Links to Related Resources & Longer Articles:

• Nāma, Rūpa, Lakṣana – The Name, Form and Characteristics of Āsana
• Notes from a lecture by TKV Desikachar – ‘Is Veda a Religion?’
• Sometimes Yoga is called Darśana Vijñāna……
• YOGA AND MODERN MEDICINE – Interview by TKV Desikachar

Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“These inner obstacles that
confuse the psyche are:
– Physical Sickenss,
– Mental Rigidity,
– Lack of Trust,
– Negligence,
– Lethargy,
– Dissapation,
– False Opinions,
– Not Attaining a Foundation,
– Not Maintaining What is Attained.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 30

“Egoity is when the
power of the Seer
and power of Seeing
are as if one essence.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 6

“Where there is the sense of “I am“,
so there is the power of awareness,
or where there is the power of seeing,
so there is the power of the seer.
Such is the essence of our nature.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 6

“The first Śloka sets the saga on the field of Dharma.
Dharma is how we respond, whatever the situation,
presuming we can sustain our view within the present.
Karma is how we respond, having lost sight of our view,
because it’s become obscured by  the force of our memories.
Then Karma is the force now driving us through our memories.
So, Arjuna’s Dharma becomes obscured because of his Karma.”
– Paul Harvey on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter One verse 1

“Yoga is a mirror of ourselves.
It is Darśana Vijñāna,
the science of observation,
not just doing Āsana.
In teaching Yoga this implies:
– that we may not transmit exactly the way we have been taught.
– that we may not teach what we ourselves are doing.”
– TKV Desikachar 1981

“In observing, we must remember a few more things:
When we are not able to see something,
It is either because something else is more obvious,
or because it is too close to us.
(Sāṃkhya Kārikā of Īśvara Kṛṣṇa Āryā Seven)
We can only observe when there is an inclination to do so.”
(Yoga Sūtra Chapter Four verse 17)
Because of our own memories, backgrounds, cultures, etc.
Each person looks at the same problem differently,
which may cause problems.
(Yoga Sūtra Chapter Four verse 15)
We must respect time and change,
although the tendency nowadays is otherwise.
We must wait and observe more than once
so as not to be trapped by the fact
that things appear like this one day
and like that another day.”
– TKV Desikachar 1981

“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 1983

“From a Haṭha Yoga viewpoint,
Mudrā are utilised to
break through a blockage.
From a Rāja Yoga viewpoint,
Mudrā are utilised to
break down distractions.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

“What you learn from Āsana takes you towards Prāṇāyāma.
What you learn from Prāṇāyāma takes you back to Āsana.
Albeit, to look again at what you thought Āsana was about.”
– 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

“One of the major tools in bringing or
refining the level of observation to the
subtler aspects of our body, emotions
and mental patterns is Prāṇāyāma.”
– 108 Yoga Practice Pointers

Fire in the Belly – Peace in the Mind.
“From a traditional Yoga viewpoint the yoking
of seemingly contrasting qualities or natures
within the body and mind have long been a goal.
According to Yoga, two of these contrasting qualities
are seen through the lens of the body and of the mind.
Known through opposite symbols, as in the Sun or
Surya, to be lived as the fire in the belly, and as in
the Moon or Candra, to be lived as peace in the mind.
Cultivating an intelligent relationship between these
two qualities can offer a model for our practice as well
as a means to better embrace the challenges in daily life.”
– 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers