There is a story in the Ramayana, one of the great kings, Janaka, who besides being a Rishi, was also a perfect Karma Yogi. The Ramayana is one of the sacred epics of Hindu tradition and religion.
This is a story of spiritual liberation for everyone.
A Rishi is a wise and scholarly saint, who has attained all possible knowledge in a certain area. King Janaka had attained this (and more) as a perfect Karma Yogi was said to have also attained Moska, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
What is Karma Yoga?
Karma Yoga, or the “discipline of action” is based on the teachings of the Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita, the holiest of Hindu scriptures. As one of the four pillars of yoga, Karma yoga requires the adherence to one?s duty (swadarma) while remaining detached from the reward. Simply, It is the yoga of performance of ?right action?.
What is right action?
Right action is compliance with your Swadharma (personal right duty-action). Thus each thing you do, is harmony with the Creator, Creation and your purpose for life. We all know what we should be doing. It ?feels? correct.
More specifically, and your life?s work done must be without expectations, motives, or anticipation of its outcome. Doing so, it purifies one’s mind and enables an individual to comprehend the wisdom is so doing.
Why does Karma Yoga help? What can it do for you?
Karma Yoga, practiced in daily life enables an individual worthy, through action, meditation and devotion to develop the power of reasoning, develop their intuitive power to acquiring knowledge and finally to transcend the mind itself.
What do I do next?
You practice daily the 3 Ds?Devotion, Duty and Discipline. This is the secret of performing Karma Yoga.
Devotion
Is gained through, if nothing else, understanding the magnitude and greatness of the Creator?s work. This is the first step to becoming a Karma Yogi, and you cannot proceed without it. It never fails, even just to glance at the heavens, and let one?s mind wander, you will become devoted. The more you reflect on creation, the more you are drawn to the creator.
Duty (swadharma).
Often “duty” is referred to as “righteousness”. You will incur demerit if you shun your duty. In Karma Yoga, the whole thing is about achieving merit, Your duty is towards God, or Self, or the Inner Teacher who teaches you through all the specific circumstances of your life as they appear. Karma Yoga teaches that God is the doer, not you
Discipline. Each work you do, each task is a sort of teacher or lesson. You know you can learn different skills by doing different jobs.
You also know that each job has different requirements in terms of time, degrees of concentration, skills or experience, emotional input and output, physical energy, and will.
A Karma Yogi will do whatever job or task well, and in full compliance according to your Swadharma.
The message of Karma Yoga is this:
When you do any action that is in harmony with the Creator and Creation, you are never egotistically motivated.
You also no longer maintain compulsive desires relative to the future. With this eradication of compulsive desire, you are able to live in the ever-present, with the understanding that present actions influence the future, so you live without being bound to the future.
It is a basic spiritual law that all desires carries within themself the motive force for their fulfillment.
That is, if an experience is possible to have in this natural world, and we desire it, we are subconsciously pushed toward it or attract it to ourselves.
Spiritual liberation
The adherence then, to correct action, through Karma Yoga can lead then to our ultimate spiritual liberation.
More FREE Information
On karma yoga and other alternative health and spiritual matters, go to our website for free articles, downloads and magazines:
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Showing posts with label karma yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label karma yoga. Show all posts
March 1, 2009
February 26, 2009
Yoga Paths
Since human beings began practicing yoga thousands of years ago, the symbol of a tree has often been linked with the discipline ? and for good reason! Yoga has a multitude of branches when it comes to how you choose to practice and all of them are based on the same philosophy, or trunk, of spirituality. Hatha yoga is the one most well known to Westerners ? the physical act of practicing poses. Here are a few other paths that you may choose to combine with your personal yoga practice.
Raja Yoga
In raja yoga, the main goal is a calm and spiritual, meditative state. There are eight principles that are followed strictly and in order in raja yoga and, though important, physical movement or poses is not the focus. The eight principles or stages are:
* Ethical standards or 'yama'
* Self-discipline or 'niyama'
* Posture or 'asana'
* Breath control or 'pranayama'
* Sensory withdrawal or 'pratyahara'
* Concentration or 'dharana'
* Meditation or 'dhyana'
* Liberation or 'samadhi'
Karma Yoga
The focus of karma yoga is on service and treatment of others. The basic idea is that our experiences today are a direct result of our past actions. Therefore, everything that those who practice karma yoga do today is in an effort to create a better future for themselves and those around them. They do this by eliminating the motivations of pessimism and egotism. This means living for others instead of ourselves.
Jnana Yoga
Those who practice jnana yoga are most concerned with the development of the mind. They are scholars interested in the philosophy behind yoga and they their yoga practice focuses on studying and understanding ancient and traditional texts. This is thought to be one of the most intense yoga disciplines as the learning is intense and difficult.
Unlike branches on a tree, the paths of yoga often intersect and overlap. Though it is difficult to hang from two or three tree branches at once, it is not difficult at all to practice more than one path of yoga. Try them all if you like and choose the ones that most appeal to you.
Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides yoga tips on http://www.justyogabasics.com
Raja Yoga
In raja yoga, the main goal is a calm and spiritual, meditative state. There are eight principles that are followed strictly and in order in raja yoga and, though important, physical movement or poses is not the focus. The eight principles or stages are:
* Ethical standards or 'yama'
* Self-discipline or 'niyama'
* Posture or 'asana'
* Breath control or 'pranayama'
* Sensory withdrawal or 'pratyahara'
* Concentration or 'dharana'
* Meditation or 'dhyana'
* Liberation or 'samadhi'
Karma Yoga
The focus of karma yoga is on service and treatment of others. The basic idea is that our experiences today are a direct result of our past actions. Therefore, everything that those who practice karma yoga do today is in an effort to create a better future for themselves and those around them. They do this by eliminating the motivations of pessimism and egotism. This means living for others instead of ourselves.
Jnana Yoga
Those who practice jnana yoga are most concerned with the development of the mind. They are scholars interested in the philosophy behind yoga and they their yoga practice focuses on studying and understanding ancient and traditional texts. This is thought to be one of the most intense yoga disciplines as the learning is intense and difficult.
Unlike branches on a tree, the paths of yoga often intersect and overlap. Though it is difficult to hang from two or three tree branches at once, it is not difficult at all to practice more than one path of yoga. Try them all if you like and choose the ones that most appeal to you.
Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides yoga tips on http://www.justyogabasics.com
Karma Yoga - An Introduction
Karma Yoga, or the “discipline of action” is based on the teachings of the Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita, the holiest of Hindu scriptures. As one of the four pillars of yoga, Karma yoga requires the adherence to one?s duty (swadarma) while remaining detached from the reward. Simply, It is the yoga of performance of ?right action?.
What is right action?
You might glance over the Sermon the Mount, as Jesus was very specific on what He considered ?right action?. He mentions not to kill, or even speak badly about another. He mentions about sexual fidelity, and even not to think about it (as having the same result as committing it).
He says what is correct for marriage, for the saying of oaths, for not seeking revenge, for what do to do please God, and how to pray correctly. He says how to fast, how to think, not to worry (about the material life), not to judge others, and how to remain steadfast. All of these are principles of Karma Yoga.
So how can I practice Karma Yoga in my daily life?
Nothing could be easier. You do your swadarma (your rightful duty) daily, without regard to the rewards it will bring; just to do your best each day. You keep your mind, as much as you can, on God, and you will be practicing Karma Yoga. You can apply the simple but eternal truths as found in the Sermon.
And If You Do?
Without having the fruit of your action in mind, you can be sure that the poor in spirit will inherit the kingdom of heaven. That those who mourn will be comforted. That those who are meek will certainly inherit the earth.
You can be confident that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled.
That the merciful will obtain themselves mercy.
That the pure of heart will see God,
The peacemakers will be called the sons of God.
Finally for all who are persecuted for righteousness? sake will obtain the Kingdom of Heaven.
This is Karma Yoga expressed in a Western way, but any Yoga recognizes them, and He who said them. Practiced daily, you are yourself then a Karma Yogi.
For more FREE information
On karma yoga and other alternative health fitness and spirituality visit our website for articles, downloads and magazines:
http://www.net-planet.org
karma yoga
What is right action?
You might glance over the Sermon the Mount, as Jesus was very specific on what He considered ?right action?. He mentions not to kill, or even speak badly about another. He mentions about sexual fidelity, and even not to think about it (as having the same result as committing it).
He says what is correct for marriage, for the saying of oaths, for not seeking revenge, for what do to do please God, and how to pray correctly. He says how to fast, how to think, not to worry (about the material life), not to judge others, and how to remain steadfast. All of these are principles of Karma Yoga.
So how can I practice Karma Yoga in my daily life?
Nothing could be easier. You do your swadarma (your rightful duty) daily, without regard to the rewards it will bring; just to do your best each day. You keep your mind, as much as you can, on God, and you will be practicing Karma Yoga. You can apply the simple but eternal truths as found in the Sermon.
And If You Do?
Without having the fruit of your action in mind, you can be sure that the poor in spirit will inherit the kingdom of heaven. That those who mourn will be comforted. That those who are meek will certainly inherit the earth.
You can be confident that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled.
That the merciful will obtain themselves mercy.
That the pure of heart will see God,
The peacemakers will be called the sons of God.
Finally for all who are persecuted for righteousness? sake will obtain the Kingdom of Heaven.
This is Karma Yoga expressed in a Western way, but any Yoga recognizes them, and He who said them. Practiced daily, you are yourself then a Karma Yogi.
For more FREE information
On karma yoga and other alternative health fitness and spirituality visit our website for articles, downloads and magazines:
http://www.net-planet.org
karma yoga
February 24, 2009
Facts about Successful Yoga Teachers, Part 1
Should a Yoga teacher take money for classes? How do you define success for a Yoga teacher? Is it your contribution to the common good? Is it by producing successful teachers? Is it by technical prowess? Is it by how many students you have? Or, is it a combination of these factors?
First things first: Are you ?selling Yoga?? If you accept a fee for teaching Yoga, no matter how small or large, you are selling Yoga. If you do not like my frank approach to this issue, then teach Yoga for free. This is not a problem, and that is good Karma Yoga.
However, do not open next to a commercially aggressive Yoga studio or ashram. If you decide to do this, you will see your finances ?crash and burn? - while your students flock to the wealthy Guru down the street. Yoga students often think that free Yoga is ?junk.?
Once upon a time, I taught free Yoga too. It is not easy to explain a passion to your family, which drains your finances and challenges the quality of your life on a daily basis. If you keep teaching Yoga for free, you will lose a lot of sleep, before you live on the street, with the homeless, or finally, start charging for Yoga lessons.
It is amusing when very wealthy Yoga Gurus claim Yoga is not for making money. My answer: ?Excuse me, how did you acquire all that wealth?? Why would a rich Yoga Guru lead anyone to think that taking a payment for teaching Yoga is wrong?
This is why we should appreciate Bikram Choudry?s candid remarks. He says what he thinks and makes no secret about living a life of luxury, due to teaching Yoga. At least, he is honest about his ideas, and he is not a hypocrite.
Therefore, if you accept payments from your students, be honest with yourself. You can always use the money to help others, but you need to pay your overhead costs, eat, and sleep with a roof over your head, first.
If you still feel bad about taking money for teaching Yoga, please open a studio down the street from my North Providence location. We will regularly donate toward your meals at the local soup kitchens. I hope you clearly see my point. So, please do not listen to anyone who tells you that taking money for teaching Yoga is wrong.
Whether a Yoga teacher is rich or poor, a successful Yoga teacher does not worry about money ? the universe will supply it.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
First things first: Are you ?selling Yoga?? If you accept a fee for teaching Yoga, no matter how small or large, you are selling Yoga. If you do not like my frank approach to this issue, then teach Yoga for free. This is not a problem, and that is good Karma Yoga.
However, do not open next to a commercially aggressive Yoga studio or ashram. If you decide to do this, you will see your finances ?crash and burn? - while your students flock to the wealthy Guru down the street. Yoga students often think that free Yoga is ?junk.?
Once upon a time, I taught free Yoga too. It is not easy to explain a passion to your family, which drains your finances and challenges the quality of your life on a daily basis. If you keep teaching Yoga for free, you will lose a lot of sleep, before you live on the street, with the homeless, or finally, start charging for Yoga lessons.
It is amusing when very wealthy Yoga Gurus claim Yoga is not for making money. My answer: ?Excuse me, how did you acquire all that wealth?? Why would a rich Yoga Guru lead anyone to think that taking a payment for teaching Yoga is wrong?
This is why we should appreciate Bikram Choudry?s candid remarks. He says what he thinks and makes no secret about living a life of luxury, due to teaching Yoga. At least, he is honest about his ideas, and he is not a hypocrite.
Therefore, if you accept payments from your students, be honest with yourself. You can always use the money to help others, but you need to pay your overhead costs, eat, and sleep with a roof over your head, first.
If you still feel bad about taking money for teaching Yoga, please open a studio down the street from my North Providence location. We will regularly donate toward your meals at the local soup kitchens. I hope you clearly see my point. So, please do not listen to anyone who tells you that taking money for teaching Yoga is wrong.
Whether a Yoga teacher is rich or poor, a successful Yoga teacher does not worry about money ? the universe will supply it.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
The Secret of Karma Yoga
A very interesting event in the life of Ramana maharishi, the Sage of Thiruvannamalai has explained about the nishkama karma or the action without expecting the fruit there of.
The event was recorded by S Venkataramaiah on a Christmas day, 25th December, 1935.
Mr Rangachari, a Telugu Pundit in Voorhee?s College at Vellore, India, asked about nishkama karma or unselfish action. There was no reply from the sage. After a time Ramana maharishi (Sage Ramana) went up the hill and a few followed him, including the pundit. There was a thorny stick lying on the way which Ramana picked up; he sat down and began leisurely to work at it. The thorns were cut off, the knots were made smooth, and the whole stick was polished with a rough leaf. The whole operation took about six hours. Everyone was wondering at the fine appearance of the stick made of a spiky material. A shepherd boy put in his appearance on the way as the group moved off. He had lost his stick and was at a loss. Ramana maharishi immediately gave the new one in his hand to the boy and passed on.
The pundit said that this was the matter-of-fact answer to his question.
What an unselfish action! The sage handed over the polished stick to a shepherd boy. He expected nothing in return.
Ramana said: ?Karma Yoga or the Yoga of action is that yoga in which the person does not arrogate to himself the function of being the actor?
According to the Karma Yoga the actions go automatically. Action without the sense of doership is Karma Yoga!
Bhagavat Gita teaches active life from beginning to end.
Skill in action lies in the practice of Karma yoga.
Lord Krishna declares:? Your right is to work only, but never to the fruit thereof. Be not instrumental in making your actions bear fruit, nor let your attachment be to inaction.?
Man has a right to action alone, not to the renunciation of action. One has to work according to his will without expecting the fruits thereof.
One who learns this secret is a real karma yogi.
S Nagarajan is a vehicle body engineer by profession. He has written more than 1300 articles in 16 magazines and published 18 books. He is revealing Eastern Secret Wisdom through T.V. Programmes, magazine articles, seminars, courses. His email address is: snagarajans@gmail.com. His articles on Yoga, laughter, efficacy of mantras and sound, Hypnotism, Tele Kinesis, Power of Prayer, Auto suggestion, Success Formula etc are regularly appearing in ezinearticles.com
The event was recorded by S Venkataramaiah on a Christmas day, 25th December, 1935.
Mr Rangachari, a Telugu Pundit in Voorhee?s College at Vellore, India, asked about nishkama karma or unselfish action. There was no reply from the sage. After a time Ramana maharishi (Sage Ramana) went up the hill and a few followed him, including the pundit. There was a thorny stick lying on the way which Ramana picked up; he sat down and began leisurely to work at it. The thorns were cut off, the knots were made smooth, and the whole stick was polished with a rough leaf. The whole operation took about six hours. Everyone was wondering at the fine appearance of the stick made of a spiky material. A shepherd boy put in his appearance on the way as the group moved off. He had lost his stick and was at a loss. Ramana maharishi immediately gave the new one in his hand to the boy and passed on.
The pundit said that this was the matter-of-fact answer to his question.
What an unselfish action! The sage handed over the polished stick to a shepherd boy. He expected nothing in return.
Ramana said: ?Karma Yoga or the Yoga of action is that yoga in which the person does not arrogate to himself the function of being the actor?
According to the Karma Yoga the actions go automatically. Action without the sense of doership is Karma Yoga!
Bhagavat Gita teaches active life from beginning to end.
Skill in action lies in the practice of Karma yoga.
Lord Krishna declares:? Your right is to work only, but never to the fruit thereof. Be not instrumental in making your actions bear fruit, nor let your attachment be to inaction.?
Man has a right to action alone, not to the renunciation of action. One has to work according to his will without expecting the fruits thereof.
One who learns this secret is a real karma yogi.
S Nagarajan is a vehicle body engineer by profession. He has written more than 1300 articles in 16 magazines and published 18 books. He is revealing Eastern Secret Wisdom through T.V. Programmes, magazine articles, seminars, courses. His email address is: snagarajans@gmail.com. His articles on Yoga, laughter, efficacy of mantras and sound, Hypnotism, Tele Kinesis, Power of Prayer, Auto suggestion, Success Formula etc are regularly appearing in ezinearticles.com
February 23, 2009
Yoga in Practice: Helping Negative People (Part 3)
You do not have to lecture, or criticize, to cause a change within a person, but you would be wise to teach him or her by your own example. This is truly stronger than any words. Some people refer to it as, ?Walking the talk.? This is because talk is not enough.
Remember the saying, ?Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.? You can always give away material, but what is more valuable than knowledge and acquired skills?
Education is the key to building positive attitudes. It allows us to learn Yoga, better our lives, and help others. You cannot help people by simply throwing money at them, and you cannot buy your way into heaven either.
Do not allow yourself to be compromised by negativity. Gently encourage him or her to attend a church, temple, mosque, ashram, or shrine for spiritual support. Praying, chanting, Japa, music, and singing, lift the spirits and make us all feel better. It does not matter which religion you are; the concept is universal.
Forgive offenses, but make it clear when there is an infringement on your rights. You do not have to be a ?human pin cushion? in order to help another person. When you elect to help someone, at a time of need, you deserve mutual respect, at the very least. Never ?play the fool? because this will not stop negativity.
Negative energy loves fools and wants to make fools of all of us. Sometimes you will have to make a firm stand and draw a line of acceptable behavior. If you always allow yourself to be abused by a negative person, you are feeding a ?spoiled child.?
Become a loyal and trusted associate by keeping your integrity intact. When conversations turn negative, ?spin them around,? and point out the ?silver lining in every dark cloud.? Every ?bad situation? can be a valuable lesson, if we choose to learn from it.
Lastly, remember the saying, ?You can lead a horse to water, but you can?t make him drink.? You cannot help someone who refuses to be helped. Also, know that negative energy is like the ocean; you can possibly save another from drowning, but you cannot afford to drown yourself in the process. If you drown in negative energy, all of the selfless help you could give will be for nothing.
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Remember the saying, ?Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.? You can always give away material, but what is more valuable than knowledge and acquired skills?
Education is the key to building positive attitudes. It allows us to learn Yoga, better our lives, and help others. You cannot help people by simply throwing money at them, and you cannot buy your way into heaven either.
Do not allow yourself to be compromised by negativity. Gently encourage him or her to attend a church, temple, mosque, ashram, or shrine for spiritual support. Praying, chanting, Japa, music, and singing, lift the spirits and make us all feel better. It does not matter which religion you are; the concept is universal.
Forgive offenses, but make it clear when there is an infringement on your rights. You do not have to be a ?human pin cushion? in order to help another person. When you elect to help someone, at a time of need, you deserve mutual respect, at the very least. Never ?play the fool? because this will not stop negativity.
Negative energy loves fools and wants to make fools of all of us. Sometimes you will have to make a firm stand and draw a line of acceptable behavior. If you always allow yourself to be abused by a negative person, you are feeding a ?spoiled child.?
Become a loyal and trusted associate by keeping your integrity intact. When conversations turn negative, ?spin them around,? and point out the ?silver lining in every dark cloud.? Every ?bad situation? can be a valuable lesson, if we choose to learn from it.
Lastly, remember the saying, ?You can lead a horse to water, but you can?t make him drink.? You cannot help someone who refuses to be helped. Also, know that negative energy is like the ocean; you can possibly save another from drowning, but you cannot afford to drown yourself in the process. If you drown in negative energy, all of the selfless help you could give will be for nothing.
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Yoga in Practice: In Search of the Perfect Yoga - Part 3
This is the last in this series of answers to statements about Yoga students who are searching for the perfect Yoga, or the perfect Guru.
?You can?t teach me anything about Yoga, I already know it.?
You are absolutely right. There is an old Chinese saying, ?A closed mind is like a closed book: just a block of wood.? In other words, a closed mind still must go through a deep awakening process to reach its complete potential.
However, I am getting on in years, and do not have the desire to teach the intolerant, or those who already know everything. My answer to this student is: You are right, and please stay with your current Guru.
It should come as no surprise that, very often, the student who says he or he already knows everything, does not and never had a Guru. If intolerance cannot be purged from within a particular Yoga student, he or she should be banished by any self-respecting Guru.
Life is too short to waste your time teaching those who don?t want to learn. In talking to my colleagues, I have found similar sentiments. Who among you wants to waste your time?
?What could I get out of Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, or Jnana Yoga??
Each of these styles has so much to offer, but they could be classified, for the most part, as non-physical styles of Yoga. Let?s briefly take a look at each one.
Bhakti Yoga is most often practiced within India. Bhakti Yoga literally means -unity through devotion to God. Therefore, this is a sectarian practice, most often practiced by Hindus. However, there are Jews, Christians, and Moslems who practice Yoga exclusively with members of their own religion. The practice of Bhakti Yoga is deeply spiritual.
Karma Yoga is unity through selfless service; also known as the Yoga of action. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. could be considered Karma Yogis. Both were men of peace and action who ultimately gave their lives for what is right.
Jnana Yoga is unity though knowledge or the path of wisdom. Through Jnana Yoga you will discover truth without delusion or bias. Jnana Yoga requires the serious student to meditate often.
So, now you see the ?big picture? and the need to keep the Yoga community together. Yoga literally means unity or union. Therefore, we must be living examples of it.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
?You can?t teach me anything about Yoga, I already know it.?
You are absolutely right. There is an old Chinese saying, ?A closed mind is like a closed book: just a block of wood.? In other words, a closed mind still must go through a deep awakening process to reach its complete potential.
However, I am getting on in years, and do not have the desire to teach the intolerant, or those who already know everything. My answer to this student is: You are right, and please stay with your current Guru.
It should come as no surprise that, very often, the student who says he or he already knows everything, does not and never had a Guru. If intolerance cannot be purged from within a particular Yoga student, he or she should be banished by any self-respecting Guru.
Life is too short to waste your time teaching those who don?t want to learn. In talking to my colleagues, I have found similar sentiments. Who among you wants to waste your time?
?What could I get out of Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, or Jnana Yoga??
Each of these styles has so much to offer, but they could be classified, for the most part, as non-physical styles of Yoga. Let?s briefly take a look at each one.
Bhakti Yoga is most often practiced within India. Bhakti Yoga literally means -unity through devotion to God. Therefore, this is a sectarian practice, most often practiced by Hindus. However, there are Jews, Christians, and Moslems who practice Yoga exclusively with members of their own religion. The practice of Bhakti Yoga is deeply spiritual.
Karma Yoga is unity through selfless service; also known as the Yoga of action. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. could be considered Karma Yogis. Both were men of peace and action who ultimately gave their lives for what is right.
Jnana Yoga is unity though knowledge or the path of wisdom. Through Jnana Yoga you will discover truth without delusion or bias. Jnana Yoga requires the serious student to meditate often.
So, now you see the ?big picture? and the need to keep the Yoga community together. Yoga literally means unity or union. Therefore, we must be living examples of it.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Yoga: The Complete Science of Life
Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world encompassing the entire body, mind and spirit. It is the union between a person’s own consciousness and the universal consciousness.
The Ancient Yogis had a profound understanding of man’s essential nature and of what he needs to live in harmony with himself and his environment.
Taking into account the interrelationship between body and mind, the Yogis formulated a unique method for maintaining this balance - a method that combines all the movements you need for physical health with the Breathing and Meditation techniques that ensure peace of mind.
The classical techniques of Yoga date back more than 5,000 years. In ancient times, the desire for greater personal freedom, Health and long life, and heightened self-understanding gave birth to this system of physical and mental exercise which has since spread throughout the world.
Yoga means
The word Yoga means “to join or yoke together,” and it brings the body and mind together into one harmonious experience.
Yoga is a method of learning that aims to attain the unity of mind, body, and spirit through these three main Yoga structures
Yoga Structures
Exercise Breathing, and Meditation. The exercises of Yoga are designed to put pressure on the Glandular Systems of the body, thereby increasing its efficiency and total health.
Branches of Yoga
There are six branches of yoga. They are
1. Hatha Yoga
2. Bhakti Yoga
3. Raja Yoga
4. Ghana Yoga
5. Karma Yoga and
6. Tantra Yoga
Hatha Yoga, Hatha Yoga is the path of Physical Yoga or Yoga of Postures is the most popular branch of Yoga. Hatha Yoga considered the body as the vehicle for the soul. It uses Physical Poses or Asana Breathing Techniques or Pranayama, Meditation in order to bring the body in perfect health. The practice of Hatha Yoga will result to the union of the body and the soul, it aims to make the body perfect and fill it with life force. Bhakti Yoga Bhakti Yoga is the path of heart and devotion or the Yoga of devotion. Yogis who practice Bhakti Yoga sees the Divine in everyone and everything he encounters. Raja Yoga Raja means “royal”.
Raja Yoga is the path of Yoga that focuses on meditation and contemplation. It is based on the Eight Limbs of www.property-in-majorca.com Yoga which was discussed in the Yoga Sutra. This Yoga path teaches deep self respect through self mastery. The self here is honored. Jnana Yoga, Jnana Yoga is the path of Yoga that deals with wisdom and knowledge or the Yoga of the mind. Jnana Yogis pays tribute on man’s intelligence. Karma Yoga, Karma Yoga believes that your present situation is based on your past actions. Karma Yoga is the path of service; it refers to the energy of action. This path requires you to be selfless Tantra Yoga, Tantra Yoga is the path of ritual and perhaps the most misunderstood path. Some may think of Tantra Yoga as sorcery, witchcraft, magic spell or some mysterious formula. Most people perceive Tantra Yoga as sexual. All of these perceptions are far from truth.
Many people are aware of Hatha Yoga or the Yoga of Postures. Developing a strong, healthy and flexible body is what every wants and desires. Yogis revere the body. However, they do this because they realize that a weak and tired body is a hindrance towards spiritual progress.
Anyone can practice Yoga. You don’t need any special equipment, clothing, or lessons; all you need is the will to pursue a healthier and happier lifestyle. www.mcsweb.in The Yoga Postures and Asanas exercise every part of your body. Many people are first drawn to Yoga as a way to keep their bodies fit and supple. Others come seeking relief or help for a specific ailment like tension or Backache. Whatever be the reason, Yoga can be a tool in giving you both what you came for, and more.
Anyone who continues with regular practice becomes aware of a subtle change in their approach in life. Yoga makes you discover your true nature, a state of inner peace, through the practice of toning and relaxing your body and relaxing your mind. Controlling the mind will give you the ability to do a lot of things. www.ntairis.com Yoga coordinates the breath with movement, allowing you to fully experience the stretch. www.andorra.es Yoga is not about simply completing a stretch so that you can move on to the next one. It is about being present in the moment. Yoga is not about competition or comparing. When practicing yoga, one goes within, being aware of what is happening inside the body. Whatever the body can do in a yoga session is exactly what it should be doing. One accepts without judging.
As you continue practicing yoga, you may find that yoga can lead to a journey within yourself. You may find the link between the body, mind and spirit to offer a new area of inner growth and self-understanding.
Some interesting and important facts about Yoga
? Yoga is over 5000 years old.
? Yoga originated in India.
? “Yoga” is a Sanskrit word, which means “to yoke” or “to bind.”
? “Asana” is what the yoga postures are called.
? Several asanas done in succession without a break or pause is called a “vinyasa.”
? Yoga should be done on an empty stomach. Prior to practicing yoga, you should only eat something light, at least two hours before the class.
? Loose, comfortable clothing should be worn to do yoga.
? Yoga increases flexibility, lowers stress, and increases your energy level.
Yoga Asanas
In yoga classes the body is moved forward, backward and laterally. Twists, inversions and balance poses are also done. Each of these movements affects the body in a psychological way.
Psychological aspects of each movement.
? Forward Bending : Listening, Humility, Trust, Surrender
? Lateral Bending : General resiliency in life, Flexibility, Ability to dodge, change direction
? Twisting : Helps to look at and accept the past, Versatility
? Backward Bending : To do a thing to the extreme, to bend over backward, Aggression.
? Inversion : Try new things, less fixed, Change in attitude, Confidence.
? Balance : Control of emotions and reactions, Balance of mind and body, Stamina, staying power.
? Savasana : Turning loose of control, letting go, Trust.
Benefits of yoga to all
Yoga can help every body feel better. It reduces stress. It improves flexibility and muscle tone, increases circulation, relieves chronic pain and alleviates anxiety-related disorders. Best of all, it cultivates physical awareness, refreshes your energy, and offers a little vacation from the everyday grind.
Yoga encourages us to remove the physical and mental obstacles in our lives that create stress and take us out of balance. It supports us in developing personal practices that cultivate a sense of light, harmony, health, and well-being.
Yoga benefits people of all ages, men and women, marathoners and the athletically challenged. Millions of people worldwide have embraced yoga as a way to manage life’s physical and emotional difficulties, from chronic back pain to anxiety and depression.
I am Mirza Mohd Ali Baig, an Seo professional From India.. having experience of more than 3 years of hardcore Seo Services…
http://www.seo-professional-india.com
http://www.article-submission.net
The Ancient Yogis had a profound understanding of man’s essential nature and of what he needs to live in harmony with himself and his environment.
Taking into account the interrelationship between body and mind, the Yogis formulated a unique method for maintaining this balance - a method that combines all the movements you need for physical health with the Breathing and Meditation techniques that ensure peace of mind.
The classical techniques of Yoga date back more than 5,000 years. In ancient times, the desire for greater personal freedom, Health and long life, and heightened self-understanding gave birth to this system of physical and mental exercise which has since spread throughout the world.
Yoga means
The word Yoga means “to join or yoke together,” and it brings the body and mind together into one harmonious experience.
Yoga is a method of learning that aims to attain the unity of mind, body, and spirit through these three main Yoga structures
Yoga Structures
Exercise Breathing, and Meditation. The exercises of Yoga are designed to put pressure on the Glandular Systems of the body, thereby increasing its efficiency and total health.
Branches of Yoga
There are six branches of yoga. They are
1. Hatha Yoga
2. Bhakti Yoga
3. Raja Yoga
4. Ghana Yoga
5. Karma Yoga and
6. Tantra Yoga
Hatha Yoga, Hatha Yoga is the path of Physical Yoga or Yoga of Postures is the most popular branch of Yoga. Hatha Yoga considered the body as the vehicle for the soul. It uses Physical Poses or Asana Breathing Techniques or Pranayama, Meditation in order to bring the body in perfect health. The practice of Hatha Yoga will result to the union of the body and the soul, it aims to make the body perfect and fill it with life force. Bhakti Yoga Bhakti Yoga is the path of heart and devotion or the Yoga of devotion. Yogis who practice Bhakti Yoga sees the Divine in everyone and everything he encounters. Raja Yoga Raja means “royal”.
Raja Yoga is the path of Yoga that focuses on meditation and contemplation. It is based on the Eight Limbs of www.property-in-majorca.com Yoga which was discussed in the Yoga Sutra. This Yoga path teaches deep self respect through self mastery. The self here is honored. Jnana Yoga, Jnana Yoga is the path of Yoga that deals with wisdom and knowledge or the Yoga of the mind. Jnana Yogis pays tribute on man’s intelligence. Karma Yoga, Karma Yoga believes that your present situation is based on your past actions. Karma Yoga is the path of service; it refers to the energy of action. This path requires you to be selfless Tantra Yoga, Tantra Yoga is the path of ritual and perhaps the most misunderstood path. Some may think of Tantra Yoga as sorcery, witchcraft, magic spell or some mysterious formula. Most people perceive Tantra Yoga as sexual. All of these perceptions are far from truth.
Many people are aware of Hatha Yoga or the Yoga of Postures. Developing a strong, healthy and flexible body is what every wants and desires. Yogis revere the body. However, they do this because they realize that a weak and tired body is a hindrance towards spiritual progress.
Anyone can practice Yoga. You don’t need any special equipment, clothing, or lessons; all you need is the will to pursue a healthier and happier lifestyle. www.mcsweb.in The Yoga Postures and Asanas exercise every part of your body. Many people are first drawn to Yoga as a way to keep their bodies fit and supple. Others come seeking relief or help for a specific ailment like tension or Backache. Whatever be the reason, Yoga can be a tool in giving you both what you came for, and more.
Anyone who continues with regular practice becomes aware of a subtle change in their approach in life. Yoga makes you discover your true nature, a state of inner peace, through the practice of toning and relaxing your body and relaxing your mind. Controlling the mind will give you the ability to do a lot of things. www.ntairis.com Yoga coordinates the breath with movement, allowing you to fully experience the stretch. www.andorra.es Yoga is not about simply completing a stretch so that you can move on to the next one. It is about being present in the moment. Yoga is not about competition or comparing. When practicing yoga, one goes within, being aware of what is happening inside the body. Whatever the body can do in a yoga session is exactly what it should be doing. One accepts without judging.
As you continue practicing yoga, you may find that yoga can lead to a journey within yourself. You may find the link between the body, mind and spirit to offer a new area of inner growth and self-understanding.
Some interesting and important facts about Yoga
? Yoga is over 5000 years old.
? Yoga originated in India.
? “Yoga” is a Sanskrit word, which means “to yoke” or “to bind.”
? “Asana” is what the yoga postures are called.
? Several asanas done in succession without a break or pause is called a “vinyasa.”
? Yoga should be done on an empty stomach. Prior to practicing yoga, you should only eat something light, at least two hours before the class.
? Loose, comfortable clothing should be worn to do yoga.
? Yoga increases flexibility, lowers stress, and increases your energy level.
Yoga Asanas
In yoga classes the body is moved forward, backward and laterally. Twists, inversions and balance poses are also done. Each of these movements affects the body in a psychological way.
Psychological aspects of each movement.
? Forward Bending : Listening, Humility, Trust, Surrender
? Lateral Bending : General resiliency in life, Flexibility, Ability to dodge, change direction
? Twisting : Helps to look at and accept the past, Versatility
? Backward Bending : To do a thing to the extreme, to bend over backward, Aggression.
? Inversion : Try new things, less fixed, Change in attitude, Confidence.
? Balance : Control of emotions and reactions, Balance of mind and body, Stamina, staying power.
? Savasana : Turning loose of control, letting go, Trust.
Benefits of yoga to all
Yoga can help every body feel better. It reduces stress. It improves flexibility and muscle tone, increases circulation, relieves chronic pain and alleviates anxiety-related disorders. Best of all, it cultivates physical awareness, refreshes your energy, and offers a little vacation from the everyday grind.
Yoga encourages us to remove the physical and mental obstacles in our lives that create stress and take us out of balance. It supports us in developing personal practices that cultivate a sense of light, harmony, health, and well-being.
Yoga benefits people of all ages, men and women, marathoners and the athletically challenged. Millions of people worldwide have embraced yoga as a way to manage life’s physical and emotional difficulties, from chronic back pain to anxiety and depression.
I am Mirza Mohd Ali Baig, an Seo professional From India.. having experience of more than 3 years of hardcore Seo Services…
http://www.seo-professional-india.com
http://www.article-submission.net
Yoga in Practice: Helping Negative People (Part 1)
Do you know someone with a perennial dark cloud over his or her head? You?re thinking: ?I want to avoid negative people, not waste my time helping them out.? What if this person is a family member, or loved one, who has turned bitter for some reason? You care deeply for this person and want to help.
Helping people is an example of selfless service, without seeking a reward of any kind. We also know this as Karma Yoga. Mahatma Gandhi is a classic example of a Karma Yoga practitioner.
However, how many of us can be as kind, or as enlightened, as Mahatma Gandhi? You really don?t have to; all you have to do is your personal best. Isn?t this what Yoga, or ?Unity,? is all about? We accept that we have limits in our Yoga practice, but we are persistent in our efforts to do better next time.
Some of the most negative people I have met - have everything, but they don?t see the ?field of diamonds? in their own backyard. Everything is always better somewhere else. No matter how much love they get, or how many possessions they acquire, they are never happy. Some of these people create their own environment and cannot see it. Through observation, you will notice that ?money cannot buy happiness.? The saddest people on this earth are the extremely poor and the extremely wealthy. This is not a rule, and there are exceptions. Some of the extremely wealthy people practice Karma Yoga, by helping, and giving, to the less fortunate.
Jesus once said, ?It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Why is this philosophy so close to Karma Yoga? There is a simple answer: We are obligated to help the less fortunate because it is morally right. This is a universal principle in every religion.
Helping the poor, and giving to the poor, will make the wealthy person sleep better at night. If you follow any religion, you will notice that there is a price to be paid in the next life, or in the after life, for gluttony. However, the price is being paid now, in this life, and on this earth.
How can I say this? The only people of great wealth who are happy are the givers. Those who do public service and help others have found a way to put their status and money to work for the common good.
As Andrew Carnegie once said, ?Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.?
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Helping people is an example of selfless service, without seeking a reward of any kind. We also know this as Karma Yoga. Mahatma Gandhi is a classic example of a Karma Yoga practitioner.
However, how many of us can be as kind, or as enlightened, as Mahatma Gandhi? You really don?t have to; all you have to do is your personal best. Isn?t this what Yoga, or ?Unity,? is all about? We accept that we have limits in our Yoga practice, but we are persistent in our efforts to do better next time.
Some of the most negative people I have met - have everything, but they don?t see the ?field of diamonds? in their own backyard. Everything is always better somewhere else. No matter how much love they get, or how many possessions they acquire, they are never happy. Some of these people create their own environment and cannot see it. Through observation, you will notice that ?money cannot buy happiness.? The saddest people on this earth are the extremely poor and the extremely wealthy. This is not a rule, and there are exceptions. Some of the extremely wealthy people practice Karma Yoga, by helping, and giving, to the less fortunate.
Jesus once said, ?It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Why is this philosophy so close to Karma Yoga? There is a simple answer: We are obligated to help the less fortunate because it is morally right. This is a universal principle in every religion.
Helping the poor, and giving to the poor, will make the wealthy person sleep better at night. If you follow any religion, you will notice that there is a price to be paid in the next life, or in the after life, for gluttony. However, the price is being paid now, in this life, and on this earth.
How can I say this? The only people of great wealth who are happy are the givers. Those who do public service and help others have found a way to put their status and money to work for the common good.
As Andrew Carnegie once said, ?Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.?
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
February 22, 2009
Jnana Yoga & Bug-Free Beliefs
In Hinduism there are said to be several paths that lead to the cessation of human suffering. These are known as the four yogas: karma yoga (action, work, service), bhakti yoga (love, devotion, worship), raja yoga (meditation, mental control, ?psychic? exercise), and jnana yoga (knowledge, philosophy, enquiry). No one yoga is better or worse than any other, but individuals will tend to find themselves drawn to one yoga more than the others.
Jnana Yoga
If you?ve been following this blog regularly and digesting some of my lengthier posts, then it should be fairly obvious that among these four, my personal preference is jnana yoga, which is the path of attempting to understand reality through the process of enquiry, i.e. through the mind. In practice, however, I spend time working on all four of these yogas. I express karma yoga through the act of writing and striving to help others grow. Bhakti yoga (love) is an internal, less public path for me. And I?ve done a variety of meditations in the practice of raja yoga. But jnana yoga remains the most compelling for me. I seem to have an insatiable curiosity to understand reality on an intellectual level. It isn?t enough for me to simply feel the truth of something in my heart or to find peace through action. I strive to create a mental model of reality that?s as accurate as possible.
If you share the path of jnana yoga, you?ll likely find the process of enquiry to be fascinating and rewarding. You probably enjoy open-minded, intellectual discussion of high-level subjects. And you may often feel frustrated or isolated to meet few people around you who seem as curious about such things as you are. Formal religion is likely to be too static and ritualistic for you, even downright boring. For you the path of spirituality is the path of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Your desire to know is very strong.
But if jnana yoga isn?t your cup of tea, then you may simply find the notion of enquiry into the nature of reality to be pointless, overwhelming, or impractical. In that case you?re more likely to be interested in this blog for the practical productivity articles that help you improve your ability to do what you?re already doing? as opposed to those that challenge you to consider whether what you?re doing even makes any sense to begin with. Nothing wrong with that ? these are just different paths.
The Quest for Accuracy
One of the great challenges in personal development and in human life overall is that we exist in a world where we don?t fully understand the rules. And yet we cannot simply call a time out and refer to the instruction book, at least not in a direct and obvious way.
When I was a teenager, I began to question the nature of reality instead of merely swallowing what I was taught, whether it came from a priest or a scientist.
What led me to start asking such questions in the first place? It was something very simple ? inaccuracy. I would occasionally notice that the world did not function in the manner I expected it to function. And as a consequence of that, I experienced a certain degree of suffering. When your beliefs are incongruent with reality, some form of suffering is the result.
It took me many years to realize that my sense of suffering, pain, or otherwise unpleasant sensations were NOT caused by reality itself. They were caused by my own lack of understanding of reality. Inaccuracy is the root of all suffering.
Following the path of jnana yoga is like playing detective, where everything you experience is a clue, a pointer to the underlying reality. My biggest breakthroughs have come about from noticing a piece of data that just didn?t seem to fit my current working model of reality. If you take the time to reflect upon your own experience of reality, you?ll probably find at least a few pieces that just don?t seem to fit. Have you ever experienced something that you just can?t explain? Does fitting that experience into your current model of reality feel like trying to shove a square peg into a round hole?
For example, consider the concept of objective reality, which suggests that we?re all physical beings in a physical universe, and our thoughts and consciousness are merely epiphenomena of the physical world. Can you think of a piece that just doesn?t seem to fit this model, something that sticks out a bit?
Think hard.
How about the fact that you?re you? You?re you and you alone, not me and not anyone else. Does anything seem odd about that?
You notice that you have a physical body, and by looking around you notice that there are a lot of other physical bodies walking around this world as well. You can even touch and interact with them. You?ve been taught that there are over six billion of these bodies walking around on earth. No problem there so far.
However, how many consciousnesses do you perceive? You can perceive lots and lots of moving, talking bodies in the world, but you?re only able to perceive one consciousness. By consciousness I mean awareness, and that awareness appears to have a localized connection to your particular body, but you aren?t able to perceive the connection between your consciousness and other people?s bodies, at least not to the same degree you perceive the connection to your own body. Doesn?t this seem a bit strange to you? Why on earth should your consciousness be localized?
You can be fairly sure that I have a body just like you ? you can at least perceive it through your senses. You can come find me and access my physical form. But can you access my consciousness? Do you actually have any reason whatsoever to believe that I?m conscious at all in the same way that you are? Your senses tell you that there are lots of people in the world with physical bodies similar to yours. But you don?t have that same perception of consciousness. In fact, I dare say the only consciousness you perceive is your own. As far as you can tell, you?re the only truly conscious being in the world, aren?t you? Why would you assume that any of those other bodies walking around in your world experience individualized consciousness as you do? Isn?t that a pretty big stretch, considering the available evidence?
Do you make this assumption when you?re dreaming? Do you assume that your dream characters have a separate consciousness different from your own? Why on earth would you make this assumption in your waking life then?
The raw experiential data you?re able to know with certainty is that you can perceive lots of other physical bodies walking around, but you only directly perceive that one of them is conscious and aware ? you.
Now why is that? Does the model of objective reality provide a clear explanation for this? Does it tell you why your awareness is connected to you and not me or anyone else? If objective reality is to be believed, then why should you have a localized consciousness at all? Wouldn?t it make more sense for there to be no consciousness or awareness at all in such a universe? Or at the very least, if there is consciousness in the world, wouldn?t it be more logical that it should be totally non-local, not identified with any particular physical body? These are some pretty significant holes in the objective reality paradigm.
The process of enquiry can create cracks in certain belief systems, and by shedding those cracked beliefs (no matter how attached to them you may be), you?ll gradually develop a deeper understanding of the true nature of reality. In order to understand reality, you must first shed your false and inaccurate beliefs about it. This process is even more basic than science because science assumes the existence of objective reality. However, the process of enquiry begins with what you?re able to know through direct experience and doesn?t require you to make such unprovable assumptions. Your own consciousness is fundamental to your experience of life, so you don?t need to be convinced of its existence ? this is why your consciousness is perhaps the best place to start when attempting to develop an accurate model of reality. Any model of reality you strive to create must, at a bare minimum, explain the existence of your consciousness and why you experience it the way you do, including its apparent localized connection to your physical body. Otherwise, you?re ignoring a very crucial piece of data.
The belief in objective reality requires a rather large leap of faith. It isn?t fundamental. It?s simply one of many theories, one that begins with an assumption and which contains some problematic holes.
Another flawed model of reality would be a purely subjective one, suggesting that all of reality is created by your own thoughts. Through trial and error, you may find that a subjective model of reality (with respect to your own mind) doesn?t appear to be accurate either.
As you search for the real truth, you may perceive that reality has both objective and subjective elements to it. Some parts appear to be influenced, even controlled, by your thoughts. Other parts appear to be independent of your thoughts. But the most fundamental thing you?re able to perceive is the existence of this one consciousness, one awareness silently noticing reality unfolding.
You?ll know you?re making progress with jnana yoga when your constant experience of reality becomes one of utter amazement and wonder. You should be amazed, perhaps even freaked out a bit, when you attempt to stretch your mind to understand reality as accurately as possible. What is reality? It?s not fully objective, not completely subjective. Not quite a thing, not quite a thought. How does it work? What?s under the hood? What is its nature?
While you might be willing to settle for living with your current model of reality, begin to notice where that model begins to break down. You will know when it breaks because you?ll experience some form of suffering. But suffering is not there to punish you. It is there to serve as a wake-up call, telling you that you have an inaccurate model of reality and that the way to end your suffering is to correct the errors in your mental model.
Debugging Your Beliefs
What happens when a computer program is created by a programmer who makes inaccurate assumptions? The program will contain errors ? aka bugs. It won?t function optimally, and it may even crash. Your own mental software works the same way. When your beliefs about reality are inaccurate, you will experience bugs. Occasionally you may crash. Just as a computer program runs on certain hardware, you must work within the confines of your own physical hardware. But if you are experiencing software (not hardware) crashes in your life ? such as depression, hopelessness, anger, frustration, apathy, guilt, resentment, shame, or fear ? it?s because your code contains bugs. It means you?ve made some inaccurate assumptions. Your ?code? consists of your beliefs about reality.
If you want to run more accurate code (and thereby experience less suffering and pain in your life), then you must develop an accurate understanding of the hardware, the operating system, and the environment in which your code will run. You need to prevent the introduction of coding errors, and whenever you notice errors (which appear as some form of suffering), you must debug them. This means you need to identify the belief that?s causing the suffering and then either delete or rewrite it.
Your mental software doesn?t have to provide every possible feature in order to run properly. It just needs to be free of bugs. Code that isn?t written is inherently bug-free. You cannot crash code that doesn?t exist. Similarly, you cannot experience suffering if your beliefs about reality are bug-free, meaning that they contain no inaccuracies. When your code is accurate (even if there isn?t very much of it), you will experience states of peace, wonder, and amazement as your normal daily existence. Your code will not only run smoothly, but it will also be elegant. One of the deepest pleasures in computer program is the creation of elegant code. Elegant code is both accurate and efficient in a way that transcends mere logic and begins to cross into the domain of art. It is as close to perfection as computer programs can get.
Similarly, when your beliefs about reality become elegant, you will find that the program of your life takes on an almost unfathomable smoothness. This is the manner in which jnana yoga makes it possible to transcend suffering and experience peace.
Copyright ? Steve Pavlina
Steve Pavlina
Personal Development for Smart People
http://www.stevepavlina.com
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog (blog)
http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles (articles)
Steve is intensely growth-oriented. He trained in martial arts, ran the L.A. Marathon, and graduated from college in three semesters with two degrees. He can juggle, count cards at blackjack, and make damn good guacamole. Steve is also a polyphasic sleeper, sleeping just 2-3 hours per day and only 20 minutes at a time. So chances are good that he’s awake right now.
Jnana Yoga
If you?ve been following this blog regularly and digesting some of my lengthier posts, then it should be fairly obvious that among these four, my personal preference is jnana yoga, which is the path of attempting to understand reality through the process of enquiry, i.e. through the mind. In practice, however, I spend time working on all four of these yogas. I express karma yoga through the act of writing and striving to help others grow. Bhakti yoga (love) is an internal, less public path for me. And I?ve done a variety of meditations in the practice of raja yoga. But jnana yoga remains the most compelling for me. I seem to have an insatiable curiosity to understand reality on an intellectual level. It isn?t enough for me to simply feel the truth of something in my heart or to find peace through action. I strive to create a mental model of reality that?s as accurate as possible.
If you share the path of jnana yoga, you?ll likely find the process of enquiry to be fascinating and rewarding. You probably enjoy open-minded, intellectual discussion of high-level subjects. And you may often feel frustrated or isolated to meet few people around you who seem as curious about such things as you are. Formal religion is likely to be too static and ritualistic for you, even downright boring. For you the path of spirituality is the path of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Your desire to know is very strong.
But if jnana yoga isn?t your cup of tea, then you may simply find the notion of enquiry into the nature of reality to be pointless, overwhelming, or impractical. In that case you?re more likely to be interested in this blog for the practical productivity articles that help you improve your ability to do what you?re already doing? as opposed to those that challenge you to consider whether what you?re doing even makes any sense to begin with. Nothing wrong with that ? these are just different paths.
The Quest for Accuracy
One of the great challenges in personal development and in human life overall is that we exist in a world where we don?t fully understand the rules. And yet we cannot simply call a time out and refer to the instruction book, at least not in a direct and obvious way.
When I was a teenager, I began to question the nature of reality instead of merely swallowing what I was taught, whether it came from a priest or a scientist.
What led me to start asking such questions in the first place? It was something very simple ? inaccuracy. I would occasionally notice that the world did not function in the manner I expected it to function. And as a consequence of that, I experienced a certain degree of suffering. When your beliefs are incongruent with reality, some form of suffering is the result.
It took me many years to realize that my sense of suffering, pain, or otherwise unpleasant sensations were NOT caused by reality itself. They were caused by my own lack of understanding of reality. Inaccuracy is the root of all suffering.
Following the path of jnana yoga is like playing detective, where everything you experience is a clue, a pointer to the underlying reality. My biggest breakthroughs have come about from noticing a piece of data that just didn?t seem to fit my current working model of reality. If you take the time to reflect upon your own experience of reality, you?ll probably find at least a few pieces that just don?t seem to fit. Have you ever experienced something that you just can?t explain? Does fitting that experience into your current model of reality feel like trying to shove a square peg into a round hole?
For example, consider the concept of objective reality, which suggests that we?re all physical beings in a physical universe, and our thoughts and consciousness are merely epiphenomena of the physical world. Can you think of a piece that just doesn?t seem to fit this model, something that sticks out a bit?
Think hard.
How about the fact that you?re you? You?re you and you alone, not me and not anyone else. Does anything seem odd about that?
You notice that you have a physical body, and by looking around you notice that there are a lot of other physical bodies walking around this world as well. You can even touch and interact with them. You?ve been taught that there are over six billion of these bodies walking around on earth. No problem there so far.
However, how many consciousnesses do you perceive? You can perceive lots and lots of moving, talking bodies in the world, but you?re only able to perceive one consciousness. By consciousness I mean awareness, and that awareness appears to have a localized connection to your particular body, but you aren?t able to perceive the connection between your consciousness and other people?s bodies, at least not to the same degree you perceive the connection to your own body. Doesn?t this seem a bit strange to you? Why on earth should your consciousness be localized?
You can be fairly sure that I have a body just like you ? you can at least perceive it through your senses. You can come find me and access my physical form. But can you access my consciousness? Do you actually have any reason whatsoever to believe that I?m conscious at all in the same way that you are? Your senses tell you that there are lots of people in the world with physical bodies similar to yours. But you don?t have that same perception of consciousness. In fact, I dare say the only consciousness you perceive is your own. As far as you can tell, you?re the only truly conscious being in the world, aren?t you? Why would you assume that any of those other bodies walking around in your world experience individualized consciousness as you do? Isn?t that a pretty big stretch, considering the available evidence?
Do you make this assumption when you?re dreaming? Do you assume that your dream characters have a separate consciousness different from your own? Why on earth would you make this assumption in your waking life then?
The raw experiential data you?re able to know with certainty is that you can perceive lots of other physical bodies walking around, but you only directly perceive that one of them is conscious and aware ? you.
Now why is that? Does the model of objective reality provide a clear explanation for this? Does it tell you why your awareness is connected to you and not me or anyone else? If objective reality is to be believed, then why should you have a localized consciousness at all? Wouldn?t it make more sense for there to be no consciousness or awareness at all in such a universe? Or at the very least, if there is consciousness in the world, wouldn?t it be more logical that it should be totally non-local, not identified with any particular physical body? These are some pretty significant holes in the objective reality paradigm.
The process of enquiry can create cracks in certain belief systems, and by shedding those cracked beliefs (no matter how attached to them you may be), you?ll gradually develop a deeper understanding of the true nature of reality. In order to understand reality, you must first shed your false and inaccurate beliefs about it. This process is even more basic than science because science assumes the existence of objective reality. However, the process of enquiry begins with what you?re able to know through direct experience and doesn?t require you to make such unprovable assumptions. Your own consciousness is fundamental to your experience of life, so you don?t need to be convinced of its existence ? this is why your consciousness is perhaps the best place to start when attempting to develop an accurate model of reality. Any model of reality you strive to create must, at a bare minimum, explain the existence of your consciousness and why you experience it the way you do, including its apparent localized connection to your physical body. Otherwise, you?re ignoring a very crucial piece of data.
The belief in objective reality requires a rather large leap of faith. It isn?t fundamental. It?s simply one of many theories, one that begins with an assumption and which contains some problematic holes.
Another flawed model of reality would be a purely subjective one, suggesting that all of reality is created by your own thoughts. Through trial and error, you may find that a subjective model of reality (with respect to your own mind) doesn?t appear to be accurate either.
As you search for the real truth, you may perceive that reality has both objective and subjective elements to it. Some parts appear to be influenced, even controlled, by your thoughts. Other parts appear to be independent of your thoughts. But the most fundamental thing you?re able to perceive is the existence of this one consciousness, one awareness silently noticing reality unfolding.
You?ll know you?re making progress with jnana yoga when your constant experience of reality becomes one of utter amazement and wonder. You should be amazed, perhaps even freaked out a bit, when you attempt to stretch your mind to understand reality as accurately as possible. What is reality? It?s not fully objective, not completely subjective. Not quite a thing, not quite a thought. How does it work? What?s under the hood? What is its nature?
While you might be willing to settle for living with your current model of reality, begin to notice where that model begins to break down. You will know when it breaks because you?ll experience some form of suffering. But suffering is not there to punish you. It is there to serve as a wake-up call, telling you that you have an inaccurate model of reality and that the way to end your suffering is to correct the errors in your mental model.
Debugging Your Beliefs
What happens when a computer program is created by a programmer who makes inaccurate assumptions? The program will contain errors ? aka bugs. It won?t function optimally, and it may even crash. Your own mental software works the same way. When your beliefs about reality are inaccurate, you will experience bugs. Occasionally you may crash. Just as a computer program runs on certain hardware, you must work within the confines of your own physical hardware. But if you are experiencing software (not hardware) crashes in your life ? such as depression, hopelessness, anger, frustration, apathy, guilt, resentment, shame, or fear ? it?s because your code contains bugs. It means you?ve made some inaccurate assumptions. Your ?code? consists of your beliefs about reality.
If you want to run more accurate code (and thereby experience less suffering and pain in your life), then you must develop an accurate understanding of the hardware, the operating system, and the environment in which your code will run. You need to prevent the introduction of coding errors, and whenever you notice errors (which appear as some form of suffering), you must debug them. This means you need to identify the belief that?s causing the suffering and then either delete or rewrite it.
Your mental software doesn?t have to provide every possible feature in order to run properly. It just needs to be free of bugs. Code that isn?t written is inherently bug-free. You cannot crash code that doesn?t exist. Similarly, you cannot experience suffering if your beliefs about reality are bug-free, meaning that they contain no inaccuracies. When your code is accurate (even if there isn?t very much of it), you will experience states of peace, wonder, and amazement as your normal daily existence. Your code will not only run smoothly, but it will also be elegant. One of the deepest pleasures in computer program is the creation of elegant code. Elegant code is both accurate and efficient in a way that transcends mere logic and begins to cross into the domain of art. It is as close to perfection as computer programs can get.
Similarly, when your beliefs about reality become elegant, you will find that the program of your life takes on an almost unfathomable smoothness. This is the manner in which jnana yoga makes it possible to transcend suffering and experience peace.
Copyright ? Steve Pavlina
Steve Pavlina
Personal Development for Smart People
http://www.stevepavlina.com
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog (blog)
http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles (articles)
Steve is intensely growth-oriented. He trained in martial arts, ran the L.A. Marathon, and graduated from college in three semesters with two degrees. He can juggle, count cards at blackjack, and make damn good guacamole. Steve is also a polyphasic sleeper, sleeping just 2-3 hours per day and only 20 minutes at a time. So chances are good that he’s awake right now.
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