Posts Tagged ‘consciousness’

Distinguishing Reality

Posted: May 19, 2024 in Musings
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viparyayo mithyājñānamatadrūpapratiṣṭham

Misconception is false knowledge which is not based on its own form.

Yoga Sutra 1.8

Yoga Sutra 1.7 introduces Pramana as right or factual knowledge, while Yoga Sutra 1.8 describes Viparyaya as wrong knowledge or misperception. Viparyaya occurs when we mistake the unreal for the real, leading to false information and faulty knowledge. This happens when our mental image doesn’t match reality, creating an illusion where we can’t distinguish between what’s real and unreal.

In our yoga practice, Viparyaya can manifest when we push ourselves beyond our limits, ignoring the body’s signals of discomfort or pain. We might mistake our desire to achieve a pose for progress, leading to injuries or setbacks. Pramana, on the other hand, involves listening to our bodies, respecting their boundaries, and practicing mindfulness and awareness.

Viparyaya can also arise in our perception of progress in yoga. We might compare ourselves to others, thinking we’re not flexible or strong enough. This comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy or frustration, clouding our ability to see our own progress. Pramana encourages us to focus on our own journey, celebrating small victories and honoring our unique strengths and limitations.

Sometimes we just need to take that dramatic pause and return to the safety of our breath. To cultivate Pramana in our yoga practice, we must learn to listen to our bodies, enhance our self-awareness, and practice with compassion and acceptance. By doing so, we can peel away the layers of misperception and experience the true essence of yoga – the union of mind, body, and spirit.

Om Hari Om 🙏

Navigating the Twists & Turns

Posted: May 5, 2024 in Musings
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pramāṇa-viparyaya-vikalpa-nidrā-smṛtayaḥ

The five mental states are (1) correct understanding of what is, (2) false understanding of what is, (3) conceptualization, (4) deep sleep and (5) memory.

Yoga Sutra 1.6

Human psychology shows that our take on events is shaped by many factors, especially our state of mind. Take a festival, for example—some see it as fun with music and good food, while others view it as noise and waste. Same scene, different views. These differences don’t always come from who we are but from what’s happening around us. Someone who loves parties might feel down if they get bad news. The event doesn’t change; it’s our perception that does, affecting our choices and future experiences. Our thoughts mirror our state of mind, too. Knowing this helps us step back and see things clearly, without biases.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 1.6 identifies five types of mental twists:

  1. Pramana: Knowledge backed by evidence or proof.
  2. Viparyaya: Incorrect knowledge derived from misunderstandings or misperceptions.
  3. Vikalpa: Imaginative thoughts such as daydreams, fears, anxieties, and hallucinations.
  4. Nidra: The state of sleep – a realm where we experience various visions, dreams, and sensations.
  5. Smriti: Memory, replaying past events, conversations, and emotions.

Some might argue their mental state doesn’t fit these categories neatly, but getting hung up on that isn’t helpful. Our minds shift shapes, but we can rise above them. Watching these mental twists helps us move past them. But getting too caught up in sorting and judging them just keeps us stuck.

Om Hari Om 🙏

The Authentic Self

Posted: April 19, 2024 in Musings
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tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe’vasthānam.

Then the true self abides in its own nature.

Yoga Sutra 1.3

What occurs when we quiet the mind, as directed by Sutra 1.2? Do we persist? Does our consciousness endure? In the third sutra, Patanjali assures us that indeed, we persist, and our consciousness endures. Upon liberation from the citta vrittis—those fluctuations of the mind—we attain insight into our authentic nature: you are puruṣa, the soul, the witness, the observer. You transcend identification with the body engaging with the world and the ceaseless churn of the mind’s thoughts and desires.

Yoga Sutra 1.3 expresses, “tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe’vasthānam,” signifying the seer’s immersion in its own essence, resting in its true nature, also referred to as self-realization – the ultimate outcome of yoga—the revelation of one’s authentic self.

The mind resembles a reflective lake. The citta vrittis are akin to external forces that influence this lake. When the lake is agitated by wind, waves distort the reflection. Turbulence and impurities muddy the water, leading to a hazy or tainted reflection. However, your essence remains unchanged; only the reflection alters. To perceive your true reflection, the water must be clear and tranquil, free from external disturbances.

From moment to moment, as our thoughts and experiences of the external world change, so does our perception of ourselves and who we are. However, when the lake of the mind becomes still and clear, then the truth is no longer distorted; we get to see and know ourselves as we really are, always have been, and always will be.

Om Sat Nam 🙏