It is the last day already, in some respects I am sad the course has come to an end as I have relished in the study, beginning to open and connect with the lovely people on the course and enjoying the routine. However I think my brain is saturated and I am ready to incorporate what we have been studying into my own practise, assimilating and embodying the concepts to really gain my own understanding and interpretation.
At certain moments I felt that while studying the complex philosophy and cosmology behind yoga is fascinating and intellectually stimulating, it does not really take you any closer to union and reaching your potential which is the aim of all of this afterall. The information gains true meaning and relevance only through direct experience and the practise itself.
Coming full circle
In Nreetha's lessons we have covered a number of different concepts working from the gross to the subtle level. She emphasised that what we have covered is only a basic introduction, acting as a starting point for continued study.
I have found Nreetha's teachings particularly fascinating as she has artfully drawn together numerous philosophies, mythology and cosmology and demonstrating that this ancient wisdom is inherent across different viens and approaches.
Below is an overview looking at the different models explored:
Parallel Concepts
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is fundamentally the study of Agni (inner fire responsible for metabolism) and the Dosa (constitution).
Dosas - are the building blocks which represent the different elements Vata, Pitta and Kapha
At the next level is the Dhatu's which relate to transformation. Central to the Dhatu's is Agni which removes the Malas/Impurities and activates digestive process and nourishment. A byproduct is Alma/uncooked and undigested foods/emotions which can create blockages.
Ayurveda understands that breathing and ingestion of food is done by the work of the prana. The circulation of liquid and energy is the work of the vyana. Memory and all mental functions is understood by Sadhaka. Strength of the limbs understood as avalambana and functioning of sense organs is called tarpaka.
Pancha Maya / Dimensions
Vedic Tradition: 4 aims of Living
From the Vedic tradition there is also the concept of how we live life
Sanatana Dharma Purvsartha (4 aims of living)
Dharma - Duty (being a student/profession, there is an inherent sense of ethic we need to uphold)
Artha - Sustaining life, earning money, doing work for livilihood
Kama - To fullfill our desires
Typically we spend most of our life working to earn money to fulfill our desires in continuous cycle.
Moksha - Liberation, the spiritual path. When we realise we are not only here to survive and for our own desires but go beyond and experience higher
Vedic saying:
Sarira Madhyam Khalu Dharma Sadhanam
The body is the intrument and the foremost essential thing through which a man reaches his goals of human existence and the attainment of dharma/right living. The body is to be used to serve others, to not take care of the body is to not take care of all.
The body is a temple because inside resides the consciousness. The purpose of all yoga/ayurveda is to keep the body pure and healthy to enable merging with higher consciousness and potential. A definition of Purusa is 'the one who dwells in the town'. a temple comes alive with acts of worship, devotion and ritual and likewise with ourselves.
The Vedic view of Yoga
The mind is the cause of all our problems as well as the cure. The mind is a tool of the consciousness and sits at the top of the triangle with breath and prana as the intrinsic and interlinked yogic mechanisms:
Vasanas - Everything we experience in the MIND forms layers on the mind, it stays with us and forms habbits and perceptions
From the mind there are 2 perspectives:
Kleshas - Led by Avidya/wrong understanding thinking it is consciousness which manifests
in the kleshas
Viveka - Clarity, true understanding of the world
BREATH PRANA - (Prana empowers the mind)
We need to go beyond the klesha's and our desires which are the cause of all suffering to get to Viveka where we can discriminate between what is and isn't permanant.
The goal of yoga is to cut of the Vasanas and hence the kleshas using the mind, prana and breath which are all intrinsically linked. Hence breath is central to yogic practises to move higher levels of consciousness.
In the Yoga Sutras Chapter 2 Verses 18 - 23 Patanjali explains that the more you focus on the universal and the unchanging the clearer the role of the mind and consciousness.
The tools of yoga come down to one model, we have suffering which originates in attachment with an object. The identified problem is Avidya which we need to overcome and gain clarity. Key to this process is agni/metabolic fire in whichever yogic lineage you take, for example:
Kriya - Fundamental aspects of kriya yoga are
Tapas (burn)
Svadhyaya (self reflection)
Tsvarapranidha (to let go)
When we let go, burn, our attachments with the material world we let the self be.
Astanga - yogic limbs:
Niyama
Yama
Asana - create space in the body
Pranayama - to send prana into susumna
Mudra, Niyasa (corresponds to point of the nadi's which is will energise the body)
Mantra - each letter in the sanskrit language relates to a certain point in the body
Shabda - Chanting sounds to ascend chakras to the highest potential
On a cosmic level the universe has a certain sound known as nada. This subtle sound is also sometimes produced in the body and resonates with the universe.
Visualisation - chakras, the elements, sun, moon, dieties
Macro and Micro Universe
The inner universe within the human body is parrallel to the outer universe. This is the concept we began our journey into yogic anatomy with as we explored the Mehra Danda / the mountain. Moving up the mehra danda /spine there are seven worlds/realms (seven heavens and seven hells) which we need to move up through to the highest level Sat-aloka world truth.
On the journey through each realm we move from the dense earth, animal level Bhuloka and mulha dhara functioning and at each step gaining space through water, fire, air, sound and then beyond the physical mind up to Sat-aloka. The realms are transcended through the movement of prana.
There are numerous analogies corresponding to the movement of prana to the movement of the sun, correlating the new moon to the base of the spine and the full moon to the top etc. This is another area to explore in greater detail.
There is also said to be links between the elements/chakras and places in India; Varanassi is said to be the centre of the Universe, the Agni and Kedrinath is a prilgrimage for Sahasrarah Chakra. I know that I will visit Varanassi and Kedrinath at a point in my life when I am called there, in fact I am sure that being India will form a big part of life and sadhana.
During pilgrimage, such as the scared mountain of Shiva Aranachala which I was lucky to spend my weekend at between studies, there is a practrise of circumbulating the mountain which represents circling the soul.
Evolution
As we have discussed during the course the process of spiritual evolution takes us inwards, from the physical, gross elements, to the source. This is achieved through bringing prana up through susumna enabling the soul to merge with consciousness.
Tantra is intrinsically linked to this and it's unfortunate that the idea of Tantra has been sexualised by the west and missing the true concept. Unfortunately we did not have the time within this course to delve into this area.
Interpretation of the Yogic Texts
Where are the chakras located?
In response to peoples questions regarding pinpointing the exact location of the Cakras we discussed the idea that we are talking about regions and we can visualise the Cakras as a flower opening up. I have personally found this a very useful way to connect to the cakras with an exercise taught by Alessandra Pecorella. This entails startingat mulha dhara and internally chanting Om Om Om to unfold and open the red lotus flower, then moving up each cakra in turn and visualing the corresponding coloured lotus flower up until Sahasrara and opening the thousand petalled lotus. Then moving back down the chakras keeping the highest sahaswara and ajna open and then closing each of the 5 lower chakras in turn.
Why is everything in these concepts related to the natural elements/universe?
The reason that everything that is connected to nature/universe because we can see, we have something to reference and to understand. I aim to really work with this knowledge in my practise by carefully observing, delving deep, for example get back to writing about daily practise so that can really understand the impact of certain asana/pranayama/meditation.
Yoga Sutras Chapter 1 Verse2
When we get in to a state of sattwa, we can expand the mind and do incredible things called the siddhisThere are many words for mind in the complex sanskrit language which reprepresent the continual evolution and refinement of the mind- but when Patanjali talks about the Citta - clarity/the observing mind. This beautiful clear mind is no longer attached - Pratayha Sattwa. The mind is our demon and our divine always working in tandem, when we understand this everything else works fine.
III 32
Mardha (Krishnachrya top of the head/crown/saharswara/1000 petalled lotus) jyotisis (light)siddhadarsanam
When you reflect on the light at the crown you gain knowledge of the ancient siddhis who live for 1000's of years, supernatural phenomenumThis idea is also explored in 2nd chapter where people are born with tremendous abilities of mind from previous karma/life. When you link with the light you have a relationship with people who are highly intuitive, see and understand things in a refined manner.
The sahasrara has been described as looking through a key hole to bright white light. Prana is moving very freely up susumna, the prakti stops at the vishuddhi and then there is space.
Krishnamachrya described the folliowing 4 influences to the mind to come to sattwa state:
Paramatma - god (krishnamachrya was a very religious man last stages of his life were devoted to Nryana) but from yogic anatomy it is the unmanifested state
Jivatma - luminous quality, consciousness
Vaisvanamara - Aids the digestive process (food, emotions, etc) on every level of pancha mayas. Jataragni
Prana Agni - circulation
Spiritual evolution does happen through this path. Krishnamachrya was very religious whilst Desikachar was very open and considered the Yoga Sutras to be for all although now he is older he is connecting to God. God enters your life when you need it.
When you have developed your mind, don't project your impressions onto another just understand yourself better.
Chapter III Verse 34
Hrdaya (heart/space) Citta (refined /clear mind) Samvit
At this evolved state of mind you connect to the heartspace you realise how close together they are (mind is in heart).
The Heart is the seat of emotion, the journey of the upward prana through sususmna is influenced by emotions. Every function of the body originates and happens only because the mind and heart are so close together. If there are changes on a heart space level than every thing else changes in the body as the mind is soo close. Falling in love butterflies, falling out of love etc
Deep sleep is yogic activity (yoga nidra) a state within yourself, the mind is no longer atttaching to outside objects and controlling. In this state we return to consciousness coming from the heart rather than the mind, your place of origin. This heartspace is considered the brahamapuram the sun and that is why there is practise for meditating on the sun 3 times a day, Gayatri. Symbolises the process of life. Use the female version of the sun so it is balanced calming and clarity and doesnt burn you.
Gayatri (young women
middle aged women
Saraswati (old woman)
When the practise is embodied your actions will become smooth and you have a very clear understanding of who you are what is right.
Dharma is meditation - do every action understanding the responsibility/outcome, with conscious awareness.
The gunas, problems, suffering is all still there but the mind is detached. Of course there are attachments, but have these without creating an obstacle by obsession and trying to embark control.
Meditation on the Cakras
We worked with activating the first five chakras by moving upwards from Mulha dhara begining with chanting one Om, then as move up to swadisthana chant two Om's for first and second energy centre, then 3 as move up to manipura and so on.
Dr Latish mentioned that it is perfectly normal to have some chakras which activate more easily than others and that everyday may be different, we should approach this with no judgement. She reassuringly said that when work on this deep level our feelings can be very intense, we may wish to avoid people, it can stimulate appetite, can find it difficult to sleep, the skin can become very dry but don't worry this is all normal. To help alleviate these symptoms we can take butter milk, coconut, herbal tea and juice or take a cool bath to cool the system.
It is nice to practise this meditation as a group and to share the experiences afterwards and working with the energy and chakras in this way can help to increase our healing powers.
At certain moments I felt that while studying the complex philosophy and cosmology behind yoga is fascinating and intellectually stimulating, it does not really take you any closer to union and reaching your potential which is the aim of all of this afterall. The information gains true meaning and relevance only through direct experience and the practise itself.
Coming full circle
In Nreetha's lessons we have covered a number of different concepts working from the gross to the subtle level. She emphasised that what we have covered is only a basic introduction, acting as a starting point for continued study.
I have found Nreetha's teachings particularly fascinating as she has artfully drawn together numerous philosophies, mythology and cosmology and demonstrating that this ancient wisdom is inherent across different viens and approaches.
Below is an overview looking at the different models explored:
Parallel Concepts
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is fundamentally the study of Agni (inner fire responsible for metabolism) and the Dosa (constitution).
Dosas - are the building blocks which represent the different elements Vata, Pitta and Kapha
At the next level is the Dhatu's which relate to transformation. Central to the Dhatu's is Agni which removes the Malas/Impurities and activates digestive process and nourishment. A byproduct is Alma/uncooked and undigested foods/emotions which can create blockages.
Ayurveda understands that breathing and ingestion of food is done by the work of the prana. The circulation of liquid and energy is the work of the vyana. Memory and all mental functions is understood by Sadhaka. Strength of the limbs understood as avalambana and functioning of sense organs is called tarpaka.
Pancha Maya / Dimensions
Vedic Tradition: 4 aims of Living
From the Vedic tradition there is also the concept of how we live life
Sanatana Dharma Purvsartha (4 aims of living)
Dharma - Duty (being a student/profession, there is an inherent sense of ethic we need to uphold)
Artha - Sustaining life, earning money, doing work for livilihood
Kama - To fullfill our desires
Typically we spend most of our life working to earn money to fulfill our desires in continuous cycle.
Moksha - Liberation, the spiritual path. When we realise we are not only here to survive and for our own desires but go beyond and experience higher
Vedic saying:
Sarira Madhyam Khalu Dharma Sadhanam
The body is the intrument and the foremost essential thing through which a man reaches his goals of human existence and the attainment of dharma/right living. The body is to be used to serve others, to not take care of the body is to not take care of all.
The body is a temple because inside resides the consciousness. The purpose of all yoga/ayurveda is to keep the body pure and healthy to enable merging with higher consciousness and potential. A definition of Purusa is 'the one who dwells in the town'. a temple comes alive with acts of worship, devotion and ritual and likewise with ourselves.
The Vedic view of Yoga
The mind is the cause of all our problems as well as the cure. The mind is a tool of the consciousness and sits at the top of the triangle with breath and prana as the intrinsic and interlinked yogic mechanisms:
Vasanas - Everything we experience in the MIND forms layers on the mind, it stays with us and forms habbits and perceptions
From the mind there are 2 perspectives:
Kleshas - Led by Avidya/wrong understanding thinking it is consciousness which manifests
in the kleshas
Viveka - Clarity, true understanding of the world
BREATH PRANA - (Prana empowers the mind)
We need to go beyond the klesha's and our desires which are the cause of all suffering to get to Viveka where we can discriminate between what is and isn't permanant.
The goal of yoga is to cut of the Vasanas and hence the kleshas using the mind, prana and breath which are all intrinsically linked. Hence breath is central to yogic practises to move higher levels of consciousness.
In the Yoga Sutras Chapter 2 Verses 18 - 23 Patanjali explains that the more you focus on the universal and the unchanging the clearer the role of the mind and consciousness.
The tools of yoga come down to one model, we have suffering which originates in attachment with an object. The identified problem is Avidya which we need to overcome and gain clarity. Key to this process is agni/metabolic fire in whichever yogic lineage you take, for example:
Kriya - Fundamental aspects of kriya yoga are
Tapas (burn)
Svadhyaya (self reflection)
Tsvarapranidha (to let go)
When we let go, burn, our attachments with the material world we let the self be.
Astanga - yogic limbs:
Niyama
Yama
Asana - create space in the body
Pranayama - to send prana into susumna
Mudra, Niyasa (corresponds to point of the nadi's which is will energise the body)
Mantra - each letter in the sanskrit language relates to a certain point in the body
Shabda - Chanting sounds to ascend chakras to the highest potential
On a cosmic level the universe has a certain sound known as nada. This subtle sound is also sometimes produced in the body and resonates with the universe.
Visualisation - chakras, the elements, sun, moon, dieties
Macro and Micro Universe
The inner universe within the human body is parrallel to the outer universe. This is the concept we began our journey into yogic anatomy with as we explored the Mehra Danda / the mountain. Moving up the mehra danda /spine there are seven worlds/realms (seven heavens and seven hells) which we need to move up through to the highest level Sat-aloka world truth.
On the journey through each realm we move from the dense earth, animal level Bhuloka and mulha dhara functioning and at each step gaining space through water, fire, air, sound and then beyond the physical mind up to Sat-aloka. The realms are transcended through the movement of prana.
There are numerous analogies corresponding to the movement of prana to the movement of the sun, correlating the new moon to the base of the spine and the full moon to the top etc. This is another area to explore in greater detail.
There is also said to be links between the elements/chakras and places in India; Varanassi is said to be the centre of the Universe, the Agni and Kedrinath is a prilgrimage for Sahasrarah Chakra. I know that I will visit Varanassi and Kedrinath at a point in my life when I am called there, in fact I am sure that being India will form a big part of life and sadhana.
During pilgrimage, such as the scared mountain of Shiva Aranachala which I was lucky to spend my weekend at between studies, there is a practrise of circumbulating the mountain which represents circling the soul.
Evolution
As we have discussed during the course the process of spiritual evolution takes us inwards, from the physical, gross elements, to the source. This is achieved through bringing prana up through susumna enabling the soul to merge with consciousness.
Tantra is intrinsically linked to this and it's unfortunate that the idea of Tantra has been sexualised by the west and missing the true concept. Unfortunately we did not have the time within this course to delve into this area.
Interpretation of the Yogic Texts
Where are the chakras located?
In response to peoples questions regarding pinpointing the exact location of the Cakras we discussed the idea that we are talking about regions and we can visualise the Cakras as a flower opening up. I have personally found this a very useful way to connect to the cakras with an exercise taught by Alessandra Pecorella. This entails startingat mulha dhara and internally chanting Om Om Om to unfold and open the red lotus flower, then moving up each cakra in turn and visualing the corresponding coloured lotus flower up until Sahasrara and opening the thousand petalled lotus. Then moving back down the chakras keeping the highest sahaswara and ajna open and then closing each of the 5 lower chakras in turn.
Why is everything in these concepts related to the natural elements/universe?
The reason that everything that is connected to nature/universe because we can see, we have something to reference and to understand. I aim to really work with this knowledge in my practise by carefully observing, delving deep, for example get back to writing about daily practise so that can really understand the impact of certain asana/pranayama/meditation.
Yoga Sutras Chapter 1 Verse2
When we get in to a state of sattwa, we can expand the mind and do incredible things called the siddhisThere are many words for mind in the complex sanskrit language which reprepresent the continual evolution and refinement of the mind- but when Patanjali talks about the Citta - clarity/the observing mind. This beautiful clear mind is no longer attached - Pratayha Sattwa. The mind is our demon and our divine always working in tandem, when we understand this everything else works fine.
III 32
Mardha (Krishnachrya top of the head/crown/saharswara/1000 petalled lotus) jyotisis (light)siddhadarsanam
When you reflect on the light at the crown you gain knowledge of the ancient siddhis who live for 1000's of years, supernatural phenomenumThis idea is also explored in 2nd chapter where people are born with tremendous abilities of mind from previous karma/life. When you link with the light you have a relationship with people who are highly intuitive, see and understand things in a refined manner.
The sahasrara has been described as looking through a key hole to bright white light. Prana is moving very freely up susumna, the prakti stops at the vishuddhi and then there is space.
Krishnamachrya described the folliowing 4 influences to the mind to come to sattwa state:
Paramatma - god (krishnamachrya was a very religious man last stages of his life were devoted to Nryana) but from yogic anatomy it is the unmanifested state
Jivatma - luminous quality, consciousness
Vaisvanamara - Aids the digestive process (food, emotions, etc) on every level of pancha mayas. Jataragni
Prana Agni - circulation
Spiritual evolution does happen through this path. Krishnamachrya was very religious whilst Desikachar was very open and considered the Yoga Sutras to be for all although now he is older he is connecting to God. God enters your life when you need it.
When you have developed your mind, don't project your impressions onto another just understand yourself better.
Chapter III Verse 34
Hrdaya (heart/space) Citta (refined /clear mind) Samvit
At this evolved state of mind you connect to the heartspace you realise how close together they are (mind is in heart).
The Heart is the seat of emotion, the journey of the upward prana through sususmna is influenced by emotions. Every function of the body originates and happens only because the mind and heart are so close together. If there are changes on a heart space level than every thing else changes in the body as the mind is soo close. Falling in love butterflies, falling out of love etc
Deep sleep is yogic activity (yoga nidra) a state within yourself, the mind is no longer atttaching to outside objects and controlling. In this state we return to consciousness coming from the heart rather than the mind, your place of origin. This heartspace is considered the brahamapuram the sun and that is why there is practise for meditating on the sun 3 times a day, Gayatri. Symbolises the process of life. Use the female version of the sun so it is balanced calming and clarity and doesnt burn you.
Gayatri (young women
middle aged women
Saraswati (old woman)
When the practise is embodied your actions will become smooth and you have a very clear understanding of who you are what is right.
Dharma is meditation - do every action understanding the responsibility/outcome, with conscious awareness.
The gunas, problems, suffering is all still there but the mind is detached. Of course there are attachments, but have these without creating an obstacle by obsession and trying to embark control.
Meditation on the Cakras
We worked with activating the first five chakras by moving upwards from Mulha dhara begining with chanting one Om, then as move up to swadisthana chant two Om's for first and second energy centre, then 3 as move up to manipura and so on.
Dr Latish mentioned that it is perfectly normal to have some chakras which activate more easily than others and that everyday may be different, we should approach this with no judgement. She reassuringly said that when work on this deep level our feelings can be very intense, we may wish to avoid people, it can stimulate appetite, can find it difficult to sleep, the skin can become very dry but don't worry this is all normal. To help alleviate these symptoms we can take butter milk, coconut, herbal tea and juice or take a cool bath to cool the system.
It is nice to practise this meditation as a group and to share the experiences afterwards and working with the energy and chakras in this way can help to increase our healing powers.
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