“īśvara Praṇidhānā – What is our attitude towards our own action?”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Category Archives: Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two
īśvara Praṇidhānā – What is our attitude towards our own action?
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
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Āsana, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Kriyā, Viniyoga, viniyoga of Yoga
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 1983
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Āsana, Aṣṭāṅgā, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Kriyā, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
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
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Aṣṭāṅgā, Cit, Citta, Dhyānam, Īśvara, Paul Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
These five Kleśa surround the heart of every individual……
“These five Kleśa surround the heart of every individual.
They are related to the three Guṇa known as Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
As long as one chooses not to inquire into the true nature of one’s self and acts mechanically,
they will unknowingly contribute to the dominance of the Kleśa.”
- Śrī T Krishnamacharya commentary to Yoga Sūtra C2 v3
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Avidyā, Cit, Citta, Kleśa, Krishnamacharya Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
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’
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:
What is the most important aspect of Pūrvāṅga?
Question: What is the most important aspect of Pūrvāṅga?
“Pūrvāṅga (preceeding practice) is essentially a process of elimination in which we eliminate those thoughts that are not relevant. In fact Yoga is the process of eliminating the undesirable so we can be linked with the desirable.
It is the movement from Saṃyoga (the mixing up of two things) to Viyoga (the process of separating) from Saguṇa (with Guṇa; with qualities or characteristics; the gross; the world) to Nirguṇa (without Guṇa; beyond qualities or characteristics; subtle).
But we must be careful how we define desirable or undesirable.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1988 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Aṣṭāṅgā, Avidyā, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Dhyānam, 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’
The process of becoming increasingly disillusioned is an essential……
The process of becoming increasingly disillusioned is an essential Krama in our Sādhana towards illumination.
- Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 25
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Aṣṭāṅgā, Avidyā, Kaivalya, Paul Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Viniyoga, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
Sometimes, a question may arise when you are not ready……
“Sometimes, a question may arise when you are not ready.
How to reach the question requires preliminaries, for there must be a freshness in your approach.
If the approach is habitual, the response will be wrong.
When we equip ourselves better, we will know the right question.
Only then can we say, ‘It is MY question’.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1998 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Aṣṭāṅgā, Desikachar Quotations, Dhyānam, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Viniyoga, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
One need not fix the question first……
“One need not fix the question first. Instead, one must do the preliminary preparation. If that is done properly, one does not have to decide: the question will come. You just rise to the level where questioning is possible.”
- 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 ReadingWhen an object is invisible, it is not invisible because it is not there……
“When an object is invisible, it is not invisible because it is not there, but because something hides it.
What you seek may be next door, but you won’t find it precisely because it is next door.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1998 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
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’
Dhyāna, then, the ability to pursue and fix a question, also requires……
“Dhyāna, then, the ability to pursue and fix a question, also requires Pūrvāṅga, preparation.”
- TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1998 on ‘Models for Meditation According to Indian Tradition’
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Aṣṭāṅgā, Desikachar Quotations, Dhyānam, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Viniyoga, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
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
Patañjali was very prophetic, because he spoke not only of……
“Patañjali
was
very
prophetic,
because
he spoke
not
only
of
yesterday’s
mind,
but
also
of
tomorrow’s.
His
message
concerns
clarity,
and it
will
become
more
and
more
pertinent
as
time
goes
by,
because
people
are
now
questioning
much
more
than
before.”
- TKV Desikachar Narbonne May 1999
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 One
Avidyā is the illusion of recognising the……
anitya-aśuci-duḥkha-anātmasu nitya-śuci-sukha-ātma-khyātiḥ avidyā ||
”Avidyā is the illusion of recognising:
the ephemeral as the eternal,
the profane as the profound,
pain as pleasure and
the silhouette as the source.”
Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 5
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Avidyā, Kleśa, Paul Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Yoga Sūtra Freenotes
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
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