Posts Tagged ‘self-realization’

Balancing Memories and Emotions

Posted: June 8, 2024 in Musings
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anubhūtaviṣayāsaṃpramoṣaḥ smṛtiḥ
Memory (smriti) is retaining experiences.

Yoga Sutra 1.11

According to Patanjali, the last way of being is through remembering. Out of all the impressions you get in a day, the ones with strong emotions attached are the ones that stick. You might know someone who seems stuck in the past, always reminiscing about the good old days. This “old” attitude isn’t about age but about being attached to the past. This attachment might come from wanting to hold on to what’s gone or from trying to push away an old memory. Either way, it can drain your energy, leaving little for the present. Even obsessing over the future often ties back to past experiences, since your predictions are usually based on what happened before.

On the other hand, a “young” attitude is about seeing the freshness of each moment and responding with intelligence and grace. It’s not about thinking memories are bad or that you need to erase them. Memories are a part of your history and give you perspective. Instead, think about how you relate to your memories. Do you control them, or do they control you? Can you have a healthy relationship with your memories, and what would that look like?

One way to explore this is by looking at the emotional charge of a memory. Since emotions help create memories, understanding the emotional imprint can give you insight. Take a memory that’s important to you. Focus on the details, like what happened and who was there. Then, shift your focus to the emotional aspect. What emotions does this memory bring up? Do these emotions make you feel good, or do they drain your energy? When these emotions come up, do you push the memory away or hold on to it tightly? Can you just let these emotions flow through you until they fade, instead of keeping them bottled up?

As you practice this, notice any patterns in the emotional charges of your deep memories. Do these patterns suggest unresolved emotions? Reflecting on these memories, do they give you insights into your current attitudes and choices? Can you make peace with your memories and your past by letting go of their emotional charge, whether positive or negative? Recognize that past events have shaped who you are now. Accept that you probably made the best choices you could at each point in your past, even if you’d choose differently now.

Om Hari Om 🙏

Discerning the Truth

Posted: May 10, 2024 in Musings
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pratyakṣa-anumāna-āgamāḥ pramāṇāni

Right perception is through the senses, inference, and testimony.

Yoga Sutra 1.7

Pramāṇa literally means “proof” and “means of knowledge” which can lead to knowledge, including direct perception, inference, and testimony. Sutra 1.7 guides us in discerning correct information. Patanjali’s sequence of the three methods matters, progressing from the most reliable to the least.

pratyakṣa: Direct perception, the first and most dependable, involves experiencing something firsthand. What did you see, hear, or feel? It’s akin to learning to swim—you can read and watch, but true learning only happens in the water. In yoga, direct experience is paramount for self-discovery. Reflecting on our practice aids in absorbing and processing information.

anumāna: Inference, the second method, relies on logical reasoning. For instance, seeing smoke implies fire nearby. In yoga, we cultivate discernment by comparing our experiences—what happens if I do this versus that?

Śabda: Testimony, the third means, relies on information from trusted sources, be it writings or the wisdom of experts. Evaluating the authority’s credentials—how long have they practiced? What makes them an expert?—is crucial. Testing their recommendations in our practice helps determine reliability.

In today’s world of misinformation and diverse opinions, applying this sutra is crucial. Unsure amidst conflicting information? First, assess your direct experiences. Then, engage your intellect. Finally, consult trusted references. If all aligns, it’s reliable. But if conflicts arise, prioritize your direct experience over the opinions of others. Use logic to discern motives; independent researchers are often more reliable than biased corporate interests.

Navigating between right knowledge and letting go demands courage and discomfort, especially in embracing Vairagya, detachment. Yet, within this discomfort lies liberation—a freedom born from truth and release. This sutra holds profound wisdom; try applying its principles to something uncertain today. Let your conclusion settle, and in time, the truth will unveil itself.

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 🙏

Liberation through Understanding

Posted: May 4, 2024 in Musings
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vṛttayaḥ pañcatayyaḥ kliṣṭākliṣṭāḥ

The fluctuations of the mind are fivefold and are either detrimental or non-detrimental

Yoga Sutra 1.5

The beginning of Chapter One of the Yoga Sutras unfolds in a structured sequence: Sutra 1.1 summons our attention, followed by Patañjali’s definition of yoga in 1.2, and a description of the state of yoga in 1.3. Sutra 1.4 highlights the confusion that arises when we are not in this state. Sutra 1.5 delves into the effects of our behavioral patterns which can be either helpful or harmful.

The 1.5 teaches us that our thoughts, words, and actions create fluctuations in our consciousness. These fluctuations can either align us with our true Self, leading to growth and fulfillment (helpful), or they can veer us off course, causing pain and suffering (harmful). For instance, suppose a thought arises, suggesting you’re not capable of pursuing a particular goal. If you succumb to this notion, choosing not to pursue your goal, it initiates a cycle of unhappiness and diminished confidence.

This sutra invites introspection into our tendencies. The more we’re entwined with our preferences, the harder it becomes to consciously choose actions aligned with our well-being. Observing our inner state and reactions to external events reveals whether our tendencies contribute to internal harmony or disharmony. It’s crucial to distinguish between pain, a warning sign, and bearable discomfort, signaling growth beyond our comfort zones.

In yoga, we cultivate practices to disrupt such detrimental patterns. By repeating positive affirmations/mantras or bolstering confidence through physical practice, we replace negative thoughts with constructive ones. With consistent effort, healthy patterns emerge, and the harmful one fades away. Thus, through mindful engagement with our thoughts, words, and actions, we navigate towards alignment with our true Self, fostering inner harmony and overall well-being.

Questions to consider regarding the significance of this sutra in our lives include: Are we conscious of our habits and how they show up in our lives? Do these habits contribute positively or negatively to our well-being when we notice them? How do our likes and routines influence our overall satisfaction and participation in life? Can we manage our tendencies to lead a more mindful existence? 

So Hum 🙏

The Journey of the Self

Posted: April 29, 2024 in Musings
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vṛtti-sārūpyam-itaratra

At other times, when one is not in self-realization, the mind takes on the form of the activities of the material world.

Yoga Sutra 1.4

This sutra carries profound implications for those on the yogic path. Patanjali delineates the nature of the mind and its relationship to the self: when one is not in a state of self-realization, the mind identifies itself with the fluctuations of the material world.

These fluctuations are a natural aspect of the human condition, arising from our interactions with the external world. When we are not in a state of self-awareness or self-realization, our minds become entangled in these fluctuations. As a result, we lose touch with our true selves and instead identify with the ever-changing world around us.

Sutra 1.4 serves as a reminder that the goal of yoga is not merely physical flexibility or relaxation but a profound journey of self-discovery and realization. Through practices such as meditation, pranayama (breath control), and self-reflection, we can cultivate the awareness needed to observe these fluctuations without becoming consumed and defined by them.

By questioning who or what is experiencing these fluctuations of the mind, one can begin to peel away the layers of illusion that obscure their true essence. Practicing mindfulness in all aspects of life — from daily activities to interpersonal relationships — allows one to stay anchored in the present moment and connected to his/her true self. This deepened awareness fosters a sense of clarity and purpose, guiding us on our journey toward self-realization.

In simpler terms, as the Bhagavad Gita eloquently states, “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”

Sat Nam 🙏

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 🙏