Author Archives: paul
Also he (Patañjali) doesn’t standardise the steps……
"Also he (Patañjali) doesn't standardise the steps.
Depending on the individual the practice varies.
Nothing is gross or subtle.
For example Āsana is gross to one person and subtle to another."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
This is what Patañjali says in that everything must be given step by step……
"This is what Patañjali says in that everything must be given step by step.
Yoga Sūtra III.6 reflects this idea."
(tasya bhūmiṣu viniyogaḥ - Its application is in stages.)
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
The request for learning must come from the aspirant……
"The request for learning must come from the aspirant.
Only then can be the process be step by step.
First one question which is understood, then the next.
For example Annam (food) is Brahma, then Prāṇa is Brahma (Taittirīya Upaniṣad – Bhṛguvallī v1-10).
This was the traditional approach by the aspirant."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
Posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Upaniṣads, viniyoga of Yoga
Whether or not I like it, I should know where I am……
"Whether or not I like it, I should know where I am.
Otherwise we try to draw the line from where we are not to where we want to be.
Therefore the first point must be understood and then we can go to the next point."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
That’s how the idea of Darśana (View) came into being……
"That's how the idea of Darśana (View) came into being.
We needed a mirror to see exactly how we are.
The important characteristic is that it should reflect faithfully what is in me.
This is what is called an Ācarya or teacher.
A good mirror should be clear."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
However first we should know where we are……
"However first we should know where we are.
We must examine ideas like we must start from where we actually are, not where we want to be.
We must first recognise our actual state of mind."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
What you have already are Siddhi, but you can lose them if you don’t sustain them.
"What you have already are Siddhi, but you can lose them if you don't sustain them."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
Now to examine the question of putting Sādhana and Siddhi together……
"Now to examine the question of putting Sādhana and Siddhi together.
In brief there are different levels of Siddhi and different possibilities of Sādhana.
How to develop the Sādhana and how to get the best out of the Sādhana and the Siddhi?
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
AG Mohan on Krishnamacharya’s approach to Śīrṣāsana.
AG Mohan on Krishnamacharya's approach to Śīrṣāsana. Also a downloadable PDF extracted and developed from the Yoga Makaranda on Āsana practice, especially variations around Viparīta Karaṇī (here as Śīrṣāsana)
Posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Views around the Source, viniyoga of Yoga
Movement from one high state of distraction to a lesser state……
"Movement from one high state of distraction to a lesser state of distraction is also a Siddhi.
First state I am disturbed and don't know anything.
Second state still disturbed but know why I am disturbed.
However I want to go further to a state where no disturbances."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
Another important point is that these Sādhana have steps……
"Another important point is that these Sādhana have steps.
One can go from one Siddhi to another Siddhi.
Each step of Sādhana is also a Siddhi.
On that premise Yoga Citta Vṛtti Nirodha (Yoga Sūtra C1 v2) is at every step a Sādhana and a Siddhi."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
AG Mohan on Krishnamacharya’s Vaiṣṇavite commentary on the Yoga Sūtra.
Vedavallī, T Krishnamacharya's commentary on the Yoga Sūtra, looking at the text from his personal Vaiṣṇavite viewpoint of Viśiṣṭādvaita or qualified non-dualism (One of the three primary schools of Vedānta).
Posted in cYs Journal, Views around the Source, viniyoga of Yoga
Union of Jīvātman and Paramātman is a Siddhi not a Sādhana……
"Union of Jīvātman and Paramātman is a Siddhi not a Sādhana when it is felt or realised.
If this is clear then Rāja Yoga is a Siddhi.
However one has to work for it in Sādhana.
Anything that takes you in this direction is a Sādhana."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
Samatvam (Bhagavad Gītā C2 v48) is a Siddhi……
“Samatvam or (Equanimity - Bhagavad Gītā C2 v48) is a Siddhi.
Because it is state already achieved.”
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
Amongst the powerful definitions of Yoga in the Bhagavad Gītā……
Amongst the powerful definitions of Yoga in the Bhagavad Gītā, Chapter Two verse 48 defines Yoga as Samatvam or equanimity.
My teacher described it as: "When acting responsibly within our Dharma, there is no attachment to the fruits."
Yoga is about cultivating a profound discernment (Viveka) of the……
Yoga is about cultivating a profound discernment (Viveka) of the difference between the Nature of our Being (Puruṣa) and the Nature of our Nature (Prakṛti).
- Yoga Sūtra C1 v12-17
Another Siddhi is Haṭha Yoga……
"Another Siddhi is Haṭha Yoga.
Instead of energy going here and there, it is right where it should be in the top of the head.
Haṭha Yoga - Equipoise of energy."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
Let us go into Siddhi, here the important word is Samādhi……
"Let us go into Siddhi (Accomplishment), here the important word is Samādhi (Integration).
Unless we are born like that, then its a Siddhi (Yoga Sūtra C4 v1), Samādhi is a Siddhi.
When we are in a state of absorption in something we are in Samādhi.
After which we appreciate the object in question and understand it more clearly."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
In the Bhagavad Gītā C5 v11 Karma (Action) is defined as a……
Bhagavad Gītā Chapter 5 – Karma-Saṃnyāsa Yoga The Yoga of Renunciation of Fruits of Action - Verse 11
In the Bhagavad Gītā C5 v11 Karma (Action) is defined as a Śodhana Kriyā where, as actions are done they are also a chance to refine oneself. Whatever I do and whatever happens is a chance to refine myself. The Bhāvana is Ātma Śuddhi where all actions are an opportunity for purification of that which inhibits expression of our essence. The Yoga Sūtra reminds us in Chapter Two verse 21: tat-artha eva-dṛśyasya-ātmā | “That purpose of the seen is indeed for our essence.” So in the view of the Bhagavad Gītā every Karma or action must be taken as an occasion to look at ourselves and our motives within and behind the action.Manasika Sādhana – Mind has a part to play……
“Manasika Sādhana – Mind has a part to play.
We can either direct or restrain.
Mind mentioned a lot in Yoga texts.
i.e. Attitude of Saṃtoṣa - mental contentment also a Sādhana.
Also Bhāvana.
Also Yama and Niyama.
When Yama and Niyama accomplished they become Siddhi.
Svādhyāya example of Sādhana - Study to know something about oneself or others.
Adhyayayana - To repeat exactly what is said by your teacher.
Based on three steps:
Śravaṇam - Listen
Mananam - Reflect
Nidhidhyāsanam - Go into what the teachers says.
Japam - Repeating a Mantra reflecting on the meaning everyday a certain number of times.
Also question of prayer - Īśvara Praṇidhānāt.
Thinking about God according to the way you have been taught.
Dhyānam is considered both Sādhana and Siddhi.
Reflection - behind action and result.
Svapna Nidrā - Reflection on sleep and dreams.
Slept well/not well. Good dreams/bad dreams.
Investigate the phenomena of falling asleep.
The list is endless, all are Sādhana.”
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
Aindriyika Sādhana – Concerning the Senses……
“Aindriyika Sādhana – Concerning the Senses.
Food - Diet - Temptation - Restraining the tongue.
Many things concerning senses of smell, taste, sight, touch, hearing.”
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
Śarīrika Sādhana – Keeping the body fit and well……
"Śarīrika Sādhana - Keeping the body fit and well.
In the language of Patañjali Āsana is mostly Śarīrika Sādhana."
- TKV Desikachar France August 1983
On Yoga and Health in the KYM with TKV Desikachar
Whilst living in Chennai through 1980 I recorded a video of an Indian TV programme about the work of the KYM in the field of Yoga and Health. Recently I had the video cassette digitalised and shared it as an online downloadable with students.
From here it has made its way onto YouTube and open source viewing.
Posted in cYs Journal, Views around the Source, viniyoga of Yoga
Defining our relationship with awareness is a matter of re-defining……
"na iti na iti - not this, not this"
Defining our relationship with awareness is a matter of re-defining our relationship with matter.
- Bṛhad Āraṇyaka Upaniṣat II.3.6
Sometimes we try to transmit what we cherish or what we have learnt.