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The Philosophy of Yoga
At Susquehanna Yoga, we believe that
understanding and studying the ancient philosophy behind the practice of
Yoga helps our students get the most benefit out of their class time. For
this reason, we include the ‘Philosophy of Yoga’ Lessons in
sequential order in our newsletter. All lessons are also
archived for reference and are
available on this page.
Yoga is prescriptive - IF you do this, then that will happen. Yoga teachers sometimes describe to their students how certain poses should
feel, or what happens to their body in a particular posture. But students
must learn to listen to their own body and find their own way.
Classic Yoga instruction takes out the descriptive and is solely
prescriptive, and is therefore the most direct route to the center.
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The Philosophy of Yoga (Yoga
Sutra 1.28)
1.28 Tajjapah Tadarthabhavanam
The mantra Aum is to be repeated vocally and mentally
focusing on the sound emanating from ajna chakra, within the center
of the forehead. One should be aware of Aum’s significance while
analyzing its meaning. The spiritual power of Aum must be recognized.
Through the chanting of Aum, the practitioner finds his reservoir of
nadam or supreme music. Nadam consists of two
classes of sound current, the first being Inarticulated.
This form of nadam cannot be expressed by any symbol. It is
indeterminate and is pure existence, knowledge and bliss. The
second class of nadam is Articulate -- Aum being this
articulation. Chanting Aum is considered to be the highest breathing
exercise. When the supreme music begins to sound, it behooves one to
meditate on the golden notes. One who has not discovered nadam, should
meditate on Aum until he does. As long as nadam is not
manifested, one is not admitted as a student of Yoga because he is not
initiated by the Divinity within. The unveiling of nadam indicates
that one is initiated by the Divinity within for Self-Analysis.
The appearance of nadam is not the end of the practitioners’ journey but it
is just his beginning. One must apply nadam as electricity is
applied to various electronics. If one does not meditate regularly on
it, one will receive no benefit from its appearance. It is a current
of energy.
Practitioners’ consciousness should be united with nadam, which is a
manifestation of Cosmic Consciousness. This emergence is the
Union of Yoga. In this Union, all motions and sensations of the
microcosm and macrocosm are discovered. The practitioner must follow
the beating of his heart because this motion is the most aligned with the
motion of the Cosmic Consciousness and the entire Cosmic Consciousness Union
is then discovered, realized and experienced. The enjoyment of this
experience cannot be measured, understood or described. It is grasped
only by those who are in that state.
Why should there be repetition of Aum? Because in the repetition
there is learning. Impressions and habits do not die but continue to
live in the subconscious level of mindstuff. Repetition of Aum leads
human consciousness to the level of Cosmic Consciousness which is known as
Purusa.
Paraphrased from:
The Textbook of Yoga Psychology
By Mishra |
Philosophy of Yoga Archives:
Invocation Chant
Yoga Sutra 1.13
Yoga Sutra 1.15
Yoga Sutra 1.16
Yoga Sutra 1.17
Yoga Sutra 1.18
Yoga Sutra 1.19
Yoga Sutra 1.21 & 1.22
Yoga Sutra 1.23 - 1.26
Yoga Sutra 1.27
Yoga Sutra 1.28
Yoga Sutra 1.29 & 1.30
Yoga Sutra 1.31
Yoga Sutra 1.33
Yoga Sutra 1.35 & 1.36
Yoga Sutra 1.37
Yoga Sutra 1.39
Yoga Sutra 1.40
Yoga Sutra 1.41 & 1.42
Yoga Sutra 1.43
Yoga Sutra 1.44
Yoga Sutra 1.45
Yoga Sutra 1.46
Yoga Sutra 1.47 - 1.49
Current Yoga Sutra
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