“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
Category Archives: Yoga Sūtra Chapter One
So how do you find out these important facts?
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Citta, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Even if one’s Guru says a certain thing will happen and it happens……
“Even if one’s Guru says a certain thing will happen and it happens,
that is still Vikalpa, as it has not gone through the necessary progression.
When you take the word of the Guru for authority,
unless you put it through the process of discriminative investigation (Viveka),
the mere acceptance of it, even if true, because it suits your fancy
i.e. Vikalpa, will not make it valid for you.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1988 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
The means to knowledge i.e. our method of knowing, involves a……
“The means to knowledge i.e. our method of knowing (Pramāṇa – right perception), involves a progression,
a movement from Āgama (authentic teachings), what we hear or perceive or learn from authoritative sources;
to Pratyakṣa (through the senses) to see the fire, itself, the fact, the truth, the reality.
Such a means to know is a movement from the gross to the subtle.
In Vikalpa, we don’t have this progression.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1988 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Cit, Citta, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
Through Vikalpa, the mind fabricates thoughts of no essence……
“Through Vikalpa, the mind fabricates thoughts of no essence, no substance;
and since meditation is, for most of us, the play of the mind, Vikalpa is the greatest obstacle.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1988 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Citta, Desikachar Quotations, Dhyānam, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
The biggest obstacle to meditation is Vikalpa……
“The biggest obstacle to meditation is Vikalpa, the ability of the mind to fabricate in spite of reality.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1988 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Citta, Desikachar Quotations, Dhyānam, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
Yukti Abhyāsa – How to cultivate as intimate a relationship with our……
Yukti Abhyāsa (skilful practice) – How to cultivate as intimate a relationship with our Sādhana, as with our Neuroses.
Also posted in Abhyāsa, All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
I do feel that verses 10 and 11 Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two offer……
This post arose from a comment in a thread yesterday on my facebook page:
“I feel that by know you are surely off YS 2.1?”
Its not something I think about often from that perspective so my thanks to Ivan for the following reflection:
Saṃyama can be on……
“Saṃyama can be on the physical, as in Hasta on the strength of an elephant.
Or Saṃyama on Saṃskāra, an investigation of mental tendencies leading to an understanding of past traits.
Or on Grahaṇa, going into the idea of how the senses hold objects, what is the basis inside for sense perceptions.
This leads to Indriya Jaya.
Patañjali is giving indications that these practices are possible.
īśvara Praṇidhāna is quoted more than once, through investigation of this idea he tells us that it is this that makes a person aware of their true self – Tataḥ Pratyak Cetanā Adhigamaḥ (YS C1 v29).
Sādhana can be physical, senses, mental, spiritual.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
What is the greatest obstacle to meditation?
Question: What is the greatest obstacle to meditation?
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1998 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
One of the great illusions within the Citta is its ability to dress in drag……
One of the skilful illusions within the Citta is its ability to dress in drag so as to appear as if Cit.
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Avidyā, Cit, Citta, Paul Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
I do not reject the concept of meditation without a question for inquiry……
“I do not reject the concept of meditation without a question for inquiry or an object for meditation,
but how, given the previous definition of meditation,
could we explain the absence of a question or an object in this scheme?
Certainly, if the ‘I’ is not there, there can be no meditation.
Many heads have rolled on this question of objectless meditation and I want to save my head.
It may be possible to meditate without an object but, personally, I am skeptical that one can.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1998 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
Thus Yukti Anumāna or skilful inference through the process of……
The witness cannot be witnessed.
- Yoga Sūtra C4 v21
Thus Yukti Anumāna or skilful inference through the process of ne’iti, ne’iti or not this, not that, is seen as a means to understand all except that, which cannot be identified, yet still expresses the essence of existence.
Continue ReadingIt is difficult to realise the wonders of Cit within the wanderings of the Citta.
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Cit, Citta, cYs Journal, Paul Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page
How does the ‘I’ influence Dhyāna?
Question: How does the ‘I’ influence Dhyāna?
“Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra, which describes every aspect of mental activity, provides an answer to this question…….”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1998 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
Proper preparation can involve eliminating divisive forces and making……
“Proper preparation can involve eliminating divisive forces and making certain the person is ready for the work.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1998 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
Often Dhyāna fails because one is not able to reach the first stage……
“Often Dhyāna fails because one is not able to reach the first stage, the Pūrvāṅga (preparation).
Often one wants to go to the second stage without going through the first one, and that is not possible.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1998 in seminar on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
We must recognise the necessity of preparation, the need to work so……
“We must recognise the necessity of preparation,
the need to work so we can come to a level where we are able to fix the question.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1998 in seminar on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition
To help guide our Dhyānam Sādhana the Indian tradition offers precious……
Yoga can be a mystery to be resolved or a question to be solved. The process for one is Bhakti Dhyānam and for the other Jñana Dhyānam. From the perspective of the Yoga Sūtra the common inquiry is the relationship of Citta with Cit.
Continue ReadingAlso posted in Abhyāsa, All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Avidyā, Cit, Citta, cYs Journal, Dhyānam, Īśvara, Pauls Musings on Yoga Today, Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two
The Yoga Sūtra become as if metaphysical Mantra when they can be……
Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 28
tat-japaḥ tat-artha-bhāvanam |
That repetition is for cultivation of its purpose.
“The Yoga Sūtra become as if metaphysical Mantra,
when they can be an internal intonation,
as well as an external edification.”
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, cYs Journal, Dhyānam, Paul Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Veda & Yoga Chanting
Once again, let me remind you that Dhyāna is……
“Once again, let me remind you that Dhyāna is:
1. The ability to establish a contact with an object.
2. The ability to prolong this contact so as to create a link both ways.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1998 in seminar on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition
Thus, the ability to fix the question is a requisite for Dhyāna…..
“Thus, the ability to fix the question is a requisite for Dhyāna.
One who cannot is not ready for meditation.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1998 in seminar on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition
In some moments the heart melds with the Mantra……
In some moments the heart melds with the Mantra,
in others the mind grapples with the Mantra,
occasionally there is just the wonder of the Mantra.
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Īśvara, Paul Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
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