Category Archives: Yoga & the Bhagavad Gītā

Is there an equivalent of “redemption” in the Yogic system?

UnknownQuestion:
Is there an equivalent of “redemption” in the Yogic system? Getting out of the trouble caused by Avidyā?

Response:
A complex question as all the major Religious traditions have different views as to what it is and how it works.

The word redemption is from the root ‘redimere’ to buy back. Being saved from sin, error or evil and protection from damnation or disgrace, eternal or temporary.

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    Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Musings on Yoga Today, Prāṇāyāma, Yoga & Sāṃkhya | You are welcome to read 1 comment and to add yours

    I feel reflecting on the recent three posts on īśvara Praṇidhānā……

    kailash_manasarovarI feel reflecting on the recent three posts on īśvara Praṇidhānā from TKV Desikachar in relation to our actions needs to consider the Satviniyoga or appropriate application of the Citta or psyche in terms of:

    Vikalpa or the ability to skilfully use imagination and fantasy.
    Pramāṇa or the ability to skilfully use right perception.
    Smṛti or the ability to skilfully use our memory of experiences.

    And the Satviniyoga or appropriate application of Time In terms of its three faces – Past, Present and Future.
    These two aspects psyche and time offer a myriad of combinations for reflection such as:

    Past – “īśvara Praṇidhānā - How do we take the fruit of our action?”
    How skilful is my use of Pramāṇa around being present with possible impacts of previous actions?
    Present – “The relationship we have developed with the fruits of our actions is īśvara Praṇidhānā
    How skilful is my use of Smṛti around being present with possible effects of current actions?
    Future - “īśvara Praṇidhānā – What is our attitude towards our own action?”
    How skilful is my use of Vikalpa around possible outcomes of future actions?

      Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Citta, cYs Journal, Īśvara, Kriyā, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Pauls Musings on Yoga Today, Viniyoga, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two | You are welcome to add your comment

      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

        Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Īśvara, Kriyā, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two | You are welcome to add your comment

        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

          Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Īśvara, Kriyā, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Bricolage, Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two | You are welcome to add your comment

          īśvara Praṇidhānā – What is our attitude towards our own action?

          īśvara Praṇidhānā – What is our attitude towards our own action?”
          - TKV Desikachar France 1983

            Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Īśvara, Kriyā, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two | You are welcome to add your comment

            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

              Also posted in cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga | You are welcome to add your comment

              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.”

                Also posted in cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga | You are welcome to add your comment

                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.

                  Also posted in cYs Journal, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga | You are welcome to add your comment

                  The Indian culture says: ‘Dharma will protect the one who protects the Dharma’……

                  “The Indian culture says: ’Dharma will protect the one who protects the Dharma’.
                  If you serve something it will serve you. The more I honour the other person the better will be the response, of course it may take some time.”
                  - TKV Desikachar Speaking at a ten day meeting with his 16 senior Western students from 8 countries in London June 11th 1998

                    Also posted in cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga | You are welcome to add your comment

                    cYs Introductory Gītā Study Course April 13/14th 2013 in Bristol

                    The Bhagavad Gītā – Transforming Conflict through Spirituality

                    The cYs Introductory Gītā Study Course is based in Bristol and introduces student’s to the primary principles and teachings from the Bhagavad Gītā and how they inspire and inform Yoga practice
 and study.
                    The Introductory Gītā Study Course is open to all except complete beginners. It offers an opportunity for a student from any Yoga background or style to have an in-depth introduction to the study of the Bhagavad Gītā. It offers teachings on the Bhagavad Gītā, either for personal development or professional skills.

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                      Also posted in cYs Announcements, cYs Journal, News Views & Posts, Paul’s Yoga Related Stuff | You are welcome to add your comment

                      How is it that we fail to to act right, see right, communicate right, even……

                      “How is it that we fail to to act right, see right, communicate right, even though we have all the resources?
                      What are the indications of this failure?
                      What indicates that all is well?
                      Arjuna of the Indian epic Mahābhārata represents the model of what clouds our consciousness and what can break this cloud.”
                      - TKV Desikachar’s introduction to a seminar on the Bhagavad Gītā 1998

                        Also posted in cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga | You are welcome to add your comment

                        The Bhagavad Gītā seen through Three Hexads

                        According to Yamuna (the grandson of Nathamuni and forebear of Krishnamacharya) in his commentary to the Bhagavad Gītā, the Gītārtha Saṃgraha, this famous Hindu text should be considered as having three sections or hexads of six chapters each.

                        The first hexad is around our relationship with ourselves, the second hexad is around our relationship with God (as seen through Hinduism) and the third hexad is around our relationship with the world.

                          Also posted in cYs Journal, Paul’s Yoga Related Stuff | You are welcome to read 1 comment and to add yours

                          There is an image in the world today that the guru has a following and……

                          “There is an image in the world today that the guru has a following and his students follow him like the Pied Piper. This is not good.
                          The true guru shows you the way. You go your way and then you’re on your own, because you know your place and you are grateful.
                          I can always thank my guru naturally and enjoy the relationship, but I do not have to follow him around, because then I am not in my own place.
                          Following the guru’s destination is another way of losing yourself. The yoga concept of svadharma means “your own dharma” or “your own way”.
                          If you try to do somebody else’s dharma, trouble happens.
                          The guru helps you find your own dharma.”
                          TKV Desikachar

                            Also posted in cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, News Views & Posts, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Paul’s Yoga Related Stuff, Quotations, Yoga Articles | You are welcome to add your comment

                            The Bhagavad Gītā is about confusion OF Dharma and the Yoga Sūtra……

                            “The Bhagavad Gītā is about confusion OF Dharma and the Yoga Sūtra is about confusion AND Dharma.”
                            - TKV Desikachar

                              Also posted in cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga | You are welcome to add your comment

                              Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya

                              Śrī Yāmuna was the grandson of the 9th century sage Śrī Nāthamuni and a forebear of T Krishnamacharya.  His 32 verse commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā is called the Gītārtha Saṃgraha. It is seen as one of the most elegant and succinct available.
                              This workbook is offered as an freely available open source study guide for direct (link for further information on Bhagavad Gītā Study Courses) or long distance learning (with future posts offering a verse by verse translation) from my word by word studies over two years in my lessons with TKV Desikachar, with further notes from Desikachar’s study with his teacher T Krishnamacharya.

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                                Also posted in cYs Journal, Paul’s Yoga Related Stuff, Veda & Yoga Chanting, Views around the Source | You are welcome to add your comment

                                Bhagavad Gītā Chapter One – Verse 1 sets the story on the field of Dharma…..

                                Bhagavad Gītā Chapter One – Viṣāda Yoga or the Yoga of Depression

                                Verse 1 sets the story on the field of Dharma. Dharma is how we act in relation to the present moment and is a product of our Karma. Karma is a force coming from past memories. Thus Arjuna’s Dharma becomes confused because of his Karma.

                                  Also posted in cYs Journal, News Views & Posts, Pauls Daily Quotes Page | You are welcome to add your comment

                                  Or linking to what we need to understand to help refine the outcome of our actions.

                                  Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Four – Jñāna Yoga or The Yoga of Wisdom

                                  “Or linking to what we need to understand to help refine the outcome of our actions.”

                                    Also posted in cYs Journal, News Views & Posts, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Paul’s Yoga Related Stuff | You are welcome to add your comment

                                    Karma (Action) is the means to know oneself.

                                    Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Four – Jñāna Yoga or The Yoga of Wisdom – verse 17

                                    “Karma (Action) is the means to know oneself.”

                                      Also posted in cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page | You are welcome to add your comment

                                      Parigraha – What we get used to expecting around situations.

                                      Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Four – Jñāna Yoga or The Yoga of Wisdom – verse 21

                                      “Parigraha – What we get used to expecting around situations.”

                                        Also posted in cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page | You are welcome to add your comment

                                        Matsaraḥ or Jealousy – To find fault in others (that does not exist).

                                        Bhagavad Gītā Chapter 4 – Jñāna Yoga The Yoga of Wisdom – verse 22

                                        “Matsaraḥ or Jealousy – To find fault in others (that does not exist).”

                                          Also posted in cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page | You are welcome to add your comment

                                          Saṃśaya (Doubt) is the Fire that consumes Wisdom.

                                          Bhagavad Gītā Chapter 4 – Jñāna Yoga or The Yoga of Wisdom – verse 40

                                          “Saṃśaya (Doubt) is the Fire that consumes Wisdom.” – Commentary from T Krishnamacharya

                                            Also posted in cYs Journal, Krishnamacharya Quotations, News Views & Posts, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Paul’s Yoga Related Stuff, Quotations | You are welcome to add your comment

                                            What good is the sword of wisdom (jñāna asinā)……

                                            Bhagavad Gītā Chapter 4 – Jñāna Yoga The Yoga of Wisdom – verse 42

                                            “What good is the sword of wisdom (jñāna asinā) to cut away the chains of illusion (avidyā) if the holder is too weak to bear it.”
                                            - T Krishnamacharya

                                              Also posted in cYs Journal, Krishnamacharya Quotations, News Views & Posts, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Paul’s Yoga Related Stuff | You are welcome to add your comment

                                              Or what should be our attitude when acting.

                                              Bhagavad Gītā Chapter 5 – Karma-Saṃnyāsa Yoga - The Yoga of Renunciation of Fruits of Action

                                              “Or what should be our attitude when acting.”

                                                Also posted in cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page | You are welcome to add your comment

                                                Niṣṭhā – The holding of a question throughout the days activities.

                                                Bhagavad Gītā Chapter 5 – Karma-Saṃnyāsa Yoga The Yoga of Renunciation of Fruits of Action – Verse 17

                                                “niṣṭhā – The holding of a question throughout the days activities.”

                                                  Also posted in cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page | You are welcome to add your comment

                                                  Samavṛtti ratio (1.0.1.0) in prāṇāyāma to help……

                                                  Bhagavad Gītā Chapter 5 – Karma-Saṃnyāsa Yoga The Yoga of Renunciation of Fruits of Action – verse 27

                                                  ‎”samavṛtti ratio (1.0.1.0) in prāṇāyāma to help reduce the power of rajas (activity) and tamas (obscurity).” Quote from T Krishnamacharya

                                                    Also posted in cYs Journal, Krishnamacharya Quotations, News Views & Posts, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Paul’s Yoga Related Stuff | You are welcome to add your comment
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                                                    “If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.”
                                                    William Blake