Posts archive: Desikachar 1983 France – From Sādhana to Siddhi

According to Patañjali an object which can be understood by the mind

Posted on by Paul Harvey

pramana

“So how do you find out these important facts?
According to Patañjali an object which can be understood by the mind
can be perceived in three ways Pratyakṣa, Anumāna, Āgamā:
Pratyakṣa (through the senses) – Direct perception
In other words the object placed in front of you.
The senses help us in comprehending the object.
Anumāna (inference) – We don’t have all the information.
We have certain indications that allow us to complete the picture.
Anu – to follow.
From the part you can get the whole.
From the effect you get to the cause.
Āgamā (authentic teachings) – No information directly.
Only information is from words
Some truth that has already existed.
We take the words and believe them as if we had seen it for ourselves.
For example God.
Patañjali has proposed three approaches or systems to verify the indications.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

We must respect the practice involving the body…….

Posted on by Paul Harvey

bheda

“We must respect the practice involving the body.

 

  • Deśa Bheda –
    Latitude, longtitude, or place at which a person is practicing or thinking.
    Deśa means climate, food.
  • Liṅga Bheda –
    The body of a man or a woman. Masculine or feminine.
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One important thing is food……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

annam

“One important thing is food.
Different combinations have different effects on the body.
When we work with Āsana and Prāṇāyāma we need to consider which foods to take.
Your mind is according to your food.
The type of food you take influences your mind.
The subject is vast.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

The Ācārya has to examine the Sat viniyoga or Asat viniyoga……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“The Ācārya has to examine the Sat Viniyoga or Asat Viniyoga,
the right offering or the wrong offering.
If the teacher is able to solve this problem
and establish that the students are serious,
then this is Sat Viniyoga.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

However first we should know where we are……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

TKV_5

“However first we should know where we are.
We must examine ideas like we must start from where we actually are,
not where we want to be.
We must first recognise our actual state of mind.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

Whether Yoga is Sādhana or Siddhi?

Posted on by Paul Harvey

sadhana

“Whether Yoga is Sādhana or Siddhi?
Sādhana is the means to achieve something.
Siddhi is where something has happened.
For Siddhi to happen there has to be Sādhana, some preparation, some effort.
So how is it possible for something to be both Sādhana and Siddhi?
Each gain we make is a Siddhi.
Each Siddhi helps us to go further with Sādhana.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

Whether or not I like it, I should know where I am……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Whether or not I like it, I should know where I am

“Whether or not I like it, I should know where I am.
Otherwise we try to draw the line from where we are not to where we want to be.
Therefore the first point must be understood and then we can go to the next point.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983

Manasika Sādhana – Mind has a part to play……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Manasika Sādhana – Mind has a part to play.

“Manasika Sādhana –
Mind has a part to play.
We can either direct or restrain.
Mind mentioned a lot in Yoga texts.
i.e. Attitude of Saṃtoṣa – mental contentment also a Sādhana.

Also Bhāvana.
Also Yama and Niyama.
When Yama and Niyama accomplished they become Siddhi.

Svādhyāya example of Sādhana – Study to know something about oneself or others.
Adhyayayana – To repeat exactly what is said by your teacher.
Based on three steps:

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Aindriyika Sādhana – Concerning the Senses……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Aindriyika Sādhana – Concerning the Senses

“Aindriyika Sādhana – Concerning the Senses.
Food – Diet – Temptation – Restraining the tongue.
Many things concerning senses of smell, taste, sight, touch, hearing.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

Śarīrika Sādhana – Keeping the body fit and well……

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“Śarīrika Sādhana – Keeping the body fit and well.
In the language of Patañjali Āsana is mostly Śarīrika Sādhana.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

There are categories of Sādhana relating to Body, Breath, Senses and Mind.

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There are categories of Sādhana

“There are categories of Sādhana relating to Body, Breath, Senses and mind.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983

In Āyurveda, it gives certain behaviour by which we can stay well……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

TKV_5

“In Āyurveda, it gives certain behaviour by which we can stay well.
If a person follows the following he will freer of sickness.
Regularly, systematically he eats, rests and exercises adequately.
Both in amount and quality.
Food or Āhāra, along with Vihāra – recreation, rest, exercise, other activities.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

Śikṣaṇa Krama – do something perfectly or correctly……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

asana_12

“Śikṣaṇa Krama – do something perfectly or correctly.
Anything is taught to achieve perfection in the practice of Āsana and Prāṇāyāma.
In other words teaching children and healthy people where you can take risks with no problems.
Not a valid approach for groups.
We need to use intelligence and Viveka,
not follow the idea of no pain, no gain to become painless,
or to get to a point without suffering.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

Even in the case of Śikṣaṇa Krama the ancient teachers had steps…….

Posted on by Paul Harvey

parampara

“Even in the case of Śikṣaṇa Krama the ancient teachers had steps in the teaching:

  • Yukta Śikṣaṇa
    The teaching must be appropriate to the intelligence of the individual.
  • Grahaṇa Śikṣaṇa
    Also able to absorb correctly what you have understood.
    You must test them, confuse them to see if they have.
  • Yukta Smaraṇa
    The teacher should find out how much the person remembers
    what they have understood.
  • Yukta Abhyāsa
    Is how much a person practices what he is given.
    To see if he has learnt, understood and practiced.
  • Yukta Anu Bhāva
    Even practice can be mechanical, even if it is regular.
    So how much you have learnt from the practice.
    What it has taught you.
  • Yukta Pracāram
    Finally, you ask the person to transmit what they have received.

The transmission shows the Siddhi of the Sādhana.
This is Viniyoga.
These outlines are valid whether Śikṣaṇa or Rakṣaṇa Krama.
If what is given is mechanical it is not Viniyoga.
That is why the Viniyoga spirit is very important these days.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

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Other causes (of disease), according to Krishnamacharya……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

sraddha

“Other causes (of disease), according to Krishnamacharya.
You either have no faith in God or don’t control your Rāga.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

The ancient people took the next step……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

isvara

“The ancient people took the next step.
If there is disease what is to be done?
What is the cause of the disease?
The cause of the disease is that we are unable to follow Īśvara Praṇidhānā.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

General outline on Cikitsa Krama……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

cikitsa

“General outline on Cikitsa Krama.
More sophisticated than Śikṣaṇa Krama.
Already when you know an object it is seen differently by different people.
So when I offer a healing object it is seen as a cause of disease by others.
One mind can influence minds differently,
because different minds receive things differently.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

Change is universal but not the same for everybody…..

Posted on by Paul Harvey

parinama

Question to TKV Desikachar on Pariṇāma:
“Change is universal but not the same for everybody.
Pariṇāma gives life to Saṃskāra.
Saṃskāra gives stability to Pariṇāma.
So there is an order in any change.
If there is no Pariṇāma or Saṃskāra there is no Vidyā or Avidyā.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983