Posts archive: Desikachar 1983 France – From Sādhana to Siddhi
Even in the case of Śikṣaṇa Krama the ancient had cautions……
“Even in the case of Śikṣaṇa Krama the ancient had cautions.
The teaching must be appropriate to the intelligence of the individual or Yukta Śikṣaṇa.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983
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Some views say don’t teach children……
“Some views say don’t teach children.
However Śikṣaṇa Krama is only suitable for children.
Not adults who have become brittle.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983
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In Mīmāṃsā there is a word called Prayoga (connection)……
“In Mīmāṃsā (a philosophical system to interpret the Veda, especially the Brāhmaṇa and Mantra, with the object of correctly performing the Veda rituals) there is a word called Prayoga (connection).
The same Mantra has to be recited differently for different rituals.
Or different Mantra in the same ritual.
So even here different applications are needed, the ancients recognised this.
There is a verse which says that if the Mantra is not used correctly it has the opposite effect and destroys or boomerangs.
Instead of doing good it will harm.
This is Mithyā Prayoga (wrong connection) with an opposite effect.
Having spoken of viniyoga (appropriate application), now looking at important points the old teachers used to convey these ideas.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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Also he (Patañjali) doesn’t standardise the steps……
“Also he (Patañjali) doesn’t standardise the steps.
Depending on the individual the practice varies.
Nothing is gross or subtle.
For example Āsana is gross to one person and subtle to another.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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That’s how the idea of Darśana came into being……
“That’s how the idea of Darśana came into being.
We needed a mirror to see exactly how we are.
The important characteristic is that it should reflect faithfully what is in me.
This is what is called an Ācārya or teacher.
A good mirror should be clear.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983
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What you have already are Siddhi, but you can lose them if you don’t sustain them.
“What you have already are Siddhi,
but you can lose them if you don’t sustain them.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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Now to examine the question of putting Sādhana and Siddhi together……
Movement from one high state of distraction to a lesser state……
“Movement from one high state of distraction to
a lesser state of distraction is also a Siddhi.
First state I am disturbed and don’t know anything.
Second state still disturbed but know why I am disturbed.
However I want to go further to a state where no disturbances.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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Another important point is that these Sādhana have steps…
Union of Jīvātman and Paramātman is a Siddhi not a Sādhana……
Samatvam (Equanimity) is a Siddhi……
“Samatvam is a Siddhi.
Because it is a state already achieved.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983
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Another Siddhi is Haṭha Yoga……
“Another Siddhi is Haṭha Yoga.
Instead of energy going here and there,
it is right where it should be in the top of the head.
Haṭha Yoga – Equipoise of energy.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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Let us go into Siddhi, here the important word is Samādhi……
Picture courtesy of KYM Archives
“Let us go into Siddhi, here the important word is Samādhi.
Unless we are born like that, then it’s a Siddhi, Samādhi is a Siddhi.
When we are in a state of absorption in something we are in Samādhi.
After which we appreciate the object in question and understand it more clearly.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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To do something so what in you is not lost is also Sādhana.
“To do something so what in you is not lost is also Sādhana.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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Sādhana implies a process of achieving what I do not have……
“Sādhana implies a process of achieving what I do not have.
Once it is achieved it is a Siddhi.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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Is it possible for you to understand the difference between Sādhana……
“Is it possible for you to understand the difference between Sādhana and Siddhi?”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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Yoga is when different actions are done……
“Yoga is when different actions are done.
You think and act with proper investigation.
How do you feel at the end of the action?
Do you feel quite good?
Is this Sādhana or Siddhi?”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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Often when we are talking about Yoga we are not sure whether we……
“Often when we are talking about Yoga
we are not sure whether we are talking about Sādhana or Siddhi.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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Words have meanings based on roots and on usage……
“Words have meanings based on roots and on usage, its origin and how it is utilised.
Yoga is a good example of a word based on its original meaning and convention.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
