Yoga & Ayurveda Blog

Atha - The Auspicious Beginning

"Atha", the first word in Yogasūtra signifies an auspicious beginning - so we will begin our discussions with the word Atha.

Atha means a variety of things - indicative of a new tide, a change in scenario, the beginning of an enquiry, a quiet prayer, a vow taken by both the teacher and the student. Patañjali thus begins his definitive text with a word that packs a host of these, and many more ideas. However the most popular and simple meaning...

What does the word 'Now' mean? Is it a temporal meaning, the time that a clock indicates that is referred to, or is it something more than that? Many learned commentators have come out with different interpretations of this word Atha as 'Now'. Let us look at some of them.

'Now' stands for Adhikāram, which is the right or eligibility to study and practice Yoga. Texts like Vedanta specify strict qualifications to undertake their study....

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Śraddha - The motive force

The single largest motive force for the practice of yoga is “Śraddha”.
 
Patanjali introduces the idea of  śraddha in...
 
Many learned commentators are not overawed by these people. According to them such progress is not commendable. Since the achievement is not based on a strong foundation, sustaining the progress made is suspect and a slide back is a distinct possibility.
 
Such talented people may not be steadfast and are always on the lookout for new avenues to conquer. They often get bored easily or are...

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Satya - seek and speak the truth

“Satya” is a part of Yama, the first anga or limb of Astāngayoga. It is the second  [ the first being Ahimsa ] of the five Yama-s that are prescribed. The focus of Yama is to improve our relationship with friends, relatives and fellow living beings. Its aim is to establish harmony in our life, harmony with our surroundings. Satya should be understood in this spirit.

Yogasūtra...
 
These varied opinions on satya can be classified into three major categories. We will now look at the first of these.

Satya is to speak the truth - nothing but the truth. In this context, what one speaks is in perfect conformity with what one 'understands' as correct, the pramāna. Pramāna is acquired through senses, logical interpretation, words of an authority...

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Yogasūtra - a perennial treasure

Every Thursday a group of us meet at 'Yoga Raksanam' for an hour long lecture/discussion on Patañjali's Yogasūtra. We began in February 2007, and having explored the first chapter, are now at the 16th sūtra of 'Sādhanapāda', the second chapter. With the desire of some of us, to take this satsangh to another level, share learning and insights, invite meaningful discussion of this profound text, was born this blog.

Yogasūtra is a sanskrit text in the 'sūtra'...

Many ancient philosophies had an upper hand for a period of time and then died a natural death as new ideas took the centre stage, attracting the fancy of the intelligensia. But the philosophy of Yoga has survived trials and turbulance through the ages and is still going strong. Its depth of teaching, universal application and innate ability to adapt to new thoughts, makes it appeal to changing tastes and logic.

Since Yogasūtra is soul stirring and...

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Paths to Truth

We had several responses to the blog on 'Atha', and we thank all those who wrote in. Thomas has added one more meaning to 'now' – 'Now' means having tried everything else and failed, come to Yoga, I will help you. [Thank you Thomas for this contribution], I would like to respond to this.

The classical text, Brahmasūtra, also known as Vedānta, by Veda Vyāsa, starts with the word 'athātah'. 'Anta' means end or conclusion, so Vedānta,...
Atha+tah is generally understood as “you have studied all other darsanā-s [there are five others]; having seen the shortcomings in them, 'now' come to Vedānta, which will provide a lasting solution”.

In this post I will discuss the purpose of sūtra 6 of chapter 1 of Yogasūtra.
– pratyaksa anumana āgamāh pramānāni

in which Sage Patanjali defines the sources for correct understanding....

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Śraddha - the prime force

A ten-month old child touches a hot iron by mistake, burns his hand and never goes near the iron for maybe the next few years. The same child crawls, gets up to walk, staggers, stumbles and falls backwards. In the process he hurts his head badly. The child wails and screams and brings the roof down. A couple of hours later, the child gets up and once again attempts to walk. Why is it that the child who shuns the iron after getting hurt by it just once, gets up to try and walk again and...

This is 'śraddha' – the prime motive force to practice and progress in Yoga. There is no equivalent word in English [or in Tamil which is my native tongue] for śraddha.  Interest, motivation, faith, belief, trust, eagerness, conviction, enthusiasm, etc – if all these and similar words are put into a box, mixed up and we come up with one word to represent their collective spirit, that word is  śraddha. It refers...

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Vairagya - The art of giving up

Hello, it is nice to be back after a brief holiday. I would like to respond to Shuba's question first.

Anumānā :- Ma means to measure, that is to understand something. Anu - means to follow . So Anumānā is to arrive at an understanding following a lead where direct perception is not possible. Arthapatti, Upamānā etc fall under the broad classification of Anumānā. (Anumānā is an interesting and big subject. Maybe...

Sūtra I.2 states:

Yoga is "Citta Vritti Nirodha" - to move towards, reach and stay at the state of 'Nirodha'. Explaining the means to reach this state, Sage Patanjali highlights the inseparable twins, Abhyāsa and Vairāgya [practice and dispassion] as the first and foremost tools. They, like the two wheels of a bicycle, must roll together and synchronise to ensure a smooth forward movement and progress.

Regarding abhyāsa,...

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Ayurveda in your daily life

Ayurveda is best understood as a way of life. There are some simple things you can do in your daily life.

For example, did you know that when you have a cold, avoiding dairy products and sweets helps you to recover faster? Or that when you are nervous, or anxious then eating salads is NOT the best idea? You might know this one though, when you are irritable or angry spicy foods are not recommended.

Radiation

Important for everyone concerned with the possible radiation heading our way to Hawaii. Ayurvedic recommendations for excess radiation:

1. Take 'Rasayani' formula 2x per day (available at the Yoga Awareness studio).
2. Abhyanga treatments with Pitta oil or personal Pitta oil treatments at home.

Any questions just call Yoga Awareness 808-280-7771 or contact...