Evolution of Knowledge in Yoga: Past to Present (Series – Authentic Yoga Tradition-3)

     

     Evolution of Knowledge in Yoga: Past to Present

 (Series – Authentic Yoga Tradition-3)

By

Acharya Girish Jha, Mentor, Guide and Life Coach

Web: http://www.girishjha.org/       Blog: http://www.girishjha.net

“There are four Vedas, I answered to a question from Gurudev (my Mentor) in Himalayas”. Mentor said, “Veda means wisdom that awakens one to a Reality (highest consciousness within) that all are essentially one and only one. How can you bind the Absolute knowledge to books alone”? Later he elaborated that book names were given is a matter of convenience but every name conveys the progress of knowledge of Yoga since Vedic period until today. What is unique that fundamentals (aims at self-discovery) remained the same over a period of 7000 years but expression, practices (sadhana) have under gone changes in different ages. The ancient masters were known as Rishis who wrote most of the books -contemplated, experimented and experienced with different practices before they are made public and given only to right prospects, receptive and have burning aspiration to lead a spiritual life

Knowledge and practices of Yoga

The knowledge and practices of Yoga had evolved since its origin and still evolving in Modern age. This evolution represents the eternal nature of wisdom of Yoga .The science of Yoga started the oral tradition in the absence of written documentation, known as Master-Disciple Tradition that is continuing even today. These masters also evolved the best method of teaching and education where the knowledge was transmitted to disciplines intellectually, intuitively and spiritually.  As there are many beaches around the world merging into one ocean on the earth, there are many paths and practices experimented and scribed in different texts to reach to same goal of self realization. All literatures had dealt the very purpose of human existence, means and ways of self discovery and steps to self realization

In between 1000 BC and 300 AD that all texts were classified and organized, modern world knows as Indian Philosophy as Vedic and Non Vedic.  The Vedic has six organs namely Purva Mimamsa, Mimamsa, Nyaya, Vasisika, Samkhya and Yoga and Non Vedic has three organs namely Buddhsim, Jainism, and Charvaka.  The name of every Vedic classification conveys the path they follow for self discovery. The knowledge was classified as Mantra, Brahman, Aranyaka and Upanishad.

The word “Mantra” means the seed word that saves one from all sufferings and problems, who contemplates over it. Brahman texts teach how to use different mantra for removing sufferings from life and awakening to highest reality. Aryankas literally means texts written in forests by Yoga masters after deep contemplation. However, it deals with rites and rituals to attain realization. Upanishad means who sits near the master for experiential learning. There are about 108 Upanishad texts, mostly written in dialogue between master and disciple, deals with sufferings, causes and means to dissolve them. Mimamsa means investigation or inquiry into the nature of existence and truth. The Purva Mimamsa employ rites and rituals a mean while Uttar Mimamsa employs reasoning and reflection as means to reach to ultimate truth. Nyaya means "recursion", used in the sense of "syllogism, inference". The system of logic used here is unique and unparallel aims at self realization. Vaisesika postulates atomism i.e. all objects is reducible into finite number of atoms and reality transcends all.

It is Yoga system of Patanjali which is highly popular and considered as the authentic texts of Yoga but it takes its basis from another Samkhya system. Samkhya means enumeration that deals with three foundations of Yoga i.e. Prakriti or universal consciousness, Purusha or Transcendental consciousness and Jiva or Individual consciousness. Even Ramayana and Mahabharata deals deeply about different practices of Yoga. There are over 8- Gita (texts written in poetic forms) deals with different schools of Yoga of which Astavakra Gita is the highest and Bhagvad Gita is the most famous.

  
Patanjali – the great yoga master who codified the Yoga System into 195 Sutra or formula. These  are like formula of chemistry that deals with every aspect of life of Human existence , nature, structure of mind, process of evolution of mind, states of physical, mental, emotional , social  and spiritual well being. The text is a secular text in which even God was taken as means to reach to highest state of consciousness (Self Realization. It is interesting to note that yoga was so much popular during this period that it has been written in prose, poetry, scientific disciplines and socio-cultural-psychological disciplines.   
Ask any question related to sufferings, their causes, and management, mind and nature of mind, stress management, awakening to spiritual consciousness, you will discover in Patanjali Yoga Sutra. This has further inspired and encouraged even scientists to study and conduct the research studies into many practices of Yoga.

Modern age witnessed an era of literatures that offered rational interpretation of many esoteric principles, integration with Modern science specially physiology, psychology, physics and chemistry. The very nature of Yoga is related to states of human consciousness, therefore, it is not difficult of philosophers, scientists, researchers to relate with their expertise and discover novel meanings that are beneficial to society as well as people at large.
You can be free from all sufferings HERE AND NOW

Lord Wanaka asked his master, Astavakra,” How to remove all sufferings from life?”

The master answered,” contemplate over life and awaken wisdom that “You” or Real Self and “Body” are separate entities and allow mind to rest in that Real Self, you will become Happy and Peaceful and free from all sufferings here and now.”

A little time for Contemplation, Reflection and Awareness (CRA) is required daily either in the morning or evening to change the direction of life that moves towards Peace, Harmony and Happiness. This is the message of one the greatest text – Astavakra Gita- written over 3000 years ago, is still relevant today for Modern Man.

The next blog we will cover “what yoga is not? ’ (Series –Authentic Yoga Tradition-4)

Contact Acharya Girish Jha at guruji220@gmail.com

Acharya Girish Jha, a master teacher, mentor, guide, and blogger and life coach holds MS, BS, Dip. Yoga, nature cure, Cert. in Research methodology, and Board Certified Professional Counselor (APA). A deep urge for self-discovery inspired to spend yrs. in Himalayas and with many yoga and spiritual traditions. He learnt from more than 100 Himalayan masters, teachers and saints. He has the credit of teaching over 100000 people during the last over 33 years, conducting over 1000 workshops, seminars, and talks, actively conducting res. projects in Asthma, Diabetes, Stress Management, High Altitude Sickness research, meditation and stress management, offered life coaching (integral wisdom with customized practices) to more than   500 couples, conducted over 300 Radio talk shows, anchored over 30 TV serials on Yoga. He has experience of over 28000 hours of teaching (6000 hrs. of life coaching and spiritual counseling), contributed over 200 articles/papers on yoga and yoga research, and developed specialized practices based on conscious evolution and transformation.

He came to USA in 2007 on a high priority visa, now permanent resident has already trained more than 5000 people, life coached & spiritual counseled more than 200 people; Conducted specialized programs for medical doctors of Columbia University, NYC; stress mgmt. program for   doctors & prof. in PA; intensive customized program for inmates in Trenton, NJ; Healthy Aging Program for seniors in senior center, new Brunswick, NJ.  

His designed and developed programs like Turiya Rest Relaxation Prog., Shanti meditation, Personal Transformation Prog., Stress Mgmt. Prog. ( customized as Personal Stress , Youth Stress , Healthy Aging for seniors, and Corporate Stress mgmt. programs) and Life Coaching ( integral wisdom of east and west delivered includes simple, easy and effective tools and practices for conscious evolution and transformation)

Series – Asana 1.2 – awakening to physical consciousness - Siddhasana

Series – Asana 1.2 – awakening to physical consciousness - Siddhasana

Acharya Girish Jha, MS, BS, DIY, BCPC

Web: http://www.girishjha.org

Blog: http://www.girishjha.net

Importance of name:

The “siddha” means perfect or perfection. Here perfection refers to a state of individual consciousness that is merged in the highest state of consciousness also known as ultimate reality. The practice of Siddhasana brings self-perfection i.e. self-realization.

Scriptural references:

There is no asana like the Siddhasana and no Kumbhaka (generally means retention of breath in Pranayama practice) like the Kevala. There is no Mudra( specific position of body accompanied by breathing practices or focus or other activities in Hatha Yoga Tradition)  like the Khechari (one of the very important practices of Mudra in Hatha Yoga) and no laya (absorption) like the Nada (Anahata Nada). (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1. 45)

Technique:

Pre-position

Samsthiti (Sit on the carpet on the floor and stretch both legs straight).

Procedure          

 Bend right leg from the knee; place the heel pressing the perineum and toes touching the inner thighs of the left leg.

Bend the left leg from the knee, place the heel over the heel of the right leg and place the toes in between thighs and calf of the right leg.

Check that both heels are placed one over the other and toes are inside the thighs and calves. Spine and head straight.

Keep the eyes in Sama Dristi (the eyes are in normal looking position) or Netra Bandha Dristi (eyes are closed normally and gently)

Position              

The comfortable sitting posture, feeling of calmness, poise , eyes closed gently and hands are placed in Jnana Mudra ( generally hands mudra are Tantra Mudras)  on the knees and awareness within is the best way to perform the Siddhasana.

Releasing           

Release both legs slowly and bring them straight in Samasthiti. Move your toes forward and backward for relaxing them. Practice the asana while chanting the position of legs.  

Duration             

The practice should be started initially with 10-15 seconds and the duration may be increased slowly maximum unto 3 minutes.

Duration/Repetitions:

The length of time to sit in the Siddhasana depends on purpose for practice and until    one experiences discomfort in the legs. When used as a meditation posture you hold it for the duration of the meditation.

Salient features:

The most important amongst 8.4 million asana

Siddhasana is considered as the most important of all 8.4 million postures that Hatha Yoga explains. Hatha Yoga Pradipika (1. 41) says, “Out of the 84 asana Siddhasana should always be practiced, because it cleanses the impurities of 72,000 nadirs (energy pathways).”

Many names of Siddhasana

Hatha Yoga Pradipika (1.39) says that   Siddhasana,   Vajrasana and Mukta asana or Gupta asana are the same.

Meditative asana

Siddhasana is one of the best meditative postures, easy to perform, comfortable and requires hardly sitting space.

Easy to practice and highly beneficial

The Siddhasana can be easily practiced and is a meditative posture par excellence. Regular practice of Siddhasana, calms down the agitated the mind, manages stress, and helps in bringing about harmony of body, mind, and emotion.  

Benefits:             

Success in one Siddhasana alone becoming firmly established, one gets Unmani at once, and the three bonds (Bandhas) are accomplished of themselves. (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1. 44)

Other postures are of no use, when success has been achieved in Siddhasana, and Prana Vayu becomes calm and restrained by Kevala Kumbhaka. (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1. 43)

Just as sparing food is among Yamas, and Ahimsa among the Niyamas, so is Siddhasana called by adepts the chief of all the asanas. (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1. 40)

The practice improves concentration, memory, relaxes the mind and manages stress, anxiety and tension.

By contemplating on oneself, by eating sparingly, and by practicing Siddhasana for 12 years, the Yogi obtains success.(Hatha Yoga Pradipika(I.37)

Other postures are of no use, when success has been achieved in Siddhasana, and Prana Vayu becomes calm and restrained by Kevala Kumbhaka. .(Hatha Yoga Pradipika(I.43)

Success in one Siddhasana alone becoming firmly established, one gets Unmani at once, and the three bonds (Bandhas) are accomplished of themselves. .(Hatha Yoga Pradipika(I.44)

Precautions:

Everyone irrespective of any problem can practice the asana and at any age, however, duration should be increased gradually and slowly depending upon the level of tolerance of the practitioner.

The meditative asana should be practiced with awareness and withdrawing the mind within, for getting   better result.

Siddhasana should be practiced with mind concentrated at the eyebrow center with eyes closed gently.

       Series -Asana 1.1– The awakening of physical consciousness                                                                                         

By Acharya Girish Jha,

MS, BS, DIY, BCPC

Web: www.girishjha.org

Blog: www.giirshjha.net

Email: guruji220@gmail.com             

               Asana:

Introduction:

Asana is one of the most important limbs of Classical Hatha Yoga. In Raja Yoga, asana refers to the sitting meditative posture used for the higher stages of Raja Yoga i.e.) Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.

Asana is a specific body position, which helps to open the energy channels (nadis), the psychic energy centers (Chakras) .Hatha Yoga is a process through which purification, and control of the body takes place by restructuring the pranic flow.

1.      What is asana?

स्थिरसुखमासनम (Patanjali Yoga Sutra-II.46 )

Patanjali defines Asana as “Relaxed and poised position of body is termed Asana.”

He further explains the method of practicing the asana, which is different from physical exercise

2.      What is the method of practicing Asana?

प्रयत्नशेथिल्यतान्नतसमापत्तिभ्याम (Patanjali Yoga Sutra-II.47 )

Negation of effort and concentration on infinite is the way to practice asana.

3.      What is the result of practice of asana?

ततोद्व्न्द्वानभिघात (Patanjali Yoga Sutra-II.48 )

(The result of asana is) immune to dualities.

4.      Why asana is to be practiced?

Being the first accessory of Hatha Yoga, asana is described first. It should be practiced for gaining steady posture, health, and lightness of body. - (Hatha Yoga Pradipika I.19)

5.      How long asanas are to be practiced.

Asanas, various Kumbhakas (retention of breath), and other divine means, all should be practiced in the practice of Hatha Yoga, until the fruit of Raja Yoga is obtained. – (Hatha Yoga Pradipika I.69)

One may start practice of asana for10 seconds and time may be increased gradually to maxmimum 3 minutes  excpet medittaive postures.   The number of asana should be restricted to 5 in the beginning , can be increased after graudally attaining perfection in the simple postures. The duration of asana should also be increased gradually form 20 seconds in the beginning to 2 minutes and more depending upon one’s aim of practicing the asana.

6.      How many asanas are there in Yoga?

According to Hatha Yogic texts, there are 8.4 million asanas, propounded by Lord Shiva, the originator of Yoga system. Gherand Samhita, the Hatha Yogic texts explains that only two asanas are very important namely Siddhasana and Padamasana. These two meditative postures prepares the practitioner for higher practices of Yoga i.e. meditation, Samadhi and Self-realization.

7.      General rules for practicing Asana

       i.     Asanas should not be practiced   from books but under the guidance of a teacher.

      ii.     A competitive attitude is harmful and should be avoided.

     iii.     Asana should be performed slowly, gradually, gradually moving into the final pose without jerking. The return should be done in the same way.

    iv.     The final posture should be maintained for some time, but in no case under tension.

      v.     Do not practice beyond   limits.

    vi.     If possible, maintain a diary of asanas showing the days and duration of practice.

   vii.     As much as possible, asanas should be performed during sunrise or sunset and on an empty stomach or 3 hours after the meal.

  viii.     The place of practice should be clean and ventilated.

     ix.     Do not take a bath or shower for at least a half-hour before or after practice.

      x.     Relax in Shava Asana for few minutes before , after and during the practice to avoid overexertion, fatigue etc.

     xi.     A practice with humility aims at inner progress and development is the key to all yoga practices.

   xii.     Practice yoga  three hours after    meals. Take any food after half an hour of yoga practice.

  xiii.     One should empty bowls and bladder before yoga practice.

  xiv.     Clean your nostril so that nasal pasage is free from any obstructions.

   xv.     The slow, gradual and gentle practice means starting yoga with easy , comfortable postures, practicing pranayama without kumbhaka or retention of breath and relaxing in between are the secrets of success in yoga.

  xvi.     Avoid over eating, over exertion, fasting, eating junk and instant foods during yoga sadhana( practice).

xvii.     Wear loose, comfortable clothes during yoga practice. The ancient masters used to wear only Dhouti( a 6 metre long and one and half metre wide cloth) to keep body free from any obstructions.

xviii.     The breath should be deep , silent and slow to keep higher level of awareness during yoga practice. The shallow, irregular breathing pattern distrubs the mind and body.

8.      What are the benefits of practice of Asana?

The practice of asana is very important for modern man who suffers from physical, mental, and emotional problems. The regular practice of asana keeps diseases away, promotes and preserves health, prevents many diseases and manages stress and stress induced disorders effectively.

Excellent toning of the muscles – muscles that have become flaccid, weak or slothy are stimulated repeatedly to shed excess flab and flaccidity.

Improve your flexibility

Strengthen and tone your muscles

Improve your posture and ease back, shoulder and neck pain

Increase your stamina

Create balance and grace

Stimulate the endocrine glands

Improve your digestion and elimination

Increase your circulation

The aim of asana is to strengthen the body and make it more flexible, as well as awaken the self - in effect, to provide a physical, mental and spiritual   health. Yogasana improves posture; increases the intake of oxygen, and enhances the functioning of the respiratory, digestive, endocrine, reproductive, and elimination systems.