Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Patanjali Yoga Sutra - 30

Five attitudes towards the world

Ahimsa Satya Asteya Brahmacharya Aparigrahaha Yamaha|

The five attitudes towards the external world are Ahimsa - non-injury to people, other creatures and material objects - by thought, word and deed and an active practice of compassion, Satya or speaking the truth as it is, in a way that it does not hurt or harm others as it should be in tune with Ahimsa, Asteya - not stealing or taking something that does not belong to you, integrity in using only that which belongs to you, Brahmacharya - treading the path of the Brahman or consciousness in all thoughts, words and action and Aparigrahaha - not acquiring excessive material possessions, more than what you may need.
These five qualities help to purify the mind and make it a fit vehicle to grasp the truth of consciousness. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2: 29


Eight steps to liberation

Yama Niyama Asana Pranayama Pratyahara Dharana Dhyana Samadhayoshtavangani||

The eight limbs or parts of yoga are yama or self-restraints, niyamas or following certain regulations, asana or a steady posture, pranayama or regulation of the flow of prana by regulating the breathing pattern, Pratyahara or withdrawing the sense organs of smell, touch, taste, hearing, vision and the mind from going outwardly into objects of the world and turning within towards the supreme consciousness, dharana or the one-pointed concentration as an uplifting symbol, person or thought, dhyana or meditation. The eighth part, Samadhi is a natural outcome or the terrace space of emptiness after you climb the other seven steps. Of these eight parts, practice of the first five constitute Bahiranga Sadhana or outward practice while the last three amount to internal practice or Antaranga Sadhana. This can happen well within the mind unknown to other onlookers.
- Swahilya Shambhavi. (Pic. by Swahilya Shambhavi taken of a step farming in Ukhimath, Himalayas.)