Author Archives: paul
īśvara Praṇidhānā – How do we take the fruit of our action?
"īśvara Praṇidhānā - How do we take the fruit of our action?"
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
īśvara Praṇidhānā – What is our attitude towards our own action?
"īśvara Praṇidhānā - What is our attitude towards our own action?"
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
The re-action of Tapas should lead you towards Svādhyāya……
"Svādhyāya -
Reflecting on our actions will tell us something about oneself.
The word means going toward oneself.
The re-action of Tapas should lead you towards Svādhyāya.
Also means study of texts.
For example Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā and Pūrṇa Matsyendrāsana.
Is the effect different from what it said will happen?
This leads to Svādhyāya and Anumāna or to a teacher."
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
What is Yoga? – An interview with Paul Harvey on BBC Radio Bristol 1986.
What is Yoga?
- An interview with Paul Harvey on BBC Radio Bristol Feb 1986. I. Yoga is often portrayed as sitting still perhaps in rather bizarre positions communicating with the depths of human relaxation and comprehension. How accurate a picture is that? I am delighted to welcome to the Programme this afternoon Paul Harvey who among other things teaches Yoga at the Centre for Yoga Studies in Bath and at the Whiteladies Natural Health Clinic. You also, I think, have a couple of diplomas haven't you? PH. Yes I have though I feel that my main training has come not from diploma work but from the closer experience of studying and practising Yoga in India. Download a copy of the interview as a PDFPosted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Musings on Yoga Today, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
Before launching on Antaraṅga Sādhana, one should be a Nistavān……
"Before launching on Antaraṅga Sādhana, one should be a Nistavān (a consistent expert) in Bahiraṅga Sādhana. If this earlier stage is very well established, then only a teacher may teach Dhyāna." - T Krishnamacharya 1984
Patañjali has proposed 3 approaches to verify the indications……
Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1 tapaḥ svādhyāya-īśvara-praṇidhānāni kriyā-yogaḥ “The activities of Yoga are self-discipline, self-study and respect for the divine.”
"Patañjali has proposed 3 approaches to verify the indications. Tapas - Process of action Food, Āsana, Prāṇāyāma. You will be doing something that you will not be habitually doing. For example one day no salt, cigarettes, Prāṇāyāma. Tapas is from the root to create thirst. It means to deprive. It will tell us about ourselves. It will reveal our Saṃskāra and Pariṇāma or changes in ourselves. From this Tapas we will start to get an indication of our individual nature. For example active or lazy. Tapas indicates the the beginning of the Bheda, through the Bhāva." - TKV Desikachar France 1983Principles of Practice Planning according to the viniyoga of Yoga
Yoga Sūtra Chapter Three verse 6 tasya bhūmiṣu viniyogaḥ “Its application is in stages.”
“The spirit of viniyoga is starting from where one finds oneself. As everybody is different and changes from time to time, there can be no common starting point, and ready-made answers are useless. The present situation must be examined and the habitually established status must be re-examined.” - TKV Desikachar
Posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
The mind can be perceived, and perceive in three ways……
"Pratyakṣa (through the senses) - Direct perception
In other words the object placed in front of you.
The senses help us in comprehending the object.
Anumāna (inference) - We don't have all the information.
We have certain indications that allow us to complete the picture.
Anu - to follow.
From the part you can get the whole.
From the effect you get to the cause.
Āgamāḥ (authentic teachings) - No information directly.
Only information is from words
Some truth that has already existed.
We take the words and believe them as if we had seen it for ourselves.
For example God."
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
So how do you find out these important facts?
"So how do you find out these important facts?
According to Patañjali (Yoga Sūtra C1 v7) an object which can be understood by the mind can be perceived in three ways.
Pratyakṣa (through the senses),
Anumāna (inference),
Āgamāḥ (authentic teachings)."
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Saṅgabheda – Different individuals have different situations or social……
"Saṅgabheda -
Different individuals have different situations or social situation.
For example large family and small area for practice.
Depending on the Saṅga they are coming from we must respect the Sādhana."
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Serve Yoga and Yoga will serve you.
Serve Yoga and Yoga will serve you. tat-artha eva-dṛśyasya-ātmā “That purpose of the seen is indeed for our essence.” Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 21
Manobhāva – Some people have capacity for great imagination……
"Manobhāva - Some people have capacity for great imagination, others just flat, no colour, no taste.
For example children making a drawing. Some use many colours, others use little colour or drawing."
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Svabhāva (innate disposition) – Nature of a person……
"Svabhāva (innate disposition) - Nature of a person.
For example tendency to put on weight, liver problem, muscular pains for no reason, changes in temperature.
This is why Āyurveda divides humans into 3 types.
Approximately Pitta-Sattva, Kapha-Tamas, Vāta-Rajoguṇa.
We not only look at the physical structure, but also how food affects the individual.
Heavy in the morning, etc.
For example different children in the family affected by the same food differently."
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
One important thing is food……
"One important thing is food.
Different combinations have different effects on the body.
When we work with Āsana and Prāṇāyāma we need to consider which foods to take.
Your mind is according to your food.
The type of food you take influences your mind.
The subject is vast."
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
To give the right thing to the right person at the right time is Satviniyoga……
"To give the right thing to the right person at the right time is Satviniyoga.
Don't look at the file, look at the student!"
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
To give the right thing to the right person at the right time…
| Body | Deha Bheda | Vāyo | Age |
| Place | Deśa Bheda | Śakti | Strength, Will, Energy |
| Gender | Liṅga Bheda | Mārga | Direction based on one’s potentials |
| Time | Kāla Bheda | Vṛtti | Avocation responsibilities |
| Application of what we know having two directions: | |||
| Type | Bhava | Positive action towards something | |
| Abhava | Positive action to get away from something | ||
Vṛttibheda – our job, profession, work……
"Vṛttibheda - our job, profession, work.
Vṛtti affects Sādhana because different Vṛtti affect different Sādhana - Architect, Priest, Gynaecologist.
Innumerable but grouped into simple categories.
They also have mental effects and must be respected.
Vṛtti also works with conscience.
so job and time must be respected."
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
T Krishnamacharya answers his students……
A selection of the questions asked over the years by his students, together with Krishnamacharya's responses.
-.Originally published by the KYM Darśanam May 1994
Mārgabheda – Direction one takes……
"Mārgabheda - Direction one takes.
For example - material benefits or,
Nāstika - don't believe in God, nothing beyond what we can perceive or,
Anastika - not even blinking comes without the will of God.
Mārgabheda influences Sādhana very much.
This must be respected.
Otherwise something else other than your Mārga will be introduced as Yoga.
For example Hindu chanting at the beginning of Yoga seminars.
Or OM on visiting cards, brochures, etc."
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
We must respect the practice involving the body…….
"We must respect the practice involving the body.
Deśabheda - Latitude, longtitude, or place at which a person is practicing or thinking.
Deśa means climate, food.
Liṅgabheda - The body of a man or a woman. Masculine or feminine.
Kālabheda - Seasons. Cold, humid, rain, heat.
To adapt the Sādhana according to the time of the year.
Certain texts say rituals, mantra according to season.
Āyurveda talks about season and food, season and medication, season and relaxation.
Vayabheda - Age influencing, young and impatient, old and patient.
Śaktibheda - Concerning strength of the individual.
Some are strong.
i.e. genetics of body and mind.
Memory, ability to grasp, sit and study.
i.e. some can sit and chant for hours or 15'."
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
What are the factors to consider in our teaching?
"What are the factors to consider in our teaching?
At least they should be made known to the student.
Dehabheda - tall, fat, lean, scoliosis, straight back.
Sādhana according to the physical characteristics.
Something which must be fed, otherwise it will destroy.
For example lumbar lordosis and deep back bends could cause problems."
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Q: How necessary is Yoga in these modern times?
Question to T Krishnamacharya:
Q: How necessary is Yoga in these modern times?
TK: For the strengthening of the Aṅga,
Yogāsana practiced with long inhalation and exhalation is important.
To reduce the disturbances of the mind,
to gain mental strength and to increase longevity,
Prāṇāyāma is necessary.
Q: What must form an essential part of a person’s daily practice?
Question to T Krishnamacharya:
Q: What must form an essential part of a person's daily practice?
TK: A minimum of ten minutes in Antaḥ Trātakam, Śanmukhīmudrā or Mahāmudrā
The relationship we have developed with the fruits of our actions is……
“The relationship we have developed with the fruits of our actions is īśvara Praṇidhānā” - TKV Desikachar France 1983