting Practice Pointers – 12 – Bhakti Dhyānam uses Japa to build a bridge….
108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 26 – It is difficult to realise the wonders of Cit within the wanderings of the Citta.
It is difficult to realise the wonders of Cit
within the wanderings of the Citta.
– Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verses 2-3
Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers
108 Yoga Practice Pointers – 29 – Are we confusing the maturation of our Āsana practice with the maturation of our Yoga practice?
Are we confusing the maturation of our Āsana practice
with the maturation of our Yoga practice?
Rāga is attraction to an object before you are aware of it….
“Rāga is attraction to an object before you are aware of it.
An attraction whether you need it or not.
In its absence you crave for it.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
The world exists to set us free.
“The world exists to set us free.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 18
108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 25 – How to cultivate as intimate a relationship with our Practice……
Yukta Abhyāsa or skilful practice.
How to cultivate as intimate a
relationship with our Practice,
as with our Problems.
Commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 14
Perception is said to be right when something happens….
“Perception is said to be right when something happens,
where we can see the design of the mind as well as the object.”
– TKV Desikachar commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 4
Svādhyāya implies what the tradition teaches……
108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 24 – In Jñāna Dhyānam the most difficult exercise for the mind
In Jñāna Dhyānam the most difficult exercise for the mind
is the one of not exercising the mind.
– Commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 13
You cannot change the past, only our understanding of the past.
“You cannot change the past,
only our understanding of the past.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 42
108 Study Path Pointers – 17 – One of the purposes of Yoga is to help us with the challenge……
The Das Upāya or ten approaches to Sādhana…….
There are different grades of inclination and possibility…..
“There are different grades of inclination and possibility
among those who are interested to experience the state of Samādhi.”
– T Krishnamacharya’s commentary to Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 21
There are two categories of practice……
“There are two categories of practice, the Śikṣaṇa Krama way, according to the rules,
or the Cikitsā Krama way, the application or adaptation of a posture
to suit a particular person or a particular situation.
Where postures need to be adapted to suit particular bodies and their limitations.
The authority for the postures comes from the teacher,
although some rules are indicated in the texts.”
– From study notes with TKV Desikachar England 1992
For something to work you must participate positively….
”For something to work you must participate positively.
In other words Śraddhā.”
– TKV Desikachar Madras 2000
Patañjali lists the nine kinds of obstacles that are confronted……
“In this Sūtra,
Patañjali lists the nine kinds of obstacles that are confronted by those who,
though fit and able to meditate on Īśvara, neglect to do so.”
– T Krishnamacharya’s commentary to Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 30
Yama – How we relate, how we face the society we are part of……
“Yama – How we relate, how we face the society we are part of.
How we link ourselves to others in speech, action, confidence.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 30
Always raise and lower the arms in the plane of the movement…….
“Always raise and lower the arms in the plane of the movement.
This helps the forward movement by causing you
to arch the back slightly before you bend forward.
Traditionally arms are straight and placed behind the ears.”
– TKV Desikachar 1980
Only the Citta is the cause for Bandhana or Mokṣa.
“Only the Citta is the cause for Bandhana or Mokṣa.”
– TKV Desikachar commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Six verse 6
Jñāna is like a sword to cut away Saṃśaya.
“Jñāna is like a sword to cut away Saṃśaya.”
– T Krishnamacharya commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Four verse 41
Avidyā and Freedom do not exist together……
“Avidyā and Freedom do not exist together.
Here Avidyā represents both the basis and attitude towards our action.
The aim of Yoga is to reach that state where our actions are not based on Avidyā.”
– T Krishnamacharya’s commentary to Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 25
Can these four Yoga Aṅga be practiced by everyone at every stage of life?
“Can these four Yoga Aṅga – Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prāṇāyāma
– be practiced by everyone at every stage of life?
How often and how long should one practice?
How can we adapt our practice to changing circumstances?
These questions and others like them must be answered by a competent teacher,
according to each student’s individual circumstances.”
– T Krishnamacharya’s commentary to Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 30
What is unpleasant is not desired…….
“What is unpleasant is not desired.
The response of the mind is then to move away from it.
Whether in fact such a step did prevent Duḥkha is not immediately evident.”
– T Krishnamacharya’s commentary to Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 8