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laramie at 04:46pm on 05/11/2007
laramie at 04:46pm on 05/11/2007 Abstracted from this web site.
To grow and develop spiritually all of the limbs of Ashtanga Yoga need attention. They provide a means by which the philosophy of yoga can be understood, as well as developing practices which lead to deeper spiritual awareness (and ultimately Self-realisation). The limbs are not meant to be practiced in isolation, but to form an integrated practice (Integral Yoga).
The first limb is that of Yama - social codes of conduct and ethical restraints. Yama is divided into five sub-divisions:
The second limb of Ashtanga Yoga is that of Niyama - personal codes of conduct, and self-disciplines. These principles build on those of yama, forming a complete spirit-based means of living.
The third limb is Asana meaning "posture" or "seat". This limb is known in the West through the practice of Hatha Yoga. the ability to hold the body still for meditation. Stillness in the body allows stillness to flow into the mind and spirit, a restless body disrupts this process and prevents the meditative state from arising.
Pranayama makes up the fourth limb - its meaning is derived from two sanskrit terms, "prana" (life force/vital energy) and "ayama" (the control/manipulation needed to direct prana). Pranayama is the manipulation of the flow of prana via the voluntary regulation/control of the process of breathing.
The fifth limb is Pratyahara or sense withdrawal. It is the prcess of turning the attention inward away from the external world and all its distractions. Pleasure provided by the senses is temporary and we cannot hold onto it indefinitely, but reconnecting with the Soul provides a more lasting and spiritually satisfying state. Inner joy and peace are attained by turning perception inward to the Divine Source.
Dharana (voluntary fixing of attention, concentration, interiorization of the mind) is the sixth limb. To achieve dharana we need to relax the mind and body - the less tension there is the easier it becomes to focus the attention. The body and mind need to be steadied through the practice of asana so that the mind can remain fixed on the object of concentration without distraction.
The seventh limb is Dhyana (contemplation, meditation, unbroken concentration, or absorption). In the meditative state of dhyana there are no longer any distractions (outer or inner) and the mind becomes One with the object of meditation.
The final limb is Samadhi - Self-realisation, God-realisation, Supreme Bliss, Highest State of Consciousness, true goal of life/yoga: “When the consciousness of duality of subject and object disappears and only the true nature of the object contemplated remains, that is absorption (samadhi)” Yoga-Sutra 3:3. There is no longer any separation, all polar opposites have merged and we experience at-one-ment or "enlightenment".
To grow and develop spiritually all of the limbs of Ashtanga Yoga need attention. They provide a means by which the philosophy of yoga can be understood, as well as developing practices which lead to deeper spiritual awareness (and ultimately Self-realisation). The limbs are not meant to be practiced in isolation, but to form an integrated practice (Integral Yoga).
The first limb is that of Yama - social codes of conduct and ethical restraints. Yama is divided into five sub-divisions:
- Ahimsa meaning non-violence (non-injury, non-harming) is the first yama.. It is more than just abstaining from physical violence. It relates to thought, word, and deed. In Yoga all are seen as ONE, so to commit an act of violence against another being is in fact commiting an act of violence against oneself.
- Satya, meaning truthfulness or non-lying. All relationships require trust and honesty. We need to develop integrity in thought, word, and deed, Integrity in the spiritual sense means that you are the same inside and out - that your actions, words etc reflect your innermost values.
- Asteya or non-stealing is the third yama. Asteya refers not just to stealing of material objects. The mind seeks fulfillment outside itself, and it can never be satisfied, as one desire is met another surfaces to replace it. Asteya means not depriving another of what is righfully theirs. Whatever we gain in this manner is fool's gold, it has no substance, and the satisfaction gained will not last.
- The fourth yama is Brahmacharya; literally: mastery of one’s creative force. Brahmacharya places sexuality in a sacred context. It is the context in which we express ourselves sexually that determines its "purity". To practice Brahmacharya means using discrimination in when and with whom we express ourselves sexually. A spiritual/sacred relationship is grounded in trust, honesty and commitment. If we see someone only in terms of self-gratification then we are bound to be disappointed, and the relationship will be doomed.
- The fifth and final yama is Aparigraha or non-attachment, non-greed. It means not craving the belongings of another, and not hoarding or accumulating unnecessary possessions. True security comes from letting go of attachments to things we don't have (our desires) and the things we already possess (as they may be lost at any moment). Security is found in placing trust in the Divine, knowing that all we really need will be provided, and in abundance. Security comes from acting out of love and generosity.
The second limb of Ashtanga Yoga is that of Niyama - personal codes of conduct, and self-disciplines. These principles build on those of yama, forming a complete spirit-based means of living.
- The first niyama is Saucha - cleanliness and purity. It means total cleanliness both internally and externally. Saucha also involves maintaining clean surroundings and a pleasant environment. It is like wiping the dirt from a lamp so that its light can shine through.
- Santosha or contentment is the second niyama. Contentment is a state of inner balance and well-being regardless of outer circumstances. Contentment comes from accepting one's true place in the Universe, accepting each moment without the desire to change it.
- The third niyama is Tapas - meaning austerity, focus, self-discipline. The literal meaning of tapas is "heat" or "inner fire". Tapas is concentrated energy, will power, determination to create a spiritual vision of life. When the mind and body are purified and disciplined they focus effortlessly on the path and the Self is able to express itself fully.
- Svadhaya - (self study, study of the yamas and niyamas, and the repetition of mantras). Svadhaya requires deep introspection and awareness of the self - the aspirant becomes the witness or observer of themselves; observation of thoughts, feelings, desires, behaviors, attitudes etc.
- The final niyama is Isvarapranidhana, or "Surrender to God". Surrender to God comes from the realisation that we are not our mind, body or senses. Our true being is pure energy, eternal - it is Soul, Self, Pure Consciousness.
The third limb is Asana meaning "posture" or "seat". This limb is known in the West through the practice of Hatha Yoga. the ability to hold the body still for meditation. Stillness in the body allows stillness to flow into the mind and spirit, a restless body disrupts this process and prevents the meditative state from arising.
Pranayama makes up the fourth limb - its meaning is derived from two sanskrit terms, "prana" (life force/vital energy) and "ayama" (the control/manipulation needed to direct prana). Pranayama is the manipulation of the flow of prana via the voluntary regulation/control of the process of breathing.
The fifth limb is Pratyahara or sense withdrawal. It is the prcess of turning the attention inward away from the external world and all its distractions. Pleasure provided by the senses is temporary and we cannot hold onto it indefinitely, but reconnecting with the Soul provides a more lasting and spiritually satisfying state. Inner joy and peace are attained by turning perception inward to the Divine Source.
Dharana (voluntary fixing of attention, concentration, interiorization of the mind) is the sixth limb. To achieve dharana we need to relax the mind and body - the less tension there is the easier it becomes to focus the attention. The body and mind need to be steadied through the practice of asana so that the mind can remain fixed on the object of concentration without distraction.
The seventh limb is Dhyana (contemplation, meditation, unbroken concentration, or absorption). In the meditative state of dhyana there are no longer any distractions (outer or inner) and the mind becomes One with the object of meditation.
The final limb is Samadhi - Self-realisation, God-realisation, Supreme Bliss, Highest State of Consciousness, true goal of life/yoga: “When the consciousness of duality of subject and object disappears and only the true nature of the object contemplated remains, that is absorption (samadhi)” Yoga-Sutra 3:3. There is no longer any separation, all polar opposites have merged and we experience at-one-ment or "enlightenment".