Ahimsa, the path of non-violence, is a key principle of yoga, particularly the Ashtanga tradition. You’ll sometimes hear it translated as “nonviolence,” so it’s easy to think ahimsa refers to physical harm. But it’s a broader principle that calls yogis to consider how we treat others with our words, thoughts, and attitudes as well. Put … [Read more…]
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna teaches Arjuna yoga. If you’re not familiar with the epic tale, check it out. One of the great things about Krishna’s yoga lessons is there’s a practice for everyone. Better yet, there are four—jnana yoga, bhakti yoga, karma yoga, and raja yoga. We may gravitate toward one, but they’re all … [Read more…]
I’ve always been curious about different spiritual points of view. Even though there are many, they seek similar things, like liberation from suffering, salvation or enlightenment, and choosing the right path through life. The self in spirituality — that is, the nature, importance and reality of the individual self— is one topic almost every spiritual … [Read more…]
As a younger yogi, I craved enlightenment (yes, I see the problem there). Like many people, I was drawn to yoga because I was suffering. When I first learned about attachment and aversion in yogic philosophy, I thought, great. If I want to stop suffering, I just have to stop liking and disliking things. In … [Read more…]
A few weeks ago, I enrolled in wisdom school. Among the texts we’re exploring are the 114 verses — called logions — of the Gospel of Thomas. Each logion is a saying or quote attributed to Jesus. And in one session, we based a discussion of the saying “Search and you will find” on the … [Read more…]
You don’t have to be a yogi to understand the trouble egoism can cause. Ego, the individual self, tends to seek attention and see itself as separate from others. In a recent post, I described the ways ignorance shows up and creates obstacles to enlightenment. One of these ways—perhaps the most significant—is misunderstanding who we … [Read more…]
It makes sense that ignorance is an obstacle to enlightenment. But how do we know what we don’t know? In sutra 2.5, Patanjali sheds light on this issue. Specifically, the sutra describes four obstacles to enlightenment. Once we understand how we are ignorant, we can use yogic wisdom to pull back the veil of darkness. … [Read more…]
I remember my first yoga experience, a beginners hatha yoga class in my hometown. In every class, the teacher would remind us, “Our true nature is peace.” I felt it every time, for a while at least. After class, I’d feel like I’d come home to the peace that had eluded me. Then I’d return … [Read more…]
In chapter 2 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, we learn about practicing yoga. More specifically, how to practice. The first sutra in this section introduces three important disciplines that can help us deepen our yoga practice. The disciplines are three of the five niyamas. Sutra 2.1 says: Austerity, the study of sacred texts, and the dedication … [Read more…]
Near the end of the first chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras describes the goal of yoga—samadhi. So, what is samadhi? You may have heard it defined in a few ways. Samadhi is a state of oneness with all that is. It is union with the divine, connection with source, a dissolution of the ego. Each … [Read more…]