Yoga Sutras of Patanjali on True Contentment
From an attitude of true contentment (Santosha), unexcelled happiness, mental comfort, joy and satisfaction, are obtained.
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali on True Contentment
From an attitude of true contentment (Santosha), unexcelled happiness, mental comfort, joy and satisfaction, are obtained.
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali on True Contentment
Now do you understand what Silence is, it is being Still, ceasing your efforts to make things happen…no sooner do the bodily eyes close, than the soul is wrapped in prayer… it is amazing that so great a blessing enjoys an internal converse
Madame Guyon, Christian Mystic
which external matters cannot interrupt.
Christian mystic Jeanne Guyon’s devotional posture centered on what some call the inward way, or the “prayer of silence,” a means of communicating with God in humility, inward simplicity, and contemplation. Her situation was couched in a context that was quite different from ours, exacerbated by ruling authorities that were skeptical of any ideas that did not strictly conform to traditional thought. Guyon was able to break the bonds of her captivity through perseverance in the spiritual practice of attentive silence. Christians and others in the digital age can enjoy similar freedom from the temptations, injustices, and distractions that may hold them captive when use of mobile media is tempered by attentive silence and the goods discovered in a place of solitude. The attentive silence of Guyon helped her develop a holy listening that is much needed in our busy world of words.
Roland Trujillo reads and discusses On Rest in the context of Spiritual Progress. Roland talks about stillness and detachment and how meditation helps the sincere seeker find this blessed state. The Universal language of silence wherein GOD is equated as “Being in Presence” Being in the present moment, being aware, being out of thought and being timeless. Mindfulness practices are also talked about from the context of the digital aga an dhow relevant Guyons work is todays stressed demographics.
Christan mystics “controversial” for their engagement with this kind of prayer of silence to silence in silence – quietutde
Minutes 0-5 Reverence of silence in daily life – respect, humility, listening, Guyon found her strength and resilience in silence – in jail and unto death
Minute 31:Powerful rendering of yoga, silence and strength.
A beautiful sharing after the video clips” Patrick sharing : silence dissipated a conflicted parking situation – no ego to take the blows when he simply decided to listen to the other, steeped in anger – allowing its full expression simply took it to rest and resolution. Emily shared the power of listening – not personlizxing – just listening
“I remembered the importance of remembering our interconnectedness – who is fighting with whom – no words needed – there is no one other than parts of “me”.
Remembering the Foundations of Meditation:
Ānapānasmṛti ≈ mindfulness of inhaling and exhalingMichael Johnson, Meditation and Yoga
- Vipaśyanā ≈ insight
- Maitrī ≈ loving-kindness
- Vicāra ≈ inquiry
Yama and Niyama from the Yoga sutras remind us of what not to do – Yama (stealing, being violent, being greedy, speakin untruth) and what conditions help – Niyama (like cleanliness – personal hygiene and a clean peaceful space to sit in, willingness for self study). The importance of a comfortable yet attentive physical sitting posture (asana) with head neck and spine aligned and a check in with our body parts including the placement of our tongue at the back of our top teeth, our geza or closed eye position, the position of our legs, crossed or not, etc; Pranayama – mindfulness of our breathing, Pratyahara: checking in and bringing to rest, out 5 senses, Dharana (one pointed concentration to pull in our fragmented mind under the lens of awareness, Dhyana and Samadhi. Amidst the latter stages would be the remembering of foundation of meditation as we entered the resting space of silence wherein the strong foundation is ever present…awareness of awareness.
Remembering the Foundations of Meditation:
Ānapānasmṛti ≈ mindfulness of inhaling and exhaling
– Vipaśyanā ≈ insight
– Maitrī ≈ loving-kindness
– Vicāra ≈ inquiry—Michael Johnson, Meditation and Yoga—
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Grasping, craving or desire, anger, sloth, restlessness, and doubt—these are the known as the Five Hinderances to Medin Buddhism. In this dharma talk excerpt, Ayya Anandabodhi explains in-depth each of the Five Hinderances and how they obstruct us from seeing things as they really are.
Buddhist Teaching
The Buddhist tradition notes five main obstacles during meditation. These challenges distract the meditator from the meditation technique.
These hindrances sidetrack the mind away from present moment awareness, preventing relaxation and concentration.
If these obstacles disrupt meditation ongoingly, the long-term meditator may have trouble cultivating the deeper states of compassion, insight, and wisdom that meditation can provide. Quite bothersome and disadvantageous!
The five common obstacles to meditation include:
Which hindrances have you faced recently? Though we tend to encounter the same hindrance again and again, it’s common to bump up against each one at some point. Though it’s difficult to completely eliminate the hindrances, knowing which one(s) distracts you from meditation most often is helpful for reducing its occurrence in the future.
See how similar these obstacles are are to the elevated or vitiated states of Ayurveda’s three doshas. Here are some common irritations that arise when the doshas are agitated:
Notice how similar this list of elevated doshas is to the list of meditation hindrances?
When the doshas are elevated, they contribute to the meditation obstacles—blocking or veiling the natural sattvic state of mind that supports meditation. When out of balance, the doshas play a part in triggering or escalating the five hindrances.
This is important to note, as dosha-balancing diet, lifestyle, and self-care techniques can radically enrich your meditation practice by reducing the hindrances and boosting a state of sattva.
See how similar elevated rajas and tamas are to the meditation hindrances?
Extra rajas can directly lead to craving, ill-will, and restlessness. Likewise, extra tamas can directly lead to sloth, torpor, and doubt. To cultivate a consistent and deep meditation practice, Ayurveda encourages reducing excess rajas and tamas, while actively boosting sattva.
The meditation path is meant to help us awaken to our own true nature, recognize our interconnectedness, and see clearly into the true nature of reality. Unfortunately, the hindrances are real roadblocks to that awakening—especially when meditators get stuck in a rut repeatedly wrestling with the hindrances.
Although it’s tough to fully overcome the hindrances, it is beneficial to investigate and work with the hindrances when they arise, as that builds mindful awareness, self-regulation, and presence.
When the doshas and gunas are harmonized, the body-mind tends to experience more ease, balance, and harmony.
So, by reducing the hindrances with appropriate diet, lifestyle practices, and Ayurvedic self-care techniques, meditators have a substantially better chance of sitting comfortably, relaxing, committing to the meditation technique of choice, and enhancing concentration—thereby boosting clarity, compassion, insight, and wisdom.
This is an excerpt from Banyen Botanicals publishings.
—Ayurveda teaching on KAPHA (Dr. Lad explains)-—
Kapha is one of the three doshas—energetic forces of nature that compose the universe and everything in it. Considered the most “grounded” of the doshas, kapha shares qualities with the elements of water and earth, providing the body with stability and grace. Personality-wise, kapha characteristics include compassion, calmness, and resilience. (Also, many people seek out kapha-types as friends due to their loyal dispositions and tendency to give great hugs!) Excess kapha can cause the body, mind, and emotions to feel heavy, bogged down, or stuck in a routine. A kapha imbalance can happen to anyone, regardless of their Ayurvedic constitution or body type.
❀ Think you might have a kapha imbalance or want to discover your dosha? Take this quiz: http://bit.ly/banyan-take-the-quiz
❀ Learn more about doshas on this website: https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/pages/ayurvedic-vata-pitta-and-kapha
Check out the other videos from this series:
❀ What Are the Doshas? • What Are the Doshas? | Ayurveda Expla…
❀ What Is Vata? • What Is Vata? | Ayurveda Explained
❀ What Is Pitta? • What Is Pitta? | Ayurveda Explained
❀ What Is Kapha? • What Is Kapha? | Ayurveda Explained
Kapha is principally a combination of Earth and Water and is the energy that forms the body’s structure, and provides the “glue” or cohesion that holds the cells together. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin and maintains immunity. In balance, kapha is expressed as love, calmness, and forgiveness. Out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed, possessiveness,
Ayurveda teaching on Kapha
and congestive disorders.
When fire and water combine, they create steam. Fire is hot, mobile and sharp and water is liquid and “oily. These are “pitta” qualities known to govern the workings of your body and mind. “Pitta” helps metabolize your food and metabolize your emotions as well as your experiences and thoughts. When pitta is in balance, one has a keen intellect, balanced emotions and a natural proclivity for
Ayurveda teaching on Pitta
problem solving.
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