Folks--
--When I first started a Hatha Yoga practice, it was merely to have some kind of physical discipline to balance out my busy mental life, and to keep myself healthy.
--Recently, I've become fascinated with the deeper meaning of Yoga as a method for knowing the Self, for moving toward enlightenment. I'm wondering how many people out there consider their practice as more than just a great workout, or a satic way of "keeping in touch" with their spiritual side?
--Right now, I'm reading "Vasistha's Yoga" (trans. Swami Venkatesananda) and feel surprised by some of the statements in it. Especially in light of how ritualistic and almost religious some forms of Yoga can be. Or how "touchy-feely" our West Coast sensibilities can be. It's not easy reading, but the book is very practical in a certain sense, with straight-forward language, unapologetic certainty on its points, and a complete lack of ritualism. I'm not sure where this text 'fits in' to the larger picture of Yogic practices. It's certainly not the Bhakti path, however!
--My wife, who is Catholic, has some big problems with Vasistha's view. Especially of concern to her is the seeming self-centered-ness of it (no pun intended!), the lack of importance placed on Love and Charity. Here's a quote I wanted to share, and see what people think:
"Austerity or penance is self-inflicted pain. Of what value is charity performed with wealth earned by deceiving others--only they derive the fruits of such charity! Religious observances add to one's vanity. There is only one remedy for ignorance of the Lord--the firm and decisive renunciation of craving for sense-pleasure."
--When I first started a Hatha Yoga practice, it was merely to have some kind of physical discipline to balance out my busy mental life, and to keep myself healthy.
--Recently, I've become fascinated with the deeper meaning of Yoga as a method for knowing the Self, for moving toward enlightenment. I'm wondering how many people out there consider their practice as more than just a great workout, or a satic way of "keeping in touch" with their spiritual side?
--Right now, I'm reading "Vasistha's Yoga" (trans. Swami Venkatesananda) and feel surprised by some of the statements in it. Especially in light of how ritualistic and almost religious some forms of Yoga can be. Or how "touchy-feely" our West Coast sensibilities can be. It's not easy reading, but the book is very practical in a certain sense, with straight-forward language, unapologetic certainty on its points, and a complete lack of ritualism. I'm not sure where this text 'fits in' to the larger picture of Yogic practices. It's certainly not the Bhakti path, however!
--My wife, who is Catholic, has some big problems with Vasistha's view. Especially of concern to her is the seeming self-centered-ness of it (no pun intended!), the lack of importance placed on Love and Charity. Here's a quote I wanted to share, and see what people think:
"Austerity or penance is self-inflicted pain. Of what value is charity performed with wealth earned by deceiving others--only they derive the fruits of such charity! Religious observances add to one's vanity. There is only one remedy for ignorance of the Lord--the firm and decisive renunciation of craving for sense-pleasure."
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SF Bay Area
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Re: Vasistha's Yoga
Wed, October 4, 2006 - 1:13 PMOf all the books I've read dealing with Yoga, Vasistha's Yoga feels like the clearest and most direct.
I'm reading it again for the second time and am recording all the powerful quotes I can find from it.
Here are a few I particularly liked:
VI.2:42 “What is IS the infinite consciousness.”
VI.2:42 “Nirvana, or liberation, is the non-experience of ego sense.”
VI.2:42 “The ignorant sees the world as physical reality, the wise as consciousness. To the wise there is neither ego sense nor the world.”
VI.2:42 “Conditioning alone is the mind, which ceases when inquired into.
VI.2:47 “In this world contentment alone is the best medicine, the best tonic and greatest good fortune. The content heart is ready for enlightenment. First turn away from worldliness, then resort to satsanga, enquire into the truth of scripture and cultivate disinterest in pleasure and you will attain the supreme truth.”
VI.2:48 “The supreme state is that which is.”
The quote you mentioned appears again and again in essence throughout the book. When our cravings stop. We get IT. Looking for happinness in any form indicates we don't get it. I remembered hearing a lot to look within for happiness. After reading this work I now know, that's still looking somewhere, and looking doesn't really help.
Ryan -
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Re: Vasistha's Yoga
Tue, September 4, 2007 - 2:19 PMYep...an amazing book. It and Jnaneshwar's Gita are to two top two for me.
Vasistha's Yoga can be very difficult for the mind to digest..The first time I read it it took about 4 years. After a couple of pages my mind would just stop. very powerful.
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